Palladium Books® Weekly Update – Sept. 14, 2017

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

By Kevin Siembieda

The Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans™ “Gold Edition” Hardcover (only 300 signed and numbered copies) should arrive this afternoon or Friday, and start shipping sometime next week (we need time for all of us to sign and number 300 copies). Meanwhile, Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans™ and Nightbane® Dark Designs™ continue to fly off the shelves, along with many other Rifts® titles, and we are seeing a sudden run on issues of The Rifter®. Actually, everything seems to be selling at the moment, with an emphasis on Rifts®, Robotech®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Nightbane®, and Dead Reign® (Zombie Apocalypse). Very nice to see. Meanwhile, 20+ Palladium creators have notified me that they will be at the 2018 Palladium Open House. See the POH update for the full list and new details.

UPDATE: Alliance Trade Show

Last weekend was the Alliance Trade Show. Wayne and I were in attendance to chat with retailers and industry people. It was nice seeing some old friends like Herb Barents, one of Palladium’s first distributors in 1981, Bob Carty (we first met in 1985), John Zinser (AEG) and Aldo, among others, including many retailers we see at the annual Alliance event. We also chatted with members of the Alliance distribution team and contributed to the charity auction in memory of beloved Phyllis Opolko. Of course, the highlight is always talking with new retailers, getting their input and introducing people to the Palladium game lines. We left feeling positive and energized. There were a few fun surprises.

A blast from the past

A big, fun surprise was seeing some of my earliest artwork prominently featured on the cover of Goodman Games’ Judges Guild Deluxe Collector’s Edition, Vol. One. It is a collage of artwork with one of my illustrations in the upper lefthand corner, one in the lower left corner, and another on the back cover. Talk about a blast from the past.

For those of you who don’t know about this mover and shaker in the early days of D&D, Judges Guild was the official publisher of Dungeons and Dragons sourcebooks and supplements in the late 1970s and early 1980s. I have no idea how the owner, Bob Bledsaw, cut that deal, but he published a ton of stuff for D&D. Some of it was great, and Judges Guild was the original publisher of Dungeon Magazine as well as being one of my very first freelance art jobs waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1979. Before I started Palladium Books in 1981, I was supporting myself doing work as a freelance artist, with aspirations of (and some luck at) becoming a comic book artist and writer. I did something like 360 illustrations in the short five months I was freelancing for Judges Guild. I quickly rose to being one of their top paid artists (which was not much), along with a talented gent by the name of Paul Jacquois. The low pay and sweatshop approach to its artists prompted me to leave the company in short order. 72 illustrations a month was a murderous pace. I think only my experience in comic books and speed as a comic book penciller and inker enabled me to keep up that pace as long as I did. However, many of my illustrations would be reprinted dozens of times by Judges Guild over the next several years, helping to giving me a name and solid reputation as an artist in the early days of the RPG industry.

Crazy, right? It was a valuable experience and Bob gave me a ton of freedom doing artwork, so I had fun doing a lot of it, even if some of it was quite rushed and simplified. I experimented and learned a lot from that job, and made a lasting friend in Paul. In a way, Bob helped inspire me to start Palladium Books. I saw how successful he was, and he was the only company of the day that offered to buy my RPG game system. His offer was unacceptable to me, but the fact that Bob wanted to buy it, and then hired me as an artist and threw so much work at me, helped build my confidence to start Palladium Books 18 months later.

It is a lot of fun seeing some of my old artwork back in print, even if I’m not given credit for it inside the book itself. That’s a shame and a disappointment, especially since I’m featured on the cover. I don’t know if any of the artists or writers are given credit. Hopefully, that is an oversight that will be corrected in future printings and the many volumes yet to come. Fun memories from part of my origin story in the RPG industry. lol

Rifts Secrets of the Atlanteans

UPDATE: Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans – still sizzling hot

I think Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans™ is on the fast track to becoming one of our hottest selling Rifts® titles ever! But who doesn’t love True Atlanteans, Undead Slayers and the Sunaj? And I’m thrilled to report that author Carl Gleba will be one of the creators at the 2018 Palladium Open House! Get him to sign the many books he has written for Palladium, and try to get a chance to play in one of his games, because Carl is an outstanding Game Master!

