Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters run D&D games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is set for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and other game masters likely in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can choose from packages ranging from $995 to $2,500, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Aimed at DMs who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes two days of training divided across two days.

“The workshops are designed so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, learn from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Industry advancement includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.

“Certain participants want to launch their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them aim to release and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The goal is for the instructor to evaluate any element is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Responses from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to do this in partnership with large gatherings.”