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

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who infrequently find the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and also want to improve their skills,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can select tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the level of access they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the roleplaying business.

All workshops includes eight hours of training spread over 48 hours.

“The workshops are designed so that you depart having tangible results, increased self-assurance, 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 join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the following week and implement in your local game.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are led by a pair of experts. Universe creation is guided by an industry veteran and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the skill of universe design.

Career building presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to attendees with definite objectives.

“Certain participants aim to start their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them want to publish and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K premium package offers access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This marks the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“You could almost run an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar platinum tier includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus an instructor, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is interested in: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scene for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I anticipate that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with big conventions.”