Please keep those orders coming. Atlanteans is just one of several new Rifts® titles coming soon, each with many more secrets to be revealed. Take a look at the free preview on DriveThruRPG.com to get a glimpse of everything this 224 page, resource-packed book has to offer. $24.95 retail. And if you don’t already own them, we highly recommend you pick up Rifts® World Book One: Atlantis, World Book 21: Splynn Dimensional Market™, and Rifts® Dimension Book 7: Megaverse® Builder (also written by Carl Gleba). All are fun and useful companions to Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans™.

Nightbane Dark Designs

UPDATE: Nightbane® Dark Designs sourcebook – Available now

Nightbane® Dark Designs™, like Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans, is flying off the shelves. And it should. It is a dynamic sourcebook packed with information, Morphus tables, magical Talents (plus tables and Talents from prior books), the Ancient Nightbane and more. Remember, Talents and Morphus abilities can be easily turned into magic spells and super abilities for other world settings — and vice versa, made especially easy with the conversion rules in Dark Designs™.

You can get author Mark Oberle to sign your book (and other titles) at the 2018 Palladium Open House. Mark has confirmed he’ll be one of the many Palladium creators at the POH. Please take a look at the free preview on DriveThruRPG.com for more details and a few choice glimpses of what you can expect. Also see the full description of Dark Designs™ elsewhere in this Update and in the online store.

Rifts Secrets of the Atlanteans Gold Hardcover

UPDATE: Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans “Gold Edition” Limited Hardcover – Ships next week and may sell out fast

We expect the limited Gold Edition Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans™ hardcover to arrive at the Palladium warehouse later today (I’m writing this Thursday morning) or tomorrow. It will take us a few days to sign and number the 300 copy limited edition. The Atlanteans Gold Edition is limited to only 300 signed and numbered copies, and sold on a first come, first served basis. Remember, Palladium’s Gold Editions have a history of increasing in value over time, and with Christmas coming and how hot the soft-cover edition is, I think the Gold Edition may be a hot commodity in the months ahead. If you are planning on getting one, I’d suggest getting it sooner rather than later. Only available from Palladium Books.

Important Note: Those of you who have already placed pre-orders have been charged and your number already assigned to you, so do NOT reorder. Multiple orders WILL result in you getting billed for and shipped multiple copies – NO REFUND. If you are worried about your pre-order, please call the Palladium office to inquire. Do not place a new order unless you want more than one copy.

The Rifter #78

UPDATE: The Rifter® #78 – in final production

This week Wayne was able to make significant progress on The Rifter® #78, and Chuck Walton has been pounding away on his art contribution to the issue. We hope to enter into final layout and send it off to the printer by the end of next week. This is another great issue with a range of awesome source material for Palladium Fantasy®, Rifts®, Splicers®, and Beyond the Supernatural™, including Greg Diaczyk’s BTS Modern Necromancer, plus G.M. advice, news and other goodness. ALL of it adaptable to just about ANY game setting. See the full description below.

UPDATE: The Rifter® #79 – coming soon

The Rifter® #79 should quickly follow #78 as we work to catch up with this useful series. If you haven’t looked at an issue of The Rifter®, we recommend it. Each issue is filled with optional (sometimes “official”) source material. More importantly, most of the material can be easily modified and adapted to ANY game setting, especially adventures, monsters, villains, magic and technology.

UPDATE: Rifts® Sovietski – coming soon

Assigning out the final artwork for Rifts® Sovietski and going into final production soon. Looking great.

UPDATE: 2018 Palladium Open House – April 20-22, 2018 – Game at the Palladium Books warehouse with the people who create the games you enjoy

2018 Palladium Open House Location:

39074 Webb Court
Westland, MI 48185
734-721-2903 (order line)

Tickets:

Hotels – two to choose from:

Instructions: A) When reserving a room at Red Roof Inn, be sure to request the “Palladium Books Group Rate.” At the Hampton Inn & Suites, you need the following 3-letter code: POH (Group Rate).

B) Make certain you request two beds if that is what you need. Otherwise you are likely to get one queen- or king-size bed. Important Note: Doubles (rooms with two beds) are limited at BOTH hotels! Order sooner than later.

C) Reserve your room now. Your card will NOT be charged until the date of the event, and you make sure you have your room held for you. HOTEL CANCELLATIONS: To avoid “cancellation fees” we recommend you cancel at least 3 days before the event (or as soon as you know you cannot make the POH). Note: Must RESERVE HOTEL ROOM by March 15, 2017 to guarantee a room and get the special Group Rates.

