Monte Cook and Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master Academy
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the organizers began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“There are numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs who are probably in the same boat and aim to improve their skills,” explained Jason Carl.
Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers
Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:
- Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of running D&D.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to designing extended campaigns.
- Setting Creation: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Career Building: Tailored to dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.
Every class includes multiple sessions of training spread over two days.
“The courses are structured so that you walk away with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your home campaign.”
Professional Teachers
Most classes are led by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is taught by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.
Professional development includes several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with definite objectives.
“Some of them want to launch their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Advanced Options
A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.
“One could practically host an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities 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 platinum tier provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to lead a session for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and guidance.
“The goal is for the teacher to review whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. May I present a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”
Coming Developments
Input from the first event will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that possible changes could include adding more office hours, extending the program to three days, or trying out alternative workshop formats.
“I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in different countries. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in collaboration with major events.”