Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Instructing Classes at DMU
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage D&D games in historic castles in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the organizers began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“You can watch numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your peers often in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” noted Jason Carl.
Course Offerings and Ticket Packages
DMs can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:
- Skill Building: Covers the basics of managing a session.
- Story Arc Development: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
- Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.
Every class includes multiple sessions of instruction split over a weekend.
“The classes are structured so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and apply in your regular session.”
Professional Teachers
The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is guided by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, together instructing the craft of setting creation.
Career building includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.
“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”
Premium Packages
A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.
“You could almost run an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”
The $2,500 top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction.
“The goal is for the faculty member to review any element is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”
Future Plans
Input from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, extending the program to a longer period, or trying out different seminar structures.
“I anticipate that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to do this in conjunction with large gatherings.”
