Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where expert DMs lead D&D games in historic castles in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are highly favored among career game masters who infrequently find the opportunity to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the coordinators began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is planned for the start of 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session in the company of other dungeon masters, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and also want to enhance their abilities,” noted Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Game masters can choose from packages ranging from $995 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Professional Development: Designed for DMs who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes multiple sessions of training split over two days.

“The classes are designed so that you walk away with usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can join, learn from, and then return to your group the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Seasoned Educators

The majority of workshops are taught by two professors. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement features several experts, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.

“Various attendees want to launch their own real-play series and share their stories with the world, several plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar enhanced option offers access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with a teacher. This represents the debut of the program, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is too valuable – 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 possibility to manage an adventure for several participants plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and coaching.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review whichever aspect is interested in: I have difficulty with improvisation or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Can I run a scenario for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and information on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the first event will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to a longer period, or experimenting with alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in different cities, and in various nations. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I believe it would be amazing to be able to do this in conjunction with large gatherings.”