Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction together with other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters likely in the same boat and aim to enhance their abilities,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers
Dungeon Masters can opt for packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:
- Foundational Skills: Teaches the basics of leading a game.
- Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
- Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Professional Development: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.
Each course includes eight hours of classwork spread over a weekend.
“The courses are created so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can join, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and apply in your home campaign.”
Seasoned Educators
The majority of workshops are taught by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is guided by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, together instructing the craft of setting creation.
Professional development features several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims.
“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.
“You could almost run an full two days just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”
The twenty-five hundred dollar top package offers an extended personal consultation and the chance to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.
“The purpose is for the faculty member to review whatever the DM is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”
Coming Developments
Input from the first event will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing different seminar structures.
“I hope that we conduct these frequently,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”
