Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the coordinators began designing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“You can watch numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the idea was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters likely in comparable situations and seek to improve their skills,” stated Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can select packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:

• Foundational Skills: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Aimed at game masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes eight hours of training spread over two days.

“The courses are created so that you leave with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are instructed by two professors. Setting design is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement includes several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is intended to provide specialized information to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them want to publish and write original content,” Carl stated. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1.5K gold tier offers access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the formal instruction and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The twenty-five hundred dollar premium option includes an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review whichever aspect is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I get blocked in this kind of combat situation. Can I run a situation for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Input from the debut workshop will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see numerous academy events in a calendar year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The reception has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be amazing to be able to organize these in collaboration with major events.”