Events

Join Diversions for a thrilling round of Blood on the Clocktower every week! This Level Up session aims to build on prior experience while also introducing players to more complex elements of the game, such as Madness or changing alignment. Players are expected to understand the basics of the game and be ready to level up their skills!

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

• $6 for a Player Pass, which is required to participate — grab yours here!
• Spots are limited to 15 players for each session.
• Doors open at 5:00PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. Each game starts at 5:30 SHARP. 

STORYTELLER: Jessica I.

OPENING SCRIPT: Kill My Darlings

Dive into the world of Golarion as an agent of the Pathfinder Society, or perhaps give aid to the people of the Pact Worlds as part of Starfinder Society during Paizo Organized Play sessions at Diversions! These open role-playing sessions welcome players of all experience levels; with the option to join as your schedule allows, this format of RPG play is great for players with busy or unpredictable schedules.

Pathfinder & Starfinder Society meets at Diversions on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, starting at 5:30 PM. Session playtime varies and usually takes no less than three hours. Details of upcoming sessions can be found here!

Learn more about Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society, or find out where our local Shifting Corridors Lodge hosts games elsewhere across the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area! 

You and your fellow experts must prevent the world from succumbing to a viral pandemic!

Looking for your next favorite game or to learn a game with others? Join Michele to get a step-by-step explanation of the gameplay (little to no reading required!) followed by one or more plays of the game. With a knowledgeable guide to answer your questions along the way, this is the best way to get to know a new game.No ticket needed, and players are encouraged to claim a seat for the game on Aftergame!

Game: Pandemic
In Pandemic, several virulent diseases have broken out simultaneously all over the world! The players are disease-fighting specialists whose mission is to treat disease hotspots while researching cures for each of four plagues before they get out of hand. 

Taking a unique role within the team, players must plan their strategy to mesh with their specialists' strengths in order to conquer the diseases. On each turn, a player can use up to four actions to travel between cities, treat infected populaces, discover a cure, or build a research station. A deck of cards provides the players with these abilities, but sprinkled throughout this deck are Epidemic! cards that accelerate and intensify the diseases' activity. A second, separate deck of cards controls the "normal" spread of the infections.
.

Whether you're looking to just get an overview, have a rundown of the rules, play a few rounds, or experience a full game, Michele will provide guidance and encouragement as players try out this new game together.

Happy Pride Month! Join Diversions for our monthly in-house edition of Gaymers Gathering, an event focused on bringing together new and familiar friendly, queer folks to enjoy games together.

Grab a name tag and pick out your (first) game from our library of 500+ games and puzzles — it's as easy as that! We will also have a hosted table you can join to meet others and find some gaming opportunities. Diversions offers an accessible gathering space for all who want to join, and we have snacks, drinks, and seating aplenty! 

Not sure if you’re interested in games, but still looking to connect? Spectators, cheerleaders, and friendly conversation are always welcome, regardless of if you’re gaming or not.

Featured game: HerStory
Take on the role of an acclaimed author, writing a book to tell the stories of remarkable women of history! In this light strategy game featuring engine-building and set collection, taking historical research actions shapes your ability to craft new chapters and score big points. The game’s 120 portrait cards feature beautiful illustrations of historical women with stories about their lives on the backs. Featuring a queer woman designer!

About Gaymers Gathering:
Diversions hosts Gaymers Gatherings with the goal of building community and creating a safer, inclusive, and intentional space for the LGBTQ and gaming communities. We encourage you to stop by and roll some dice, puzzle over some pieces, embark on a quest, or just come to chat! As a Queer-owned business, Diversions is proud to offer these events for our community to enjoy. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend, whether you are looking to game or not. You can bring your own game or choose as many as you'd like from Diversions' game library! Gaymers Gathering also happens monthly at Press Coffee on the third Saturday — please confirm dates and times, as holidays and extenuating circumstances may cause changes to the schedule.

About Iowa City Pride:
The mission at Iowa City Pride is to increase positive visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual/agender/aromantic (LGBTQIAA) community of Iowa City. They do so by providing opportunities to express and celebrate diverse perspectives, emphasizing acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Iowa City Pride coordinates an annual Pride festival and related events throughout the year. 

