Keith Baker and Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is set for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers who are probably in a similar position and aim to enhance their abilities,” explained Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Game masters can opt for packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of classwork spread over two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, learn from, and then head back to your table the following week and apply in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to participants with definite objectives.

“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the formal instruction and the lab work is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option offers an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to lead a session for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Input from the first event will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to three days, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl said. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in partnership with big conventions.”