Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and other game masters likely in the same boat and aim to enhance their abilities,” explained Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes two days of instruction split over 48 hours.

“The classes are designed so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

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

Industry advancement features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.

“Various attendees want to launch their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the lab work is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The goal is for the teacher to review whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Responses from the debut workshop will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with current developments and I believe it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with big conventions.”