Want to stay a few extra days? The Red Roof Inn said they would extend the special rate of $49.95 to include one or more extra days for those of you who may be arriving a day or two early or staying a day after (Monday, April 23, checking out on Tuesday morning). POH Dates – April 19 for VIP Thursday. April 20-22, 2018 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). The Hampton Inn was not willing to extend this courtesy, though if enough people inquire, they might. It cannot hurt to ask.

1. Red Roof Inn

39700 Ann Arbor Rd
Plymouth, MI 48170
734-459-3300
Request the “Palladium Books Group Rate.”

Note: The Red Roof Inn is a no frills hotel, hence the low nightly rate, in a nice, safe neighborhood right off the highway. Make sure you tell the hotel you want the “Palladium Books Group Rate” and request two double beds if that’s what you need. Located in Plymouth.

Location: It is only 3 miles away from the Palladium warehouse and near where the old hotel is located, off of Ann Arbor Road and I-275. Many places to eat nearby on Ann Arbor Road. We highly recommend a small family diner, Good Day Café restaurant on Hix Road (and half-way to Palladium) for a quick, tasty and inexpensive breakfast. Kathy and Kevin enjoy breakfast there often.

2. Hampton Inn and Suites

1950 N. Haggerty Road
Canton, MI 48187
734-844-1111
Request the “POH” Group Rate.

Hampton Inn amenities include:

Airport Note: The hotels and Palladium’s warehouse are 15-20 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) in Romulus, Michigan, near I-275. Detroit Metro is the airport you want to use.

2018 POH Highlights – April 19-22:

28 Confirmed Palladium Creators & Personalities for POH, and we expect others

And we expect more ...

Note: Tentative means they have reached out to tell us they hope to be at the POH, but cannot guarantee it at this time.

New on DriveThruRPG.com – Rifts® Dimension Book 5: Anvil Galaxy – plus Sneak Previews, 50+ Rifts® titles, Robotech® and much more.

Rifts® Dimension Book™ 5: Anvil Galaxy™ – nearly 20 new alien races as optional player characters, notable worlds, legends of the Cosmic Forge, Cosmo-Knights, the TGE, the CCW, planet creation rules, and more – is new this week. It joins recent releases of the ever popular Rifts® Dimension Books: Wormwood™, Phase World®, Phase World® Sourcebook, and Skraypers™, as well as Ninjas & Superspies™ and Mystic China™. Next week will see the addition of Rifts® DB 6: Three Galaxies™, followed by other Dimension Books and game titles. These are just some of the many Rifts® and other PDF titles now available on DriveThruRPG.com.

Palladium Collectibles, art, toys and more in Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

Alex and I continue to add a lot of vintage Star Wars toys and a growing number of all kinds of collectibles – and we’ll be adding more Palladium Books original art and items to the store, so keep an eye out for them.

This includes one-of-a-kind original artwork, prints, Rifts® and Robotech® artwork by Kevin Long, me and others. There is also a range of limited editions, rare book titles and limited edition hardcovers, toys and more that are all being added to my online store over the next several weeks, so keep an eye out. 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. Items include original art, out of print titles, redlined proofreader photocopies signed by me and the staff, signed manuscripts with editors’ corrections, some original art, hardcover books (including Rifts® Lemuria, Northern Gun™ One, Northern Gun™ Two, Megaverse® in Flames™, Beyond the Supernatural™ Gold, Rifts® Machinations of Doom™ Gold and Rifts® Ultimate Gold) and other items available. There are also hundreds of toys and action figures, all from my personal archives and collection. Take a look every weekend for new items added.

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

Closing Thoughts

Palladium has been on a roll. We’ve got a lot of exciting product in the pipeline and big plans for everything from Rifts® and Robotech® to Heroes Unlimited™, Palladium Fantasy® and everything else. We’re feeling positive and our creative juices are flowing. That’s great, but in the back of our minds we are thinking about and worried for our fans, friends and family in areas recently hit by natural disasters. It’s kind of weird writing about such things in a game context like Taylor White and I did in Hell Followed, and then seeing the devastation played out in real life. We have friends and fans in the Houston area; fans, friends and family in Florida; and fans in Mexico, the Carribean and around the world.

