Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting immersive events where experienced game masters manage D&D games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your peers often in the same boat and also want to level up their game,” stated Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the essentials of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Aimed at DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes eight hours of classwork split over a weekend.

“The courses are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can attend, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to attendees with specific goals.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to lead a session for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The aim is for the teacher to assess whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scene for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we do this regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in partnership with big conventions.”