Monte Cook and Keith Baker Are Instructing Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been organizing immersive events where experienced game masters manage Dungeons & Dragons games in ancient fortresses in England and at a U.S. castle resort. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who rarely get the opportunity to actually play themselves, and they often ask for tips from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and crafting riddles to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began crafting a organized method to tackle these topics, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is planned for the start of 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“There are countless online tutorials on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces an in-person experience together with fellow DMs, where direct communication with seasoned educators and your fellow DMs likely in a similar position and seek to improve their skills,” explained Jason Carl.

Course Offerings and Cost Levels

DMs can choose from packages ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to $2,500, depending on the amount of contact they desire with the professionals. The entry-level option includes a choice of four workshops:

• Skill Building: Teaches the fundamentals of managing a session.
• Story Arc Development: Is dedicated to building persistent adventures.
• Universe Design: Highlights the art of setting design.
• Career Building: Tailored to game masters who want to learn more about the gaming industry.

All workshops includes two days of classwork split over two days.

“The courses are created so that you walk away with tangible results, increased self-assurance, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they go beyond recorded content. These workshops that you can participate in, gain knowledge from, and then head back to your table the following week and put into practice in your home campaign.”

Professional Teachers

Many sessions are led by duo of instructors. Setting design is guided by the founder of Monte Cook Games and a renowned campaign designer, jointly leading the art of worldbuilding.

Professional development features four different teachers, such as a puzzle design specialist, an entertainment professional, and an early professional game master. The extra instructors is designed to provide specialized information to attendees with specific goals.

“Various attendees want to launch their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, several want to publish and develop fresh ideas,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, What does it take to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”

Advanced Options

A $1.5K enhanced option offers access to a welcome reception, a welcome gift pack, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their immersive experiences.

“You could almost run an entire weekend just on consultation sessions for career game masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of all participants' schedule – I think the coursework and the practical exercises is too valuable – but I think it’s going to be a highly favored parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package provides an hour of one-on-one time and the opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus an instructor, who will then give comments and guidance.

“The goal is for the instructor to assess any element is interested in: I struggle with improvisation or I get blocked in specific fight encounters. Could I demonstrate a scenario for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to receive input and advice on a specific world that they’ve been developing.”

Coming Developments

Feedback from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that possible changes could include adding more office hours, making it longer to a longer period, or trying out different seminar structures.

“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 reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing and I feel it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in conjunction with large gatherings.”