Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Workshops at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where expert DMs lead Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began crafting a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch countless online tutorials on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience in the company of other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your peers likely in a similar position and also want to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the essentials of running D&D.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

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

“The classes are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are taught by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.

Industry advancement presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to participants with specific goals.

“Various attendees aim to start their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This represents the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“You could almost run an full two days just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I think the coursework and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier provides an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the teacher to assess any element is focused on: I have difficulty with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the first event will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or trying out varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”