Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at DMU

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The first session is set for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your peers who are probably in comparable situations and aim to enhance their abilities,” stated the program's dean.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the basics of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

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

“The courses are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the week after and implement in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to deliver focused advice to attendees with definite objectives.

“Various attendees aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Input from the first event will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in different cities, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”