Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and other game masters likely in the same boat and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Game masters can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the essentials of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Aimed at DMs who want to learn more about the gaming industry.

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

“The workshops are structured so that you depart having tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are led by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package provides access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I think the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K premium option offers an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to lead a session for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate any element is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”