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

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers often in the same boat and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Game masters can opt for options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The base tier includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Covers the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Aimed at DMs who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes two days of training divided across two days.

“The classes are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the following week and implement in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development includes several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is intended to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.

“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the debut of the program, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“You could almost run an full two days just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I think the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the inaugural session will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we do this regularly,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”