Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at an American castle venue. The full-service getaways are especially popular among forever DMs who seldom have the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is planned for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” stated Jason Carl.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Game masters can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the essentials of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Industry Advancement: Aimed at dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes eight hours of instruction split over 48 hours.

“The courses are created so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the week after and implement in your local game.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are led by two professors. Universe creation is taught by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Professional development presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.

“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an extended personal consultation and the possibility to lead a session for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The aim is for the faculty member to review whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Responses from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, extending the program to a longer period, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with big conventions.”