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

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters run fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and other game masters who are probably in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at game masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

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

“The courses are structured so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, learn from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is led by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development presents multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is intended to offer targeted guidance to students with specific goals.

“Some of them aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“You could almost run an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the coursework and the lab work is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to lead a session for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The goal is for the teacher to evaluate any element is interested in: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Input from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I hope 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 various nations. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to do this in collaboration with large gatherings.”