Monte Cook and Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master University
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among forever DMs who infrequently find the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the planners began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of peers in game mastering, where direct communication with faculty instructors and other game masters often in the same boat and aim to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers
Dungeon Masters can opt for tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:
- Core Techniques: Teaches the essentials of running D&D.
- Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
- Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Career Building: Aimed at game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.
Every class includes multiple sessions of training divided across a weekend.
“The courses are designed so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the week after and implement in your regular session.”
Seasoned Educators
Many sessions are led by two professors. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.
Professional development includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals.
“Some of them plan to create their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, others want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”
Premium Packages
A $1,500 enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.
“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I think 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 platinum tier includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and coaching.
“The aim is for the instructor to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”
Coming Developments
Responses from the inaugural session will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to three days, or trying out varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”
