Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at DMU
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run D&D games in ancient fortresses in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction alongside other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and also want to improve their skills,” noted Jason Carl.
Available Classes and Ticket Packages
DMs can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:
- Foundational Skills: Focuses on the basics of running D&D.
- Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
- Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
- Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.
Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork divided across two days.
“The courses are created so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, learn from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your home campaign.”
Professional Teachers
The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the skill of universe design.
Career building includes multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with particular aims.
“Certain participants want to launch their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1,500 enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.
“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”
The $2,500 platinum tier includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and coaching.
“The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”
Next Steps
Feedback from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I feel it would be amazing to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”