Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among career game masters who rarely get the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and other game masters often in a similar position and also want to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

DMs can opt for packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the essentials of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

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

“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can join, learn from, and then head back to your table the week after and apply in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Universe creation is led by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals.

“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The purpose is for the instructor to assess whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”