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Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – February 14, 2025

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – February 14, 2025

Happy Valentine’s Day. Share the love and camaraderie with your fellow gamers and loved ones. I love you – our fans – you are the greatest. Now start running a game people will love. We have a new sale of hardcovers and select sourcebooks to give you a helping hand.


NEW Sale! Don’t miss it. Most Hardcovers are on sale along with an accompanying sourcebook or two. A great way to try a new setting and big savings. See all the details below.


Game Masters needed to run Palladium Game events at Gen Con. Please help if you can and earn free Gen Con admission with a GM’s badge and discounts on Palladium products. See all the details below.


NEWS! A new 48 page, color Catalog of Palladium Books is coming. We’ll have it in time for the GAMA Trade Show at the end of the month. That may not sound like a big deal, but it is for us. The catalog is attractive, features the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux on the cover, and was fun putting it together. A fun reminder of all the great books we have created.


GAMA Trade Show – February 24-27 – Visit Palladium Books at Booth #1176. If you are attending, please visit me (Kevin Siembieda) and Wayne Smith at Booth #1176 to get more information about TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux edition, see samples, and ask questions about it and other 2025 releases. Both individuals and retailers can place orders right now by going to the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Pre-Order Store and get superior savings, because the final retail price will be $5-$10 higher than the current pre-order prices. Retailer Packages are located at the bottom of the page. You must be able to prove you are a brick and mortar store to qualify.

NEWS! A new episode of the Official History of Palladium Books has been posted! More about the Palladium Fantasy RPG line with a focus on the first sourcebook, The Arms of Nargash-Tor. Every episode is fun, friendly, and reveals the back story behind a particular product or game line. Watch for a new episode every other week and enjoy.


NEWS! Live chat with Kevin Siembieda on Legion of Myth – Sunday, February 16, 2025. We will discuss how to use and expand Palladium’s Hook, Line and Sinker adventure outlines into a full blown adventure or series of adventures. I’m sure there will be a lot of talk about building and running adventures in general. Please join me, MaxLiao, and Heathdog for a spirited discussion. The chat starts at 2:00 PM and runs till about 4:00 PM, but the show is also recorded and made available after the live broadcast.


NEWS! What’s hot this week at Palladium? I’d say Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy, After the Bomb® and Dead Reign® have been hot this week.


NEWS! Here is a zombie Kickstarter Campaign you might find interesting – Dead Flesh RPG. It is a zombie game written by Palladium Books freelance writer Dan Frederick with art by Big Nick Bradshaw (Dead Reign® RPG series). As the name suggests, this is an RPG that deals with the zombie apocalypse. It sounds fun so check it out. Palladium gamers who already play Dead Reign® may find additional zombies, resources, and adventure ideas to fuel their current Dead Reign campaign.

Palladium Hardcover Sale

Hardcover Sale – Save 25%

This sale offers many hardcover RPGs and one or a few sourcebooks to go along with them. This is a bigger savings on hardcovers than you may think. As much as Palladium has held the line on the price of our books, we will be increasing the cover price of many titles over the months ahead. That starts with the hardcovers, which will be increasing $5-$10. Hardcovers currently selling for $36.99, like Dead Reign® RPG and Chaos Earth® RPG, will soon sell for $44.99. So get them now at sale prices based on the current, low retail price (while supplies last). That’s a significant savings when you buy before the prices increase. Get ‘em while you can and save.










Game Masters Needed to Run Palladium Gen Con Game Events – we need YOU

Palladium is looking for experienced Game Masters to run Palladium RPG events at Gen Con. That can be any of our game worlds using our rules as well as Rifts® for Savage Worlds. If you were thinking about running games at Gen Con or want to help out Palladium, please coordinate with Palladium Books in order to get a dedicated room and other perks like a free Game Master badge, and discounts on your purchases at the Palladium Books booth.


To earn a free GM badge, all you need to do is run 4 games with 6 or more players in each game, 4 hours each. This will earn you enough credits with Gen Con to earn a GM badge – $155 value!


We hope to add to our usual crew of Gen Con Game Masters to run Palladium game events for any Palladium setting:

  • Rifts®

  • Rifts® for Savage Worlds

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® & Other Strangeness

  • After the Bomb®

  • Chaos Earth®

  • Palladium Fantasy RPG®

  • Heroes Unlimited

  • Ninjas & Superspies

  • Nightbane®

  • Dead Reign®

  • Beyond the Supernatural and any of our other settings.


We need your commitment, game description and info by February 28. Send to Jeff Ruiz, aka NMI, via email at nmi {at} thedeificnmi.com


Game Masters and Game Event Descriptions NEEDED by February 28, 2024. (See Gen Con’s website for details about the info needed for each game listing; G.M.’s name, number of players, length of time, name of game, difficulty level, etc.). This enables Palladium to coordinate and submit them as a batch to Gen Con and guarantees to have your event listed in the onsite Gen Con Program Book. Being listed onsite is very important to have full attendance for your event. This date gives us enough time to compile and send Gen Con everything they need. Thank you!


Prospective Game Masters, please contact Jeff Ruiz, aka NMI, via email at nmi {at} thedeificnmi.com

COMING SOON! Nightbane®: Survival Guide – Audiobook Crowdfunder – February 27 (tentative)

AudioRPG is cranking out the audiobooks and will be offering the Nightbane®: Survival Guide sourcebook (one of my personal favorites) in a few weeks. They are tentatively looking to launch it on February 27, but that date could change.


We have been blown away by the quality production and that listening to the audiobook makes the sourcebook feel brand new. It’s a whole new experience. I love ‘em, check it out. The buy-in is only around $25.


An RPG audiobook may sound crazy, but it won’t after you listen to the samples presented in this Nightbane® Survival Guide Audiobook crowdfunder taking place on Backerkit by one of Palladium’s new licensing partners. It sounds amazing! We were all blown away by the quality.

  • Fun to listen to.

  • Relaxing game prep.

  • Professional narration.

  • Convenient for the busy G.M.

  • Hearing the words spoken by a professional narrator makes the book come to life in a whole new way and feel brand new.

  • Hearing it also makes you notice game and adventure details you may have missed reading it yourself.

  • EVERYONE at Palladium endorses this product 100%. Go to the page and listen for yourself. You’ll be as pleased as we are.

  • Dive into the thrilling Urban Fantasy world of Nightbane® with Nightbane Survival Guide.

  • Your new adventure starts here when you listen to the Nightbane Survival Guide filled with details about surviving in the world as a Nightbane, the Becoming (the first time they transform into something inhuman), transformation rules, how to make allies and contacts, the hidden war, the Nightbane underground railroad, more on Factions and rules for creating them, adventures, and adventure hooks. Fun for players and Game Masters.

  • The audiobook is perfect for enhancing your Nightbane campaign or exploring its lore on the go.

  • The project crowdfunding happens on Backerkit and tentatively begins Thursday, February 27, 2025. (Note: I think the next offering in March will be the Nightbane® RPG, but I may be mistaken on that.)

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

You are appreciated


We love and appreciate you and your continued support on all fronts. I think some of that affection shows in the sales we offer throughout the year (a hardcover sale starts today!) and in our increasing number of YouTube videos and online interviews. Every book we write and publish is a labor of love.


That should be abundantly clear when you see the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux editions and Kickstarter exclusives shipping this spring. We pulled out all the stops to make them truly special. Books you’ll cherish and probably use for years running TMNT and mutant animal games. I can assure you that Sean, me, Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Sophie Campbell, Mike Majestic, Freddie E. Williams II, Jeremy Colwell, Louis Antonio Delgado, and all the contributors poured their hearts and souls into these books. And they look amazing. The poker decks, dice, and all of it looks great. You will love them all. Everything should be going into manufacturing in the weeks ahead. A Kickstarter report or two should also be coming over the next month.


We also have several non-Turtles titles in various stages of development. YIn-Sloth Expeditions should be the first new release of the year, followed by Rifts Bestiary Volume 2 and Rifts Antarctica, among others. We are very excited about this year’s releases. This is in addition to other projects like TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux editions and things yet to be announced.


Please plan to visit the Palladium Books Booth at Gen Con. All of the above titles should be available and hopefully others. Plus Sean Owen Roberson, Wayne Smith, Mark Oberle, Glen Evans, Mike Leonard, John Klinkel, me, and possibly others will be at the booth to chat and sign books. Other conventions we’ll be attending include the GAMA Trade Show, Alliance Open House, and Granite State Comic Con. Wherever we are, we are always happy to sign books and chat for a spell, so come on over.


I think that’s it for now. So much to do: GAMA prep, Gen Con prep, final TMNT & Other Strangeness tweaks and edits, business stuff, etc. Happy Valentine’s Day, enjoy the sale, and game on.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Writer and Friend

Copyright © 2025 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.

TMNT © 2025 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – February 6, 2025

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – February 6, 2025

If you act fast enough, you still have a last chance to take advantage of the Nightbane® sale on the Palladium website (PalladiumBooks.com) and PDF sale on DriveThruRPG.com – both sales end after midnight today, February 6.

Nightbane RPG Sale

The fun Nightbane®: Dark Designs Audiobook crowdfunder ends today at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, February 6th. Our thanks to everyone who supported the offering. We were all blown away by the quality and how it makes the books sound brand new and fun. This is just the beginning of the RPG audiobook revolution. If our experiments into this medium go well, you can expect to see many more Palladium RPGs and sourcebooks made into audiobooks.

NEWS! Legion of Myth live chat with Kevin Siembieda – Sunday, February 16, 2025. I believe our chat will revolve around using Palladium’s Hook, Line and Sinker adventure outlines and designing and running adventures. Sean is out of the country on business, so it will be just me, MaxLiao, Heathdog, and the many of you who tune in live to ask questions. Please join the fun. The chat starts at 2:00 PM till about 4:00 PM but the show will be recorded and made available after the live broadcast.

NEWS! What’s hot this week at Palladium? Nightbane® and its sourcebooks are all on sale (but that sale ends after midnight, tonight, so act quickly). Other hot selling game lines this week are Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy, and After the Bomb®.

NEWS! Retailers, visit Palladium Books at the GAMA Trade Show, Booth #1176, to get more information about TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux edition, and see samples, ask questions, and place orders. Of course, you can place orders right now by going to the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Pre-Order Store and get superior savings. Retailer Packages are located at the bottom of the page. You must be able to prove you are a brick and mortar store to qualify.

