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Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – December 15, 2022

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update Opening Graphic

One game system – every genre – countless worlds – endless adventure – Mega Bundles & More

By Kevin Siembieda

It’s Rifts® mania! And we’re loving it!

First, there was the very successful Rifts® Titan Robotics Kickstarter. Hosted and orchestrated by Sean Owen Roberson, Palladium’s Creative Director.

Second, came the Savage Rifts® South America crowdfunder by Pinnacle Entertainment. It’s happening right now and is pretty cool, so check it out. Remember, their maps, “pawns”/cardboard minis, adventures, and official updated time lines for South America, etc., can also be used with any of Palladium’s Rifts® books, not just Savage Worlds titles. More info below.

Savage Rifts Crowdfunder

 

Third, for the first time ever, a Rifts® Mega Bundle of Holding launched a few days ago. It is the biggest, best offering of Rifts® PDF titles at HUGE savings offered as a Bundle of Holding! And a portion of all sales goes to a worthy gaming charity at the same time. I’m happy to report it’s off to a great start. Please spread the word as it is a great way to get Rifts® PDF titles on the cheap.

Rifts Core Mega Bundle of Holding

 

NEW! The Rifts® Land and Sea Bundle of Holding launched yesterday! It offers all the Atlantis books, Lemuria, Japan, England, Australia and other Rifts® World Books of nations where the oceans and seas have a profound impact. 14 Rifts® sourcebooks in all in the bundle. Also see the Rifts® Core Rules Mega Bundle!

Rifts Land and Sea Bundle of Holding

 

Rifts® is exploding onto the forefront of the RPG scene once again! So please spread the word and help us make this holiday season filled with Rifts® epic adventures and RPG fun. See more details below about these Bundles of Holding or click on the links above.

 

Don’t forget about the Christmas Surprise Package offer – $100+ worth of books for $58 plus shipping – all books signed if you request autographs. Physical books and other product (art prints, miniatures, bookmarks, T-shirts, pens, notepads, mousepads, mugs, and more) at PDF prices for ALL our RPG settings. No other game company in the world offers a deal like this! No one. But time is running out to get a Surprise Package in time for Christmas so order today! Oh, and if you do not need it in time for Christmas, buy one to treat yourself or to try new game settings, replace worn out books, or grow your collection. They also make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions for the gamers in your lives. The Surprise Package offer is scheduled to end December 24, 2022 – only 9 days left!

Christmas Surprise Package at palladium-store.com

 

Wow, I think all that’s plenty of excitement for the opening to this Update, now on to the details, followed by my Closing Thoughts and Surprise Package comments by fans like you. Enjoy and game on.

 

2 Big Bundle of Holding Offers

For those of you new to the Bundle of Holding, you pay less when you “buy in” during the first few weeks of the offer. Ah, but a Bundle of Holding is always a bargain no matter when you buy in. Even on the last day! We recommend jumping in early to get the best value for your money.

Bundles of Holding are a great way to build your PDF library on the cheap AND support a worthy charity. The Mega Bundle supports the Diana Jones Award Emerging Designer Program. Each year, the Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, amplifies the voices of up-and-coming game designers by featuring them during an expenses-paid visit to Gen Con.

 

NEW! Rifts® Core Mega Bundle of Holding – available now

This first ever PDF “Mega” Bundle of Holding for Rifts® launched on Monday. The Rifts® Corebook Collection and Sourcebook Collection offers 17 major Rifts® titles in all! A great way to build your PDF library on the cheap AND support a worthy charity at the same time.

https://bundleofholding.com/presents/RiftsCoreMega

– $19.95 US gets you all 6 titles in the Corebook Collection (retail value $71) as DRM-free PDFs, including the complete Rifts® Ultimate Edition RPG (plus the Rifts® Primer), and Rifts® Adventure Guide, Game Master Guide, Game Master Kit, and Index and Adventures Volume 1 and Volume 2.

