Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs who are probably in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

DMs can choose from options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Aimed at DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes two days of training divided across a weekend.

“The classes are created so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are led by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, several plan to produce and write original content,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K premium package offers access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the coursework and the lab work is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option includes an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility 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 instructor to assess any element is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Input from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to a longer period, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been really terrific. We’re very happy with current developments and I think it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in partnership with big conventions.”