Keith Baker and Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters 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 join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are countless online tutorials on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session together with fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your peers often in the same boat and also want to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

DMs can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes two days of instruction split over two days.

“The classes are structured so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Industry advancement includes four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals.

“Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K gold tier provides access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“You could almost run an complete event just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in partnership with major events.”