Monte Cook and Monte Cook Are Teaching Sessions at Dungeon Master Academy

Beginning in 2018, Tabletop Vacations has been running deeply engaging experiences where experienced game masters lead D&D games in old manors in England and at Landoll’s Mohican Castle. These all-inclusive trips are widely appreciated among forever DMs who rarely get the opportunity to participate as players themselves, and they often seek advice from experts on topics ranging from spontaneous storytelling and creating challenges to handling difficult situations at the table.

In response, the planners began developing a organized method to answer these inquiries, which led to the establishment of the Dungeon Master Academy. The inaugural event is scheduled for early January 2026 at an Atlanta campus.

“It's possible to view numerous digital guides on any topic and learn quite a lot, but the idea was that nothing truly replaces face-to-face interaction alongside fellow DMs, where real-time interaction with seasoned educators and other game masters often in comparable situations and also want to improve their skills,” noted Jason Carl.

Available Classes and Ticket Packages

Game masters can select options ranging from just under $1,000 to $2.5K, based on the amount of contact they desire with the instructors. The starting package includes one of four courses:

• Skill Building: Focuses on the basics of leading a game.
• Story Arc Development: Focuses around building persistent adventures.
• Worldbuilding: Emphasizes the development of worlds.
• Career Building: Aimed at DMs who seek to understand more about the roleplaying business.

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

“The courses are created so that you depart having tangible results, increased self-assurance, and many practical techniques,” Carl explained. “These aren't simple talks and they exceed pre-recorded material. These classes that you can participate in, absorb insights from, and then go right back home the following week and implement in your local game.”

Expert Instructors

The majority of workshops are taught by duo of instructors. Universe creation is taught by the founder of Monte Cook Games and Keith Baker, both teaching the craft of setting creation.

Career building features several experts, such as Elisa Teague, a podcast co-host, and Hunter Fell. The extra instructors is designed to provide specialized information to students with specific goals.

“Certain participants plan to create their own D&D actual play and present their narratives with the world, several plan to produce and create new material,” Carl said. “Others simply wish to ask, How do I get to be a DM at a program like a castle event? What capabilities that I need? Can anyone do it?”

Higher Tiers

A $1,500 premium package provides access to a opening gathering, a starter kit, and a half-hour consultation appointment with one of the faculty. This represents the first Dungeon Master Academy, though the team has previously run comparable workshops during breaks between game sessions at their immersive experiences.

“It would be possible to organize an full two days just on one-on-one meetings for career game masters,” Carl observed. “It's unclear if that’s the most effective utilization of each attendee's hours – In my opinion the coursework and the hands-on activities is highly beneficial – but I think it’s going to be among the most sought-after parts of the program.”

The $2.5K top package includes an hour of one-on-one time and the chance to lead a session for several participants plus one of the faculty members, who will then provide notes and guidance.

“The purpose is for the faculty member to review whatever the DM is focused on: I struggle with improv or I feel stuck in this kind of combat situation. May I present a situation for you and obtain advice on my areas of proficiency and challenge?” Carl detailed. “Or maybe they want to obtain critique and advice on a definite universe that they’ve been creating.”

Coming Developments

Input from the inaugural session will help guide upcoming academy workshops. Carl suggested that potential adjustments could include increasing consultation time, lengthening the event to three days, or experimenting with varied class arrangements.

“I hope that we host such events frequently,” Carl stated. “I really want to see numerous academy events in a single year, in multiple places, and in multiple countries. The reception has been overwhelmingly favorable. We’re very happy with the results so far and I believe it would be wonderful to be able to conduct this in partnership with large gatherings.”