Monte Cook and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in comparable situations and seek to enhance their abilities,” noted Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can select tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes two days of instruction divided across a weekend.

“The courses are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can attend, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is guided by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to attendees with specific goals.

“Certain participants plan to create their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option offers access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This represents the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The aim is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is interested in: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Future Plans

Responses from the debut workshop will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl said that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to 72 hours, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in conjunction with big conventions.”