Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – December 16, 2021

One game system – every genre – countless worlds – endless adventure

By Kevin Siembieda

This has been a fun, wild week.

 

It is the final 8 days and counting till Christmas and the Christmas Surprise Package sale is scheduled to end Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021 – so orders have been pouring in. Note that orders received by Friday should arrive via UPS in time for Christmas. In fact, orders placed over the weekend and shipped via UPS have a good chance of arriving in time for Christmas at most locations in the contiguous United States (70% likelihood). And if you do not need the Surprise Package for Christmas, shipping via the inexpensive Media Mail is the way to go. That way you can start the New Year with a pile of new RPGs and/or sourcebooks, or novels, or miniatures, or prints, or … See details below. FYI: We will be working through the weekend processing your orders.

 

14 of the reprints we have been waiting for ALL arrived on Wednesday, one after another. Including the “Original” Rifts® RPG 30th Anniversary Commemorative hardcover (gorgeous and a must for any serious Rifts® Collector), Rifts® Sourcebook One (softcover), Rifts® Black Market, and Systems Failure™ which sold out the morning the reprint arrived. That made for a very exciting but hectic Wednesday. See details about the books below.

 

I graduated from the elite business program I have been in since the beginning of September. It was exhausting, comprehensive and epic. So glad I was accepted into it. The closing ceremony was insightful, sweet, and touching. I hope to stay in touch with many of my fellow business owners for years to come. See my Closing Thoughts about it and various subjects.

 

Christmas Surprise Package – “scheduled” to end Christmas Eve

“I’ve been ordering and receiving a Surprise Package for almost a decade now. Every year is a new amazing surprise. I can’t wait to see what this year brings.”

– J.W., Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

If you have been thinking about ordering one or two as a gift for the gamers in your life or want to snag one for yourself (a great way to try new settings and replace worn out editions), there is still time! Order this weekend and ship via UPS and it should arrive in time for Christmas!

The Surprise Package offers you RPG books and miniatures on the cheap, autographs (if you want them), fun, and surprises. Make sure to send a us a Wish List of 12-15 titles you know are in stock and you’ll be thrilled with what arrives. This is our 24th year of doing them and we know what makes the Surprise Packages rewarding for everyone. Only 8 days till Christmas Eve.

What is a Christmas Surprise Package?

A smile and a hug that comes in a box filled with signed game books from available Palladium staff and freelancers. And God knows this year continues to be so crazy, we need something fun like the Christmas Surprise Package to bring a little joy and laughter into our lives. With so many people suffering from the fallout of the pandemic and related doldrums, frustration, and in some cases, money issues, they need to escape to realms of role-playing adventures. Not to mention the huge savings and autographs available via a Palladium Christmas Surprise Package.

A Surprise Package is your way to get physical books (and autographs if you want them) for PDF prices! $95-$100+ worth of Palladium products for only $55 (plus shipping and handling)! That can nab you four or more items when these days one core rule book can cost you that alone.

These Surprise Packages are our way of saying thank you for your support and showing you our love and appreciation. It’s a surprise because you never know exactly what you’re going to get or who will sign your books, because we pick from your Wish List and may surprise you with stuff you are not expecting. Extra items may include other RPGs, sourcebooks, issues of the Rifter®, novels, miniatures, prints, art books, greeting cards, T-shirts, negatives, and other items. Some books may be slightly damaged (scuffs, scratches, dings, a crunched corner, etc.) so we can send you more.

Truly the best deal in gaming, Palladium’s 24th Annual Christmas Surprise Package gets you $95-$105, sometimes MORE, worth of product for ONLY $55 (plus shipping and handling), as gifts for others or for yourself. That’s physical books at PDF prices. And if you want them signed we will sign each and every one of them.

Christmas Surprise Packages are not just for Christmas. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the Winter Solstice, or you are looking for that special gift for a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or any special occasion that falls between now and the end of the year, a Surprise Package may be the ideal way to go. You get a ton of stuff on the cheap, you can get a bunch of autographs (if you want ‘em), and you look like you spent a fortune.

This is also a great way to try that game setting you’ve wondered about – Splicers®, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, Palladium Fantasy®, Nightbane®, Systems Failure, Mechanoid Invasion®, Rifts®, After the Bomb®, etc. – or to get something for your favorite Game Master. Or perhaps, to get your player group to consider a new game or setting.

Your “Wish List” is vital – the Palladium Surprise Packages are designed to simulate the joy and surprise of the Christmas Season of Giving. To do this, you submit a list of 12-15 Palladium products (or more) FOR EACH Surprise Package you order. This list of 12-15 items for EACH Grab Bag is critical, because you will not know which items we will select to send you. That makes it just like a Christmas gift because it really is a surprise. Surrogate Santa, Kevin, personally hand-picks every item for every Grab Bag, and may toss in something extra like a limited edition print, or a negative, or similar collector’s item, or an issue of The Rifter®, or something else he thinks you’ll enjoy.

Autographed books. For those of you who want them (which are most people), Kevin and available members of the Palladium staff, and any freelancers we can lasso at the time, are happy to autograph each and every book in your Surprise Package. This is the only way many fans across the country and overseas can ever get signed books.

Send us your brief comments. There is a special form and format to fill out for Christmas Surprise Packages. It includes a place where you can offer your brief comments, suggestions, greetings and salutations.

First-timers are always nervous until they see the great value in their first Surprise Package. A typical Grab Bag has $95-$105 worth of product, sometimes more! Yes, sometimes more, for only $55 plus shipping and handling. Many people order 2-3. Some order 4-6, and some maniacs order even more! It makes sense, because it is a great way to fill holes in your own collection, treat yourself, get autographs, try new games and settings, rebuild your collection, replace worn out books, and get your gaming pals gifts you know they will love. PLEASE spread the word about this great offer.

To those of you outside the USA, the X-Mas Surprise Package is a way to get books and circumvent the damn high cost of shipping from the United States, since you are getting $95-$105 (often more) worth of product and only paying $55 plus a small handling charge. Shipping via Priority Mail International (required for packages weighing 4 or more pounds) to most locations in Europe, Canada, Australia, and many other countries is around $50-$60 US dollars. HOWEVER, because the cost of the product is so low, that’s the equivalent of paying retail for the products and only $0-$30 for shipping. A very good deal. Plus you get autographs if you want them! X-Mas Surprise Packages are the way to go for those of you outside the USA. Please take advantage of it to get all those products you’ve wished you could get except the shipping was too prohibitive. We feel your pain. Game on!

Please spread the word. The Christmas Surprise Package is only publicized by word of mouth, on Palladium’s website, and social media, so please tell everyone you know. Buy one for every gamer you know. They make astonishing gifts for every occasion. This sale runs through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021.

 

SHIPPING UPDATE: 8 days till Christmas Eve – but ONLY about 3 days left to order and get delivery guaranteed by Christmas via UPS

Okay, it is crunch time for all you super-busy people like me and you procrastinators out there. IF you NEED any Palladium products or Christmas Surprise Packages as holiday gifts, you NEED to place your orders no later than Sunday and ship via UPS to have any chance to receive it in time for Christmas. UPS and all shippers will be delivering up to next Friday, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021, so that helps.

• UPS Ground – December 19 – It should arrive in time for Christmas but we can NOT guarantee it. You are taking a risk.
• UPS 3-Day Select – December 20 – Will arrive in time for Christmas.
• UPS 2nd Day Air – December 21.
• UPS Next Day Air (to arrive December 24) – December 22, remember, we need time to process and pack your order!
• United States Postal Service: Media Mail – Will NOT arrive in time for Christmas, but if you don’t care if it arrives after Christmas then certainly use Media Mail. Remember, the Surprise Package makes a great gift for any occasion or a nice treat for yourself. Note: If you live in an apartment please remember to include your apartment number. Also Note: Listing out of print items or titles not yet available is a waste of your time as we do NOT have those titles to send you.
• United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail – Will NOT arrive in time for Christmas.
• To our friends in Canada and overseas – At this point in time, we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Sorry, but you should get it in 2-3 weeks from the date it shipped. Note: Right now, we are finding “overseas” orders are taking 18-34 days to arrive, sometimes longer! Still a Cost Saving Deal: A Surprise Package helps to mitigate overseas shipping costs – take advantage of this while you can. It is, in effect, the equivalent of getting the books you want at retail, plus autographs, and paying the equivalent of only $5-$20 for overseas shipping! MANY overseas customers take advantage of the Surprise Packages for this reason! And it is likely the ONLY way for you to get autographs. Give it a try, we don’t think you will be disappointed.
• Any orders placed after these dates will arrive AFTER Christmas.
• Please spread the word so other gamers can enjoy this special seasonal offer. Ho, ho, ho and happy holidays.
• As always, at Palladium, we will be working overtime through the weekend to process orders as fast as we can so you get them for the holidays. However, after the package leaves the Palladium warehouse, delivery is out of our hands. As we get closer to Christmas, UPS Ground and Priority Mail will be your most reliable and timely methods of shipping. Personally, we suggest UPS. Thank you for your understanding.

