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

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The first session is planned for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your peers often in the same boat and also want to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

DMs can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the essentials of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork split over two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and put into practice in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, both teaching the craft of setting creation.

Professional development features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is intended to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.

“Various attendees aim to start their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, several aim to release and write original content,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier offers an 60-minute private session and the possibility to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The purpose is for the instructor to assess any element is interested in: I have difficulty with improvisation or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Responses from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these very often,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback 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 major events.”