Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running immersive events where experienced game masters manage D&D games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among career game masters who infrequently find the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a structured way to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs who are probably in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” stated Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the essentials of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

Every class includes eight hours of instruction divided across a weekend.

“The workshops are created so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are instructed by a pair of experts. Setting design is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, together instructing the craft of setting creation.

Career building features multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with definite objectives.

“Certain participants want to launch their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, several aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K premium package offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – In my opinion the formal instruction 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 twenty-five hundred dollar premium option offers an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The aim is for the instructor to review any element is interested in: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Input from the inaugural session will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to a longer period, or testing different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The reception has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to do this in partnership with big conventions.”