Our hearts go out to everyone struck by such frightening events and possible misfortune. Many of us in the Palladium family, particularly Alex and I know, firsthand, what it is like to lose treasured family photographs, books, possessions and home through unforeseen tragedy. Please try to power through this and focus on the positive and rebuilding. It will be difficult, but try to stay hopeful and positive. Remember that you are loved. Know that things will get better. Remember too, that possessions, no matter how treasured, are just “stuff.” It is the people and loved ones in our lives, and the memories locked safely in our heads and held with joy in our hearts, that truly matter. I encourage those of you who can, to contribute to organizations like the American Red Cross who are out there, front and center, helping those in need, and to do whatever you reasonably can for those in distress. It doesn’t need to be money. It can be a kind and comforting word to a fellow gamer, and any number of small kindnesses. A simple, kind word or a bit of your time to listen to a friend can mean the world to that person. We can all make a difference if we choose to make those small – more meaningful than you know – gestures. And while you are at it, you might want to call a loved one to let them know how much they mean to you and dish out hugs and smiles to the people who matter to you. Take care, be safe and know that every Palladium fan means the world to us.

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer and Game Designer

The Rifter #78

New! The Rifter® #78

Another issue of source material for four or more Palladium game settings, most of which can be adapted to any game world. This issue has a nice hunk of material about the supernatural, such as the Modern Necromancer by Greg Diaczyk, a Beyond the Supernatural™ monster by Kevin Siembieda, City of Khemennu: Part Two (Palladium Fantasy) which is a city of gods and churches by Ian Herbert, plus G.M. Advice and the Splicers® Legion Aftermath. Shaping up to be another great issue. One or two final articles to be selected. Artwork is being assigned.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready-to-go source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and usually 2-3 other Palladium game lines. The focus of this issue is Rifts®, Splicers® and RPG advice. Don’t forget, unofficial material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

Rifter® #78 Highlights:

Rifts Secrets of the Atlanteans Gold Hardcover

NEW! Secrets of the Atlanteans “Gold” Edition Hardcover – Mid-September

The source material in Rifts® Secrets of the Atlanteans™ is so awesome and the Atlanteans and Sunaj are so iconic, Palladium is making a limited edition, signed and numbered collector’s hardcover. Contains the same source material as the softcover edition. Signed by the Palladium staff.

Rifts Secrets of the Atlanteans

Rifts® Dimension Book 15: Secrets of the Atlanteans - Available now!

True Atlanteans are among the most mysterious and storied heroes across the Megaverse®. Forced to flee Earth more than 15,000 ago when Atlantis was lost, they have traveled the cosmos in search of new wonders and knowledge, and to wage war against supernatural evil. Masters of dimensional travel and the fabled Tattoo Magic, True Atlanteans have become renowned as vampire slayers and heroic Champions of Light. But there is also a festering darkness from within the Atlantean clans. A darkness that could destroy them all.

Learn about Atlantean civilization, the many clans, where they are found across the Megaverse, why they hide, and why they hate the undead so much. Also discover the power of Shadow Magic, the treachery of the Sunaj Illuminati, and much more.

Nightbane Dark Designs

New! Nightbane® Dark Designs – Available now!

Nightbane® Dark Designs™ is a guide to creating the Nightbane and a sourcebook for players and Game Masters alike. It presents all sorts of new Nightbane creation tables, new Morphus tables, new Talents, and new information. Info and powers that enable players to make memorable Nightbane characters and G.M.s to take their games up a notch.

Nightbane Dark Designs Raw Preview

NEW! Nightbane® Dark Designs sourcebook – Raw Preview Limited Edition – Only 150 copies available

Back from the printer. Available now.

The Raw Preview Edition of Nightbane® Dark Designs™ is an advance copy of the unedited, unillustrated, final working manuscript for this exciting new sourcebook. A rare look at the raw manuscript before publication. Limited to a total of 150 copies, sold on a first come, first served basis.

Nightbane® Dark Designs™ is a guide to creating the Nightbane®, and a sourcebook for players and Game Masters alike. It presents all sorts of new Nightbane creation tables, new Morphus tables, new Talents, and new information. Info and powers that enable players to make memorable Nightbane characters and for G.M.s to take their games up a notch.

