Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters lead Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among forever DMs who rarely get the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a structured way to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs who are probably in a similar position and aim to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

DMs can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Covers the essentials of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
• Universe Design: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes two days of classwork split over two days.

“The workshops are created so that you depart having usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Professional development features multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to provide specialized information to participants with particular aims.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Advanced Options

A $1,500 premium package provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the practical exercises is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2,500 premium option includes an hour of one-on-one time and the possibility to run a game for several participants plus an instructor, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The aim is for the teacher to review any element is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the first event will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl said that possible changes could include adding more office hours, making it longer to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these frequently,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in partnership with big conventions.”