Nightbane RPG Sale

UPDATE! TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux nears completion. The remastering and layout of the RPG and Transdimensional Adventures hardcovers by Sean Owen Roberson are complete and look incredible. The core rule book topped out at 272 pages. Yes, that’s 16 additional bonus pages in the RPG. Transdimensional Adventures hit its anticipated 252 page target size. Between the two books there are:

  • 20 new mutant animals.

  • 3 new animal powers, plus special abilities under some mutant animal descriptions.

  • New and expanded tables for mutant animal creation, speed, and others.

  • A brand new mutant NPC.

  • Stats for Karai. (New art by Kevin Eastman!)

  • Stats for the Fugitoid. (First time ever!)

  • Rules clarifications galore and every page remastered with new typesetting and layout.

  • 20 additional vehicles, vehicle creation tables and rules for land, water, air and space vehicles.

  • Expanded vehicle combat and chase rules.

  • 3 TMNT comic strips (28 pages total) that were originally created exclusively for the TMNT RPG and the first two sourcebooks, and seldom reprinted elsewhere.

  • 32 pages of tribute art by comic book and gaming luminaries.

  • Dozens of written remembrances.

  • Never before and seldom seen concept artwork and notes from Peter Laird from back in the 1980s.

  • The history and behind the scenes story of the making of the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG.

  • Index and more.

  • All in glorious full color by top professionals that include Sophie Campbell, Jeremy Colwell, Luis Antonio Delgado, and Mike Majestic. Moreover, many of the Tribute artists such as Ciro Nieli, Fero Pe, Ramon K. Perez, David Peterson, Eric Talbot, and others colored their own art to their exact specifications.

  • We pulled out all the stops to make these books something every TMNT fan will love and cherish.

  • And don’t even get me started on the Black, White and Red Edition Hardcovers with grayscale tones and reds by Jeremy Colwell. I found these renditions to be jaw dropping. They harken back to the original black and white Mirage Studio comic books in a dynamic and beautiful way. And yes, all 4 Turtles wear red masks just as they did in those early comics.

  • Meanwhile, Sean is putting the finishing touches on the poker decks, print sets, miniatures, and other Kickstarter exclusives. The same goes for Fan Roll. We are very close to sending everything to the printer and manufacturers.

TMNT & Other Strangeness Backers – You can expect a Kickstarter Update with additional art and information soon. If you have not yet updated or filled out your BackerKit Survey – which informs us of exactly which products you want, your current address, and offers the soon to end opportunity to change and upgrade your pledge – please do so now. Thank you. By the way, when a few recent visitors at the Palladium Studio dropped by and saw some of the samples, finished pages, and tribute art, they decided they needed to add several more Kickstarter Exclusives like the variant book cover editions (very limited), dice tower, the dice tray, and the Shredder dice (I love those too), while they still could. Follow their lead, because everything is gorgeous, high quality, and certain to become instant collector items, especially the variant covers, dice, and miniatures.

NEWS! A new Kickstarter Campaign you might find interesting – Dead Flesh RPG. It is a zombie game written by Palladium Books freelance writer Dan Frederick with art by Big Nick Bradshaw (Dead Reign® RPG series). As the name suggests, this is an RPG that deals with the zombie apocalypse. It sounds fun so check it out. Palladium gamers who already play Dead Reign® may find additional zombies, resources, and adventure ideas to fuel their current Dead Reign campaign.

Nightbane RPG Sale

FINAL Hours – Nightbane® SALE – ENDS after midnight, today, February 6 – Save 20-30% on physical books

FINAL Hours – Nightbane® PDF SALE on DriveThruRPG.com – ENDS tonight after midnight, February 6

The PDFs of the Nightbane® titles listed above are on sale at DriveThruRPG.com for a limited time. Both sales end with the two week crowdfunding campaign for the Nightbane® audiobook.

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Back on Track


Grief is a crazy thing. The late, great Julius Rosenstein’s brother, Dave, dropped by to visit me at the Palladium Studio this week. It has been two years and a couple months since Julius died, and he said he is still deeply grieving the loss of his brother. The two were very close and had lived together for many years, so everything in the house reminds him of Julius. I know the feeling. However, I’m pleased to say that while I think about Kathy often every day, and miss her mightily, I am feeling much more like my old self and not locked in debilitating grief. Best of all, I’m feeling the urge to write. Not just an urge, I can’t wait to finish books like Yin-Sloth Expeditions and start new ones! I even took a bit of time over the weekend to make some notes and write an opening to an upcoming book when the ideas came to me in a rush of inspiration. I look forward to diving back into writing and bringing you new books, but I have to deal with some important business matters first. Grrrrr. Soon.


Doing the Palladium YouTube videos and various podcasts are getting me geared up for writing books as they have been quite inspirational. J-M DeFoggi and I did our first gaming discussion video this week. The fundamentals of designing an RPG campaign for you and your players and game design for a book are very much the same. So we talked about how to get started, where to find ideas, and a number of other aspects of campaign/adventure building. It was a blast and I think folks will enjoy this series of conversations. Not sure when they’ll go live. It may be quite some time. Note that many of our monthly chats with the gents at Legion of Myth involve game play and game mastering, many based on questions from viewers. My next live chat with LoM is Sunday, February 16th. More coming from the Glitterbois podcast too.


There’s a lot going on here in Palladiumville as we close in on sending the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux titles and Kickstarter Exclusives to manufacturing. Plus we have a vast number of other exciting projects and business propositions going on behind the scenes. I’ll talk more about them when I can. New product releases should start appearing in March.


I hope to see some of you at the GAMA Trade Show (February 24-28) and a lot more of you at Gen Con (yes, we are already dealing with Gen Con prep; July 31-August 3), and Granite State Comic Con (mid-September where gamers, TMNT fans, and comic book fans gather in great numbers).


That’s it for now. Keep your imagination burning bright and orders coming in.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Writer and Friend

Sales, News & More – Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 30, 2025

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

Sales, News & More – Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 30, 2025

Get in on the ground floor of RPG (and Palladium) history by purchasing Palladium’s first RPG audiobook. That’s right, you’ll have the bragging rights of saying you bought the very first Palladium RPG audiobook and that it was Nightbane®: Dark Designs. That you were there at the onset of the RPG audiobook revolution with Palladium Books and Audio RPG, because this is just the beginning. I am still amazed at how the professional narration makes Nightbane: Dark Designs feel brand new. It’s fun and exciting.


The Nightbane®: Dark Designs Audiobook crowdfunder is only a short 2 week campaign that ENDs next week, February 6, so please spread the word and make your pledge. If the Nightbane® audiobook series does well, we will do audiobooks for Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy, Dead Reign®, BTS, Heroes Unlimited, and all of our games. Say yes to RPG audiobooks! One week left to get yours. Oh, and don’t miss the Nightbane SALE of physical books (including the hardcover RPG) in the Palladium Books online store and PDFs via DriveThruRPG.com. Spread the word about it all. Thank you for your support.

Nightbane RPG Sale

Nightbane®: Dark Designs Audiobook

An RPG audiobook may sound crazy, but it won’t after you listen to the sample presented in this Nightbane: Dark Designs Audiobook crowdfunder taking place on Backerkit by one of Palladium’s new licensing partners. It sounds amazing! We were all blown away by the quality.

  • Fun to listen to.

  • Relaxing game prep.

  • Professional narration.

  • Convenient for the busy G.M.

  • Hearing the words spoken by a professional narrator makes the book come to life in a whole new way and feel brand new.

  • Hearing it also makes you notice game and adventure details you may have missed reading it yourself.

  • EVERYONE at Palladium endorses this product 100%. Go to the page and listen for yourself. You’ll be as pleased as we are.

  • Dive into the thrilling Urban Fantasy world of Nightbane® with Nightbane: Dark Designs.

  • Your Next RPG Adventure starts here when you experience the Nightbane: Dark Designs sourcebook in a whole new way with a professionally narrated audiobook. Packed with new Morphus tables, Talents, and tools for players and GMs.

  • Perfect for enhancing your Nightbane campaign or exploring its lore on the go.

  • Nightbane: Dark Designs audiobook takes you through new Morphus tables, Talents, and insights into Nightbane. Perfect for GMs and players, this audiobook transforms your rulebook into a listening experience you’ll love.

  • The project is crowdfunding on Backerkit now!

Nightbane RPG Sale

Nightbane® SALE – Save 20-30% on physical books – limited time offer

– Nightbane® RPG Softcover – Cat. No. 730 – $20.29 (normally $28.99 retail) – 240 pages. Urban Fantasy! Nightbane creation rules, Talents, and powers, but to use their powers, the young Nightbane must turn into monsters themselves. Includes inhuman factions, magic, psychic abilities, sorcery, dozens of monsters, world info, and a gallery of enemies and monsters. Nightlords, Vampires, Lightbringers, Hunters, Hounds, and Hollow Men are just some of the bizarre beings your tragic heroes will encounter on their journey of self-discovery and heroism. Join the secret war against a demonic invasion most people do not even know has taken place. The shapeshifting Nightlords, their evil Dopplegangers and other demonic minions are quietly taking over the world, starting with the most powerful nations. You know it is happening because you are the Nightbane. And only you can stop it.


– Nightbane® RPG “Bonus” Edition Hardcover – Cat. No. 730HC – $ 31.99 (normally $44.99 retail) – 304 pages – 60 extra pages of bonus material. Urban Fantasy! Your teenage or young adult Nightbane characters face dark magic, vampires, demons, monsters and conspiracy, but that won’t stop them! Join the secret war against a demonic invasion most people do not even know has taken place. You see the truth and know what is happening because that is one of the many Nightbane gifts. You can see the true demonic forms of these invaders and you can destroy them. The only wrinkle is you must reveal your monstrous supernatural form – your Morphus – to call upon your superhuman and magical powers. Oh, and the government is controlled by the Nightlords and their shape-changing demonic minions who fear and hunt all Nightbane. Available while supplies last.


– Nightbane®: Between the Shadows™ – Cat. No. 731 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 144 pages. Psychic agents, more monsters, navigating the Dreamscape and the Astral Plane, the vampire conspiracy, and more.


– Nightbane®: Nightlands™ – Cat. No. 732 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 144 pages. 12+ monsters, 12+ demonic and mystical villains, the twisted mirror-dimension of Earth that is the Nightlands described, and more.


– Nightbane®: Through the Glass Darkly™ – Cat. No. 733 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 152 pages. New types of magic including Fleshsculptor, Cybermage, Mirrormage, Nemesis, Living Pathways, and 50 magic spells, plus talismans, magic artifacts, three new full adventures, dozens of adventure hooks, and other source material to make you cringe with delight.


