Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

Game masters can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Teaches the basics of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes multiple sessions of instruction spread over two days.

“The classes are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are instructed by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to participants with definite objectives.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a particular setting that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we host such events very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in partnership with large gatherings.”