Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Will Lead Workshops at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in historic castles in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among forever DMs who seldom have the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The debut workshop is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view thousands of YouTube videos on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your peers likely in comparable situations and aim to enhance their abilities,” explained Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Covers the essentials of running D&D.
• Campaign Building: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Aimed at DMs who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Each course includes multiple sessions of training divided across 48 hours.

“The courses are structured so that you depart having tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the next week and apply in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

Most classes are led by two professors. Universe creation is guided by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Professional development features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, Clint McElroy, and Hunter Fell. The expanded teaching staff is intended to offer targeted guidance to participants with definite objectives.

“Various attendees aim to start their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, others plan to produce and create new material,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, How do I get 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 premium package includes access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the debut of the program, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their premium gatherings.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of everybody’s time – I think the formal instruction and the lab work is highly beneficial – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package includes an 60-minute private session and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scene for you and receive input on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the inaugural session will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we do this frequently,” Carl said. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We’re very happy with the results so far and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with large gatherings.”