Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among career game masters who infrequently find the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The first session is set for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers
Dungeon Masters can choose from options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes one of four courses:
- Foundational Skills: Covers the essentials of leading a game.
- Campaign Building: Centers on building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
- Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.
All workshops includes multiple sessions of classwork split over a weekend.
“The courses are created so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and implement in your home campaign.”
Expert Instructors
The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is guided by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.
Professional development features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives.
“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1,500 premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.
“You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2,500 top package provides an 60-minute private session and the chance to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and coaching.
“The purpose is for the teacher to review whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”
Coming Developments
Feedback from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.
“I expect that we do this regularly,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to organize these in partnership with large gatherings.”