Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been hosting immersive events where professional dungeon masters manage fantasy roleplaying games in old manors in the UK and at a U.S. castle resort. The comprehensive packages are especially popular among forever DMs who seldom have the moment to actually play themselves, and they often seek advice from seasoned professionals on topics ranging from improvisation and creating challenges to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the coordinators began developing a structured way to address these questions, which led to the establishment of DMU. The debut workshop is set for the start of 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“There are countless online tutorials on almost every theme and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside other dungeon masters, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters likely in the same boat and seek to improve their skills,” noted the dean of Dungeon Master University.
Game masters can opt for options ranging from $995 to $2.5K, based on the level of access they desire with the experts. The starting package includes a choice of four workshops:
All workshops includes eight hours of classwork spread over 48 hours.
“The workshops are designed so that you leave with immediate practical outcomes, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These workshops that you can attend, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the next week and put into practice in your local game.”
The majority of workshops are instructed by duo of instructors. Worldbuilding is led by the founder of Monte Cook Games and the creator of Eberron, both teaching the craft of setting creation.
Career building includes four different teachers, such as Elisa Teague, Clint McElroy, and a pioneering DM. The expanded teaching staff is meant to offer targeted guidance to attendees with specific goals.
“Some of them want to launch their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others aim to release and create new material,” Carl stated. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at something like D&D in a Castle? Which abilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
A fifteen hundred dollar premium package provides access to a welcome reception, a starter kit, and a brief one-on-one appointment with an instructor. This represents the debut of the program, though the company has previously run similar events during breaks between adventures at their premium gatherings.
“One could practically host an entire weekend just on office hours for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the best use of each attendee's hours – I believe the structured learning and the hands-on activities is too valuable – but I suspect it’s going to be one of the most popular parts of the program.”
The $2.5K top package provides an extended personal consultation and the chance to run a game for five players plus a teacher, who will then give comments and instruction.
“The aim is for the teacher to assess whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I get blocked in certain battle scenarios. May I present a scene for you and obtain advice on where I excel and need improvement?” Carl explained. “Alternatively they want to get feedback and information on a specific world that they’ve been building.”
Input from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl mentioned that likely modifications could include increasing consultation time, extending the program to a longer period, or testing varied class arrangements.
“I expect that we host such events regularly,” Carl stated. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a given year, in various locations, and in various nations. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We're extremely satisfied with current developments and I think it would be amazing to be able to conduct this in conjunction with big conventions.”
Elara is a financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and entrepreneurship.
