Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in a similar position and aim to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers
Game masters can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:
- Foundational Skills: Teaches the essentials of running D&D.
- Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
- Universe Design: Concentrates on the development of worlds.
- Career Building: Aimed at game masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.
Every class includes multiple sessions of instruction divided across 48 hours.
“The courses are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the week after and apply in your regular session.”
Professional Teachers
Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation.
Career building presents several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with definite objectives.
“Various attendees plan to create their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and create new material,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What's the path to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
Premium Packages
A fifteen hundred dollar premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.
“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction 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 twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for a small group plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and guidance.
“The purpose is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is concerned with: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”
Next Steps
Feedback from the debut workshop will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, making it longer to 72 hours, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be amazing to be able to organize these in conjunction with large gatherings.”