Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at DMU

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among career game masters who seldom have the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment 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 philosophy was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and other game masters likely in comparable situations and seek to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Teaches the essentials of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

Each course includes eight hours of classwork spread over two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can participate in, learn from, and then return to your group the following week and apply in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives.

“Some of them aim to start their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, some of them aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is too valuable – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K platinum tier offers an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and guidance.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to review whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv 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 said. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Input from the inaugural session will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, lengthening the event to three days, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I really want to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with big conventions.”