Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in England and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among forever DMs who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is set for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and seek to improve their skills,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can choose from packages ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Covers the basics of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Designed for dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes eight hours of instruction divided across two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you leave with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is meant to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals.

“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several want to publish and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“You could almost run an complete event just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an extended personal consultation and the chance to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The goal is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the first event will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to 72 hours, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we conduct these very often,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I think it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in partnership with large gatherings.”