– Pay more than the threshold price ($41.75 to start) for the Rifts® Sourcebook Collection (retail value $129) and you’ll get 11 additional major Rifts® titles including Rifts® Sourcebook One, The Mechanoids®, Mindwerks, Book of Magic, The Bestiary Volume One, Black Market, Bionics Sourcebook, and all three Conversion Books – Rifts® Conversion Book Revised, Pantheons of the Megaverse, and Dark Conversions.

Rifts Core Mega Bundle of Holding

 

NEW! Rifts® Land and Sea Bundle

The Rifts® Core Mega Bundle of Holding is off to an explosive start and now the Megaverse® has been expanded to include the NEW Rifts® Land and Sea Bundle!

https://bundleofholding.com/presents/RiftsLands

– $14.95 gets you the 5 PDF books in the Rifts® Land and Sea “Atlantean Collection” ($67.50 value) which offers Rifts® Atlantis, Rifts® Underseas, Lemuria, Splynn Dimensional Market (Atlantis), and Dimension Book 5: Secrets of the Atlanteans (epic).

– Pay more than the current threshold price ($34.95 to start) for the Rifts® “Nations Collection” (retail value $106.50) and you’ll get 9 additional major Rifts® World Books including Rifts® Japan, England, Africa, Triax & the NGR (Germany), South America 1, South America 2, Mystic Russia, Warlords of Russia, and Australia. And don’t forget to start with this offer’s companion, the Rifts® Core Mega Bundle.

Rifts Land and Sea Bundle of Holding

 

Can’t get enough of Rifts®?

Check out the Pinnacle Rifts® for Savage Worlds crowdfunder taking place right now! The campaign includes Terror on the Dark Frontier (i.e. the New West setting), the first campaign boxed set ever for Rifts®, the new Land of a Thousand Islands South America World book that brings the lore and adventures of the region from 102 P.A. to 109 P.A., a beautiful map of Rifts® South America, jungle and New West Battle Maps, the massive Rifts® Pawn Set 2 (full color cardboard minis), and more.

http://PEGINC.com/campaign/Rifts-for-Savage-Worlds-Dark-Frontier-Thousand-Islands-Booster/

 

Christmas Grab Bags

Christmas Surprise Package – Offer Ends Christmas Eve

Only 9 days till Christmas Eve – only 3 days to order and probably receive it in time for Christmas via UPS Ground

The Palladium Christmas Surprise Package offer is the best deal in gaming! $100+ worth of books for $58 plus shipping – all books signed if you request autographs. Physical books and other product (art prints, miniatures, bookmarks, T-shirts, pens, notepads, mouse pads, mugs, and more) at PDF prices for ALL our RPG settings.

No other game company in the world offers a deal like this! No one. But time is running out to get a Surprise Package in time for Christmas so order today! Oh, if you do not need it in time for Christmas, buy one to treat yourself or to try new game settings, replace worn out books, or grow your collection. They also make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions for the gamers in your lives. The Surprise Package offer is scheduled to end December 24, 2022 – Spread the word.

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. It’s a way for you to get physical books (and autographs if you want them) for PDF prices! $95-$105+ worth of Palladium products for only $58 (plus shipping)! That can nab you four or more items when these days one core rule book can cost you that alone.

These Christmas 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 bent or crunched corner, etc.) so we can send you more.

Christmas Surprise Package at palladium-store.com

 

Christmas SHIPPING Update – 9 days till Christmas Eve

  • United States Postal Service: Media Mail, Priority Mail and All others – will NOT arrive in time for Christmas! If you’re in the eastern US and find you get really good service from USPS, you could take a chance on Priority or Express Mail through this weekend, but there’s no guarantee it will arrive by Christmas. UPS is recommended.
  • UPS Ground (anywhere in the contiguous USA) – Order TODAY, December 15, or tonight, to be safe! Any orders placed after 6:00 AM Eastern tomorrow (Friday) morning won’t ship until Monday. Those orders, and any others received by the night of December 18, may arrive in time for Christmas, especially if you live in the eastern half of the US, but there is NO guarantee.
  • UPS 3 Day Select – We must have your order by December 19.
  • UPS 2nd Day Air – We must have your order by December 20.
  • UPS Next Day Air (to arrive December 23) – We must have your order by December 21. Remember, we need time to process and pack your order!
  • If you do not need the Surprise Package (sale runs through Christmas Eve) or your regular order for Christmas – shipping via UPS Ground or even Media Mail is fine. You should get your package sometime after January 2, 2023.
  • 2022 Shipping Note: As always, at Palladium, we will be working overtime and do everything we can to process orders as fast as possible to get them to you 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. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Creature Feature