LET’S PLAY! Game, socialize, and build a sense of community and joy together at Diversions for our FREE Second Sunday Social! Whether you bring your friends or show up solo, you'll have a fun time gathering around a game with friendly faces.

We’ll have nametags available and ‘Open Table’ signs on most tables to make it easy to meet, greet, and play! Join our greeting game as you arrive — featuring one of our party-style games — to easily jump in and meet others. When you’re ready to try another game, our staff will be available for game recommendations, assistance with setup, or learning new games.

The main social is from 2-5PM, but gaming is free ALL DAY. Making new friends can be hard, but make it a little easier by sharing a game together! Head to Aftergame to let us know you’ll be attending and see who else might be joining!

Join Diversions to learn the thrilling hit game Blood on the Clocktower! This cryptic social deduction game might remind players of similar games (such as Mafia, Werewolf, or Traitors), but this game has become known for its unique roles and twists. With sessions every week, we're excited to welcome more players to the game through these introductory, learn-to-play sessions.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. This session is geared towards folks who haven’t played before; the Storyteller (the game host) will go over the rules in depth before diving in to at least one full play-through, and will pause throughout the game to provide context and explanation to assist player understanding.

Doors open at 5:30pm and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. The game starts at 6:00 sharp! This event is FREE, but a Player Pass is required to participate! 

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

This Advanced session is open to any scripts the Storytellers deem worthy – the possibilities are endless! Players will be expected to have a strong understanding of the game, characters, and rules and be ready for a challenge.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

• Player Pass cost is $12, which is required to participate - grab yours here!
• Spots are limited to 15 players for each session
• Doors open at 5:30PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. Each game starts at 6:00 SHARP. 

STORYTELLER: Jack G.
OPENING SCRIPT: Bad Moon Rising

Enjoy an afternoon of gaming and conversation with other LGBTQ+ gaymers, hosted by Press Coffee & Diversions! Choose from 40+ games or join our 'hosted table’ — a featured game for folks who might arrive solo, gaymers who want to try a new game, or people looking for new social connections. Grab a name tag, pick out your (first) game, and enjoy — it's as easy as that! 

Press Coffee is an accessible gathering space for all who want to join, and they'll be serving up irresistible drinks and snacks. Build community with new and familiar faces at these monthly Gaymers Gatherings, every third Saturday of the month from 2-5PM or monthly at Diversions.

About Gaymers Gathering:
Diversions hosts Gaymers Gatherings with the goal of building community and creating a safer, inclusive, and intentional space for the LGBTQ and gaming communities. We encourage you to stop by and roll some dice, puzzle over some pieces, embark on a quest, or just come to chat! As a Queer-owned business, Diversions is proud to offer these events for our community to enjoy. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend, whether you are looking to game or not. You can bring your own game or choose as many as you'd like from Diversions' game library! Gaymers Gathering also happens monthly at Diversion -- please confirm dates and times here. 

Join GM and designer of the game, Jerod, for a One-Shot of his newly released ttrpg, Honorbound. Together he’ll walk you through the rules to get started, no experience necessary. You’ll adventure in space as different alien-kind saboteurs, amongst hostile and witty factions.

Launch yourself into the middle of a heist gone wrong in this three-musketeer inspired adventure, shot into futuristic space! Honorbound is a hybrid of storytelling and dice rolling brimming with bright adventure. You take on the mantle of hired alien saboteurs, either double crossed, betrayed, or simply outwitted by an initially mysterious faction. What are their intentions? And who are these folks that have surrounded you and are demanding something called the Heart Engine?

Together you set the scenes and narrative by answering prompts, and weave personal untold tales to complicate scenes with twists. Only by standing united can you bravely peer into the void and scream “All for one!”

Reserve your seat for only $5, which will be credited towards your Gaming Pass for the evening. Players are encouraged to claim a seat on Aftergame, which will also host the waitlist should seats sell out. Novice players welcome; no experience or materials required.

With the current revival mahjong is experiencing in mainstream culture, we are excited to be welcoming a new monthly mahjong gathering at Diversions to introduce folks to the game, improve player skills and comfort, or help players find other folks to join a table!

New players are welcome, as are seasoned Chii callers, and everything in between. Tables will be available, some sets will be provided, and the free popcorn will be plentiful! No ticket needed, and players are encouraged to claim a seat for the game on Aftergame.

