Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Instructing Workshops at Dungeon Master University
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where experienced game masters lead D&D games in ancient fortresses in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who seldom have the moment to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the coordinators began designing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.
“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in the same boat and also want to level up their game,” stated Jason Carl.
Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers
DMs can select tiers ranging from $995 to $2,500, based on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes one of four courses:
- Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of managing a session.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around crafting long-running games.
- Universe Design: Concentrates on the crafting of environments.
- Professional Development: Designed for DMs who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.
Each course includes multiple sessions of instruction spread over a weekend.
“The workshops are created so that you depart having tangible results, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the week after and implement in your regular session.”
Professional Teachers
The majority of workshops are instructed by two professors. Universe creation is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.
Career building presents multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives.
“Various attendees aim to start their own D&D actual play 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's the path to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Can anyone do it?”
Premium Packages
A $1,500 gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between adventures at their castle events.
“You could almost run an complete event just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I think the coursework and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2.5K top package includes an extended personal consultation and the possibility to manage an adventure for five players plus one of the faculty members, who will then give comments and guidance.
“The aim is for the instructor to review any element is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scene for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”
Next Steps
Responses from the inaugural session will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or trying out varied class arrangements.
“I anticipate that we do this regularly,” Carl expressed. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The reception has been really terrific. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in partnership with major events.”