 

BACK IN PRINT in time for Christmas & the New Year

Rifts^® Ultimate Edition “Softcover” – available now

This is the Rifts® Ultimate Edition you know and love made available as a softcover edition for those of you who prefer “softcover” books. The softcover is also allowed in correctional institutions that do not allow hardcovers. Folks are loving it.

The usual …

• 30+ player characters to choose from; tech, magic, and psychic.
• Cyborgs, robot and power armor pilots, scouts, assassins, and more.
• Weapons, armor, vehicles, and equipment.
• 140+ magic spells for magic characters like Ley Line Walkers, Mystics, Techno-Wizards, Shifters, and others.
• 90 psionic powers and psychic characters.
• World overview, the Coalition States, and more.
• Sourcebooks offer hundreds of different aliens, supernatural beings, creatures of magic, and locations for adventure.
• There has never been another RPG quite like Rifts®.
• 376 pages – 3 color sections, 24 pages total. The softcover book is identical to the hardcover edition.
• $34.99 retail – Cat. No. 800SE – available now. May be requested for the Surprise Package.

 

BACK IN PRINT – “Original” Rifts® RPG 30th Anniversary Commemorative hardcover – available now – still only $50 despite rising paper and printing costs – Cat. No. 800HC30 – and it looks absolutely gorgeous. This popular title sold out in only four months and has been out of print since early September. Well, it is back in stock and it is gorgeous. This collector’s item sports the original Keith Parkinson cover and offers the original 1990s RPG plus an additional 32 page color section, the history of Rifts®, unpublished concept art, a gallery of all Rifts® covers through 2021, and more. Can be used with ALL existing Rifts® supplements. 288 pages – a steal at $49.99 – Cat. No. 800HC30 – Available now! Note: The limited edition is already a coveted collector’s item. May be requested for the Surprise Package.

 

BACK IN PRINT – Rifts® Black Market™ (softcover) – available now – 5 Black Market factions including Bandito Arms – 10 Black Market O.C.C.s, new weapons, armor, vehicles, robots, robot animals, the Shadow Boy and TW Ironmage Glitter Boy variants, and more. I am so glad people are discovering this sourcebook because it is truly epic and jam-packed with useful and fun material for players and G.M.s alike. 192 pages – $26.99 – Cat. No. 886 – available now.

 

BACK IN PRINT – Rifts® Sourcebook One (softcover) – available now – featuring Archie Three, Triax Robots, a full Archie adventure, the first appearance of the Republicans (NEMA survivors in stasis), robot creation rules and other fun, groundbreaking material. The perfect companion to go with the “Original” Rifts RPG Commemorative Hardcover, Shemarrian Nation™, and the upcoming Titan Robotics™. 160 pages – $22.99 – Cat. No. 801 – Available now.

 

BACK IN PRINT – Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG “Bonus” Hardcover – available now – 40+ martial arts, plus martial art powers, martial artists, super-spies, gadgets, secrets, and more. 224 pages – $36.99 retail – Cat. No. 525HC – available now.

 

BACK IN PRINT – After the Bomb® RPG “Bonus” Hardcover – available now – Create crime-fighting, modern-day, mutant heroes or intelligent mutant animals on a post-apocalyptic Earth. Stats for 100+ mutant animals and rules for creating any type of mutant animal, unique powers, animal psionics, Chimera, the Empire of Humanity, and 6 post-apocalypse adventures. Includes the original, 48 page, After the Bomb® sourcebook. 296 pages total – $39.99 retail – Cat. No. 503HC – available now.

 

BACK IN PRINT – Dead Reign® RPG Hardcover (Zombie Apocalypse) – available now – A great introductory game that is fun and intuitive. Play ordinary people or Apocalyptic heroes. Face Death Cultists, madmen, and an array of different types of zombies. Random tables galore. 224 pages – $36.99 retail – Cat. No. 230HC – available now.

 

BACK IN PRINT – Rifts® Book of Magic Hardcover – available now – The ultimate magic sourcebook with 700+ magic spells, plus magic tattoos, herbs, wands, staves, talismans, Bio-Wizard weapons, Techno-Wizard devices, and more in a deluxe hardcover! 352 pages – $39.99 retail – Cat. No. 848HC – available now.

 

UPDATED List of RPG Hardcovers Available Now:

• “Original” Rifts® RPG 30th Anniversary Commemorative Hardcover – available now! This collector’s item sports the original Parkinson cover, additional 32 page color section, history of Rifts®, unpublished concept art, gallery of all Rifts® covers through 2020, and more. Can be used with ALL Rifts® supplements – 288 pages – $49.99 – Cat. No. 800HC30 – Available now.
• Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG “Bonus” Hardcover – available now – BACK in stock – 224 pages – $36.99 – Cat. No. 525HC – includes bonus material – available now.
• After the Bomb® RPG “Bonus” Hardcover – available now – BACK in stock – 296 pages – $39.99 – Cat. No. 503HC – includes bonus material – available now.
• Rifts® Book of Magic Hardcover – available now – BACK in stock – 352 pages – $39.99 – Cat. No. 848HC – available now.
• Nightbane® RPG “Bonus” Edition Hardcover – available now – 304 pages – $39.99 – Cat. No. 730HC – 60 extra pages of bonus material – available now.
• Dead Reign® RPG (Zombie Apocalypse) Hardcover – available now – BACK in stock – 224 pages – $36.99 – Cat. No. 230HC – available now.
• Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, 2nd Edition Hardcover – 224 pages – $36.99 – Cat. No. 700HC.
• Palladium Fantasy RPG®, 2nd Edition Hardcover – 336 pages – $39.99 – Cat. No. 450HC – Our second best selling new hardcover after the Rifts® 30th Anniversary edition.
• Heroes Unlimited™ RPG, 2nd Edition Hardcover – 352 pages – $39.99 – Cat. No. 500HC.
• Chaos Earth® RPG “Bonus” Edition Hardcover – 192 pages – $36.99 – Cat. No. 660HC – 30 extra pages of bonus material – available now.
• Rifts® Ultimate Edition RPG Hardcover – 376 pages – $44.99 – Cat. No. 800HC – epic.
• Rifts® Ultimate Edition “Softcover” is a new format. RUE has only ever been available as a hardcover, and it still is, but it is now also available as a softcover – 376 pages – $34.99 – Cat. No. 800SE.
• Rifts® Game Master Guide Hardcover – 352 pages – $39.99 – Cat. No. 845HC.
• Rifts® Adventure Guide Hardcover – 192 pages – $36.99 – Cat. No. 849HC.

Coming:

• COMING! Splicers® RPG “Bonus” Edition Hardcover – At the printer.
• COMING! Palladium Fantasy RPG®, “First Edition” Red Foil Stamped “Bonus” Hardcover on faux leatherette. The cover is a recreation of the Red and Black first edition, plus it includes the Arms of Nargash-Tor adventure sourcebook. Yes, this is one of the surprises. At the printer.
• COMING! “Original” RECON by Joseph F. Martin

Note: As per our new policy and the unpredictable print times, we will not be releasing estimated release dates for these last three hardcovers and upcoming new releases.

 

COMING: “Original” Palladium Fantasy RPG^® “Bonus” Edition Commemorative Hardcover, 1st Edition Rules

This deluxe, foil stamped edition is at the printer, and has been for awhile now. With any luck it will be available sometime in November. We are offering it due to popular demand. It is the original, First Edition rules, expanded with the inclusion of the Arms of Nargash-Tor adventure sourcebook. The original edition also includes Erick Wujcik’s popular Tombs of Gersidi adventure left out of the 2nd Edition rule book. The cover is a recreation of the original, famous red and black cover of the original RPG. We sold more than 120,000 copies of the first edition rule book back in the day, so we know a lot of people have fond memories of it. Hence, the request for Palladium to offer it in some form. We hope you enjoy the deluxe hardcover. It sure brought back memories for many of us.

• The complete, original RPG – the game that started Palladium Books.
• First Edition rules are easily adaptable to current Fantasy titles.
• Includes the Tombs of Gersidi adventure and setting (ancient vampires and dark magic) written by Erick Wujcik. Maps by Erick Wujcik. Easily adapted to current rules.
• Depictions of Eastern, Western, Northern, and Old Kingdom coins.
• Fan favorite artwork by Kevin Siembieda and Michael Kucharski.
• The Arms of Nargash-Tor adventure sourcebook included as “bonus” material appears in print for the first time in 35 years.
• Deluxe hardcover edition. Probably limited to fewer than 1,000 copies.
• Recreation of the original cover with red foil stamping into a black faux leatherette hardcover. It should look beautiful.
• 320 pages total with “bonus” material – $55.00 retail – Cat. No. 449HC – at the printer. Release date not yet confirmed by the printer. Hopefully in time for Christmas.

