Monte Cook and Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among career game masters who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of DMU. The first session is scheduled for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and other game masters often in the same boat and aim to enhance their abilities,” stated the program's dean.

Available Classes and Pricing Tiers

DMs can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the essentials of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Tailored to DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.

Each course includes eight hours of training spread over 48 hours.

“The workshops are designed so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can join, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are led by two professors. Setting design is led by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Professional development features several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is intended to offer targeted guidance to students with particular aims.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them plan to produce and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1,500 premium package provides access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This represents the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option provides an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to assess whichever aspect is focused on: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Input from the debut workshop will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be amazing to be able to organize these in conjunction with large gatherings.”