Professor Monte Cook
Pronouns: He/Him/His
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Bio
Having worked as a professional writer for more than 30 years, Monte Cook can honestly say that he’s never had a real job. As a game designer, he’s worked on hundreds of products, including as a codesigner of D&D 3rd Edition, and designer of HeroClix, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, Ptolus, Arcana Evolved, Numenera, the Magnus Archives RPG, and so much more, including a number of Planescape products, Call of Cthulhu d20, Monte Cook’s World of Darkness, a whole bunch of d20 stuff, and—going way back—products for Rolemaster and Champions. As a fiction writer, he has published numerous short stories and two novels, The Glass Prison, a heroic fantasy set in the Forgotten Realms, and Of Aged Angels, a modern day conspiracy and paranormal tale. He attended both the prestigious Clarion West SF&F writer’s workshop and the NASA-funded Launchpad workshop. As a comic book writer, he has written a limited series for Marvel Comics called Ptolus: Monte Cook’s City by the Spire, as well as some shorter work. As a nonfiction writer, he has published the wry but informative Skeptic’s Guide to Conspiracies.
Monte has been and is currently the creative director and lead designer at Monte Cook Games, since 2012.
Course: Worldbuilding
This course equips Dungeon Masters with the tools to create rich, dynamic worlds that elevate player immersion and deliver narrative depth. Through guided instruction and collaborative exercises, DMs will learn to develop engaging settings complete with history, geography, cultures, politics, religions, and magical systems. Emphasis is on designing worlds that support long-term Campaign play, heroic fantasy themes, and player agency, while maintaining consistency and internal logic. Students will explore methods for introducing complexity and sharing information without overwhelming players, balancing detail with usability, and weaving world lore organically into gameplay. Whether creating a single city or an entire plane of existence, this course provides the creative structure and practical guidance to help DMs build vibrant, living worlds for their long-term Campaigns.
Taught with Keith Baker