 

COMING! Splicers^® RPG “Bonus” Edition Hardcover

The Splicers® RPG plus bonus Splicers® material from The Rifter® #30, #32, and #51 offering War Mounts, The Wasteland, and Living Weapons like the Swarm Lord, Hive insects, etc., written by Chris Kluge.

• The complete RPG + 50 pages of bonus material.
• Splicers® is unique and different. Think Guyver meets Terminator after the rise of the machines.
• Humanity armed with genetically engineered living host armor and weapons battle against an insane A.I. and her legion of robots and death machines.
• Part science fiction, part horror. Epic in scope.
• 280 pages – $44.99 retail – Cat. No. 200HC – at the printer. Release date not yet confirmed by the printer. Hopefully in time for Christmas.

 

UPDATE: The Rifter^® #85, 2021 Annual

The Rifter® – your favorite portal to the Palladium Books® Megaverse® – is back!

And oh boy, do we have a treat for you – 224 pages of the best content from an entire year’s worth of submissions. This 2021 annual issue has content for use with almost all our game lines including Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy RPG®, Dead Reign®, Nightbane®, Heroes Unlimited™, and more.

Highlights include:

• Soul in Flames: A Rifts® adventure by Barry Wright that captured our imagination so much we put it on the cover!
• The Colony of Gonarn: Sweeping location and adventure material for the Palladium Fantasy RPG® by Glen Evans.
• Vehicle Encounter Tables: An awesome resource by Lloyd Blair for Dead Reign®, but also eminently useful for Systems Failure®, Chaos Earth®, Beyond the Supernatural™, and even Rifts®.
• Beyond Midnight: Inspired by Boxed Nightmares, this combination of story, creature feature, and plot hooks by Dan Frederick includes adventure seeds for nine Palladium settings.
• The Redeemer: What does evil-turned-good look like? This O.C.C. by Kyle Osterberg for Nightbane® covers just that.
• Magical Collectibles: An array of unique arcane items by Christian Bonawandt for use with any Palladium setting.
• The Glitter Boy Revisited: Two articles by Will Erwin that will have Game Masters and players alike taking a fresh new look at everyone’s favorite chrome power suit.
• Relics of Empire: New setting, history, and source material for Palladium Fantasy RPG® by Ian Herbert.
• Plus: Short stories, news, coming attractions, product descriptions, and more.
• 224 pages – $26.99 retail – Cat. No. 185 – Coming this winter.

Rifter® Submission Note: If you were not accepted into this Annual, you may be on the short list for the next. FYI: We get many submissions for Rifts®, and are sitting on some for the 2022 Annual now, so you will have a greater chance of getting published in the next Rifter Annual if you send material for Nightbane®, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb®, Palladium Fantasy® and others, though we get a fair number of submissions for Fantasy too.

 

Do not forget about the various Palladium Coffee Mugs – available now

With so many people still working from home and hot chocolate weather arriving, Palladium’s fun and attractive coffee mugs have been in high demand. See details below.

 

Dead Reign^® (Zombie attack) Coffee Mug – now shipping

A nice, large, 16 ounce coffee mug with artwork that appears on both sides of the mug, and the mug has a color interior, adding a vivid splash of color to your morning or game time beverage. Everyone loves these mugs.

• The “Dead Reign®” logo with three hungry zombies ready to attack. Art designed specifically for this mug by artist Steven Cummings of comic book renown (Wayward® and various Marvel Comics). White on a black mug. Very dynamic.
• Art is located on the front and back of the mug.
• Glossy black exterior with a blood red interior.
• 16 ounce ceramic mug.
• Dishwasher and microwave safe.
• $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2594.

 

Rifts^® Titan Robotics^™ Coffee Mug – now shipping

A nice, large, 16 ounce coffee mug with artwork that appears on both sides of the mug, and the mug has a color interior, adding a vivid splash of color to your morning or game time beverage. Everyone loves these mugs.

• The “Rifts® Titan Robotics™” mug features the Rifts logo with the words Titan Robotics below it. Above the logo is one of the new Titan robots from the upcoming book release, standing in a dynamic pose. Art by Steven Cummings.
• Art is located on the front and back of the mug.
• Glossy black exterior with a bright blue interior.
• 16 ounce ceramic mug.
• Dishwasher and microwave safe.
• $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2595.

 

Fan Favorite: Rifts^® LOGO Coffee Mug – now shipping

Back due to popular demand! A nice, large, 16 ounce coffee mug with large artwork that appears on both sides of the mug, and the mug has a color interior, adding a vivid splash of color to your morning or game time beverage. Fans have been loving these mugs.

• The famous Rifts® logo in white on a black mug.
• Art is located on the front and back of the mug.
• Glossy black exterior with a bright blue interior.
• 16 ounce ceramic mug.
• Dishwasher and microwave safe.
• $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2587.

 

Fan Favorite: Palladium Fantasy RPG^® “Dragon” Coffee Mug – now shipping

Back due to popular demand. A nice, large, 16 ounce coffee mug with large artwork that appears on both sides of the mug, and the mug has a color interior, adding a vivid splash of color to your morning or game time beverage. Fans have been loving these mugs.

• The fan favorite “3-Headed Hydra” battling a knight from the iconic, original Palladium Fantasy RPG® cover. Red art on a black mug harkens back to the original RPG red and black cover.
• Art appears on the front and back of the mug.
• Glossy black exterior with an attractive orange interior.
• 16 ounce ceramic mug.
• Dishwasher and microwave safe.
• $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2589.

 

Still Hot! Rifts^® Automated Character Sheet for EXCEL

The next step in character data collection! This EXCEL template provides automation to your Rifts® character creation process. Done in Microsoft Excel, this character template will allow you to build your character with substantial ease and speed. Ideal for the new gamer who doesn’t know all of the Palladium Books® rules just yet, it’s also a highly effective tool for Game Masters and advanced players alike who make multiple characters, NPCs or just like to min/max or theory craft characters between games.

• Dice Roller: A simple dice roller is on the main page of the character sheet to help with character creation or in-game dice rolling needs.
• Automated Attributes and Stat Block: All the bonuses and features from attributes are presented in a large stat block allowing you to easily see your bonus to save vs Psionics, Mind Control, etc. You can pick your strength type (Normal, Augmented, Robotic or Supernatural) to determine your carrying and lifting capacity and even your M.D. punch damage if your strength is high enough and of the right type.
• Automated Combat Stats: The main page holds a section where you can pull up data for your various combat stats, from hand to hand abilities such as Strike, Parry, Dodge and Disarm, to W.P. bonuses including those of the W.P. Sharpshooting variety. This section draws upon all of your character’s selection of skills and abilities and even offers customization from odd O.C.C. or racial abilities.
• Automated Psionics: All psionics from Rifts® Ultimate Edition, Rifts® World Book 12: Psyscape™ and Rifts® World Book 32: Lemuria can be selected from a dropdown menu that then populates tables with the information on psionics for your character. Each psionic ability’s data including damage, M.D.C. and range also automatically increases based on the character’s level of experience.
• Automated Spells: All Common Invocations, Necromancy, Ocean Magic and Biomancy spells (yes, all the Lemurian Biomancer spells too!) can be selected from a dropdown menu that then populates tables with the information on spells for your character. Each spell’s data including damage, M.D.C. and range also automatically increases based on the character’s level of experience.
• Automated Skills: All skills from the Rifts® Ultimate Edition, Rifts® World Book 25: China 2 – Heroes of the Celestial Court™ and Rifts® World Book 32: Lemuria can be selected and then automatically add bonuses from prerequisites and related skills. Physical skills that provide bonuses also add those bonuses directly to attributes and combat stats. Bonuses that require dice rolls are denoted and can then be manually rolled and added to the character sheet. Custom percent bonuses such as O.C.C. bonuses can also be added to individual skills.
• Automated Cybernetics & Bionics: All cybernetics and bionics from Rifts® Ultimate Edition along with some favorites from other books can be selected from dropdown menus which then tabulate bonuses and add them to your combat stats. Prices also sum up so an enterprising Headhunter can keep track of his hardware and upgrades. Simple cybernetic body part diagrams even allow players to allocate the locations of their various cybernetic and bionic components.
• Freeform O.C.C. and Racial Power Section: A section for non-standard powers, special O.C.C. or racial abilities allows the player to add custom skills and powers that can be linked to those features to draw upon the character’s level of experience, I.Q. bonus or other stats so powers grow as the character advances.
• Character Building Section: On the main page of the document is a section to help you build your character, from customizing attributes, to adding non-standard bonuses from O.C.C. or racial abilities, to an optional point buy system for attributes.
• Helpful Hints and Suggestions: Red triangular tabs appear throughout the document. Hovering over the red tab with the mouse cursor will reveal useful data from sourcebooks, hints, suggestions and other information, such as what a particular stat means, how it’s used in the game and what things can add bonuses or affect it. There is also a page with overview instructions on how to use the sheet, and a number of instructional videos will be posted via Palladium TV on the ins and outs of the character sheet. The first can be found here: http://youtu.be/a89XzAV37sE
• Portrait: A special sheet is set up so you can add an image to the document for a custom portrait for your character. That image is then displayed on the main page and is protected from accidental movement or deletion from the main page.
• Password Protected: Several pages of the document are password protected so players won’t accidently delete formulas and ruin the character sheet’s automated features. The password is provided so players can customize the sheet to their liking then protect the sheet again so they don’t undo all their hard work.
• Note: The file is best used in Microsoft EXCEL 2016 or above. Some data may be lost if not using Microsoft EXCEL, such as when using similar products like Open Office.
• Available from PalladiumBooks.com AND DriveThruRPG.com – make them characters!