– Nightbane® Shadows of Light – Cat. No. 734 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 160 pages. new insights to the world of the Nightbane, new dangers and strange beings, Fallen Guardians, a vampire conspiracy, the city of Pittsburgh outlined, and more.


– Nightbane® Survival Guide – Cat. No. 735 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 160 pages. Everything you want to know about Nightbane but were afraid to ask. How to unleash your potential as a Nightbane®, many new Morphus tables, many new powers, new magic and new dangers. A complete adventure plus adventure ideas, Nightbane creation guidelines, Nightbane history, psychology and more.


– Nightbane®: Dark Designs™ – Cat. No. 736 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 160 pages. The ultimate guide to creating the Nightbane and a sourcebook for players and Game Masters alike. 18 new and comprehensive Morphus Tables. 60 new Common Talents, 38 new Elite Talents, Transformation Transition Table, Talent creation and conversion rules, Appendix of 23 Morphus Tables, Appendix of 53 Talents gathered from the Nightbane® RPG and Sourcebooks, Ancient Nightbane R.C.C. and more. Available while supplies last.


– The Rifter® #82 – Cat. No. 182 – $10.49 (normally $14.99 retail) – 96 pages. Chaos Earth® Nebraska Conclusion, the Pyromancer O.C.C., 50+ new Pyromancy spells; Nightbane® age tables, and more.


– The Rifter® #84 – Cat. No. 184 – $10.49 (normally $14.99 retail) – 96 pages. BTS: Monster and adventure, NIghtbane® Spellbound O.C.C., Golems, an Elven Kingdom, HU2: City of Cascade, and more.


– The Rifter® #85 – Cat. No. 185 – $18.89 (normally $24.99 retail) – 224 pages. The largest printed issue of The Rifter® ever. Filled with fun across the Megaverse®. Glitter Boy upgrades, weapons, and variants; a Rifts® Story with Skelebots, dinosaurs, and innocent people in the way; the Rifts State of Rapid City; Fantasy Elven Empire, Fantasy Colony of Gonarn and adventure; 3 Heroes Unlimited Hardware O.C.C.s, an HU tribute by Freddie E. Williams; Phase World®; 25 Dead Reign® vehicle encounter tables and adventure; BTS story and adventure plot hooks; the Nightbane® Redeemer, and more.

Nightbane® PDF SALE on DriveThruRPG.com – limited time offer

The PDFs of the Nightbane® titles listed above are on sale at DriveThruRPG.com for a limited time. Both sales end with the two week crowdfunding campaign for the Nightbane® audiobook.

History of Palladium Books on YouTube

Palladium Books® YouTube Channel

I am currently doing a comprehensive ongoing series hosted by the affable J-M DeFoggi on the Official History of Palladium Books. A new episode posts every other week, plus the occasional bonus episode. It is being presented in rough chronological order and includes Secret Stories of the Defilers. The Defilers are my legendary, first campaign at the Detroit Gaming Center (DGC) where I ran 26 regular players for 12 hours every Saturday night for three and a half years. The DGC is also where I met folks like Erick Wujcik, Matthew Balent, Julius Rosenstein, and my first wife Maryann, and developed concepts and play-tested many Palladium rules and RPGs. We will also be sliding into topics about running games, writing, game design, character and monster creation, and lots of other themes as well as interviewing other people such as Matthew Balent, Ramon K. Perez, Freddie E. Williams II, etc., and a host of Palladium staff and creators. Please don’t hesitate to offer topic suggestions to any of the social media outlets listed here.


Here are some of the episodes currently available:


Coming YouTube Videos: Stories behind the creation of Heroes Unlimited, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness, Robotech®, Robotech® VHS tapes, Ninjas & Superspies, Beyond the Supernatural, Rifts® (a few episodes), Dead Reign®, and more, including Games that Almost Happened (but didn’t), and Close Encounters (with Hollywood and videogames).


A new episode goes up every other week with the occasional bonus episode in between. Many more chats are coming. Each one a friendly and candid conversation that gamers are enjoying. J-M Defoggi and I, Kevin Siembieda, reveal the origin stories behind your favorite Palladium role-playing games and sourcebooks. We will eventually switch to topics about running RPGs, designing adventures, Game Master and player tips, alignments, magic, writing RPGs, and others.

Legion of Myth chats with Kevin and Sean

Last week’s live chat on Legion of Myth was fun. It is now available for your listening enjoyment anytime. More will follow as we try to do a new RPG discussion at least once a month. The next one (tentatively) is February 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Sean will still be out of the country on business, so you’ll have to put up with just me, again. Please spread the word and join the fun.

Glitterbois and RealPlayGames Podcasts

I will be returning to do more interviews with the ever popular Glitterbois in February. Meanwhile, there are numerous discussions about role-playing and Palladium’s many game settings and book titles by the hosts, as well as an ongoing series of chats about the history of Palladium Books with me (Kevin Siembieda, the guy who started the company and has written or co-written 200+ RPG books). These are a blast and sometimes digress to include our views on various aspects of role-playing and Game Mastering. Lots of fun and stories.

– RealPlayGames Podcast – These talented fans have been creating radio-play style podcasts based on various Palladium RPG worlds for years. Their audience is growing. They are currently at the tail end of their Season One Palladium Fantasy series: Surviving Love. It sees a bunch of sexy dating show singles from the real world flung into the Palladium Fantasy world. The reception to it has been reported as nothing short of fantastic; their biggest and, by a large margin, best-performing podcast release to date! Check it out. They also plan to release their second season of Cozy Caverns Mysteries, based on Beyond the Supernatural 2E, in February, and have plans for other projects in development. Meanwhile, previous podcasts based on After the Bomb, Heroes Unlimited, and BTS remain available for your listening enjoyment.

Valley of the Pharaohs RPG Expanded 40th Anniversary Edition – available for a limited time

Waaaay back when, Palladium Books published the Valley of Pharaohs RPG as a box game. Well, 40 years later, I gave the author, my pal, Matthew Balent (best known for Weapons & Armour, Weapons & Castles, Weapons & Castles of the Orient, etc.), permission to reuse my artwork in a new, vastly expanded redux edition of the original game. It is a big 200+ page RPG. (The original was only 64 or 96 pages plus a dozen maps and diagrams.) The game rules are Matthew’s own creation with some unique ideas and mechanics you may find interesting, Meanwhile, the spells, characters, and ideas can be adapted to the Palladium game system with a little work. The lore, history, and writing is outstanding, so if you love Egyptian mythology, this is a must have item. Likewise, Palladium collectors may want one because the original 1985 box game is super-rare and expensive, but this authorized expanded 40th Anniversary edition is affordable and a good read. Available from Palladium Books for a limited time. Thank you for supporting the hard work of my friend, Matthew Balent, who played an important role in the early days of Palladium Books.

254 page softcover – $40 retail – Cat. No. 2621

274 page hardcover with bonus material – $60 retail – Cat. No. 2621HC

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

News Briefs


– Enjoy the last batch of Surprise Package comments from fans like you at the end of this Weekly Update. Our thanks to all our fans for your support and kind words. Keep your imaginations burning bright and game on.


– TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux is magnificent. Even though Sean has been working remotely in a faraway land and battling a bug, he has made tremendous progress on the TMNT Redux books as they near completion. I’ve seen the finished layout for the Redux RPG and Transdimensional Adventures hardcovers and … wow, they look amazing. Gorgeous. Inspired. Sean outdid himself with layout and design. Gamers and TMNT fans of every stripe will love these attractive tomes filled with beautiful, full color artwork and bonus material galore. There will be a Kickstarter update coming soon, but I can tell you that the RPG Redux has topped out at 272 pages – that’s 16 bonus pages. Plus there are extra mutants, tables, bonus rules, written remembrances, and tribute art (30+ full page illustrations between the two books) that are sure to delight. In fact, we just added Eric Talbot to the list of notable comic book and gaming artists doing these splash page tributes. More details to come soon.


– TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux editions are one of the featured games in the February Game Trade Magazine, issue #300. There is an article in it by Sean, and a special TMNT giveaway in the back. Awesome.


– GAMA Trade Show – February 23-27, 2025 – Retailers and store personnel, please visit the Palladium Books Booth #1176 near Monte Cook Games and Wet Ink Games toward the back of the exhibitor’s hall. We will have some TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux samples to show you, can provide more information about it, Rifts, and other Palladium game lines, provide autographs, and help you to discover the growing Megaverse® of Palladium products. We might even have some fun giveaways (while supplies last).


– Palladium YouTube channel. J-M DeFoggi and Molly’s visit to the Palladium Studio was a blast, and we even had Rick Meints from Chaosium join us for dinner. J-M and I outlined the next year’s worth of videos (in addition to the 30 already recorded), so you can expect plenty more fun and insightful videos as we continue the Palladium history followed by RPG tips for Game Masters and players, discussions on campaign design, writing games, and more.


– Join the RPG audiobook revolution! I really believe this is the beginning of something fun and big. We’re glad to be part of it and you can too! Snag Palladium’s first audio RPG title, Nightbane®: Dark Designs Audiobook, being crowdfunded right now on Backerkit by the Audio RPG company, under license. The quality is excellent and the new medium brings games to life like I never imagined. You are going to love these audiobooks, especially if you already listen to novels as audiobooks. This is just the first of many. Please check it out!


– Nightbane® Book SALE. Save 30% on most Nightbane® titles. The Nightbane® RPG, its sourcebooks and a few select issues of The Rifter® are on sale till February 6 at the Palladium online store, and Nightbane PDF titles are on sale on DriveThruRPG.com – enjoy.


– Valley of the Pharaohs 40th Anniversary Edition is a unique collectible being made available for a very limited time. Get yours while you still can. Available as both a softcover and bonus hardcover edition. A fun collectable with fun new characters, spells and magic items.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Writer and Friend

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Yes, Christmas has come and gone, the 2024 Surprise Package deal has come to an end, and the New Year is upon us. Yet, I still like to share with you some of the fun and interesting fan comments we receive in the Christmas Surprise Packages till the end of January. Our thanks for all the kind words, great suggestions, and love that you all send our way. Enjoy and let us try to keep the spirit and joy of Christmas in our hearts every day throughout the year. A tall order, but let’s try.


– Kevin Siembieda (and the Palladium Crew)

J.O. in Niagara Falls, New York, writes (in part): I played Rifts® back in the 1990s, want to get back into it. I also pre-ordered the new TMNT books … D&D is cool, but I enjoyed the world of Rifts and would love to share that with new players.


