Keith Baker and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and seek to level up their game,” explained the program's dean.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Game masters can select packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, according to the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who want to learn more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes two days of training divided across two days.

“The workshops are designed so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the next week and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is taught by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I believe the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier includes an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the instructor to review any element is interested in: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Responses from the debut workshop will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we do this regularly,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in conjunction with major events.”