Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at DMU

Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where expert DMs run Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among career game masters who rarely get the chance to actually play themselves, and they often look for guidance 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 developing a systematic approach to tackle these topics, which led to the founding of DMU. The first session is scheduled for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.

“You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the idea was that nothing compares to an in-person experience alongside peers in game mastering, where direct communication with seasoned educators and other game masters who are probably in comparable situations and also want to improve their skills,” stated Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can opt for options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:

• Foundational Skills: Covers the fundamentals of leading a game.
• Campaign Building: Centers on designing extended campaigns.
• Universe Design: Highlights the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Aimed at game masters who seek to understand more about the tabletop profession.

All workshops includes two days of instruction split over a weekend.

“The courses are created so that you leave with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl explained. “It's more than presentations and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the week after and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

Most classes are instructed by two professors. Worldbuilding is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, together instructing the skill of universe design.

Professional development includes multiple instructors, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is intended to deliver focused advice to attendees with particular aims.

“Various attendees plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others want to publish and create new material,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, What does it take to be a DM at an event like D&D in a Castle? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 enhanced option provides access to a introductory event, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the company has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on consultation sessions for expert DMs,” Carl said. “I don’t know if that’s the optimal application of each attendee's hours – I believe the coursework and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I believe 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 opportunity to manage an adventure for a small group plus a teacher, who will then give comments and coaching.

“The goal is for the faculty member to evaluate whatever the DM is focused on: Hey I don’t do well with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scene for you and get feedback on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Perhaps they want to receive input and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the first event will help shape future Dungeon Master University sessions. Carl suggested that possible changes could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to 72 hours, or testing varied class arrangements.

“I expect that we conduct these regularly,” Carl expressed. “I would love to see several DMU sessions in a given year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been really terrific. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to do this in collaboration with large gatherings.”