Beginning in 2018, a specialized event organizer has been organizing deeply engaging experiences where expert DMs manage D&D games in old manors in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among long-time dungeon masters who seldom have the chance to join in the game themselves, and they often look for guidance from the pros on topics ranging from improvisation and puzzle design to managing conflicts at the table.
In response, the planners began designing a organized method to address these questions, which led to the creation of Dungeon Master University. The first session is scheduled for January 2-3, 2026 at a university in Atlanta.
“There are numerous digital guides on any topic and gain significant knowledge, but the concept was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction together with peers in game mastering, where direct communication with expert teachers and your fellow DMs likely in the same boat and also want to enhance their abilities,” explained the program's dean.
Workshop Options and Cost Levels
Dungeon Masters can select options ranging from nearly a thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars, based on the degree of interaction they desire with the instructors. The entry-level option includes selection from four classes:
- Core Techniques: Covers the fundamentals of managing a session.
- Long-Term Game Planning: Is dedicated to crafting long-running games.
- Worldbuilding: Highlights the art of setting design.
- Industry Advancement: Designed for dungeon masters who aim to explore more about the tabletop profession.
All workshops includes multiple sessions of instruction spread over a weekend.
“The classes are created so that you depart having usable skills, enhanced belief in your abilities, and a lot of usable tools,” Carl said. “It's more than presentations and they’re not just static videos. These are sessions that you can join, gain knowledge from, and then return to your group the following week and implement in your local game.”
Professional Teachers
The majority of workshops are instructed by a pair of experts. Worldbuilding is taught by Monte Cook and the creator of Eberron, jointly leading the skill of universe design.
Industry advancement presents several experts, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and a pioneering DM. The additional faculty is designed to provide specialized information to participants with specific goals.
“Some of them aim to start their own D&D actual play and share their stories with the world, others aim to release and develop fresh ideas,” Carl explained. “Some just want to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like an immersive experience? What capabilities that I need? Is this achievable?”
Premium Packages
A $1.5K premium package offers access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a 30-minute office hour appointment with an instructor. This constitutes the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run similar events during breaks between campaigns at their immersive experiences.
“One could practically host an complete event just on consultation sessions for professional dungeon masters,” Carl said. “It's unclear if that’s the optimal application of all participants' schedule – I believe the formal instruction and the hands-on activities is extremely important – but I think 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 opportunity to manage an adventure for five players plus an instructor, who will then offer feedback and instruction.
“The aim is for the teacher to evaluate whichever aspect is concerned with: Hey I don’t do well with improv or I feel stuck in specific fight encounters. May I present a situation for you and receive input on what my strengths and weaknesses are?” Carl said. “Or maybe they want to get feedback and advice on a particular setting that they’ve been building.”
Next Steps
Input from the debut workshop will help shape upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that likely modifications could include expanding one-on-one sessions, making it longer to three days, or testing alternative workshop formats.
“I hope that we conduct these frequently,” Carl said. “I truly hope to see multiple Dungeon Master Universities in a calendar year, in various locations, and in different countries. The response has been extremely positive. We're quite pleased with current developments and I feel it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in collaboration with large gatherings.”
