Keith Baker and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are widely appreciated among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges 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 founding of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is set for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction together with other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters often in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Available Classes and Ticket Packages
Game masters can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes one of four courses:
- Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session.
- Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Career Building: Aimed at DMs who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.
Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction spread over two days.
“The classes are structured so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your regular session.”
Expert Instructors
Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Setting design is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design.
Industry advancement includes four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to provide specialized information to students with particular aims.
“Certain participants aim to start their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
Advanced Options
A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier includes access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the debut of the program, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.
“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – In my opinion the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”
The twenty-five hundred dollar top package includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and instruction.
“The goal is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”
Coming Developments
Responses from the first event will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we conduct these frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in different cities, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in collaboration with large gatherings.”
