Monte Cook and Keith Baker Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master Academy

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the chance to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

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

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute face-to-face interaction together with peers in game mastering, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the program's dean.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

DMs can select packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the essentials of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Setting Creation: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Tailored to dungeon masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes eight hours of training spread over two days.

“The workshops are created so that you walk away with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the following week and apply in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Career building includes four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is meant to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and display their adventures with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K premium package provides access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 top package provides an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and guidance.

“The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the debut workshop will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or experimenting with different seminar structures.

“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in various nations. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I think it would be amazing to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”