🔗 Share this article Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at DMU Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in a similar position and also want to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Cost Levels DMs can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops: Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of managing a session. Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games. Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design. Professional Development: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession. All workshops includes two days of training divided across two days. “The classes are structured so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your home campaign.” Expert Instructors Many sessions are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the craft of setting creation. Professional development features four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives. “Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?” Premium Packages A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2.5K platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Input from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I anticipate that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in partnership with major events.”
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running immersive events where expert DMs manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at an American castle venue. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who rarely get the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with seasoned educators and other game masters often in a similar position and also want to level up their game,” stated the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Cost Levels DMs can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the professionals. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops: Core Techniques: Teaches the basics of managing a session. Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games. Setting Creation: Emphasizes the art of setting design. Professional Development: Aimed at dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession. All workshops includes two days of training divided across two days. “The classes are structured so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the next week and apply in your home campaign.” Expert Instructors Many sessions are taught by duo of instructors. Setting design is led by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the craft of setting creation. Professional development features four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, an entertainment professional, and a pioneering DM. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to students with definite objectives. “Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, some of them plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?” Premium Packages A $1.5K gold tier includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This marks the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings. “One could practically host an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the coursework and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2.5K platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and instruction. “The aim is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is interested in: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. May I present a scenario for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been creating.” Future Plans Input from the inaugural session will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I anticipate that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in different cities, and in various nations. The response has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with current developments and I feel it would be amazing to be able to do this in partnership with major events.”