 

DriveThruRPG.com – Discover the Palladium Megaverse^® in PDF form – 300+ titles available

– Rifts® is the ultimate setting in which you can combine any number of genres and play any style of gaming you may desire: science fiction, fantasy, supernatural horror, heroic adventure, dimensional travel, sleuth, modern knights, giant robots, dinosaur taming, sleuthing, magic and monsters, heroes and legends. Or combine them all. There has never been a game quite like Rifts®.

– Companion Rifts® titles include bold settings like Wormwood™, Skraypers™, and Phase World® and the Three Galaxies in our ongoing Dimension Book series, and the Great Cataclysm that created Rifts Earth in the ongoing Chaos Earth® series.

– Palladium Fantasy RPG® is a rich, original setting in which you can play humans or any number of nonhuman species of people in a world of magic, heroes and wonder. A world with 100,000 years of history. Some of it quite dark.

– Heroes Unlimited™, the name rather says it all. Play any type of superhuman hero, vigilante, anti-hero, or villain in our modern world or on alien planets. Also see Ninjas & Superspies.

– After the Bomb®, create and play anthropomorphic, intelligent mutant animals in a comic book world of mutant heroes or in a crumbling post-apocalyptic Earth where humans teeter on the edge of extinction and mutant animals are becoming the noble survivors to inherit our world.

– Dead Reign® RPG and sourcebooks. The Zombie Apocalypse unleashed. Play ordinary people or post-apocalyptic O.C.C.s or Masked Lunatic heroes.

– Nightbane® RPG and sourcebooks. You are the monsters … and the heroes. Embark on a quest of self-discovery and empowerment while locked in a secret war against the Nightlords and their demonic and human minions. Monsters only you, the Nightbane, can see, but only when you transform into your inhuman Morphus. A supernatural and monstrous alter-ego that can see the invading monsters and possesses the power to destroy them. That’s why the Night Princes have been assigned to hunt down and either turn or destroy every last one of the Nightbane. Trust no one. Even your parents, teachers, or friends might be wicked Dopplegangers in league with the Nightlords.

– Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG and sourcebooks. Your first step into the realm of modern horror. And the rest of the expanding Megaverse® with The Mechanoid Invasion®, Systems Failure, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® series, and more.

 

Erick Wujcik’s “Lost first RPG” Sector 57. It is Erick Wujcik’s very first RPG (1980, self-published) – a tournament game, actually. I played it way back when with Erick and it was fun. I think you will enjoy it, and it is a fun piece of history. ALL proceeds go directly to the Wujcik estate and probably toward the education of Erick’s beloved grandchild, Tristan.

As most of you know, Erick would go on to write the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness RPG, Ninjas & Superspies RPG, Amber Diceless, and contribute to a number of other RPGs and sourcebooks.

Sector 57 is written by Erick Wujcik and illustrated by me, Kevin Siembieda. Making it Erick’s and my first published collaboration. The tournament has space travelers find a derelict alien spacecraft to explore and answer questions like is it safe to fly and take as their own? What happened to the crew? Is there danger lurking onboard? Can you figure out how to pilot the spaceship? We are selling it for the original 1980 price of $5.00 making it a deal. Available only as a PDF from DriveThruRPG. Enjoy.

Coming to DriveThruRPG.com – The Original RECON by Joe F. Martin (1982), RECON® Supplement One: Sayaret, RECON® Module Two: Hearts & Minds, and if we can swing it, San Succi, the big newspaper style module and maps. In addition to releasing these as individual PDF products, Palladium also intends to collect and release them as a special, deluxe, hardcover RPG and sourcebook in the months ahead.

Palladium Books has settings for every genre: Fantasy RPG, science fiction (Rifts®, Splicers®, and The Mechanoids®), super-heroes (Heroes Unlimited and After the Bomb), superhero horror (Nightbane®), modern horror (Dead Reign® and Beyond the Supernatural), plus The Rifter® sourcebook series (by fans like you), novels, paper minis, and more.

 

Rifts® Novels: Duty’s Edge – The lone surviving soldier from a New German Republic Special Forces operation struggles to complete the mission on his own. A stand-alone Rifts® novel complete in itself. 236 pages, Cat. No. 308. The Cosmo-Knight and The Reckoning (Phase World®, the Three Galaxies, and Cosmo-Knights), the Rifts® trilogy of novels: Sonic Boom, Deception’s Web, and Treacherous Awakenings, as well as the Rifts® Anthology: Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs (11 authors), Machinations of Doom (graphic novel by Ramon K. Perez), and Path of the Storm (a proposed Rifts® movie script) and 300+ other Palladium Books RPG titles.

Also available: Free Garden of the Gods™ (Fantasy) and Rifts® Bestiary™ Volume One Sneak Previews, and the Palladium Fantasy RPG® Interactive Character Sheet: A Microsoft Excel-based character management system. Packed with features and data collected from every official Palladium Fantasy sourcebook to enable you to create Fantasy characters quickly (25 minutes!) and help you to update and manage them for years to come.

Dead Reign® Paper Miniatures Volume Three: Zombies, Dead Reign® Paper Miniatures Volume Two: Civilians and Dead Reign® Paper Miniatures Volume One: Survivors. There are also paper miniatures for Heroes Unlimited™, Palladium Fantasy® and Rifts®. A new, up-to-date, PDF Palladium Books Catalog. Nightbane® Dark Designs™ sourcebook with 60 new Common Talents, 38 new Elite Talents, 18 new Morphus Tables, all other Morphus Tables collected and more. Systems Failure™ RPG, a 160 page RPG that deals with alien invasion and a post-apocalypse setting that is fun and dynamic. Civilization is on the verge of collapse when the so-called “bugs” invade and turn humans into zombie-like slaves. Monsters, heroes and fun. A complete RPG and setting. Rifts® World Book 34: Northern Gun™ Two: 256 pages of technology and fun. 30+ power armors, 30+ body armors, 15 combat vehicles, 45 vehicles (hovercycles, etc.), 10 robot haulers, the Robodome and more. Bizantium and the Northern Islands™: the northernmost part of the Known World, the Cold Born, Necromancy ships made from dead sea serpents, 15 creatures, Random Sea Monster Generator, and more. Rifts® Northern Gun™ One. This fan favorite might be thought of as the big book of giant robots – an in-depth look at Northern Gun, 70+ weapons, 27 robots, NG O.C.C.s, key people and places, and much more. Mysteries of Magic™ Book One: The Heart of Magic™ with Wizards, their Apprentices, nearly 60 new magic spells and remember, magic and monsters in the Fantasy RPG are easily adapted to Rifts®, Chaos Earth®, HU2 and other settings. Wolfen Empire™ Fantasy sourcebook, the Great Northern Wilderness and Killer Winters, 12 Wolfen Tribes, Wolfen military and society, 15+ creatures, 5 full adventures, 101 adventure ideas, random encounter tables, notable people, places, plus FREE Sneak Previews of The Rifter® #80, The Rifter® #81, The Rifter® #82, and more on DriveThruRPG.com.

