Monte Cook along with Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy
Since 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in old manors in England and at an American castle venue. These all-inclusive trips are especially popular among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to participate as players themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to dealing with tough scenarios at the table.
In response, the planners began designing a systematic approach to answer these inquiries, which led to the creation of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is planned for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.
“It's possible to view countless online tutorials on virtually any subject and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with faculty instructors and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and aim to level up their game,” explained the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers
DMs can select packages ranging from $995 to $2.5K, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes one of four courses:
- Foundational Skills: Covers the essentials of running D&D.
- Campaign Building: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
- Setting Creation: Emphasizes the crafting of environments.
- Industry Advancement: Aimed at DMs who want to learn more about the gaming industry.
All workshops includes multiple sessions of instruction split over a weekend.
“The courses are designed so that you leave with tangible results, enhanced belief in your abilities, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These classes that you can join, learn from, and then return to your group the following week and put into practice in your local game.”
Professional Teachers
Most classes are led by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is led by an industry veteran and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.
Career building features multiple instructors, such as a puzzle design specialist, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The expanded teaching staff is meant to deliver focused advice to participants with particular aims.
“Certain participants want to launch their own live gameplay show and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at something like an immersive experience? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?”
Higher Tiers
A $1,500 premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This constitutes the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run Castle Days during breaks between adventures at their castle events.
“It would be possible to organize an complete event just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of all participants' schedule – I think the structured learning 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 $2.5K platinum tier includes an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to lead a session for five players plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and instruction.
“The aim is for the instructor to assess whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. May I present a situation for you and get feedback on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”
Future Plans
Responses from the inaugural session will help shape subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.
“I anticipate that we host such events very often,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see several DMU sessions in a calendar year, in various locations, and in various nations. The response has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're quite pleased with current developments and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to do this in conjunction with major events.”
