Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing compares to an in-person experience in the company of fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and seek to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

Each course includes eight hours of instruction spread over two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you leave with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are led by two professors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Industry advancement features multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is intended to offer targeted guidance to attendees with particular aims.

“Various attendees aim to start their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers 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 professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package includes an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The aim is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, extending the program to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been really terrific. We’re very happy with current developments and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”