Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Workshops at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session 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 concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers often in comparable situations and aim to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Covers the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction spread over two days.

“The classes are created so that you depart having tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is guided by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Career building presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.

“Various attendees plan to create their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I think the formal instruction and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier 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 provide notes and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Responses from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, extending the program to a longer period, or testing different seminar structures.

“I hope that we do this very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to do this in conjunction with large gatherings.”