• Rifts® is a genre-bending setting that combines science fiction, fantasy, horror, post-apocalypse survival, magic, and endless possibilities for adventure. Imagine a near perfect world of advanced technology 100 years in the future. Then imagine that world crashing down overnight in an apocalyptic upheaval not seen since the formation of the planet. A Great Cataclysm caused by the explosive return of magic. Now fast forward 300 years into the future where magic, dragons, and mythic gods coexist with cyborgs, giant robots and super-science rediscovered from humanity’s Golden Age as humans rise from a lengthy Dark Age. But they must contend with countless alien life forms, monsters, and supernatural horrors from beyond the Rifts.
• Rifts® core titles we would suggest: Rifts® Ultimate Edition, Rifts® Game Master Guide, Rifts® Book of Magic, Rifts® Adventure Guide, D-Bees of North America™, Rifts® World Book 11: Coalition War Campaign and Rifts® Sourcebook One. Note: The Rifts® RPG, 1st Edition and Rifts® Ultimate, 2nd Edition are both available.
• 80+ Rifts® supplements, most of them available as PDFs with more coming. Where to start? Wherever sounds fun.
• Rifts® Dimension Books™: Travel to alien worlds and dimensions via the Rifts for off-world adventure and intrigue.
• Rifts® Chaos Earth® RPG and sourcebook series (all). Live through the Great Cataclysm and the Coming of the Rifts. Rifts® Chaos Earth® RPG, Creatures of Chaos™, Rise of Magic™, and Chaos Earth® Resurrection™ are all available.
• FREE Sneak Previews for Nightbane® Dark Designs™, Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans™, Rifts® CS Heroes of Humanity, and many other previews as well as free and low cost items that we make available. All of it adds to the growing list of Rifts and other Palladium RPG game titles available as PDF books, cards and support. A new title should be added every week or two, so keep watching for them.
• The Rifter® #1-84, ALL issues of The Rifter®. Each issue is a wealth of source material and ideas for 3-6 different Palladium game lines. Most are easily adapted to ANY Palladium game setting. Each issue a gem. 8,500 pages of source material and ideas for heroes, villains, monsters, magic, gear, and adventure.
• Splicers® RPG is like Iron Man meets Game of Thrones with elements of Terminator – except this army of Iron Men are clad in living body armor and wield living, organic weapons and devices. Created in 2004 by writer and game designer Carmen Bellaire, Splicers® was nominated for an Inquest Gamer Magazine Fan Awards Game of the Year, and has since developed a rabid fan base. Science fiction and horror where humans are forced to use genetically engineered, living weapons and organic war machines to battle an insane Artificial Intelligence and her robot legions. Unlike anything you have ever played before!
• Splicers®: I Am Legion™ Adventure Sourcebook: 6 new Great Houses, 4 new Host Armors, 6 new War Mounts, 19 new Bio-Weapons, 15 new killer machines, new Bio-Enhancements, Amalgam creation tables, Legion and a series of adventures that build into a small campaign, and more.
• Palladium Fantasy RPG®, 1st Edition Rules and sourcebooks. A unique world of magic, monsters and heroes. Dozens of nonhuman player characters including Wolfen, Bearmen, Ogres, Orcs and more. 100,000 years of history.
• Palladium Fantasy RPG®, 2nd Edition Rules and many sourcebooks. The expanded world of high fantasy, magic, mystery and heroes of every variety. Includes the Mind Mage and psychic abilities, mages and spells, magic circles and symbols, men-at-arms, scoundrels and a wide range of inhuman player characters including Wolfen, Bearmen, Ogres, Orcs and many more. 100,000 years of history.
• Heroes Unlimited™ RPG first edition rule book and sourcebooks.
• Heroes Unlimited™ RPG Second Edition rule book and sourcebooks. Create any type of superhuman you can desire and bring comic book adventures to life.
• Dead Reign® RPG (Zombie Apocalypse). The dead have risen. It is the battle for survival in the zombie apocalypse, but this setting is much more than your typical zombie game. Play ordinary people or special characters better equipped to survive and hunt zombies. Many unusual types of zombies.
• Dead Reign® Sourcebooks: 6 sourcebooks from Civilization Gone™ to Hell Followed™ (the latter features stats for 23 disasters, masked lunatics, 11 new zombies, 7 apocalyptic character classes, and more) are available.
• Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, 1st Edition Rules. Supernatural horror in the modern world. Play ordinary people, psychics, paranormal investigators or for something different: Victim Characters!
• Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, 2nd Edition: The complete, revised core game, 14 character classes and 42 occupations for “ordinary people,” 100+ psychic abilities, 16 monsters, the Lazlo Agency, world setting and rules.
• Nightbane® RPG and sourcebooks. An RPG setting we call superhero horror. Dark conspiracy, a secret, demon invasion starting with world leaders and law enforcement, and it is spreading. The player characters are the Nightbane®, reluctant superhumans who must turn into monsters themselves to unleash their powers and battle the evil that is clear only to them. A dark, sinister and challenging world of horror.
• After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks. Planet of the Apes meets the X-Men! Animal creations, powers and more. Create any type of intelligent mutant animal you can imagine as friend or foe.
• Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG and the Mystic China™ sourcebook. James Bond meets Enter the Dragon. 41 types of martial arts, ninjas, and super-spies with gadgets, gizmos and advanced weapons.
• The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy RPG is a long time, cult favorite with a fatalistic world-view of humans vs aliens with superior technology.
• The Palladium Weapon Series of real world weapons, armor and castles throughout history. Designed for use with ANY game system.
• 200+ Palladium titles in all, plus G.M. kits, paper miniatures and more.
• Heroes Unlimited™ Paper Miniatures – Two sets are now available!
• Palladium Fantasy RPG® Paper Miniatures – Volumes #1-6 are available now. More are coming in the weeks ahead.
• Rifts® Paper Miniatures: Men at Arms – $2.99
• Rifts® Paper Miniatures: Coalition Dead Boys – $2.99
• Rifts® Paper Miniatures: Adventurers – $2.99
• Rifts® Paper Miniatures: Practitioners of Magic (new) – $2.99
• Rifts® Paper Miniatures: Extras (new) – $2.99
• And more to come in the weeks ahead.

 

Palladium Collectibles, Negatives, Artwork, other Collectibles and Toys are always available in Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store along with other good things

My eBay store is one of the few places where you can find original artwork by Charles “Chuck” Walton, Kevin Long, and others, as well as one-of-a-kind negatives from classic Rifts® and other Palladium RPG books (they look awesome framed!), rare Palladium collector hardcovers, signed books, other Palladium memorabilia, toys from my personal collection and other collectibles. Check every couple of weeks because we often post new stuff or offer a new sale. There is a sale on negatives starting today, in fact.

Other one-of-a-kind original artwork available by me (Kevin Siembieda), Kevin Long, Charles Walton II (money goes to the artist), other artists, as well as collectible negatives, prints, limited edition hardcovers, proofreader copies, out of print items, Star Wars toys, Marvel toys and many other toys and collectibles from my personal collection. Alex and I will keep adding items as our busy schedules allow, but we have a lot of fun collectibles available now and coming soon. Hundreds of items. Take a look every weekend for new additions.

Available now: One-of-a-kind book negatives. Negatives were very popular items at the Palladium Open House and people went crazy over them at Gen Con – including actor Joe Manganiello who scooped up a pile of TMNT negatives, while Palladium’s own Mark Oberle, Carmen Bellaire, Brandon Aten and a whole lot of Palladium gamers went for negatives from Rifts® New West, Lone Star and Free Quebec. Fun.

Negatives are unique and attractive, one-of-a-kind (on rare occasions two-of-a-kind if a page was replaced or a second edition was made) works of art that resemble woodcut art and are very dynamic conversation pieces. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed. The plastic film negatives were then “ganged” on a massive sheet of Mylar 16 pages per big sheet, and the printing plates were made from the negatives – everything white, printing black.

When our printer, McNaughton and Gunn, went completely digital, they asked if Palladium Books wanted the negs, otherwise they would be destroyed. Regrettably, I let a few dozen be destroyed, but the negatives of many books were sent to Palladium. They have sat in our warehouse for years until I started to offer them for sale. I have also started signing the negatives in silver and each comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. Each negative comes on a white board inside a plastic magazine bag and looks fabulous framed! Fits in an 8×10 inch matt opening in a frame (each neg is roughly 8½ x 11 inches).

http://stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles

 

More Madcap Podcasts – Real Play Games – Heroes Unlimited^™ Holiday Special

These are the folks who have been bringing you the fun After the Bomb® adventure podcasts that so many have been enjoying. This time they present four episodes from a Heroes Unlimited™ 2nd Edition campaign just in time for the holidays. These folks are gamers and Palladium fans just like you, following a dream to tell and share their own stories from the Palladium Megaverse®. Cool, right? We thank them for doing this and encourage you to give them a listen.

You can also listen to the After the Bomb®: Purrsuit Season 1. Season Two coming spring 2022 after a venture into the realm of Beyond the Supernatural later this winter.

Learn more and listen to the Heroes Unlimited™ Holiday Special (4 episodes described below) and After the Bomb®: Purrsuit of Knowledge Season One adventures by using the links below. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

• Schedule: Biweekly (episodes released every other Friday).
• Website: http://www.realplaygamespod.com
• Twitter: @realplaypod

 

NEW! Heroes Unlimited™: Hostage for the Holidays: Episode 1 – Superhuman Trafficking!

T’was a day in El Paso fit for a king,
when super-villain Railgun did a questionable thing!
Through Santana’s window, he came with a crash
while downstairs two rival gangs started to clash!
What could possibly happen? Where could they go?
Find out when you hear this podcast, ho-ho!
Expected Release Date: December 3, 2021
Content Warnings: Adult Language, Gore, Violence.

 

NEW! Heroes Unlimited™: Hostage for the Holidays: Episode 2 – A Small Change of Plans

In Ciudad Juarez, our protagonists stop
to take care of themselves and avoid the cops.
While Railgun’s mind dreams of riches to squander
a mysterious force urges Santana to wander.
While out in the desert, some undead embarrassments
subject the duo to uncomfortable harassment.
Hopefully the two can put them to quick ends
with a little woo-woo, and a couple of friends.
Expected Release Date: December 10, 2021
Content Warnings: Adult Language, Gore, Extreme Violence and Vampire Microaggressions.

