Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of DMU. The inaugural event is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and seek to improve their skills,” explained the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

DMs can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Teaches the basics of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction split over a weekend.

“The courses are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the week after and apply in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Universe creation is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Some of them aim to start their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the lab work is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier includes an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the debut workshop will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I expect that we conduct these frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be amazing to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”