Monte Cook and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and aim to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes two days of instruction spread over 48 hours.

“The courses are structured so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Career building features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is meant to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them aim to start their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the structured learning and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

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

“The goal is for the instructor to assess any element is interested in: I struggle with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in different cities, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with major events.”