Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters lead D&D games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with peers in game mastering, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in a similar position and also want to improve their skills,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Designed for game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes two days of classwork spread over two days.

“The classes are designed so that you leave with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Professional development features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“You could almost run an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package provides an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to assess any element is concerned with: I have difficulty with improvisation or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to receive input and information on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I hope that we conduct these regularly,” Carl said. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with large gatherings.”