 

NEW! Heroes Unlimited™: Hostage for the Holidays: Episode 3 – Conservation of Ninjutsu

While en-route to Zurich, our indomitable two
do their best to lay low after terrible news.
But Railgun’s captive Santana is too attractive a target
for the world’s criminal syndicates to just up and forget.
Wakizashis, katanas, and shuriken, oh my!
The Kagemusha Chujiin sure want Railgun to die!
Surviving until Zurich would be really neat,
let’s see if they can do it at 35,000 feet!
Expected Release Date: December 17, 2021
Content Warnings: Adult Language and Violence.

 

NEW! Heroes Unlimited™: Hostage for the Holidays: Episode 4 (Finale) – The Santa-ening

Their adventure’s concluding, destinies unveiled,
in Switzerland, it’s time that our heroes have bailed,
headed up north with a quick-paced flight,
but soon they find themselves a terrible fight.
Pitted against the world’s richest man,
the two hope to save the holiday if they can!
So sit back, relax! It’s a Hell of a fight.
Besides, it’s not like there’s much happening tonight!
The story ends here, folks! We’ve done all the edits!
And if you’d be so kind, please stay through the credits!
Expected Release Date: December 24, 2021
Content Warnings: Adult Language, Gore, and Violence.

 

And coming over the next 12-18 months …

• Beyond the Supernatural 2E – Cozy Caverns Mysteries
• After the Bomb®: Purrsuit Season 2
• Palladium Megaversal system – Baby, I Shrunk these F*$#ing People!
• Nightbane®
• Rifts®
• Still available, After the Bomb®: Pursuit Season 1

Please continue to support and spread the word about Real Play Games and their RPG Podcast: After the Bomb®: Purrsuit of Knowledge™.

 

Closing Thoughts – A fun week

This was a fun, special week for me for a lot of different reasons. For one, by Tuesday afternoon I had been introduced as an “RPG Legend,” and called a “Sage,” “Superstar,” “an inspiration,” “mentor,” and “amazing.” All in very sweet, kind, and heartfelt situations. It made me laugh, feel proud, and tear up at various times. I am humbled that so many people think so highly of me. On top of that, there were many lovely Surprise Package comments.

Speaking of the Grab Bags, it warms my heart to see so many people purchasing Palladium’s Christmas Surprise Packages as gifts this year for friends, family members, Game Masters, and players. Yes, the idea behind the Surprise Package is it is a great gift for gamers, but more often than not it is pretty clear the majority of purchases are for themselves. That’s awesome and perfectly fine, you deserve to treat yourself, try new settings, etc., I encourage you to do so. After all, the Surprise Package is our gift to YOU.

This year, however, there has been a very noticeable increase of Grab Bag sales that are clearly gifts for other people, and I think that’s great. More than one gaming group has gotten one for their Game Master, several Game Masters have bought them for their players, and there have been a ton of them as gifts from brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, wives, husbands, and friends for the special gamers in their lives. All of which touches my heart and makes me so happy that the spirit of giving is huge this season. And why I think of you as our extended family. Very cool. Thank you for making me proud of my gaming family.

I spoke with a few dear friends this week including Jolly Blackburn, Brandon Aten, and Tom Roache, and Sean and I have enjoyed some nice moments and exciting brainstorming sessions. In fact, I was here till 9:20 PM last night because the ideas and energy were flying. Final analysis, I have a lot of incredible friends.

On a personal level, I graduated the elite business program I had been part of these past 14 or 16 weeks. Talk about an intense, profound, and rewarding experience. The Zoom graduation was full of warm, fuzzy comments, tearful goodbyes, expressions of appreciation, and excitement about the future. Not just Palladium’s future, but for all the businesses of my fellow graduates. These are strange but also exciting times, with bold growth opportunities and promising futures for us all. I wish all of them the best of luck in all their hopes and dreams.

Of course, seeing oodles of orders coming in all week is exciting because it helps our cash flow (always welcomed) and I get to make so many gamers’ holidays extra special. I love Christmas and doing these Grab Bags for you. I was also thrilled to have the next shipment of the Rifts® 30th Anniversary Commemorative Hardcover finally arrive. It has been out of stock since early September. Well, this beautiful commemorative is back and beautiful. When Sean saw it, he exclaimed, “Wow, it is beautiful. I definitely want my own copy.” So many people have been waiting for this fun, special edition of the “original” Rifts® RPG as a hardcover – complete with the compelling Keith Parkinson Splugorth Slave Barge cover plus an extra 32 color pages, color gallery of 160+ covers, and Palladium/Rifts® history – I am delighted I can finally report it is back in stock. It was supposed to be here sooner, but with the printing crisis it took a couple weeks longer. This beloved piece of nostalgia is once again available for your enjoyment.

I have been sooooo busy with school and work that I still have 90% of my gifts to family, friends, and freelancers to wrap and ship, so I’d better get to it. That means most of you dear people will get my annual Christmas gifts AFTER the holiday this year. Thanks for your understanding.

As you can see, my busy but fun (I love Christmas) week continues with plenty to do. Please enjoy the Surprise Packages and books you may be placing orders for this weekend or already have coming, and happy holidays from all of us at Palladium Books.

– Kevin Siembieda, Surrogate Santa, Gamer, Friend

 

Surprise Package comments from fans like you

Every year there is a section where our Surprise Package customers can offer comments and suggestions with their order. We do so because we want to know what you think, and what you want, and we appreciate your suggestions and insights. The idea to do hardcover editions of core books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags.

Every year, in acknowledgment of our fans, and because they are fun to read, we offer a sampling of these comments in the Weekly Updates. Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have stuck with Palladium through thick and thin and now these new strange times. Please use our games to find escape from the pandemic and other worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season.

I want you to know that your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Everyone at Palladium enjoys reading your brief comments and they always brighten our day. Thank you for making us smile and feel useful. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays. – Kevin Siembieda, that Publisher guy.

 

R.D. in Kirkland, Washington, writes: Love the Grab Bags! Thank you.

[We love doing them, R.D. Enjoy. – Kevin]

 

R.D. in Phoenix, Arizona, writes: Absolutely loved the first Surprise Package. Dying with anticipation for the next. Thank you for doing this! Love and appreciate all you do!

[Thank you, R.D., we cannot do any of this without the love and support of all of you. I love doing this for all the members of our extended RPG family. Merry Christmas! – Kevin]

 

D.H. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, writes: I’ve enjoyed the work everyone [at Palladium] has put into making these games and look forward to seeing the new world books for Rifts®.

[Thank you, D.H., you will not be disappointed with the new Rifts® books coming next year. But not just Rifts®, we’ll be releasing titles for many of our game lines, including Palladium Fantasy®, Beyond the Supernatural™, and others. – Kevin]

 

M.H. in Fishers, Indiana, writes: Going for a second Surprise Package because I was so happy with my first. Returning to Rifts® after 25 years and excited to do this!

[I’m excited for you M.H., because so much excellent material has been released. Using the Surprise Package to snag a bunch is smart. Welcome back and game on! – Kevin]

 

D.S. in Kansas City, Missouri, writes: I have enjoyed Palladium’s games for over 20 years and I see no end to the playability.

[You understand and see the infinite possibilities of the Megaverse, D.S. Thank you and keep that wonderful imagination of yours burning bright. – Kevin]

 

A.S. in Redding, California, writes: I have been playing in your guys’ world my whole life. I have even brought my kids into loving the games. Thank you, guys. Keep up the good work.

[I love this, A.S. Thrilled you and the family enjoy our games so much. Keep those imaginations burning and game on. – Kevin]

 

J.J. in Bloomington, Indiana, writes: [The Surprise Package is] always a highlight of my Christmas. My group and I thoroughly enjoy Rifts® and all of the things that can be done with it. Keep up the awesome work!

[Will do, J.J. We’re just happy you see the full scope of Rifts® and the endless opportunities it has to offer. Keep your imagination burning and the ideas flowing. – Kevin]

 

J.K. in Sierra Vista, Arizona, writes: Thank you for all that you do! You guys have fed my soul with your great intellectual property and the chance to explore ideas and friendships I might never have had the chance to do.

[You are very welcome, J.K., we are all about plumbing the imagination and feeding the soul. There are many more soul-meals to come. Happy holidays. – Kevin]

 

Z.M. in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, writes: Favorites: Rifts® and Heroes Unlimited™. The older books are where we spent most of our time with 1st editions from the 1990s. I am eager to try Dead Reign. Thank you for offering these specials every year. I have participated a few times and I have always been happy with the outcome.

[Happy to do it, Z.M. I think you will love Dead Reign. Have fun with it. – Kevin]

 

P.N. in Brooklyn, New York, writes: I already have all the softcover books, but was impressed by the Nightbane® hardcover I recently ordered, so I thought I’d ask for some more hardcovers.