[Welcome back, J.O.! Sounds like a plan. You’re going to love the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG books, they are beautiful and fun. You’re smart to pre-order at the lower Kickstarter prices. Game on. – Kevin]

D.S. in Webster, New York, writes (in part): Continuing collecting just about anything I can from Palladium …


[Glad to hear it, D.S., we appreciate your years of fierce support. I hope you enjoyed the Surprise Package. Didn’t know what else to send. – Kevin]



E.A. in Olympia, Washington, writes (in part): Hello Kevin, Sean, and Everyone at Palladium Books. Thank you for doing the YouTube videos. The Palladium ones have been educational and emotional. I have not been able to meet either of you in person yet, so the videos, for me, are a means to hear your stories, and learn your insights. I have learned so much from you, Kevin. The interview that dealt with the Palladium Weapon Series blew my mind … Blessings to each of you and yours …


[Hi E.A., I’m sure we’ll meet some day, but until then, please continue to enjoy the videos. A new Palladium one is posted every other week on our YouTube channel, and I think they only get better and better. I hope folks enjoy the Secret Stories of the Defilers too. That’s my original game group at the Detroit Gaming Center; talk about crazy adventures. We’ll also start to talk about creating and running game campaigns, GMing, and more. Also check out the Glitterbois podcasts and Legion of Myth for more historical insight and game chats. – Kevin]



Q.J. in Evansville, Indiana, writes (in part): I would like to thank everyone at Palladium for not giving up and sacrificing so much, working hard and diligently to provide me and millions of others with such rich and delicious worlds to play in.


Kevin, thank you for … showing some of us that no matter what you are going through, even if the world is falling apart around you, that as long as you keep at it, your dreams are invincible …


[Wow, Q.J., you are an inspirational writer. Thank you for your heartfelt comments, they mean the world to me. We appreciate you recognizing our dedication to our audience and our dreams. It would be wonderful if the handling of our own trials and tribulations manages to help others get through theirs as well. Life is hard and challenging. Sometimes it’s full of pain and grief. Sometimes you feel like you can’t go on and should just give up, but that’s never the answer. Life is also filled with kindness, beauty, with sweet surprises like your touching comments. Thank you. We should never give up, no matter what, because the bad and the sorrowful will be replaced with beauty and joy, friends and love. Tears and sorrow get replaced with laughter and fun. I always try to see the good and the beautiful. And over the years, I’ve learned to never underestimate the human spirit. We need to count our blessings and be thankful for what we have while we can. I’m thankful for you and all our fans. Take care and stay awesome, all of you. – Kevin]



G.W. in Salem, Oregon, writes (in part): … the last couple of years when I have done a Surprise Package it has been wonderful. Thank you for all that the Palladium team does and has done. Everyone there is awesome!


[G.W., I don’t know about everyone here being awesome – just kidding! I work with some of the most wonderful and generous people in the world. I am very blessed, G.W., to have such great individuals and such wonderful fans at my side. Thank you. – Kevin]



D.T. in San Antonio, Texas, writes (in part): Looking forward to the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux books coming soon and hope for Island at the Edge of the World Second Edition … you’re very much in people’s prayers … Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you all.


[Thank you for your personal message, D.T., it was very appreciated. I hope your Christmas was a joyful one and we appreciate every prayer and well wish sent our way. You know the TMNT books are coming this year and with a little luck, that other title too. Ho, ho, ho and happy New Year. – Kevin]



D.R. in Germantown, Maryland, writes (in part): … I’m doing a Mercenary Campaign set back East around Washington D.C. and the Shemarrians …


[Any game involving Archie-3 should be a blast, D.R. Keep your imagination burning bright. – Kevin]



S.S. in Atascocita, Texas, writes (in part): … I have used the Surprise Package over the last 5 years to rebuild my collection and I’m thrilled to say I’m starting up a Rifts® group for several people that have never played …


[I’m glad we could help, S.S., and I hope your Rifts® campaign with the newbies goes well. It sounds fun. – Kevin]



J.T. in Harlingen, Texas, writes (in part): … See you all again next holiday season. Nothing but love for all of you.


[Ditto J.T., the Surprise Package deal will return next holiday season. All those books in the five Grab Bags you ordered should keep you busy till then. Ho, ho, ho and happy New Year to all. – Kevin]

Nightbane® Sales & More – Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 23, 2025

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

Nightbane® Sales & More – Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 23, 2025

This week Nightbane® is the center of attention! The Nightbane: Dark Designs audiobook crowdfunding campaign starts today, January 23, 2025. Plus there are two related Nightbane® sales. Be part of this historic event: Palladium’s first audiobook. Of course, if the Nightbane® audiobook series does well, we will do audiobooks for Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy, Dead Reign®, BTS, Heroes Unlimited, and all of our games. Thank you for your support. Say yes to RPG audiobooks! The crowdfunder lasts only two weeks.

Nightbane RPG Sale

Nightbane®: Dark Designs Audiobook

An RPG audiobook may sound crazy, but it won’t after you listen to the sample presented in this Nightbane: Dark Designs Audiobook crowdfunder taking place on Backerkit by one of Palladium’s new licensing partners. It sounds amazing! We were all blown away by the quality.

  • Fun to listen to.

  • Relaxing game prep.

  • Professional narration.

  • Convenient for the busy G.M.

  • Hearing the words spoken by a professional narrator makes the book come to life in a whole new way and feel brand new.

  • Hearing it also makes you notice game and adventure details you may have missed reading it yourself.

  • EVERYONE at Palladium endorses this product 100%. Go to the page and listen for yourself. You’ll be as pleased as we are.

  • Dive into the thrilling Urban Fantasy world of Nightbane® with Nightbane: Dark Designs.

  • Your Next RPG Adventure starts here when you experience the Nightbane: Dark Designs sourcebook in a whole new way with a professionally narrated audiobook. Packed with new Morphus tables, Talents, and tools for players and GMs.

  • Perfect for enhancing your Nightbane campaign or exploring its lore on the go.

  • Nightbane: Dark Designs audiobook takes you through new Morphus tables, Talents, and insights into Nightbane. Perfect for GMs and players, this audiobook transforms your rulebook into a listening experience you’ll love.

  • The project is crowdfunding on Backerkit now!

Nightbane RPG Sale

Nightbane® SALE – Save 20-30% on physical books – limited time offer

– Nightbane® RPG Softcover – Cat. No. 730 – $20.29 (normally $28.99 retail) – 240 pages. Urban Fantasy! Nightbane creation rules, Talents, and powers, but to use their powers, the young Nightbane must turn into monsters themselves. Includes inhuman factions, magic, psychic abilities, sorcery, dozens of monsters, world info, and a gallery of enemies and monsters. Nightlords, Vampires, Lightbringers, Hunters, Hounds, and Hollow Men are just some of the bizarre beings your tragic heroes will encounter on their journey of self-discovery and heroism. Join the secret war against a demonic invasion most people do not even know has taken place. The shapeshifting Nightlords, their evil Dopplegangers and other demonic minions are quietly taking over the world, starting with the most powerful nations. You know it is happening because you are the Nightbane. And only you can stop it.


– Nightbane® RPG “Bonus” Edition Hardcover – Cat. No. 730HC – $ 31.99 (normally $44.99 retail) – 304 pages – 60 extra pages of bonus material. Urban Fantasy! Your teenage or young adult Nightbane characters face dark magic, vampires, demons, monsters and conspiracy, but that won’t stop them! Join the secret war against a demonic invasion most people do not even know has taken place. You see the truth and know what is happening because that is one of the many Nightbane gifts. You can see the true demonic forms of these invaders and you can destroy them. The only wrinkle is you must reveal your monstrous supernatural form – your Morphus – to call upon your superhuman and magical powers. Oh, and the government is controlled by the Nightlords and their shape-changing demonic minions who fear and hunt all Nightbane. Available while supplies last.


– Nightbane®: Between the Shadows™ – Cat. No. 731 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 144 pages. Psychic agents, more monsters, navigating the Dreamscape and the Astral Plane, the vampire conspiracy, and more.


– Nightbane®: Nightlands™ – Cat. No. 732 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 144 pages. 12+ monsters, 12+ demonic and mystical villains, the twisted mirror-dimension of Earth that is the Nightlands described, and more.


– Nightbane®: Through the Glass Darkly™ – Cat. No. 733 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 152 pages. New types of magic including Fleshsculptor, Cybermage, Mirrormage, Nemesis, Living Pathways, and 50 magic spells, plus talismans, magic artifacts, three new full adventures, dozens of adventure hooks, and other source material to make you cringe with delight.


– Nightbane® Shadows of Light – Cat. No. 734 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 160 pages. new insights to the world of the Nightbane, new dangers and strange beings, Fallen Guardians, a vampire conspiracy, the city of Pittsburgh outlined, and more.


– Nightbane® Survival Guide – Cat. No. 735 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 160 pages. Everything you want to know about Nightbane but were afraid to ask. How to unleash your potential as a Nightbane®, many new Morphus tables, many new powers, new magic and new dangers. A complete adventure plus adventure ideas, Nightbane creation guidelines, Nightbane history, psychology and more.


– Nightbane®: Dark Designs™ – Cat. No. 736 – $17.49 (normally $24.99 retail) – 160 pages. The ultimate guide to creating the Nightbane and a sourcebook for players and Game Masters alike. 18 new and comprehensive Morphus Tables. 60 new Common Talents, 38 new Elite Talents, Transformation Transition Table, Talent creation and conversion rules, Appendix of 23 Morphus Tables, Appendix of 53 Talents gathered from the Nightbane® RPG and Sourcebooks, Ancient Nightbane R.C.C. and more. Available while supplies last.


– The Rifter® #82 – Cat. No. 182 – $10.49 (normally $14.99 retail) – 96 pages. Chaos Earth® Nebraska Conclusion, the Pyromancer O.C.C., 50+ new Pyromancy spells; Nightbane® age tables, and more.


– The Rifter® #84 – Cat. No. 184 – $10.49 (normally $14.99 retail) – 96 pages. BTS: Monster and adventure, NIghtbane® Spellbound O.C.C., Golems, an Elven Kingdom, HU2: City of Cascade, and more.


– The Rifter® #85 – Cat. No. 185 – $18.89 (normally $24.99 retail) – 224 pages. The largest printed issue of The Rifter® ever. Filled with fun across the Megaverse®. Glitter Boy upgrades, weapons, and variants; a Rifts® Story with Skelebots, dinosaurs, and innocent people in the way; the Rifts State of Rapid City; Fantasy Elven Empire, Fantasy Colony of Gonarn and adventure; 3 Heroes Unlimited Hardware O.C.C.s, an HU tribute by Freddie E. Williams; Phase World®; 25 Dead Reign® vehicle encounter tables and adventure; BTS story and adventure plot hooks; the Nightbane® Redeemer, and more.

