Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in ancient fortresses in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the chance to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the coordinators began crafting a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of other dungeon masters, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can select packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the basics of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Tailored to DMs who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction split over two days.

“The courses are structured so that you depart having usable skills, 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 attend, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the week after and apply in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are instructed by duo of instructors. Universe creation is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Professional development presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K gold tier offers access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I think the structured learning and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier includes an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and guidance.

“The goal is for the instructor to assess whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Responses from the debut workshop will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we do this very often,” Carl said. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with current developments and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”