Creature Feature™, a Beyond the Supernatural™ Sourcebook is a hit

Fans are loving it. Steve Dawes loves it. Everyone is saying good things about this diverse and frighteningly fun resource for players and Game Masters alike. Not sure it is for you? Take a look at the FREE Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com for deeper insight.

Beyond the Supernatural™ is set in our modern world but seen through the lens of mystery and the supernatural. A lens that lets us see clearly the “things” – the creatures and powers – that science and our rational minds tell us are not real. It is a world of shadows and the uncanny where a monster may really be hiding under your bed or stalking the alley. Creatures that lurk in dark corners and prey upon the unsuspecting, the innocent, and the wicked.

Creature Feature is a journey into just a few of those dark corners. Places where strange and terrible creatures wait, and bold heroes and psychic investigators face their fears and fight against the gathering darkness.

  • 15 supernatural creatures described in depth. Some are new. Some were pulled from the pages of The Rifter® but updated and expanded (many completely rewritten). All of them are dynamic, scary, and offer different horror adventure experiences.
  • Each creature offers adventure hooks and ideas for more.
  • The art of making and running monsters.
  • Creature encounter table and tips on making unique creatures.
  • Player paranormal investigator background table.
  • Game Master source material and tips for running modern horror.
  • More world setting and monster hunting lore.
  • Rules clarifications and errata.
  • A full adventure and numerous adventure suggestions.
  • Paranormal encounter ideas, tips, advice, NPCs, and more.
  • Written by Steven Dawes, Kevin Siembieda, and others.
  • Art by Steven Cummings, Nick Bradshaw, and others.
  • 192 pages – $26.99 retail – Cat. No. 704 – available now!

Creature Feature in the Palladium Online Store

 

UPDATED List of RPG Hardcovers Available Now

 

Palladium Books® Check List of “Recent Releases” – all available now

 

NEW on DriveThruRPG.com – Free Sneak Preview of Creature Feature and much more.

FREE Creature Feature™ Preview provides you a glimpse of what you will find in this epic book. There also FREE Sneak Previews of Rifts® Coalition Manhunters, Northern Gun 1 & 2, Hell Followed, and select other titles. Those are just some of the 300+ Palladium RPG titles available as PDF books.

No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn and play one Palladium RPG and you can play them all, because each uses the same basic core rules and combat. There are differences, but the fundamentals are the same. This also means you can bring characters, villains, monsters, powers, magic, weapons, gear, and adventure ideas from one setting into another or mash them together!

DriveThruRPG offers most of our 300+ Palladium RPG titles as PDF books, making it easy and inexpensive to try out one of our many games. Also check out the FREE Sneak Previews of Rifts® Coalition Manhunters, Northern Gun 1 & 2, Hell Followed, and select other titles.

 

300+ other titles and nearly every game genre available now – and more is coming. In the meanwhile, discover the Palladium Megaverse® as PDF books with 300+ digital titles, previews, and other products available right now. Thank you for your support.

– Rifts® titles. 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, modern knights, cyborgs, giant robots, dinosaur taming, sleuthing, magic, monsters, heroes and legends. Or combine them all. There has never been a game quite like Rifts®.

– Rifts® Chaos Earth® titles. 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.

– The Rifter® #1-85. Each issue is a wealth of source material and ideas for Rifts® and 3-5 other Palladium game settings. Most are easily adapted to ANY Palladium game setting. Each issue is a gem. 8,500 pages of source material and ideas for heroes, villains, monsters, magic, gear, and adventure. Many issues are sold out and only available in digital form.

– Palladium Fantasy RPG® titles. This 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. All of it epic.

