🔗 Share this article Keith Baker along with Monte Cook Will Lead Sessions at Dungeon Master University Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who infrequently find the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the coordinators began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is set for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “You can watch countless online tutorials on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University. Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers Dungeon Masters can select tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes: Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of leading a game. Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Highlights the art of setting design. Career Building: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry. Every class includes two days of instruction spread over two days. “The classes are structured so that you leave with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and apply in your local game.” Expert Instructors Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Setting design is guided by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Professional development presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with specific goals. “Certain participants want to launch their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, some of them want to publish and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?” Advanced Options A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences. “It would be possible to organize an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2,500 top package includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction. “The goal is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scene for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.” Coming Developments Feedback from the first event will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements. “I anticipate that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”
Since 2018, a specialized event organizer has been running deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs lead fantasy roleplaying games in ancient fortresses in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who infrequently find the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to dealing with tough scenarios at the table. In response, the coordinators began developing a systematic approach to address these questions, which led to the creation of DMU. The debut workshop is set for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta. “You can watch countless online tutorials on almost every theme and learn quite a lot, but the concept was that there’s just no substitute a live, hands-on session alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs who are probably in comparable situations and also want to level up their game,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University. Course Offerings and Pricing Tiers Dungeon Masters can select tiers ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, according to the level of access they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes: Core Techniques: Covers the essentials of leading a game. Long-Term Game Planning: Focuses around designing extended campaigns. Universe Design: Highlights the art of setting design. Career Building: Designed for game masters who seek to understand more about the gaming industry. Every class includes two days of instruction spread over two days. “The classes are structured so that you leave with tangible results, probably greater confidence, and numerous applicable methods,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These workshops that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and apply in your local game.” Expert Instructors Many sessions are instructed by two professors. Setting design is guided by Monte Cook and a renowned campaign designer, together instructing the craft of setting creation. Professional development presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and an early professional game master. The additional faculty is designed to offer targeted guidance to students with specific goals. “Certain participants want to launch their own real-play series and display their adventures with the world, some of them want to publish and write original content,” Carl said. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at an event like a castle event? What are the skills that I need? Is it for everyone?” Advanced Options A fifteen hundred dollar gold tier provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This marks the inaugural DMU session, though the organizers has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences. “It would be possible to organize an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl mentioned. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the structured learning and the practical exercises is extremely important – but I believe it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.” The $2,500 top package includes an 60-minute private session and the possibility to lead a session for several participants plus an instructor, who will then give comments and instruction. “The goal is for the faculty member to assess whatever the DM is interested in: I have difficulty with spontaneous decisions or I encounter obstacles in this kind of combat situation. May I present a scene for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and guidance on a specific world that they’ve been developing.” Coming Developments Feedback from the first event will help guide subsequent DMU events. Carl suggested that possible changes could include expanding one-on-one sessions, lengthening the event to three days, or testing varied class arrangements. “I anticipate that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I would love to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The feedback has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with current developments and I feel it would be fantastic to be able to conduct this in conjunction with major events.”