Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of other dungeon masters, where direct communication with seasoned educators and other game masters often in comparable situations and seek to improve their skills,” explained Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

Game masters can choose from tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Tailored to game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction split over a weekend.

“The workshops are created so that you leave with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, learn from, and then return to your group the week after and put into practice in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is meant to deliver focused advice to attendees with definite objectives.

“Some of them want to launch their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option offers an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The aim is for the teacher to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Input from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”