Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters run Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

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

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your peers likely in a similar position and also want to enhance their abilities,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the basics of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at game masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes eight hours of training divided across a weekend.

“The workshops are designed so that you depart having usable skills, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are taught by two professors. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to offer targeted guidance to participants with specific goals.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to lead a session for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scene for you and receive input 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

Feedback from the debut workshop will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with large gatherings.”