Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction together with other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and other game masters often in the same boat and aim to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Game masters can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the essentials of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes eight hours of classwork spread over two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you depart having tangible results, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is guided by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with specific goals.

“Some of them plan to create their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and information on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Responses from the debut workshop will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to do this in partnership with major events.”