Nightbane® PDF SALE on DriveThruRPG.com – limited time offer

The PDFs of the Nightbane® titles listed above are on sale at DriveThruRPG.com for a limited time. Both sales end with the two week crowdfunding campaign for the Nightbane® audiobook.

History of Palladium Books on YouTube

Palladium Books® YouTube Channel

I am currently doing a comprehensive ongoing series hosted by the affable J-M DeFoggi on the Official History of Palladium Books. A new episode posts every other week, plus the occasional bonus episode. It is being presented in rough chronological order and includes Secret Stories of the Defilers. The Defilers are my legendary, first campaign at the Detroit Gaming Center (DGC) where I ran 26 regular players for 12 hours every Saturday night for three and a half years. The DGC is also where I met folks like Erick Wujcik, Matthew Balent, Julius Rosenstein, and my first wife Maryann, and developed concepts and play-tested many Palladium rules and RPGs. We will also be sliding into topics about running games, writing, game design, character and monster creation, and lots of other themes as well as interviewing other people such as Matthew Balent, Ramon K. Perez, Freddie E. Williams II, etc., and a host of Palladium staff and creators. Please don’t hesitate to offer topic suggestions to any of the social media outlets listed here.


Here are some of the episodes currently available:


Coming YouTube Videos: Stories behind the creation of Heroes Unlimited, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness, Robotech®, Robotech® VHS tapes, Ninjas & Superspies, Beyond the Supernatural, Rifts® (a few episodes), Dead Reign®, and more, including Games that Almost Happened (but didn’t), and Close Encounters (with Hollywood and videogames).


A new episode goes up every other week with the occasional bonus episode in between. Many more chats are coming. Each one a friendly and candid conversation that gamers are enjoying. J-M Defoggi and I, Kevin Siembieda, reveal the origin stories behind your favorite Palladium role-playing games and sourcebooks. We will eventually switch to topics about running RPGs, designing adventures, Game Master and player tips, alignments, magic, writing RPGs, and others.

Legion of Myth live chat with Kevin Siembieda – Sunday, January 26, 2025

Sean is out of the country on business, so you’ll have to put up with just me, MaxLiao, and Heathdog. Silliness, fun, and information are almost a guarantee. The chat with me starts at 2:00 PM till about 4:00 PM but the show will be recorded and made available after the live broadcast. We’ll touch on what’s happening at Palladium a bit and then engage in some role-playing game topics like risk/reward in combat and more. Please spread the word and join the fun.

Glitterbois and RealPlayGames Podcasts

I will be returning to do more interviews with the ever popular Glitterbois in February. Meanwhile, there are numerous discussions about role-playing and Palladium’s many game settings and book titles by the hosts, as well as an ongoing series of chats about the history of Palladium Books with me (Kevin Siembieda, the guy who started the company and has written or co-written 200+ RPG books). These are a blast and sometimes digress to include our views on various aspects of role-playing and Game Mastering. Lots of fun and stories.

– RealPlayGames Podcast – These talented fans have been creating radio-play style podcasts based on various Palladium RPG worlds for years. Their audience is growing. They are currently at the tail end of their Season One Palladium Fantasy series: Surviving Love. It sees a bunch of sexy dating show singles from the real world flung into the Palladium Fantasy world. The reception to it has been reported as nothing short of fantastic; their biggest and, by a large margin, best-performing podcast release to date! Check it out. They also plan to release their second season of Cozy Caverns Mysteries, based on Beyond the Supernatural 2E, in February, and have plans for other projects in development. Meanwhile, previous podcasts based on After the Bomb, Heroes Unlimited, and BTS remain available for your listening enjoyment.

Valley of the Pharaohs RPG Expanded 40th Anniversary Edition – available for a limited time

Waaaay back when, Palladium Books published the Valley of Pharaohs RPG as a box game. Well, 40 years later, I gave the author, my pal, Matthew Balent (best known for Weapons & Armour, Weapons & Castles, Weapons & Castles of the Orient, etc.), permission to reuse my artwork in a new, vastly expanded redux edition of the original game. It is a big 200+ page RPG. (The original was only 64 or 96 pages plus a dozen maps and diagrams.) The game rules are Matthew’s own creation with some unique ideas and mechanics you may find interesting, Meanwhile, the spells, characters, and ideas can be adapted to the Palladium game system with a little work. The lore, history, and writing is outstanding, so if you love Egyptian mythology, this is a must have item. Likewise, Palladium collectors may want one because the original 1985 box game is super-rare and expensive, but this authorized expanded 40th Anniversary edition is affordable and a good read. Available from Palladium Books for a limited time. Thank you for supporting the hard work of my friend, Matthew Balent, who played an important role in the early days of Palladium Books.

254 page softcover – $40 retail – Cat. No. 2621

274 page hardcover with bonus material – $60 retail – Cat. No. 2621HC

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Back among the living


Gah. I have a killer head cold or bug of some kind, but it’s the fever that I hate. It has had me out of commission all week and part of last. I think I might have had it beaten because I was feeling great Saturday and Sunday until I overdid it working and staying up late. Monday morning the bug had returned with a vengeance. I’m finally feeling better, but now I’m coughing and look and feel worn out, so my apologies in advance if I’m not in top form on Legion of Myth this Sunday afternoon (2:00 PM Eastern Time, please join us) or in a DeFoggi interview or two. Sheesh. Still it’s good to be back among the living (mostly), after a very zombie-like Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.


Despite my being ill, we actually made a lot of headway on several fronts. TMNT & Other Strangeness being one of them (everything looks so good) and GAMA Trade Show (February 23-27) preparations being another that I’m at liberty to talk about.


The infamous J-M DeFoggi (and Molly) will be braving the Plague Zone here at the

office with a highly anticipated visit to the Palladium Books studio. Though we met in person at last year’s Chaosium Con in 2024, J-M and his pal Molly have never been onsite at Palladium and they are looking forward to it. By the way, Sean thinks we should refer to the offices/warehouse/Palladium HQ as the Palladium Books Studio, because we really are more of a “studio” than an office. I mean, this is where the books are conceived, designed, and laid out, there is original art and prints, games, and life-sized statues (Leonardo, Storm Trooper, Stan Winston Alien, and numerous Halloween props) all over the place, so definitely NOT your typical office environment. It very much has a playful studio vibe. I also like the “studio” designation, so that’s what we’ll be transitioning over to calling Palladium H.Q. – the Palladium Books Studio. Sean and I just need to remember to do so consistently.


Say yes to RPG audiobooks! It may sound crazy, but you MUST check out the Nightbane: Dark Designs audiobook being crowdfunded right now on Backerkit. It sounds amazing. I always thought making RPG audiobooks was a good idea, but we were all blown away by the quality. You are going to love these, especially if you already listen to novels as audiobooks. It makes the books come alive in a different way. The publisher has chosen to start with the sourcebooks to lead into the grand finale of the core rule book to build excitement and anticipation for the RPG. Please check it out!


Nightbane SALE. We thought we’d offer the Nightbane RPG and sourcebooks on sale while the crowdfunder was going to help spur excitement. You can find books on sale at the Palladium online store and PDF titles on sale on DriveThruRPG.com – enjoy.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Writer and Friend

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Yes, Christmas has come and gone, the 2024 Surprise Package deal has come to an end, and the New Year is upon us. Yet, I still like to share with you some of the fun and interesting fan comments we receive in the Christmas Surprise Packages till the end of January. Our thanks for all the kind words, great suggestions, and love that you all send our way. Enjoy and let us try to keep the spirit and joy of Christmas in our hearts every day throughout the year. A tall order, but let’s try.


– Kevin Siembieda (and the Palladium Crew)

T.C. in Corvallis, Oregon, writes (in part): … I just want to give you folks money. Love your stuff. What a lovely list of great memories with my best friends you folks have given me.


[Glad to hear it T.C., the important things in life are the great memories and friendships. Here’s to many more years of RPG fun. Oh, and please feel free to give us money any time. Ha, ha, ha. – Kevin]



M.G. in Old Bridge, New Jersey, writes (in part): Thank you guys for everything and keep at it. Been loving the podcasts on Glitterbois and getting all the history and mind set of the development of this vast world. Thank you for not selling out and [for] working so hard to keep it in house and so pure …


[The Glitterbois podcasts, Legion of Myth, and Palladium Books YouTube channel chats have been a blast to do, M.G., with much more to come. Rest assured there are no plans to “sell out.” We’ve had plenty of offers, but we love keeping it real and pure. Sean and other people joining our ranks understand what Palladium is all about. So you should expect more of the same for years to come. – Kevin]



J.O.L. in East Moline, Illinois, writes (in part): I have always enjoyed the Palladium game system. I just wish there were more new books coming out …


[With any luck, J.O.L., you’ll begin to see a lot more new releases, starting this year. Game on! – Kevin]



L.M. in Christchurch, New Zealand, writes: Rifts® has been really fun to G.M. and the lore is still keeping me interested.


[Glad to hear it, L.M., thanks for the years of support. Game on! – Kevin]



J.F. in Reston, Virginia, writes (in part): … this is for my husband. He loves your material. You should see his bookshelf. In fact, you should listen to his one-man game, Dying Psi podcast.


[I hope he enjoyed the Surprise Package J.F. I’m so busy I don’t have much time to listen to many new podcasts, but I’ll try to remember. Meanwhile, maybe others will discover his podcast with this mention. – Kevin]



D.C. Jr., in Oxford, Georgia, writes (in part): … Thanks for all of y’all’s amazing hard work. I really enjoy the shows you do with the Legion of Myth, and Kevin, I’m deeply saddened for the loss of your life partner. Let her loving memory be your inspiration.


[Thank you, D.C., we enjoy doing the shows with the Legion of Myth, the Glitterbois, and others. In fact, I will be on the Legion of Myth, Sunday, January 26, and back on Glitterbois in February I think. Sean and I are so happy so many thousands of fans enjoy them so much. My memories of Kathy warm my heart and are, indeed, my inspiration to keep going and to be the best person I can be. – Kevin]



S.D. in Omaha, Nebraska, writes (in part): I’ve recently realized that come this month (January, 2025), I’ve been playing various Palladium Books games for 35 years! Here’s hoping that I get to for 35 more!


