Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is planned for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience in the company of peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and seek to improve their skills,” noted the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can select options ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

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

“The courses are created so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are led by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with particular aims.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package offers access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures 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 best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to lead a session for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Responses from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I believe it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in collaboration with major events.”