– Dead Reign® RPG and sourcebooks. The Zombie Apocalypse unleashed. Play ordinary people or post-apocalyptic O.C.C.s or Masked Lunatic heroes. A great introductory RPG that is surprisingly uplifting, fun, fast, and easy to learn.

– Heroes Unlimited™ RPG Second Edition titles. Create any type of superhuman you can imagine to build your own super-hero universe or those of your favorite comic books. Heroes Unlimited™ RPG first edition rule book and sourcebooks too.

– After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks. Create and play anthropomorphic, intelligent, mutant animals in a comic book world of crime-fighting mutants and super-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.

– Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG and the Mystic China™ sourcebook by Erick Wujcik. Think James Bond meets Enter the Dragon. 41 types of martial arts, ninjas, and super-spies with gadgets, gizmos and advanced weapons.

– 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. The RPG provides 14 character classes and 42 occupations for “ordinary people,” 100+ psychic abilities, 16 monsters, the Lazlo Agency, world setting and rules.

– The Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy RPG is a long time, cult favorite with a fatalistic worldview of humans vs aliens with superior technology.

– 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!

– Systems Failure RPG. A one-shot post-apocalyptic setting where humans fight and hide from enslaving alien invaders known as “The Bugs.”

– The Palladium Ancient Weapons Series of real world weapons, armor and castles throughout history. Designed for use with ANY game system.

– RECON® Deluxe & Revised – by Erick Wujcik and others. Vietnam era RPG 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.

– 300+ Palladium titles in all, plus G.M. kits, paper miniatures and more. 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. And more to come in the weeks ahead.

 

Palladium Collectibles, one-of-a-kind Negatives, original 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 me (Kevin Siembieda), Kevin Long, Charles Walton, 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, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, other Palladium memorabilia, as well as toys and other collectibles from my personal collection. Yeah, I used to be a crazy toy and art collector. Alex and I will try to post new items on a regular basis, so check in every few weeks to see what’s new.

Other one-of-a-kind original artwork available by me (Kevin Siembieda), Kevin Long, Charles Walton II and 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 are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House and Gen Con. Truly unique, attractive, and fun.

Negatives are unique and attractive, one-of-a-kind (on rare occasions two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were 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 was going to discard them, Palladium acquired many (not all) of the old negatives. I am only keeping a few books for myself and make majority of the rest available to you. I sign each negative in silver and each comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The 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). But don’t miss the other collectibles as well.

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

 

NEW! Cozy Caverns Mysteries – Beyond the Supernatural RPG adventure podcast from the whiz kids at www.realplaygamespod.com – now through the end of the year

Here are the descriptions and schedule for the Cozy Caverns Mysteries podcast inspired by Beyond the Supernatural, 2nd Edition.

– Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 1 – Welcome to Cozy Caverns – Jasmine “Jazz” D’Amore and Jordan “Dani” D’Amore are two sisters in their early thirties struggling to find love, job fulfillment, and money to pay the bills on time. When the loss of an estranged family member changes their circumstances, the sisters change their location, and discover the quirky, mysterious town of Cozy Caverns, Arizona and its inhabitants. All is not as it seems.

– Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 2 – Supporting Local Businesses – Following Dani’s weird dream from the night before and Jazz’s unusually invigorating morning run, the D’Amore sisters hit the town of Cozy Caverns for a day of shopping and relaxation! After narrowly avoiding one hunky close encounter and picking up some reading material, the gals do lunch and then hit the library. There Dani’s jaw hits the floor and Jazz’s personal self-restraint is pushed to its limits. The excitement dies down a little bit around nighttime, but an explosive late-night confession throws everything the sisters know, or thought they knew, into chaos.

– Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 3 – Rough Night – Dani has a another dream that leads to unexpected revelations and ramifications, while Jazz’s jog leads to a terrifying situation! There aren’t any romantic parts in this one and you’re not meeting any hunks, we can assure you of that! Suspicious behavior abounds regarding people in authority, and secrets slowly begin to reveal themselves. At least you can count on Milena’s cooking over at the Prickly Pear!

– Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 4 – Deep Dives and Love Lives – It’s an incredibly full day for the D’Amore sisters during the annual Cactus Festival! Dani’s experiences prompt Jazz to have the both of them do more digging into the weirdness that seems to surround Cozy Caverns. The two uncover vital information.

– New! September 9 – Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 5 – D. Frisbee and the Curious Case in the Caves – The D’Amore sisters are certainly keeping busy on their trip! A meeting with D. Frisbee reveals a whole glut of information about some of the stranger goings-on that have taken place within bucolic Cozy Caverns. Meanwhile, a mine tour with ol’ Tom goes south fast. It happens when Dani discovers something she really wishes she hadn’t in the cool caverns below the little town with the most warmth!

– New! September 23 – Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 6 – A Bumpy Pre-Date Afternoon – With their dates fast approaching, Jazz and Dani are digging up as much information as possible, but will a freak-out underground spell disaster for a promising evening? Or will the D’Amore sisters take their lumps as they come and try to make the best out of a sticky situation?

– New! October 7 – Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 7 – The Only Good Part was the Sushi – One sister’s date goes badly, but it’s fun to watch that train wreck happen in real time. The other’s goes well, maybe too well. Things get really dramatic after the dates, to the point where the sisters find themselves repeatedly menaced by a shadowy figure that’s been stalking their trail! Don’t miss the bone-crushing excitement!

– New! October 21 – Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 8 – The Reek of Burnt Motor Oil – A sudden manifestation of potent supernatural abilities puts the sisters back on the right foot, at least for the time being. The two join forces to attack the ancient alien foe who has been stalking them throughout the caverns. They have put almost all of the pieces of the puzzle together, but now they need something even more important than the truth: A plan!

– New! November 4 – Cozy Caverns Mysteries Chapter 9 Finale – Ghost Bashers – This one is for all the marbles! The sisters gather as much equipment as they can and head out to the old mine shaft for their confrontation with their evil spectral enemy! Dark things are revealed. Will the D’Amore sisters get devoured by the darkness beneath the Earth, or will they drag the vileness monster into the light? Don’t miss the explosive finale!

– New! November 18 – Cozy Caverns Mysteries “Bonus” Episode – Cozy After Dark – This is the one where we kick back, stop worrying so much about what’s happening in the adventure (since it’s over!) and talk about how we created the characters, the setting, adapting an adventure published in 1990 to a 2022 context, cultural issues in portrayal that specifically involve the US Southwest, and give a bunch of information about what we were thinking and feeling as the adventure was going on.

More to come. You can expect a new Heroes Unlimited Christmas podcast special in December, and more episodes of their popular After the Bomb®: Purrsuit of Knowledge™ (mutant animals) series in 2023, as well as a Road Hogs mini-adventure, and could there be a Palladium Fantasy podcast coming? I think there might. We are happy to see more gamers finding these fun podcasts based on Palladium RPG worlds almost as much as we love seeing Palladium fans getting creative and having fun. Spread the word and enjoy.

 

Closing Thoughts – Busy Holidays

I don’t know about you, but it has been utter madness this holiday season. Mostly good things, but we have been so swamped packing and shipping orders and Surprise Packages and juggling a hundred other things, it feels like we barely have time to catch our breath. I still have two dozen packages of Christmas presents to ship out each with 3-6 items yet to be wrapped. Yikes! Some folks will be getting their gifts after Christmas this year.

The Palladium Christmas office party is this weekend and I can’t wait. It’s a small gathering of 12-16 people. The first since Covid. I was planning it even before Julius Rosenstein’s unexpected death, because it has been too long. I tend to go all out for Christmas and love to make friends feel welcomed and appreciated. Christmas was always rough growing up because we were poor and money was tight, but somehow my Mom and Dad still managed to make Christmas feel magical and full of love. It’s a tradition I have tried to keep most of my life. Hence, my shipping small gifts to friends and freelancers to show my love and appreciation. When I talk about the Palladium extended family, I mean it. Hence the Surprise Packages for you and tokens of my affection to the Titans of Palladium Books, whether it’s staff, freelancers, or dear friends.

