Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where professional dungeon masters lead D&D games in historic castles in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who rarely get the moment to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session in the company of 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,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Ticket Packages

Game masters can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Focuses on the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes two days of training spread over 48 hours.

“The courses are designed so that you depart having usable skills, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the week after and put into practice in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are led by a pair of experts. Universe creation is led by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement features several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is designed to provide specialized information to students with particular aims.

“Various attendees want to launch their own real-play series and present their narratives with the world, some of them plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I think the structured learning and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package offers an extended personal consultation and the possibility to run a game for a small group plus an instructor, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The goal is for the teacher to review whatever the DM is concerned with: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to receive input and guidance on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Input from the debut workshop will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we do this regularly,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in multiple countries. The response has been really terrific. We’re very happy with the results so far and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”