Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master University

Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where professional dungeon masters lead D&D games in old manors in the UK and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who infrequently find the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often ask for tips from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to managing conflicts at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The first session is set for January 2-3, 2026 at Oglethorpe University.

“There are thousands of YouTube videos on virtually any subject and acquire valuable insights, but the concept was that nothing compares to a live, hands-on session alongside fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters often in a similar position and seek to level up their game,” noted Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Dungeon Masters can choose from tiers ranging from $995 to $2,500, depending on the degree of interaction they desire with the professionals. The base tier includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the basics of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Concentrates on the art of setting design.
• Professional Development: Tailored to game masters who aim to explore more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes eight hours of training split over 48 hours.

“The workshops are created so that you walk away with immediate practical outcomes, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then go right back home the week after and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are led by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is taught by Monte Cook and Keith Baker, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development presents several experts, such as an author on gaming puzzles, a podcast co-host, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to attendees with definite objectives.

“Certain participants aim to start their own live gameplay show and display their adventures with the world, several want to publish and write original content,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like a castle event? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Premium Packages

A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a introductory event, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with one of the faculty. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their premium gatherings.

“You could almost run an complete event 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 believe the coursework 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 twenty-five hundred dollar top package provides an extended personal consultation and the opportunity to run a game for five players plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction.

“The purpose is for the instructor to review whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with improvisation or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a situation for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl explained. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been building.”

Next Steps

Feedback from the first event will help determine upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, extending the program to 72 hours, or trying out different seminar structures.

“I hope that we host such events very often,” Carl expressed. “I really want to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a single year, in multiple places, and in different countries. The feedback has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I believe it would be fantastic to be able to organize these in collaboration with big conventions.”