Julius: The family reached out to say how much they appreciate all the kind comments and memories you’ve been sharing about Julius on our website. We love seeing them too. Thank you. I don’t think his absence here at Palladium will be fully realized until things slow down after the holidays and Surprise Package season. Of course, his presence is missed when we sign books and the space for his name is empty. We also miss him at our Wednesday meetings. Somehow, despite the many tearful telephone calls to many of his friends, it still feels unreal; like he’s just out sick or on vacation. I half expect him to walk through the door at any moment. We all wish he was here with us to share in our lives.

Last minute holiday buying. Right now, many of you are probably in the throes of last minute shopping. The Palladium staff is here working overtime for you. Any orders and Surprise Packages received today or tonight should ship on Friday, and UPS Ground and possibly Priority and Express Mail should arrive in time for Christmas. If we really get slammed, we’ll prioritize orders that still have a chance of getting there in time. Any orders and Surprise Packages received over the weekend will ship on Monday or Tuesday. Those shipped via UPS Ground and going to locations east of the Mississippi River (East Coast, Down South) should make it to you in time for Christmas BUT at that stage we can NOT guarantee it. Likewise, some packages shipped UPS Ground may arrive to locations west of the Mississippi, but do NOT count on it. Of course, 3 Day and 2nd Day UPS sure will, as long as we get your order by Tuesday; unfortunately they cost a bunch o’ money. Likewise, maybe one or more of the Rifts® Bundles of Holding being offered right now might make a nice gift. And if money is tight, they are a great way to get PDF versions of the books on the cheap; just trying to help.

Reminder, if you don’t need the Surprise Package for Christmas, you can get one to treat yourself to enjoy after the holiday frenzy, as well as gifts for upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, and other gift giving occasions in January. Whatever the case, we’ve got your back. Also remember, we are not Amazon, so orders placed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday cannot ship until Monday. Did this year zoom by or what?

It is a tad early for this, but please make time with friends and loved ones to enjoy whichever holidays you celebrate. Cherish these fond memories and try to look at the bright side of life. I love that goofy and irreverent Monty Python song, Always look on the bright side of life. Good advice. Please don’t let these continuing uncertain times get you down. Hang tough and know we are all thinking of you and rooting for you here at Palladium Books. Besides, it’s the people in your lives and the joy they bring that truly matters – that you’ll remember – not the presents. Be brave and joyful for all you do have, whether it’s a little or a lot, and thank you for being part of our extended family and liking us enough to be part of yours. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa, Cheery Winter Solstice, and all the rest. More good vibes coming next Weekly Update.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Friend, & Surrogate Santa Claus

 

Christmas Grab Bags

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.

 

C.M. in Port Huron, Michigan, writes: I love Palladium Books! Robotech® and TMNT® were some of my first RPGs. The amount of time playing those games and Heroes Unlimited and Rifts® when I should have been studying or working on projects is crazy. Such great memories. My son and daughter are at the age I was when I got my first TMNT book and I’m looking forward to getting them into After the Bomb®. Thanks for all the hours and hours of enjoyment and memories.

[C.M., we really enjoyed your trip down Memory Lane. Wow, the hours of fun we have had with all those games ourselves. Your comments brought back some fond memories for us as well. We hope your children enjoy our games as much as you did. Keep all those imaginations burning bright. P.S. fun fact: Julius Rosenstein play-tested every game I have ever created and most of Erick Wujcik’s. – Kevin]

 

J.S. in Millbrook, Alabama, writes (in part): Okay … okay! Kevin, I concede that Rifts® is more fun than I originally remember. I didn’t really like it when I was younger. It was just too much, too loud, so to speak, for my tastes … I’ll still always prefer After the Bomb® and Palladium Fantasy®, but I won’t scoff at Rifts® any longer. Thank you for your amazing worlds and games.

I hope you, your team, and families have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season; cherish the loved ones here with us and the memories of those who now watch from above. Salute to all.