[Thanks P.N., the hardcovers are very nice, aren’t they? Their availability in the Surprise Packages is limited, though. – Kevin]

 

J.A. in Redmond, Washington, writes: I have a pretty solid Rifts® collection, just looking to fill out some adventure sourcebooks, T-shirts, and other Rifts® stuff. I love Rifts®.

[Using the Surprise Package deal is a great way to do that, J.A. Smart. Enjoy. – Kevin]

 

L.B. in Winchester, Ohio, writes (in part): My Rifts® collection is pretty complete … Rifts® of course, is my current favorite with Palladium Fantasy® close behind.

[Those are two of my faves, L.B. Game on. – Kevin]

 

F.U. in Glonn, Bavaria, Germany, writes: Merry Christmas to the best gaming company and to the best game designer in the world! Keep on rocking, Kevin.

[Holy Moley! What an exuberant and generous compliment! Thank you, so much F.U., I’m am humbled and honored you think so highly of me and my work. Merry Christmas to you and yours. May it be full of joy, laughter, and gaming. Ho, ho, ho. – Kevin]

 

NEW! Rifts^® Game Master Guide^™ Hardcover – Available now

The Rifts® Game Master Guide™ hardcover is a massive, 352 page reference book with short stats and descriptions for every Rifts® robot, power armor, body armor, vehicle, weapon, gadget, skill, experience table, and map that appears in Rifts® World Books 1-23 and Sourcebooks 1-4, plus a bionics index, an O.C.C.s and R.C.C.s index, rules clarifications, combat examples, advice on how to run a game and more.

• 500+ weapons.
• 290 pieces of equipment.
• 180+ vehicles.
• 100+ suits of body armor.
• 80+ suits of power armor.
• 300+ skills, character and D-Bee index, dozens of maps, and more.
• 352 pages – $39.99 retail – Cat. No. 845HC – available now. Also available in softcover.

 

NEW! Rifts^® Book of Magic^™ Hardcover – Available now

Nearly 1,000 magic spells and 400 magic weapons and devices from across Rifts Earth, plus magic tattoos, herbs, stones, and more. 352 pages of pure magic.

• 900+ magic spells, Elemental Magic, Ley Line Magic, Temporal Magic, Necromancy, Nature Magic, Cloud Magic, Ocean Magic, Biomancy and more.
• Plus Tattoo Magic, Stone Magic, Whalesongs, Conjuring, Nazca Lines.
• 290+ Techno-Wizard weapons and items, including TW Bionics, Automatons, and Iron Juggernauts.
• 80+ other magic items, Rune Weapons, Holy Weapons, Fetishes.
• Bio-Wizard Weapons, the Bio-Borg, Symbiotes, and herbs.
• Magic stones, talismans, magic items of Japan, and more.
• Millennium Tree wands, staves and armor.
• 352 pages – $39.99 retail – Cat. No. 848HC – available now. Also available in softcover.

 

NEW! Rifts^® Adventure Guide^™ Hardcover – Available now

Inside information to create and run RPG adventures: How to get started, building on ideas, character archetypes, tables for creating Rifts towns and cities, mercenary companies, traveling shows, and player created organizations, plus random Rift tables, information about the Chi-Town ‘Burbs, 32 ‘Burb adventure ideas, another 101 adventure hooks, and still more adventure ideas, and additional player and Game Master tips by Kevin Siembieda, Erick Wujcik, and Bill Coffin.

• 150+ adventure ideas.
• Game Master and player tips from Kevin Siembieda.
• Adventure creation tips from Kevin Siembieda.
• Why and how to use alignments by Kevin Siembieda.
• Tricks of running a large group, G.M. tools, and more.
• Additional Player and G.M. tips from Wujcik and Coffin.
• Overview and info about the CS Chi-Town ‘Burbs.
• 32 adventure ideas in the ‘Burbs.
• Random Dimensional Rifts & other tables.
• Tables for creating towns, merc companies, and traveling shows.
• 192 pages – $36.99 retail – Cat. No. 849HC – available now. Also available in softcover.

 

HARDCOVER Palladium Fantasy RPG^®, 2nd Edition – available now

A fantasy setting like no other, rich in history and inviting adventure. Not only are you able to play iconic fantasy heroes like the Wizard, Knight, Paladin, Ranger, Thief, Assassin, and others, but also characters such as the Mind Mage, Druid, Diabolist, Summoner and many others. Moreover, play an array of nonhuman characters from Elves and Dwarves to Wolfen, Changelings, Kobolds, Orcs, Ogres, and many others.

• The hardcover is exactly the same as the softcover edition.
• Color cover, same art, variant logo, hardcover.
• 25+ Occupational Character Classes (O.C.C.s).
• 14+ inhuman player races (more in sourcebooks).
• 300+ magic spells.
• 60 magical Wards. 50 magic circles.
• Dozens of magic items potions and more.
• 70+ psychic powers, the Mind Mage, and more.
• Weapons, gear, demons and adventure ideas.
• New sourcebooks like Land of the Damned 3, Lopan, and others are coming.
• 336 pages – $39.99 retail – Cat. No. 450HC – available now.

 

HARDCOVER Heroes Unlimited^™ RPG, 2nd Edition – available now

The Heroes Unlimited™ RPG has been a hit RPG for 30+ years because it enables you to create any type of comic book hero you can imagine. Make characters pulled right from any comic book you grew up with and love, or design your own league of extraordinary heroes.

If you seek comic book heroic adventure, Heroes Unlimited™ does the job on an epic scale. Plus a dozen sourcebooks provide you with more super abilities, hero categories, bad guys and adventures.

• The hardcover is exactly the same as the softcover edition.
• Color cover, same art, variant logo on the hardcover.
• Create any type of hero you can imagine.
• 101 super abilities plus a multitude of sub-powers within them, bonuses and special combat capabilities.
• 100+ magic spells plus enchanted weapons and objects.
• 72 psychic powers.
• Enchanted weapons that instill super abilities.
• Mega-Heroes and immortals.
• Alien super beings.
• Bionics and cyborgs.
• Psionics and Psychics.
• Robots and power armor.
• Masters of magic, wizards and spell casters.
• Mutants and Super Soldiers possessing super abilities.
• Inventors, super-geniuses and super-vehicles.
• Special Training: Martial arts, Sleuths, weapons, more.
• Cover by comic book legend Jim Steranko.
• Art by Ramon K. Perez, Paulo Parente, Mike Gustovich, and others.
• Written by Kevin Siembieda.
• 352 pages for a complete RPG – $39.99 retail – Cat. No. 500HC – available now.

 

HARDCOVER Beyond the Supernatural^™ RPG, 2nd Edition – Available now

Supernatural horror in the modern world that feels plausible and real. Your characters are the few who know the supernatural is real because they have experienced it face to face. Some are psychics, some are experts in the paranormal or the arcane, and others are ordinary people like you and me. Ordinary people who are never the same after their own close encounter. All of these unlikely heroes stand against supernatural evil in a world of disbelievers who brand them as practitioners of fringe science or lunatics. Only they know the truth: supernatural evil is real and dangerous. And someone has to take a stand to protect the innocent from supernatural evil in whatever hidden form it may take. Are you ready to join the battle?

• The hardcover is exactly the same as the softcover edition.
• Color cover, same art, variant logo, hardcover.
• A plausible modern horror setting that makes sense and will challenge your role-playing skills.
• 14 Psychic Character Classes.
• 42 occupations for “ordinary” people.
• 100+ psychic abilities, including Fire Walker abilities.
• Creatures of darkness, the Lazlo Agency, and more.
• New sourcebooks are coming soon.
• 256 pages – $36.99 retail – Cat. No. 700HC – available now.

 

NEW! Miniature Releases – Available now

You have been asking about new miniatures and we are providing. All miniatures come in a plastic bag. The newest three are:

 

Rifts® Glitter Boy™ & Pilot (original) Miniature Pack – 1st time available in resin – 28 mm resin – $19.99 retail – Cat. No. MI8001. Five Pieces: 1. Complete G.B. body and a small base, 2. right arm and Boom Gun, 3. backpack/thrusters, 4. ammo drum and belt, and 5. pilot. The ever-popular, classic Glitter Boy and Pilot (1993 RAFM) – now in resin for the first time (prior releases were pewter figures). Available now.

 

NEW! Rifts® CS Firebreather Dead Boy™ Miniature – true scale 32 mm resin – $9.99 retail – Cat. No. MI8047. Five pieces: 1. the body, 2. right arm and gun, 3. left arm, 4. antenna, 5. custom base. Detailed and dynamic figure. Available now.

 

NEW! Rifts® Juicer™ Miniature – true scale 32 mm resin – $9.99 retail – Cat. No. MI8048. Three pieces: 1. the complete body, 2. crossed swords on the back that fit so snugly that you may not even need to glue it, 3. custom base. Detailed and dynamic figure. Available now.