[Amen, S.D., good health and a long, happy life to you. I’ve brought in Sean and others to help ensure that Palladium Books grows and gets stronger so it keeps on going for generations to come. Game on, my friend. – Kevin]



J.D. in Odessa, Texas, writes: Just like to say thank you for years of enjoyment. I purchased my first Palladium RPG back in the late 1980s and you guys have always been my favorite. I’m looking forward to the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux books and everything else you offer. All the best in the future. Take care.


[Thank you J.D., same to you. You’ll love those books. And folks can still pre-order them at the lower Kickstarter price, but not for very much longer. – Kevin]

J.N. in Martinez, California, writes (in part): I’ve been playing Rifts® since 1991, when I was in 6th grade … I started an online game during the pandemic … and been playing the same characters ever since … Thank you for keeping Rifts® going. It’s given me over 30 years of joy and friendships.


[I love stories like these J.N., and it’s what I love about RPGs. It’s not just about cooperative gaming and weaving of epic stories, but the friendships that are formed. Game on! – Kevin]



C.A. in Crystal Lake, Illinois, writes: Love this company and the game system.


[Thanks, C.A., and we love and appreciate you. – Kevin]

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – January 16, 2025

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

Palladium Books® – Weekly Update
January 16, 2025

The New Year is off with a bang here at Palladium Books. To get a glimpse of what’s happening behind the scenes, please check out last Friday’s: The Future of Palladium Books Special Report. There’s a lot and it’s all good. 2025 is going to be quite the ride and we hope you’ll be there for every minute of it. Not only that, but help spread the word about Palladium Books’ games, new releases, and other fun happenings.


Our thanks to everyone tuning into the Palladium Books YouTube channel to enjoy our ongoing history of Palladium Books with me (Kevin Siembieda, the founder and lead game designer) and J-M DeFoggi. We’re having a blast with these candid chats. Please continue to watch and spread the word, because we talk about TMNT, Robotech, Rifts and all the rest. You can also catch Palladium RPG fun on the Glitterbois podcast and monthly YouTube chats on the Legion of Myth.


We hope the multitude who purchased one or more Christmas Surprise Packages enjoyed each and every one. They’ll be back next Christmas season, but we don’t know for how many years longer, as they are a ton of work. I will continue to include fan comments at the end of these Weekly Updates for the next few weeks for your enjoyment.


Please keep the orders coming. We’ll help with a number of re-releases such as more of The Rifter® Archival Editions, TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux editions (so completely remastered and in full, breathtaking color, that they feel new), along with brand new products like Yin-Sloth Expeditions, Rifts® Bestiary Volume 2, Rifts® Antarctica, and more. Hopefully, much more.


News! TMNT & Other Strangeness Mini-Update. Everything is moving along on all fronts regarding final layout, and approvals and looking GREAT. There is still time to get the mainstream Redux editions and Black, White and Red editions (look amazing), and Game Screen at the lower Kickstarter prices, but you need to do so soon. I think the Pre-Order Store will be closed by the end of February or March.

TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux Pre-Order Store

TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store. There is a link on the front page of the Palladium website to the TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store (as well as below). Please note that these products will not ship until this spring. The advantage to placing your pre-order before March 2025 is that you will get the items at the lower Kickstarter price. For example, you save $10 on each of the two color cover volumes of the two main books, because the final retail price will be higher than the current Kickstarter price. Moreover, Sean Owen Roberson has outdone himself on the Redux editions. Clear and concise rules clarifications, new and helpful tables and charts, sweet layout, gorgeous color art, and so much more.

News! Congratulations to Palladium author Carl Gleba (Minion War, Secrets of the Atlanteans) on the arrival of his first child! We are all so happy for you, Big Daddy.

Valley of the Pharoahs RPG! Waaaay back when, Palladium Books published the Valley of Pharaohs RPG as a box game. Well, 40 years later, I gave the author, my pal, Matthew Balent (best known for Weapons & Armour, Weapons & Castles, Weapons & Castles of the Orient, etc.), permission to reuse my artwork in a new, vastly expanded redux edition of the original game. It is a big 200+ page RPG. (The original was only 64 or 96 pages plus a dozen maps and diagrams.) The game rules are Matthew’s own creation with some unique ideas and mechanics you may find interesting, Meanwhile, the spells, characters, and ideas can be adapted to the Palladium game system with a little work. The lore, history, and writing is outstanding, so if you love Egyptian mythology, this is a must have item. Likewise, Palladium collectors may want one because the original 1985 box game is super-rare and expensive, but this authorized expanded 40th Anniversary edition is affordable and a good read. Available from Palladium Books for a limited time. Thank you for supporting the hard work of my friend, Matthew Balent, who played an important role in the early days of Palladium Books.

254 page softcover – $40 retail – Cat. No. 2621

274 page hardcover with bonus material – $60 retail – Cat. No. 2621HC

History of Palladium Books on YouTube

News! Palladium Books® YouTube Channel – The Official History of Palladium Books is an ongoing video series presented in rough, Chronological order. Here are some of the episodes currently available:


Coming YouTube Videos: Stories behind the creation of Heroes Unlimited, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness, Robotech®, Robotech® VHS tapes, Ninjas & Superspies, Beyond the Supernatural, Rifts® (a few episodes), Dead Reign®, and more, including Games that Almost Happened (but didn’t), and Close Encounters (with Hollywood and videogames).


A new episode goes up every other week with the occasional bonus episode in between. Many more chats are coming. Each one a friendly and candid conversation that gamers are enjoying. J-M Defoggi and I, Kevin Siembieda, reveal the origin stories behind your favorite Palladium role-playing games and sourcebooks. We will eventually switch to topics about running RPGs, designing adventures, Game Master and player tips, alignments, magic, writing RPGs, and others.

News! Kevin Siembieda on Legion of Myth live chat – 2:00 PM Sunday, January 26, 2025. Sean is overseas on business so the time difference makes it difficult for him to join us, but I’ll be there to chat about a variety of subjects. Please join the fun.

News! The Glitterbois podcasts – We talk about all things Palladium Books and include chats with me (Kevin Siembieda) about the origins and history of Palladium Books, my thought process behind Palladium’s many game lines and specific book titles, and other fun topics. These podcasts always cover additional details and memories about Palladium’s history and iconic games not found in Palladium’s official YouTube material. And who doesn’t love the Glitterbois hosts? Tune into the fun. New episodes with me are coming throughout the year.

News! What’s hot at Palladium this week – With the end of the Surprise Package offer, we saw everything blowing out the door, but we did notice some interesting trends: Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy remain hot, but we’re seeing Phase World® and Rifts® Dimension Books along with Heroes Unlimited/After the Bomb® heating up. The surprise has been the magnitude of renewed interest in Dead Reign® RPG, it has been super-hot this past week in both regular orders and Surprise Package requests.

Dead Reign® is red hot – I think people are discovering that Dead Reign® is an intuitive, fast, fun, introductory game ideal for inexperienced, new role-players and fun for seasoned veteran gamers. The Dead Reign® setting and prime enemy (zombies) is instantly familiar and easy to understand, combat is straightforward with no magic or psionics, and the zombies are both familiar yet different, and uniquely Palladium. How zombies function and behave (the Zombie Moan, converging to get a piece of P.P.E. at the moment of a victim’s death, etc.) makes total sense and I think people like to understand how (our) zombies function and why. It answers questions about zombies that no other game offers.


Sales are up with distributors, retailers, and across the board. Just last week we had two different people visit the office. One was a business meeting unrelated to RPGs and the other was a visit by a Rifts® fan. Both were looking to try a new RPG, something beginner gamers could pick up easily. I told them about a few of our games, but both gravitated toward Dead Reign®. Both bought the RPG and love it. In fact, the business person (a big board gamer) loves the setting and is starting a Dead Reign® campaign with his wife and some friends this week! If you haven’t tried it, you might want to take a look at Dead Reign® in the future.

News! 3 Notebook & Pen Sets – These have proven to be quite popular. I think Game Masters and players both enjoy having a notebook and pen clearly marked for the game they are playing in. I must admit, everyone here scooped up one of each.

  • Pen and matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.


Rifts® Unleash Your Imagination Blue Notebook & Pen Set – $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2618 – available now.

Palladium Books® Live the Fantasy Black Notebook & Pen Set – $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2619 – available now.

Heroes Unlimited™ Unleash Your Power Red Notebook & Pen Set – $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2620 – available now.

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

A few last words


Thank you for your support of Palladium Books with the Surprise Package offer and purchases all year long. We can’t do this without you. To get info about what’s going on behind the scenes, see the Future of Palladium Books Special Report (January 10, 2025). Otherwise, take a glance at the Weekly Updates for sales, new releases, YouTube and podcast appearances, and other news.


I’m sure there’s more to talk about, but a head cold has just hit me like a ton of bricks and I’m gonna end this here. Stay positive, enjoy the Comments from Fans like you, below, and game on.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Writer and Friend

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Yes, Christmas has come and gone, the 2024 Surprise Package deal has come to an end, and the New Year is upon us. Yet, I still like to share with you some of the fun and interesting fan comments we receive in the Christmas Surprise Packages till the end of January. Our thanks for all the kind words, great suggestions, and love that you all send our way. Enjoy and let us try to keep the spirit and joy of Christmas in our hearts every day throughout the year. A tall order, but let’s try.


– Kevin Siembieda (and the Palladium Crew)

J.H. in Katy, Texas, writes (in part): Thank you for giving us all a few extra weeks to order one of these. I haven’t done one in years because I tend to buy things as they come out, but I finally have enough for a want list to order one.


[You’re very welcome, J.H., this is exactly why I extend the offer a couple weeks into January. We appreciate you buying books as they come out and there should be quite a few new releases this year. Thanks and game on. – Kevin]



C.H.K. in Casselberry, Florida, writes (in part): I just saw my own written words and your reply to them in my Palladium email … Wow. It’s not the first time, but it floors me with a smile every time! … Dead Reign® is a real crazy trip in a good way.


[I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing your comment shared in the last Update, C.H.K. That’s why I do a selection of fan comments (and why we do the Surprise Package deal); to make fans smile and know they are special and appreciated. Thank you for your personal message to me as well, C.H.K. Stay awesome and game on. – Kevin]



J.O. in Niagara Falls, New York, writes (in part): I played Rifts® back in the 1990s and want to get back into it. I also pre-ordered the new TMNT books … D&D is cool, but I enjoyed the world of Rifts and would love to share that with new players.


[Welcome back, J.O.! Sounds like a plan. You’re going to love the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG books, they are beautiful and fun. You’re smart to pre-order at the lower Kickstarter prices. Game on. – Kevin]

J.T. in Athens, Alabama, writes: Thank you for all the wonderful memories and keep up the amazing work.


