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

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead D&D games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute an in-person experience alongside fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your peers often in a similar position and also want to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Game masters can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of training divided across 48 hours.

“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are taught by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Industry advancement presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.

“Certain participants aim to start their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option includes an 60-minute private session and the chance to lead a session for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The goal is for the teacher to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with large gatherings.”