Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among career game masters who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.
In response, the planners began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction together with peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and aim to improve their skills,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Available Classes and Ticket Packages
Dungeon Masters can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, according to the level of access they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:
- Skill Building: Focuses on the essentials of running D&D.
- Story Arc Development: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
- Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds.
- Career Building: Designed for DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.
Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork spread over 48 hours.
“The classes are structured so that you leave with usable skills, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, learn from, and then head back to your table the following week and implement in your home campaign.”
Expert Instructors
Most classes are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is guided by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the skill of universe design.
Industry advancement includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The additional faculty is meant to offer targeted guidance to participants with specific goals.
“Certain participants want to launch their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Higher Tiers
A $1,500 premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.
“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”
The $2.5K platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction.
“The goal is for the teacher to review whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”
Coming Developments
Feedback from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to 72 hours, or experimenting with different seminar structures.
“I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in different cities, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in conjunction with big conventions.”
