Keith Baker along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who seldom have the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your peers often in a similar position and also want to improve their skills,” explained the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can choose from tiers ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Covers the essentials of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

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

“The workshops are structured so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Professional development presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is designed to provide specialized information to attendees with specific goals.

“Some of them plan to create their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and create new material,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an full two days just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I believe the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to lead a session for five players plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Responses from the first event will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to a longer period, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I believe it would be amazing to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”