[Thanks for making us smile, J.S. Rifts® may be our most popular RPG but it’s not for everyone. That’s cool. It’s also why Palladium produces other popular worlds for the many gamers with different tastes. I think I’ve said this before: I love all our games, but my favorite RPG setting to write for is Rifts® because I can go in any direction and cover whatever genre(s) my heart desires, while my personal favorite games to play are the Palladium Fantasy RPG® and Beyond the Supernatural. Amen to cherishing our loved ones and the memories of those no longer with us. Merry Christmas to you and yours. – Kevin]

 

K.H. in Dacula, Georgia, writes (in part): I’ve already ordered a couple of these Christmas Surprise Packages. Got a lot of books, so in addition to that, I’d like to get some other Palladium merch …

[You’ve got it K.H. I think people sometimes forget they can request prints of artwork, miniatures, T-shirts, note pads, pens, mugs and other goodies. Enjoy. – Kevin]

 

J.M. in South Hadley, Massachusetts writes: We love your games. Thank you for always being awesome. We have done this [buy Surprise Packages] for years. We appreciate it.

[Thank you, J.M., for the kind words. You are very welcome. The first time we did the Surprise Package offer it was supposed to be a one-shot special sale, but it was so popular I decided to do it again, and again, and again. The next thing we knew, it was a fan favorite tradition we love doing as much as you all enjoy participating in. Enjoy and happy holidays. – Kevin]

 

C.R. in Silverton, Oregon, writes: These [Surprise Packages] are too good, so I have to get more than just one! As always, prints and negatives and other goodies are always accepted.

[Thanks, C.R., there’s still time to order another, you know, especially if you don’t need it in time for Christmas. And mention prints and negatives again and I’ll make sure I toss in a couple. Sorry, I forgot to do so in the Surprise Package with this comment. The offer ends Christmas Eve … or will it? – Kevin]

 

L.L. in Wood River, Illinois, writes: Favorites: Rifts®, BTS, Dead Reign®, TMNT®, and Robotech® RPG Tactics. Thanks to everyone at Palladium Books, I can’t wait to dive into some new books!

[And there’s more coming your way throughout 2023. Game on! – Kevin]

 

C.B. in Marysville, Pennsylvania, writes: Long time fan, first time Surprise Package. Thank you to the whole Palladium Books crew for all you have done for gaming over the years.

[Thanks C.B., wait till you see what we have planned for the next 10 years. You’re gonna love it. – Kevin]

 

M.B. in Shamrock, Oklahoma, writes: Looking to run my first Rifts® game. Going to work on converting some D&D players to a better game. I’ll be running a high-powered campaign (dealing with gods), any help with that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the great game system!

[Thank you M.B. and good luck with your Rifts® campaign. Trust your gut, listen to your players, and have fun with it, and you’ll do just fine. – Kevin]

 

P.B. in the Military, writes: I have tried all your games. I am getting back into Rifts®.

[Welcome back P.B. and game on! – Kevin]

 

S.S. in Atascocita, Texas, writes: This is my 4th package this year. I figured I’m buying Creature Feature, so I might as well make the package a surprise. Amazing quality.

[You might as well, S.S., good choice. I think you’ll enjoy C.F. and the Surprise Package. Happy holidays. – Kevin]

 

M.T. in Lexington, Missouri, writes (in part): Haven’t been able to order one of these in a while, looking forward to it. Got a chance to meet you guys at the Palladium Open House this year. Had a lot of fun and I’m glad the company is recovering from the slump of the previous few years.

[Thank you M.T., it was fun hanging out and gaming with many of the fans who came to the 2022 POH. Things are, indeed, looking up. Here’s hoping they stay that way. With the support of our awesome fan base, I’m sure they will. – Kevin]

 

J.M. in Huntsville, Texas, writes: Just want to say I appreciate the good folks at Palladium for creating pages and pages of worlds that filled and fueled my imagination as a teenager and continue to do so in adulthood. I am and always will be a fan. You folks rock.

[Aww, shucks, J.M., thank you kindly. We love fueling imaginations. – Kevin]

 

© 2022 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.

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