Monte Cook along with Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at Dungeon Master University

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in Britain and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction in the company of fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and also want to level up their game,” stated the program's dean.

Workshop Options and Pricing Tiers

Dungeon Masters can choose from options ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Core Techniques: Focuses on the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Campaign Building: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Worldbuilding: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Industry Advancement: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

Every class includes eight hours of training divided across two days.

“The workshops are created so that you leave with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, learn from, and then return to your group the next week and implement in your regular session.”

Professional Teachers

The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Universe creation is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the art of worldbuilding.

Industry advancement features four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to provide specialized information to students with definite objectives.

“Some of them want to launch their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, some of them plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Several only seek to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A $1.5K premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the debut of the program, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between game sessions at their castle events.

“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “I'm not certain if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – 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 premium option includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to manage an adventure for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and instruction.

“The aim is for the teacher to review whatever the DM is focused on: I have difficulty with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scenario for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Perhaps 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 determine future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, making it longer to 72 hours, or testing alternative workshop formats.

“I expect that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're quite pleased with current developments and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to do this in partnership with large gatherings.”