Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs run D&D games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the moment to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing compares to an in-person experience in the company of peers in game mastering, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes eight hours of training divided across two days.

“The classes are created so that you leave with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “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 regular session.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with specific goals.

“Some of them want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several aim to release and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier includes an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and information on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we host such events very often,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with major events.”