Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at DMU

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are highly favored among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began designing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in the same boat and seek to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the basics of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
• Professional Development: Aimed at game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction split over two days.

“The workshops are structured so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the week after and apply in your home campaign.”

Expert Instructors

Many sessions are led by two professors. Worldbuilding is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Career building presents multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.

“Certain participants plan to create their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the structured learning and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The goal is for the instructor to review whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. May I present a scene for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, extending the program to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in various locations, and in different countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to do this in collaboration with large gatherings.”