🔗 Share this article Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the organizers began designing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Pricing Tiers DMs can choose from options ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops: Foundational Skills: Covers the essentials of leading a game. Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds. Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession. Each course includes eight hours of training divided across two days. “The classes are structured so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and implement in your home campaign.” Professional Teachers The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Professional development presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals. “Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?” Premium Packages A $1,500 gold tier offers access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I think the structured learning and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to run a game for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The purpose is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.” Coming Developments Responses from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements. “I hope that we do this regularly,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with large gatherings.”
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the organizers began designing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “There are thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session together with other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and aim to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Pricing Tiers DMs can choose from options ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops: Foundational Skills: Covers the essentials of leading a game. Story Arc Development: Focuses around designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds. Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession. Each course includes eight hours of training divided across two days. “The classes are structured so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl noted. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the week after and implement in your home campaign.” Professional Teachers The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Professional development presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals. “Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?” Premium Packages A $1,500 gold tier offers access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events. “You could almost run an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I think the structured learning and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to run a game for several participants plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The purpose is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.” Coming Developments Responses from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements. “I hope that we do this regularly,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in partnership with large gatherings.”