Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Workshops at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and also want to level up their game,” noted the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Game masters can opt for packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes two days of classwork split over a weekend.

“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are taught by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is guided by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Career building presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with particular aims.

“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A $1.5K gold tier offers access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an complete event just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl said. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with big conventions.”