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

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs run D&D games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are countless online tutorials on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session in the company of other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and seek to level up their game,” noted Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Game masters can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes eight hours of classwork divided across a weekend.

“The classes are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the coursework and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review whichever aspect is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a given year, in different cities, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I think it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in partnership with large gatherings.”