Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Teaching Workshops at DMU
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters run D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the moment to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.
In response, the planners began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is planned for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“There are countless online tutorials on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session in the company of peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and also want to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean.
Course Offerings and Cost Levels
Dungeon Masters can select tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:
- Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of running D&D.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
- Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
- Industry Advancement: Aimed at DMs who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.
Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction divided across a weekend.
“The classes are structured so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can attend, learn from, and then go right back home the following week and apply in your regular session.”
Professional Teachers
The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.
Professional development presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to participants with definite objectives.
“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
Higher Tiers
A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.
“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I think the structured learning and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”
The $2.5K top package offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and guidance.
“The purpose is for the teacher to review whichever aspect is interested in: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to receive input and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”
Coming Developments
Responses from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we host such events very often,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I think it would be wonderful to be able to do this in partnership with big conventions.”
