Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began crafting a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your peers often in the same boat and aim to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

DMs can opt for packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes eight hours of training divided across a weekend.

“The classes are designed so that you depart having tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Career building features several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is intended to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, several aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 gold tier provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the coursework and the lab work is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to run a game for five players plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review whichever aspect is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a situation for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Input from the inaugural session will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, extending the program to three days, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”