 

And don’t forget about the Deluxe Rifts® Glitter Boy Resin Miniature – released in fall 2020 – 32 mm resin – $34.99 retail – Cat. No. MI8046 – a gorgeous, detailed and dynamic figure. Available now.

 

Rifts^® Novels – Available now

All Rifts® novels are available from the Palladium Books online store as physical books as well as PDFs from DriveThruRPG.com. All are a fun read and highly recommended. Enjoy.

• All novels are 5 x 8 inches in size unless otherwise indicated.
• Page count and price varies.
• Available as physical books from palladiumbooks.com and as PDFs on DriveThruRPG.com
• Rifts® Duty’s Edge is the story of a lone survivor of a New German Republic Special Forces operation who struggles to complete the mission on his own. A mission to destroy wicked monsters and cut off a vital line of support to the Gargoyle Empire. A mission that could save many lives. Of course, it is a journey that takes many twists and turns as one determined individual hopes to beat impossible odds. Set in the Middle East. 236 pages – $12.99 retail – Cat. No. 308 – the newest, stand alone novel.
• Rifts® Sonic Boom™. Follow the exploits of a CS platoon sworn to protect humankind from all threats, be they aliens, dragons, masters of magic or fellow humans out for themselves.
• Rifts® Deception’s Web™, the second novel in this trilogy, reveals a conspiracy within the Coalition military that could spell disaster for our protagonists. Note: Smaller size, 4 x 6 inches.
• Rifts® Treacherous Awakenings™ is the pulse-pounding conclusion of the third novel in this epic trilogy by Adam Chilson.
• Rifts Anthology: Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs™. Rifts® short stories by 11 authors including Kevin Siembieda, Carl Gleba, Mark Oberle, Braden Campbell, Taylor White, Jason Richards, and others. Note: Slightly larger size, 6 x 9 inches.
• Rifts® Machinations of Doom™ Graphic Novel & Sourcebook. The comic is by acclaimed Eisner Award winning artist Ramon K. Perez, source material by Siembieda and Perez. Note: 8½ x 11 inches.
• Rifts® Path of the Storm was a Rifts® movie script written on spec. Note: 8½ x 11 inches.
• Rifts® Hammer of the Forge™, Volume One: The Cosmo-Knight. The adventures of Caleb Vulcan, newly minted Knight of the Cosmic Forge.
• Rifts® Hammer of the Forge™, Volume Two: The Reckoning. The epic conclusion of the Hammer of the Forge story.

 

Gamer 16 Ounce Mug – available now

Whether you drink coffee, hot cocoa, soda-pop, or whatever your beverage of choice may be, this fun mug reminds you of your favorite pastime and that new possibilities exist with every roll of the dice.

The large, 16 ounce Gamer mug presents the word “Gamer” in a box with dice cascading down from above. The design appears on both sides of the mug. Created by Wayne Smith and Freddie Williams II (art directed by Kevin Siembieda). The mug has an orange interior to add a nice splash of color.

• A must for every proud gamer!
• Dice and the word “Gamer” highlighted in a box.
• Glossy black exterior with an orange interior.
• Art and words are located on both sides of the mug.
• 16 ounce ceramic mug.
• Dishwasher and microwave safe.
• $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2596 – available now.

 

BACK IN STOCK! Property of the Coalition States 16 Ounce Mug – available now

Back due to popular demand! The iconic Property of the Coalition States and notorious CS Death’s Head insignia printed white on a glossy black, 16 ounce coffee mug, with a blood red interior for a splash of color. The design appears on both sides of the mug. Created by Wayne Smith and Kevin Long (art directed by Kevin Siembieda).

• The infamous words “Property of the Coalition States” and the notorious Death’s Head logo and lightning bolts (indicating CS special forces) in white.
• Glossy black exterior with a blood red interior color.
• Art and words are located on both sides of the mug.
• 16 ounce ceramic mug.
• Dishwasher and microwave safe.
• $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2588 – available now.

 

Other Mugs Available Now

Everyone loves these mugs. Isn’t it time you started your collection? I like to use them to as a secret code to reflect my mood to those around me. To my thinking the Gamer mug means I’m feeling playful. Rifts® Property of the Coalition States: I’m a soldier in the trenches and working hard. Dead Reign®: Back off or I will eat you alive. Fantasy Dragon: My imagination is on fire. Rifts Logo: Feeling the infinite possibilities. Rifts® Titan Robotics: I’m feeling mighty. Of course, they represent something else to each of you or just represent one of your favorite games, like a normal person.

• Rifts® Titan Robotics™ Mug – A dynamic Titan robot and the Rifts® logo. Art by Steven Cummings. White on a glossy black, 16 ounce ceramic mug with a blue interior. Dishwasher and microwave safe. $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2595 – available now.
• Rifts® Logo Coffee Mug – The famous Rifts® logo in white on a glossy black, 16 ounce ceramic mug with a blue interior. Logo by Kevin Long. Dishwasher and microwave safe. $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2587 – available now.
• Palladium Fantasy RPG® Dragon Mug – The famous red on black 3-headed hydra battling a knight from the iconic original Palladium Fantasy RPG cover. Art by Kevin Siembieda. Red on a glossy black, 16 ounce ceramic mug with an attractive orange interior. Dishwasher and microwave safe. $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2589 – available now.
• Dead Reign® (Zombie Attack) Mug – A trio of hungry zombies and the Dead Reign® logo in white on a glossy black, 16 ounce ceramic mug with a blood red interior for a splash of color. Art by Steven Cummings. Dishwasher and microwave safe. $10.99 retail – Cat. No. 2594 – available now.

 

Now Shipping

NEW! Rifts^® Notepad

A 5×7 inch notepad featuring the Rifts® logo and color art of the “Coalition Strike Force” print by Kevin Long across the top. It looks great on your desk or gaming table. Perfect for taking notes and feeling that Rifts vibe. Practical and fun.

• 50 sheets per pad – $5.00 each – Cat. No. 2597 – available now.

 

NEW! 5 Gaming Pencils – 4 Rifts^® Pencils and 1 Fantasy Pencil

Practical and fun conversation pieces that will make you the envy of your gaming group (at least until they buy their own). These pencils are different from the fan fave, Chi-Town ‘Burbs pencil of the past. Each new pencil is imprinted with much larger, bolder type, and a dynamic insignia image, and two change color! All are No. 2 pencils. These pencils and the notepad are some of the silly, little, fun things I hinted at as coming in past Updates.

Why do them? Because we all need fun things that make us smile and just feel good. And these pencils and the notepad do exactly that. Everyone here went crazy over them. I probably should not admit this, but I love glancing over and seeing them on my desk. They make me smile and feel like souvenirs I acquired on my dimensional travels. What a fan boy geek, right? But true all the same. I hope you enjoy them just as much. Note: In my opinion, the photos do not do them justice; not the same as holding one in your hand.

 

– Rifts® Pencil: Coalition States – Office of the Emperor – $1.60 each – Cat. No. 2598 – available now. Black colored pencil, white printing, CS skull and lightning bolt insignia, pink eraser at the end. No. 2 pencil lead.

 

– Rifts® Pencil: Lone Star Complex – Engineering the Future – $1.60 each – Cat. No. 2599 – available now. Dark blue colored pencil, white printing, CS Lone Star skull in a star insignia, pink eraser at the end. No. 2 pencil lead.

 

– Rifts® Pencil: Chi-Town Library – Knowledge is Power – $1.60 each – Cat. No. 2600 – available now. Yellow colored pencil, black printing, image of an open book/rising sun, pink eraser at the end. No. 2 pencil lead.

 

– Rifts® Pencil: City of Lazlo – Council of Learning – $1.80 each – Cat. No. 2601 – available now. A “magic” pencil that changes color from powder blue to white. (The heat of your fingers and hand causes the color to change.) Black printing, roaring dragonhead insignia, black eraser at the end.

 

– Palladium Fantasy Pencil: Library of Bletherad – Your Source of Knowledge – $1.80 each – Cat. No. 2602 – available now. A “magic” pencil that changes color from green to yellow. (The heat of your fingers and hand causes the color to change.) Black printing with the Ward image for “Knowledge,” black eraser at the end.

 

– Rifts® Notepad & 5 Pencil SET – $11.00 retail for the set – save $2.40 – Cat. No. 2603 – available now.

 

– Rifts® Pen & Stylus – And don’t forget about the Rifts® Pen with Stylus for use with a smartphone – Rifts Logo and the words “Unleash your imagination” printed white on a navy blue ballpoint pen. Black ink. $5.00 each – Cat. No. 2586.

 

– Rifts® Card Decks – it might be time to snag one or both of our Rifts® poker decks while you are at it. $11.99 each – Full Color Deck Cat. No. 2575; Black and White Art (color card backing, classic black and white art) Cat. No. 2576. See the complete description of each in the Palladium online store.

 

© 2021 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.

Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Powers Unlimited®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars®, Chaos Earth®, Dead Reign®, and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc.; Beyond the Supernatural, Coalition States, Garden of the Gods, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, Psychic Scream, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.

This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.