🔗 Share this article Monte Cook and Monte Cook Will Lead Classes at Dungeon Master University Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead D&D games in old manors in England and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in a similar position and aim to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Ticket Packages Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops: Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game. Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures. Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design. Career Building: Aimed at DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry. Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork divided across two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your home campaign.” Professional Teachers Many sessions are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the art of worldbuilding. Professional development includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is meant to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims. “Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl said. “Others simply wish 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 it for everyone?” Higher Tiers A $1,500 gold tier provides access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events. “It would be possible to organize an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the structured learning and the lab work is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The $2,500 premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to run a game for several participants plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and guidance. “The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.” Future Plans Responses from the first event will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”
Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been hosting deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead D&D games in old manors in England and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who seldom have the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and puzzle design to handling difficult situations at the table. In response, the planners began developing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The debut workshop is scheduled for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus. “You can watch thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces a live, hands-on session together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs who are probably in a similar position and aim to enhance their abilities,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University. Available Classes and Ticket Packages Game masters can opt for tiers ranging from just under $1,000 to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the amount of contact they desire with the experts. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops: Core Techniques: Teaches the fundamentals of leading a game. Campaign Building: Focuses around building persistent adventures. Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design. Career Building: Aimed at DMs who seek to understand more about the gaming industry. Each course includes multiple sessions of classwork divided across two days. “The workshops are created so that you walk away with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then head back to your table the week after and implement in your home campaign.” Professional Teachers Many sessions are instructed by duo of instructors. Setting design is taught by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the art of worldbuilding. Professional development includes multiple instructors, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is meant to offer targeted guidance to participants with particular aims. “Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, others aim to release and write original content,” Carl said. “Others simply wish 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 it for everyone?” Higher Tiers A $1,500 gold tier provides access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with a teacher. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their castle events. “It would be possible to organize an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of everybody’s time – I believe the structured learning and the lab work is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.” The $2,500 premium option provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to run a game for several participants plus an instructor, who will then provide notes and guidance. “The aim is for the instructor to evaluate whichever aspect is focused on: I struggle with improvisation or I feel stuck in certain battle scenarios. Can I run a scenario for you and obtain advice on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl detailed. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a definite universe that they’ve been developing.” Future Plans Responses from the first event will help determine subsequent DMU events. Carl mentioned that potential adjustments could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or testing alternative workshop formats. “I hope that we conduct these very often,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with what we’re seeing and I think it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in conjunction with major events.”