Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master University
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“There are thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in a similar position and also want to improve their skills,” noted Jason Carl.
Course Offerings and Cost Levels
DMs can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:
- Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments.
- Professional Development: Aimed at game masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.
All workshops includes two days of classwork split over a weekend.
“The workshops are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your local game.”
Expert Instructors
Most classes are taught by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design.
Professional development includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is intended to offer targeted guidance to participants with definite objectives.
“Various attendees want to launch their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them plan to produce and create new material,” Carl said. “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? Can anyone do it?”
Advanced Options
A $1.5K premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.
“You could almost run an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework 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 platinum tier includes an extended personal consultation and the chance to lead a session for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and guidance.
“The goal is for the instructor to assess whichever aspect is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”
Future Plans
Input from the debut workshop will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we conduct these very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with large gatherings.”
