Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters run Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in the UK and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.
In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session in the company of other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and aim to level up their game,” explained Jason Carl.
Course Offerings and Ticket Packages
Game masters can select options ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:
- Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D.
- Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures.
- Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
- Professional Development: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the gaming industry.
Each course includes eight hours of training split over two days.
“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your home campaign.”
Expert Instructors
The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design.
Industry advancement includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is meant to offer targeted guidance to students with specific goals.
“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”
Higher Tiers
A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier offers access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.
“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and guidance.
“The aim is for the instructor to review whichever aspect is interested in: I have difficulty with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a situation for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”
Coming Developments
Responses from the inaugural session will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl said. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in collaboration with major events.”