Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master University
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run fantasy roleplaying 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 chance to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.
In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of DMU. The inaugural event is set for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“There are numerous digital guides on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of peers in game mastering, where real-time interaction with expert teachers and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and seek to enhance their abilities,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Workshop Options and Cost Levels
Dungeon Masters can choose from tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:
- Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of running D&D.
- Campaign Building: Centers on crafting long-running games.
- Setting Creation: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
- Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.
Every class includes multiple sessions of instruction split over 48 hours.
“The workshops are designed so that you leave with usable skills, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “They’re not just lectures and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your home campaign.”
Seasoned Educators
Most classes are led by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is guided by an industry veteran and Keith Baker, jointly leading the craft of setting creation.
Professional development presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is designed to deliver focused advice to participants with definite objectives.
“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them plan to produce and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1.5K enhanced option includes access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run Castle Days during breaks between campaigns at their castle events.
“You could almost run an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the lab work is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”
The $2,500 platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then provide notes and instruction.
“The goal is for the faculty member to evaluate any element is interested in: I struggle with improvisation or I encounter obstacles in certain battle scenarios. May I present a situation for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to obtain critique and information on a definite universe that they’ve been building.”
Next Steps
Feedback from the first event will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or trying out varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in partnership with major events.”