[You are very welcome, J.T., and we will. We have so many amazing new books we want to put into your hands. – Kevin]



M.M.C. in Prairie Grove, Arizona, writes (in part): I have just recently started playing Rifts® with my Uncle, and I’m hooked. I love the adventure and the world of Rifts®.


[Welcome to Rifts®, M.M.C., it’s a dimension of endless imagination. – Kevin]



R.B. in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, writes (in part): Palladium Fantasy and Rifts® are favorites … want to try Chaos Earth®. Just wanted to say thank you for creating some of the fond memories of my younger days enjoying these games with friends.


[The pleasure is all ours, R.B. That’s what makes RPGs so special, there is nothing like them and the memories are so rich and vibrant. Game on. – Kevin]



M.H. in Benton, Arizona, writes (in part): Thank you for everything you guys do … I spent the last few months trying to improve my self-care and I realized that some of my happiest times have been playing RPGs with friends … your efforts have been a blessing to my life more than once over the years … sometimes we don’t know the ways we affect the world.


[I hear you, M.H., and you are not alone. RPGs are a wonderful and cheerful experience shared with friends or family. They most definitely help alleviate stress and stimulate the imagination in the most positive ways. I regularly suggest role-playing to find escape from our everyday worries. The fact that our games and our words have helped our fellow gamers is, indeed, an unexpected blessing that is both miraculous and humbling to us. Stay frosty and game on! – Kevin]



B.C. in St. Cloud, Minnesota, writes (in part): … Please keep up the great work. I look forward to seeing more YouTube videos and podcast interviews with Kevin and Sean. You guys are great. I’m super-excited for the TMNT Redux! Kevin, your work and commitment to your vision, your team, and the fans is nothing short of remarkable.


[Thank you, B.C., for your kind words and excitement. It’s nice when someone recognizes that commitment. It helps that I love what I do, the people I work with, and the fans. There are many more videos and podcasts coming. In fact, I will be on a live chat with Legion of Myth Sunday, January 26, 2:00 PM Eastern Time. – Kevin]



D.L. in Killeen, Texas, writes (in part): Hi Guys, this is for my friend. I got him hooked on Rifts® (playing weekly now) and just hooked him on Palladium Fantasy, too. Love everything you guys do and I’m still out there doing my part to share the good news of Palladium Books.


[Much appreciated, D.L., you’re like Johnny Appleseed, only you’re planting the seeds of Palladium role-playing wherever you go. Awesome. Thank you and keep on keeping on. With appreciation. – Kevin]



W.L. in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, writes (in part): I just want to say, thank you, Kevin, for creating the Megaversal gaming system! It’s been a favorite of my gaming group … probably played Palladium Fantasy the most … Robotech® was also a favorite of mine.


[You’re welcome, W.L., our pleasure. Glad you enjoy our core rules and games so much. Keep your imagination burning bright. – Kevin]

2 Big Sales End Soon – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – December 12, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

2 Big Sales End Soon – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – December 12, 2024

Only 10 shipping days till Christmas!


This is the last weekend to order and get it in time for Christmas without paying for expedited shipping! And all the big holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa – are happening the same couple of days.


You place the orders now and we will pack and ship them out as fast as we can. We will be working throughout the weekend to make sure you get your order in time for Christmas or the other holidays. If you need it for the holidays we suggest Ground Advantage, UPS Ground, and Priority Mail. Media Mail is NOT likely to arrive in time for the holidays, your risk. Follow the guidelines below and keep the orders coming! We love making gamers happy with our famous Christmas Surprise Package and all our games. Hurry and spread the word about the Surprise Package and shipping deadlines.

Shipping Deadlines – for Christmas delivery – order now

– UPS Ground (anywhere in the contiguous USA) – December 15th. We must have your order by Sunday, December 15, to ship on December 16 to guarantee you get your package in time for the holidays. Last year, UPS was astonishing in its speed and accuracy of shipping. Order as soon as possible.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Ground Advantage – December 15th. We must have your order by Sunday, December 15 to ship on December 16 or 17 to guarantee you get your package in time for the holidays. Sooner is better.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail – December 17th. We must have your order by Tuesday, December 17, to ship on December 18 to guarantee you to get your package in time for the holidays. Sooner is better.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail EXPRESS (expensive) – December 18th. We must have your order by Wednesday, December 18, to ship on December 19, to guarantee you get your package in time for the holidays. Sooner is better.


– UPS 3-Day Select – December 17th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS 2nd Day Air – December 18th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS Next Day Air – December 19th (to arrive December 24, Christmas Eve) – Palladium Needs that order submitted by December 19th, so we can pack and ship it December 20th to arrive Monday or Tuesday, Christmas Eve, but please don’t cut it that close or pay such a high price for expedited shipping.


– We say NO to Media Mail for Christmas – There is less than a 50/50 chance your package arrives in time for Christmas when you use Media Mail at this point. YOU assume ALL risk when you ship via Media Mail. If an order arrives late, goes missing, or is damaged in transit, it will NOT be replaced by Palladium Books.


– No shipments to Canada! – Until the Canadian postal workers end the strike, we cannot ship to Canada. Moreover, orders shipped just prior to the strike may be sitting in limbo.


– Any orders placed after these dates may arrive in time for Christmas but we cannot guarantee it AND you should assume they will NOT arrive in time for Christmas. Moreover, storms, accidents, and other unforeseen circumstances may delay shipping, so please place your order as soon as possible. Happy holidays.


– 2024 Shipping Note: Please make sure your address is complete and correct! As always, at Palladium, we will be working overtime and doing 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.

Valley of the Pharaohs 40th Anniversary

NEW! Valley of the Pharaohs RPG – 40th Anniversary Edition

The original Valley of the Pharaohs RPG is a rare, expensive collectible if you can even find it. But now you can get the super-expanded, 254 page, 40th Anniversary Edition softcover – or – the 274 page hardcover with bonus material, from Palladium Books. The new, 40th Anniversary Valley of Pharaohs is written and published by the original author, Matthew Balent (Weapons and Armor, Weapons & Castles, etc.). Like the original game, it uses its own, unique game rules – not the Palladium game system – but they, like the game world and text, are unique and fun.


This game is authorized by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books and includes many of Kevin’s original VotP RPG illustrations and maps.


If you are a Palladium Books collector or you love Egyptian mythology and historical fiction, this game is a must. It is likely as close as you’ll come to owning the original Valley of the Pharaohs. Besides, this is a vastly expanded and improved edition that includes all those original ideas and much of the artwork vastly expanded and improved. The original rule book was only 64 or 96 pages, plus maps; this is a 250+ page tome by the scholarly Matthew Balent and is an alternative reality, ancient Egypt that is epic and well written. It’s a fun read filled with ideas, magic, monsters, and characters you can, with a little work, convert to Palladium Fantasy, Rifts, or any RPG world.

  • Play humans or Bird People, Crocodilian People, Dog People, Snake People, and more!

  • Character Classes include: Priest, Thief, Military, Scholar, and more.

  • 300+ magic spells inspired by Egyptian myth and classic fantasy.

  • Many magic items, magic pictures and more.

  • Dozens of monsters and supernatural beings like the mummy, sphinx, sand slug, and others drawn from or inspired by Egyptian mythology.

  • Learn about Ka (magic), Maat (alignment and order), and Kismet.

  • Clear and concise Egyptian lore, its society, and history.

  • Game rules and writing by Matthew Balent.

  • A complete RPG with unique rules. Note: Does not use the Palladium game rules.

  • $40.00 retail – 254 page softcover – Cat. No. 2621 – complete RPG.

  • $60.00 retail – 274 page hardcover with bonus material – Cat. No. 2621HC – complete RPG.

SALE Final Days – Palladium Stocking Stuffer Sale – Most items 30-50% off – Sale ends Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

The name of the sale says it all – fun small items that could be slipped into a Christmas stocking. Enjoy and happy holidays.


Rifts® 25mm Metal Miniatures – 50% off


Rifts® Heroic 28mm Resin Miniatures – 30-40% off

Christmas Surprise Packages

SALE Final Days – Christmas Surprise Package offer – Sale ENDS December 24 – and remember, only 10 shipping days till Christmas

The best deal in gaming – $100+ worth of goodies (often more) for $60 (plus shipping). Books are signed if you want them to be. It is just 10 shipping days till Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa! The Surprise Package Offer ends December 24, 2024. Don’t miss out!


A great gift for any holiday, birthdays, anniversaries, or a nice treat for yourself (you deserve it), or a way to try new settings, and fill your collection. After these past five crazy years, you deserve to do something nice for yourself and your gaming pals. The Surprise Package Offer gets you physical game books at PDF prices, and we will sign them if you would like us to.


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 election, inflation, and related doldrums, we can all use some time escaping into 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! $100+ worth of Palladium products for only $60 (plus shipping)! 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.


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 – Rifts®, Chaos Earth®, Dead Reign®, Heroes Unlimited, After the Bomb® (compatible with TMNT RPG), Ninjas & Superspies, Palladium Fantasy®, Nightbane®, Systems Failure, Mechanoid Invasion®, etc. – or to get something for your favorite Game Master. Or perhaps, to get your player group to consider a new game or setting.

Notebook and Pen Sets

NEW – 3 Notebook & Pen Sets

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or a fun practical gift, we have three for you.

NEW! Rifts® Unleash Your Imagination Blue Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2618 – available now.

NEW! Palladium Books® Live the Fantasy Black Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2619 – available now.

New! Heroes Unlimited™ Unleash Your Power Red Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2620 – available now.

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

Closing Thoughts & News Bits

I’ve been excited to see what Matthew Balent has done with the Valley of the Pharaohs RPG ever since he asked me if Palladium Books would allow him to expand his original game and self-publish it. That was two years ago. I think it is worth the read and is filled with well written lore, magic, monsters, people and society inspired by ancient Egyptian mythology. On this alternate Earth, magic and the supernatural are real. As I noted in the product description, this will be your best chance at ever getting Valley of Pharaohs because there are so few in existence. And this 40th Anniversary Edition is a far superior product.


Folks are getting excited about the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG coming next year. They should be, because the books and all products are beautiful. I actually teared up when the FanRoll test products arrived. Wow. You can still get Kickstarter prices on select products via the TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store.

Looking for something fun to watch? Check out the Official History of Palladium Books on the Palladium Books® YouTube Channel. Available now are episodes on:

You can get more Palladium fun with chats on the Legion of Myth and the Glitterbois podcasts, among others!