The Rifter #77

The Rifter® #77 – available now

Adventure, madness, strange creatures and strange lands fill this issue of The Rifter®. This issue is a playground for heroes and a source of adventure, but beware the danger that lurks in the shadows.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas and find new avenues of adventure. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the source material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

Rifter® #77 Highlights:

Note: The Rifter® #76 and #75 are also available and packed with official source material for Rifts® and other game settings.

NEW! Rifts® Living Nowhere – A Rifts® Sourcebook set in the Pecos Empire

This title presents three interrelated towns off the beaten path in the Pecos Empire. Each with its own unique character and problems. All fun locations to visit and find adventure and trouble. Something dark and deadly is brewing in the middle of Nowhere, where experimental Techno-Wizard devices and weapons offer prosperity, but could be the doom of everyone living there. Big ideas. Building upon material that appeared in The Rifter®, expanded.

NEW! Garden of the Gods – A Palladium Fantasy RPG® Sourcebook

This has been a secret project of Kevin Siembieda’s that he has been plotting and writing in what little spare time he has. The Garden of the Gods is said to be a holy place watched over and even frequented by the avatars of the gods. According to legend, the god may visit heroes and followers in dreams or in person by an avatar of the god, to be given guidance, inspiration, heroic quests, and gifts of knowledge and magic. More details about this title will follow.

Coalition States Heroes of Humanity Arsenal

NEW! Rifts® CS Arsenal – A Rifts® Secrets of the Coalition States Sourcebook

This title is hotly anticipated and ties directly into Rifts® Heroes of Humanity and Rifts® WB 35: Megaverse® in Flames. All of which are setting up something big.

Rifts® Heroes of Humanity™ CS Arsenal provides an array of new Coalition hardware: weapons, armor, additional SAMAS, other power armor, robots, combat vehicles, gear and info.

Rifts The Disavowed

Rifts® The Disavowed – A Secrets of the Coalition States Sourcebook

“Desperate times require desperate measures. War has nothing to do with morality or justice. It’s all about winning or dying. We cannot bind our hands with high ideals, even our own, or worry about the laws of renegade nations or the rights of alien people. We must fight fire with fire. And you are the match.” – Colonel Lyboc addressing a Disavowed team.

The Disavowed are so Top Secret that their existence is known only to a handful of the Coalition States’ most elite, top echelon, with Joseph Prosek II the mastermind behind the Disavowed operation, and Colonel Lyboc its shadowy face. Find out who these men and women are. How the Disavowed get away with using magic, traveling to other parts of Rifts Earth and even to other dimensions in pursuit of enemies and strategic information that cannot be had through conventional means. Learn about the secret parameters in which these hard-boiled warriors, secretly hand-picked by Joseph Prosek II, operate, why almost every mission is considered a suicide mission, and why they must forever be the Disavowed.

Rifts Sovietski

New! Rifts® Sovietski

The Rifts® Sovietski™ World Book presents background information on the fledgling Sovietski nation, notable cities and people, politics, and its growing army, plus Deadzones, Spetsnaz Special Forces, new bionics, Russian D-Bees, and more.

New! In the Face of Death – A Dead Reign® Sourcebook

This sourcebook is all about inner city survival. Survivor colonies finding ways to live and prosper in the big city. Conventional wisdom says that living in the big population centers is impossible. These survivors prove otherwise.

Robotech RPG Tactics

Robotech® RPG Tactics

Robotech® is getting hotter and hotter. It is the Number One Anime on Crackle, the Robotech® movie from Sony Pictures sounds like it is going to be become a reality, more Robotech® licensed products are appearing, and Palladium is gearing up toward the release of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Wave Two and more Robotech® products. Ah, but the core game and expansion packs to get you started are available right now.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ is a fast-paced, tabletop combat game that captures the action and adventure of the Robotech® anime. Two or more players can engage in small squad skirmishes or scale up to massive battles. Relive the clashes of the First Robotech War, engage in stand-alone tactical games, or use the dynamic game pieces to enhance your Robotech® RPG experience. Or simply collect your favorite mecha from an expanding range of top-notch game pieces. Get yours now.

Robotech® RPG Tactics Convention Exclusives – now available to anyone

These dynamic pieces are available as a regular item in the Palladium store. They are powerful fun and only have 4-6 parts, so they are easy to put together. They look awesome on your shelf or in your game. Get yours while supplies last.

© Copyright 2017 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. RPG Tactics™, Beyond the Supernatural, Coalition States, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, 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.

Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

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