Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Workshops at Dungeon Master Academy
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The full-service getaways are especially popular among forever DMs who infrequently find the moment to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the organizers began developing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is set for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“There are countless online tutorials on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to an in-person experience in the company of fellow DMs, where there’s live engagement with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” explained Jason Carl.
Course Offerings and Ticket Packages
DMs can choose from packages ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, according to the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes selection from four classes:
- Skill Building: Focuses on the fundamentals of leading a game.
- Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
- Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
- Industry Advancement: Tailored to game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.
Each course includes two days of training spread over two days.
“The courses are designed so that you depart having immediate practical outcomes, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl noted. “They’re not just lectures and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the following week and apply in your regular session.”
Expert Instructors
Many sessions are taught by two professors. Setting design is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.
Career building presents multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is intended to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals.
“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Premium Packages
A $1.5K enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.
“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I don’t know if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I think the formal instruction and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2,500 platinum tier provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for several participants plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction.
“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate any element is concerned with: I struggle with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”
Coming Developments
Feedback from the first event will help determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we do this very often,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in different cities, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with big conventions.”
