Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is set for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” stated Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Aimed at DMs who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes multiple sessions of classwork spread over two days.

“The courses are structured so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, learn from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are taught by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others aim to release and create new material,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The aim is for the instructor to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Input from the first event will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in collaboration with large gatherings.”