🔗 Share this article Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among career game masters who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is set for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with faculty instructors and other game masters often in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean. Available Classes and Ticket Packages DMs can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 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 essentials of leading a game. Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games. Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design. Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession. All workshops includes two days of training spread over a weekend. “The courses are designed so that you leave with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your regular session.” Professional Teachers Many sessions are led by duo of instructors. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design. Professional development includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives. “Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1.5K premium package includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events. “One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction. “The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with major events.”
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among career game masters who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the organizers began developing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is set for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University. “You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside fellow DMs, where direct communication with faculty instructors and other game masters often in a similar position and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean. Available Classes and Ticket Packages DMs can choose from options ranging from just under $1,000 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 essentials of leading a game. Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games. Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the art of setting design. Industry Advancement: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the tabletop profession. All workshops includes two days of training spread over a weekend. “The courses are designed so that you leave with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your regular session.” Professional Teachers Many sessions are led by duo of instructors. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design. Professional development includes four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives. “Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Can anyone do it?” Advanced Options A $1.5K premium package includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events. “One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I believe the coursework and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.” The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction. “The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl said. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with major events.”