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

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. The full-service getaways are especially popular among career game masters who rarely get the moment to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improv and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the organizers began crafting a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the founding of DMU. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“There are numerous digital guides on almost every theme and acquire valuable insights, but the philosophy was that nothing compares to face-to-face interaction in the company of peers in game mastering, where there’s live engagement with expert teachers and other game masters who are probably in a similar position and seek to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2,500, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Long-Term Game Planning: Centers on crafting long-running games.
• Setting Creation: Highlights the crafting of environments.
• Career Building: Tailored to game masters who want to learn more about the roleplaying business.

Every class includes two days of instruction split over 48 hours.

“The courses are designed so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These classes that you can participate in, learn from, and then head back to your table the next week and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Seasoned Educators

Many sessions are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is taught by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, both teaching the skill of universe design.

Career building presents four different teachers, such as an author on gaming puzzles, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is intended to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.

“Various attendees want to launch their own live gameplay show and share their stories with the world, others plan to produce and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Others simply wish to ask, What's the path to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A fifteen hundred dollar premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.

“It would be possible to organize an entire weekend just on office hours for expert DMs,” Carl mentioned. “I'm not certain if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – I think the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”

The $2,500 platinum tier offers an extended personal consultation and the chance to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then offer feedback and coaching.

“The aim is for the faculty member to review whatever the DM is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl said. “Perhaps they want to obtain critique and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Future Plans

Feedback from the first event will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or trying out alternative workshop formats.

“I hope that we host such events regularly,” Carl said. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception 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 major events.”