Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters lead fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among career game masters who seldom have the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience in the company of fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and seek to improve their skills,” stated the program's dean.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Game masters can choose from options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:

• Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes eight hours of classwork divided across 48 hours.

“The courses are designed so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the next week and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are led by two professors. Universe creation is guided by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is meant to deliver focused advice to students with particular aims.

“Certain participants aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and write original content,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package includes an 60-minute private session and the chance to run a game for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the first event will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl said that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar 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 do this in partnership with big conventions.”