Tableau Games

News: We’re excited to introduce the new Tableau: Accelerated Core ꩜ Rules 📜, a streamlined edition of our Collaborative Cinematic Storytelling system. As part of our upcoming crowdfunding campaign, we’re also previewing our first Accelerated StorySet 📚, Lovecraft Country: Dark Expeditions 🏕️. Both are available in a convenient “Print-at-Home” format using Avery 10-up business card punch-out paper. Download them both now for free or Name a Fair Price.

Tableau is a collaborative cinematic storytelling system that empowers players to create immersive stories across a wide variety of genres and narrative styles. Designed for flexibility, Tableau enables you to craft memorable tales in just a few hours, without the need for extensive preparation or a traditional game master.

At its core, Tableau uses modular rules and story elements, including themes, tones, settings, and character traits. Players work together to build scenes, focusing on key questions that drive the narrative forward, ultimately leading to a rich and satisfying cinematic experience.

The system is intuitive and approachable, making it easy for players of all experience levels to dive into storytelling. Tableau encourages creativity, player agency, and collaborative worldbuilding, making it a perfect fit for anyone who loves narrative-driven gameplay.

Whether you’re a seasoned role-player or new to tabletop storytelling, Tableau offers an engaging and flexible framework for creating stories together.

Tableau Accelerated Core ꩜ Rules 📜

Ignite your storytelling with streamlined Accelerated Core ꩜ Rules 📜 for Tableau: Collaborative Cinematic Storytelling. This modular system provides the essential tools to create dynamic stories in any genre, from tales of high fantasy, gritty noir, personal transformation, and more. Download the Accelerated Core ꩜ Rules 📜 in a convenient Print-at-Home format using business-card-sized sheets. Spark your creative passions today!

Accelerated Core ꩜ Rules 📜

Two versions: a 2-page PDF in ‘Print-N-Fold’ Tableau Booklet 📖 format, and a 1-page PDF in Avery 10-up Business Card 📄 format.

Tableau Storysets 📖

Tableau Storysets 📚 expand your storytelling experience by offering curated Elements ☯ to enhance and enrich your narratives. All Storysets 📚 are modular and compatible with one another, and they easily integrate with most ‘belonging outside belonging’ style storygames. They can also be adapted for use with many other tabletop role-playing systems. Each include a copy of the Accelerated Core ꩜ Rules 📜 in the 1-page PDF in Avery 10-up Business Card 📄 format.

Dark Expeditions &#127957 Storyset 📜 Cover

Dark Expeditions 🏕 Storyset 📜

Venture beyond the boundaries of the known world to uncover ancient mysteries and risk entering realms of cosmic horror. This 4-page PDF (for 40 business-card-sized cards) draws inspiration from the mythos of H.P. Lovecraft and classic adventure tales. Craft gripping stories of exploration, survival, and the revelation of forbidden knowledge, where each decision can lead to awe, terror, or madness. Ready to create your next chilling adventure?

Support Our Next Chapter: New Storysets Coming Soon!

We are excited to announce our upcoming crowdfunding campaign for three new Lovecraft Country Storysets:

A Study in Madness 🏛️: Unravel the academic enigmas and dark secrets that threaten the mind and soul.
Tidal Secrets ⚓️: Dive deep into seafaring mysteries, where ancient truths rise from the ocean’s depths.
Generations 🏡: Preserve or destroy your family legacy as choices ripple through time.

Be part of the journey by pledging on Day ONE and helping us make these stories come to life. Stay tuned for more details and early access opportunities.

Join the Campaign Here!

Reviewer Quotes

“Tableau is a versatile, flexible framework for collaborative storygames grounded deep in the fundamentals of story and character. Mix and match cards to shift what themes, rules, archetypes, and ideas are on the table, helping your group tell a compelling and satisfying story.” — Aaron A. Reed, author of the Archives of the Sky story game.

Types of Stories

We’ve found the mechanics of Tableau work well for experienced gamers as well as those who are completely new to collaborative story games. From improv actors to experienced role players, a wide range of people have found the instructions and mechanisms easy to understand and fun to play. The resulting stories were imaginative, the settings and genres intriguing, the play dynamic, and most importantly, all had a satisfying ending in just a couple of hours of play. Tableau is a fun evening’s entertainment.

Legacy Version: Tableau (r1 - 2023-05)

For those who prefer the original edition of Tableau (r1), featuring poker-sized cards, they are are still available on DriveThruRPG. This edition offers a classic take on the Tableau system, perfect for fans of the original format.

Tableau Logo

Twilight Road 🛣

You are fellow travelers on the Twilight Road. Together your journey will take you through choices & transitions, quests & trials. What will you discover on your way? Will you find your destination or return home? Either way, you will arrive changed. These are the stories of the Twilight Road. Every game session is different, every road, every journey is unique.

Gate Watch 🚪

You and your companions are members of the Gate Watch – charged to monitor the border between realms. Who built The Gate? What is on the other side? Why are you watching? What are you guarding against? These are the questions you will answer as you explore the Enigma that is The Gate. Every game session is different, every world, every gate unique.

Improv 🎪

Ignite your “Yes, and…” spirit of improvisation to weave unique tales together, one scene at a time. Collaborate to create unforgettable narratives across genres, fostering unexpected bonds between characters. Hone your narrative skills with rules designed for spontaneous & unscripted storytelling. Perfect for roleplaying, improv, script workshopping and creative writing.

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Credits

Written & Designed by: Christopher Allen ChristopherA@DyversHands.com

Tableau Games™, Dyvers Hands™, Twilight Road™, and Gate Watch™ are trademarks of Dyvers Hands Productions LLC.

Creative Contributors: Shannon Appelcline, Aaron Reed