NOTE: The primary variant played so far has been Japanese/Richii, but other variants are welcome.

Join Diversions to learn the thrilling hit game Blood on the Clocktower! This cryptic social deduction game might remind players of similar games (such as Mafia, Werewolf, or Traitors), but this game has become known for its unique roles and twists. With sessions every week, we're excited to welcome more players to the game through these introductory, learn-to-play sessions.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. This session is geared towards folks who haven’t played before; the Storyteller (the game host) will go over the rules in depth before diving in to at least one full play-through, and will pause throughout the game to provide context and explanation to assist player understanding.

Doors open at 5:30pm and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. The game starts at 6:00 sharp! This event is FREE, but a Player Pass is required to participate! 

Read more about Blood on the Clocktower here!

Dive into the world of Golarion as an agent of the Pathfinder Society, or perhaps give aid to the people of the Pact Worlds as part of Starfinder Society during Paizo Organized Play sessions at Diversions! These open role-playing sessions welcome players of all experience levels; with the option to join as your schedule allows, this format of RPG play is great for players with busy or unpredictable schedules.

Pathfinder & Starfinder Society meets at Diversions on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, starting at 5:30 PM. Session playtime varies and usually takes no less than three hours. Details of upcoming sessions can be found here!

Learn more about Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society, or find out where our local Shifting Corridors Lodge hosts games elsewhere across the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area! 

Conquer the galaxy with shifting alliances and the unique powers of your alien race!

Looking for your next favorite game or to learn a game with others? Join Jack to get a step-by-step explanation of the gameplay (little to no reading required!) followed by one or more plays of the game. With a knowledgeable guide to answer your questions along the way, this is the best way to get to know a new game. No ticket needed, and players are encouraged to claim a seat for the game on Aftergame!

Game: Cosmic Encounter
In the depths of space, the alien races of the Cosmos vie with each other for control of the universe. Alliances form and shift from moment to moment, while cataclysmic battles send starships screaming into the warp.

In Cosmic Encounter, each player becomes the leader of one of dozens of alien races, each with its own unique power. On a player's turn, they become the offense. The offense encounters another player on a planet by moving a group of their ships through the hyperspace gate to that planet. Both sides can invite allies and play cards to try and tip the encounter in their favor.

The object of the game is for players to establish colonies in other players' planetary systems by landing their ships on the other players' planets. The winner(s) are the first player(s) to have five colonies on planets outside their home system. The players must use force, cunning, and diplomacy to ensure their victory. And, because alliances are a key part of the game, multiple players can win together!
.
Whether you're looking to just get an overview, have a rundown of the rules, play a few rounds, or experience a full game, Jack will provide guidance and encouragement as players try out this new game together.

Can you defeat our reigning Quiz Queens?!? A battle of knowledge returns to our hallowed halls. Join us for the next installment of NO-SPORTS TRIVIA, the trivia series presented by Diversions. For this quirky quiz, the featured topics will be:

• Flags
• Tunes
• Birds

On Saturday, July 25th from 7-9:30PM, teams of (up to) four will face off in four rounds to be crowned QUIZ QUEENS! YAS! Winning team gets a free round of drinks, a permanent entry into the history books, and a classy crown to crest your clever cranium.

Spaces are limited, so grab your (FREE) team pass to show off your curious compendium of fun facts! 

This Advanced session is open to any scripts the Storytellers deem worthy – the possibilities are endless! Players will be expected to have a strong understanding of the game, characters, and rules and be ready for a challenge.

Click here to see all scheduled Clocktower events and details.

• Player Pass cost is $12, which is required to participate - grab yours here!
• Spots are limited to 15 players for each session
• Doors open at 5:30PM and participants are encouraged to mingle prior to the game. Each game starts at 6:00 SHARP. 

STORYTELLER: Andy M.
OPENING SCRIPT: TBD

Join in for a weekend of gaming fun at eastern Iowa’s longest running gaming convention: Gamicon! Since 1991, Gamicon has celebrated board games, card games, roleplaying games, social games – and even video games and computer games – with a weekend of game demos, tournaments, play-to-wins, auctions, and more! It’s a gathering of community you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about Gamicon on their website.