Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in Britain and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can opt for options ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of training split over two days.

“The workshops are designed so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by two professors. Universe creation is guided by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, both teaching the craft of setting creation.

Career building features four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to provide specialized information to participants with definite objectives.

“Some of them want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an full two days just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the chance to manage an adventure for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Responses from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to 72 hours, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we conduct these regularly,” Carl said. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”