Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction together with other dungeon masters, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” noted Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, depending on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the basics of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Tailored to game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

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

“The courses are structured so that you depart having tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can join, learn from, and then return to your group the week after and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Professional development includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is designed to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Premium Packages

A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option offers an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to assess any element is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the first event will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I think it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in conjunction with big conventions.”