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

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The inaugural event is set for January 2-3, 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are countless online tutorials on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in the same boat and also want to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the basics of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Designed for dungeon masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes eight hours of instruction divided across a weekend.

“The courses are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are instructed by duo of instructors. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the craft of setting creation.

Professional development includes several experts, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is designed to provide specialized information to attendees with definite objectives.

“Some of them want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K gold tier provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an full two days just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – In my opinion the structured learning and the lab work is too valuable – 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 five players plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The purpose is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and advice on a specific world that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Input from the inaugural session will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we do this regularly,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The reception has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”