Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Teaching Classes at DMU

Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs run Dungeons & Dragons games in historic castles in Britain and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.

In response, the organizers began designing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The first session is planned for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the philosophy was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session in the company of fellow DMs, where direct communication with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs often in the same boat and seek to enhance their abilities,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Workshop Options and Cost Levels

Game masters can select tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the fundamentals of running D&D.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on building persistent adventures.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes eight hours of instruction spread over 48 hours.

“The courses are created so that you leave with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These are sessions that you can join, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the week after and put into practice in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are led by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Industry advancement features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with definite objectives.

“Certain participants aim to start their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, several aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K premium package includes access to a opening gathering, a introductory package, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“You could almost run an complete event just on office hours for professional dungeon masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of everybody’s time – I believe the formal instruction and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package offers an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to run a game for a small group plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and guidance.

“The purpose is for the teacher to evaluate any element is focused on: I struggle with improv or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and get feedback on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and guidance on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”

Coming Developments

Input from the first event will help guide future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl said that likely modifications could include adding more office hours, extending the program to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I anticipate that we do this very often,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a single year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”