Order your Stocking Stuffer items from our sale and Surprise Packages while you still can. Meanwhile, enjoy the Surprise Package comments and don’t let the holiday stress get to you. Stay frosty and finish your shopping! Ho, ho, ho.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Friend, and Surrogate Santa

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Every year we like to post a selection of the comments we get from Surprise Package customers. It’s a nice acknowledgement and thank you to them (you know who you are) and you enjoy reading them. I read each and every comment that comes in the Surprise Packages, and they always brighten our day. We all appreciate your kind words, suggestions, and insights. In fact, the idea to do hardcover editions of core rule books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags. We get a lot so we can only 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 your day to day grind and worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season and beyond.


Your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.


– Kevin Siembieda (and the Palladium Crew)

R.D. in Lathrup Village, Michigan, writes: Favorites: Rifts® and Beyond the Supernatural. Merry Christmas! Thanks so much for many years of Christmas Surprise Packages. It’s a great way to add to my collection and be surprised when I open it on Christmas Day.


[Merry Christmas, R.D., and thank you for your years of support. You’ll be pleased on Christmas morning. Ho, ho, ho. – Kevin]



R.H. in Tonawanda, New York, writes: I look forward to this [Surprise Package] all year. Thank you so much for the deal and for creating such wonderful worlds.


[You are welcome, R.H. I can’t imagine doing anything but creating worlds of wonder and adventure. It’s in my DNA. – Kevin]



B.C. in Walland, Tennessee, writes: Your full spectrum genre is awesome. I have enjoyed playing the various game environs for almost thirty years. You all are awesome. Thank you.


[It is with great joy, B.C., that we share with you the Palladium Megaverse®. We’re glad it is a realm of imagination you enjoy visiting so often. – Kevin]



D.H. in Ubly, Michigan, writes: Thank you guys for continuing to build on this awesome world. My husband’s first table top RPG was Rifts® and he still plays it to this day.


[Wow, that’s very cool. Thank you for sharing D.H., I hope your spouse continues to enjoy Rifts® for many years to come, because we have some mind bending books in the pipeline like Rifts® Bestiary Volume 2, Rifts® Antarctica and The Disavowed. – Kevin]



R.H. in Alabaster, Alabama, writes: Thanks for autographing The Rifters® I ordered earlier this year. It was a nice surprise. I look forward to the Christmas Surprise package every year. It’s like opening up a pack of trading cards on a much grander scale.


[R.H., you are welcome on all fronts. I think you’ll be pleased with your Surprise Package. Ho, ho, ho. – Kevin]



D.H. in Walla Walla, Washington, writes: Excited for the new TMNT RPG! [The Surprise Package deal] loving it! Each year spoils the gamers.


[The TMNT & Other Strangeness products coming next year are awesome and so are the Surprise Packages! I don’t know if they spoil the fans, but they are a great way for us to give back to you all and show our appreciation. Thanks for your support. – Kevin]



J.E. in Mesa, Arizona, writes (in part): Palladium is my favorite game company. It was the first publisher I ever brought and I’ve loved the books for 30+ years now. I went to Gen Con for the first time this year with one of the main reasons to meet Kevin. I did and he was gracious enough to spend almost an hour chatting with me. It was fantastic. Thank you so much for years of joy.


[Whew, I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you at Gen Con, J.E. The main reason we go is to meet and chat with our fans. Glad you enjoy our games so much. We have plenty more grand adventures in store for everyone. – Kevin]



B.F. in San Antonio, Texas, writes: I’m working on getting the whole Rifts® collection and the Christmas Surprise Package seems like a great way to start. Thank you!


[It is, B.F., and you are welcome. Enjoy and game on. – Kevin]



J.C. in Port Townsend, Washington, writes: Rifts® is the game I’ve played the most, but I grew up watching my brothers play Robotech® and TMNT & Other Strangeness. Thank you for last year’s goodies. The Chainsaw Glitter Boy mini made some friends quite jealous. By the way, I’ve been loving the interviews on the Glitterbois [podcast].


[I’m glad last year’s Surprise Package hit the spot, J.C., I think you’ll like this year’s package too. The Glitterbois podcasts with me are tons of fun. Also take a look at Palladium’s YouTube channel for similar interviews about Palladium’s origin and its games. – Kevin]



A.W. in Mountain Grove, Missouri, writes (in part): I and my gaming group have greatly enjoyed the Palladium game system for over 20 years now. Most of us started out playing 2nd Edition D&D, and it will always hold a special place for us. However, due to the all-around ease of the Palladium system, and the near infinite possibilities that emerge from having so many different settings using the same mechanics, our games quickly transitioned away from other systems. For us, the Palladium rules are now the bar by which we compare all other game systems. Over the years, several members of our group have been able to make it to various Palladium Open Houses. Normally, it’s only been 1 or 2 of us and then the rest got to hear about it (and be jealous). However, in 2009, five of us were able to attend and I have to say it was a truly amazing experience … please have another Open House soon.


[Game on, A.W., I love infinite possibilities! We are considering hosting a Palladium Open House in 2026 or 2027. We will keep you folks posted in a future Weekly Update, but you might wanna start putting some money aside for it, just in case. Ho, ho, ho – Kevin]

2 Weeks Till Christmas – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – December 5, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

2 Weeks Till Christmas – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – December 5, 2024

I hope everyone enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving Day and a long weekend. This is our busy season especially with Palladium’s super Black Friday thru Cyber-Wednesday sale that just ended last night. Whew, warehouse-master Caleb and I actually put in 5 hours of work Thanksgiving morning. Alex joined us to work through the entire weekend.


Please keep the orders coming, because we love making gamers happy with our famous Christmas Surprise Package offer – the absolute best deal in gaming. With this being Caleb’s first holiday season at Palladium Books (he’s the new guy), he actually finds the deluge of orders exciting. And like the rest of us, he enjoys reading all the nice comments that come along with many of the Surprise Package orders. It’s exciting to see so many people who love our books so much. We all work in a particular area of the warehouse where we chat and make jokes, and seeing so many orders being pulled, packaged, and shipped is exciting. Yes, we get an adrenaline rush from your orders and kind words. We love making gamers around the world happy, so please spread the word about the Surprise Package deal and keep the orders coming.

A different sale – Kevin’s Toys, Art and Collectibles SALE – Ends December 11. This is my (Kevin Siembieda’s) Ebay store where I am selling off items from my vast collection of games, toys, prints, and art. Negatives are on sale at half price. I also offer a selection of toys (Star Wars, Marvel and DC superheroes, Nightmare Before Christmas, etc.), Halloween masks, Palladium collectibles, proofreader copies, hardcover Printer Proofs, and more, all on sale at the moment, at various discounts through December 11. Alex and I will try to add new collectibles, negatives, and items, but we are so swamped. Check it out at: http://stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles

NOTE: Getting orders in time for Christmas without paying extra for express shipping requires you to have placed your order no later than December 15 – sooner is better! That applies to most methods of shipping EXCEPT Media Mail. Using Media Mail from this point forward there is only a 50/50 chance of getting the package in time for Christmas. Please see our detailed Holiday Shipping Guideline elsewhere in this Update.

TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux Pre-Order Store

News! TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store. There is now a link on the front page of the Palladium website to the TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store (as well as below). Please note that these products will not ship until 2025. The advantage to placing your pre-order before March 2025 is that you will get the items at the lower Kickstarter price. For example, you save $10 on each of the two color cover volumes of the two main books, because the final retail price will be higher than the current Kickstarter price. Moreover, Sean Owen Roberson has outdone himself on the Redux editions. Clear and concise rules clarifications, new and helpful tables and charts, sweet layout, gorgeous color art, and so much more.

COMING Soon! The Valley of the Pharoahs RPG! Waaaay back when, Palladium Books published the Valley of Pharaohs RPG as a box game. Well, 40 years later, I gave the author, my pal Matthew Balent (best known for Weapons & Armor, Weapons & Castles, Weapons & Castles of the Orient, etc.), permission to reuse my artwork in his brand new, vastly expanded redux edition of the original game. It is a big 200+ page RPG. (The original was only 64 or 96 pages plus a dozen maps and diagrams.) I can’t wait to see it. I have purchased a few dozen of the softcover and hardcover editions to put up in the Palladium online store to help support my dear and long-time friend’s efforts and because I know some of you will want to buy a copy. I think the softcover edition will arrive in a couple weeks. Not sure when the hardcover will arrive.

History of Palladium Books on YouTube

News! Palladium Books® YouTube Channel offers the Official History of Palladium Books – Here’s what you can expect:

  • Kevin Siembieda’s career as an artist

  • The Origins of the Palladium System

  • The Mechanoid Trilogy

  • December 5 – Palladium’s Weapons & Armor series

  • December 19 – Palladium Fantasy RPG

  • January Week One – A Tale of the Defilers (stories about Kevin’s legendary Palladium of Desires fantasy campaign that inspired him to start Palladium Books).

  • With much more to follow! A new episode goes up every other week with the occasional bonus episode in between. Many more chats are coming. Each one a friendly and candid conversation that people are loving. J-M Defoggi and I, Kevin Siembieda, reveal the origins and inside story behind the creation of your favorite Palladium role-playing games and sourcebooks. Presented in rough chronological order.

News! The Glitterbois podcasts – I know gamers are loving the Glitterbois’ podcasts (and Palladium’s YouTube videos, and our chats on Legion of Myth) because so many of you are telling us how much fun they are and that you want more. They talk about all things Palladium Books and include chats with me (Kevin Siembieda) about the origins and history of Palladium Books, my thought process behind Palladium’s many game lines and specific book titles, and other fun topics. These podcasts always cover additional details and memories about Palladium’s history and iconic games than Palladium’s official YouTube material. More fun conversations are coming.

News! What’s hot at Palladium this week – Hmmm, pretty much everything thanks to the big Black Friday sale that just ended and the Surprise Package offer, but we are suddenly seeing renewed interest in Chaos Earth®, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks, Dead Reign® (Zombies), Systems Failure RPG, and of course, lots of Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® sales. It’s funny how all of a sudden we’ll see a particular series pick up steam in a certain week for no particular reason of which we are aware. Thank you for your wonderful support and keep the orders coming. Remember, to get your Christmas Surprise Package in time for the holidays, you need to order so soon!

Palladium Christmas Surprise Packages

Only 2 Weeks Till Christmas to get Palladium’s Christmas Surprise Package offer – sale ENDS December 24

Don’t miss out on truly the best deal in gaming and remember you need to allow at least 3-5 days for shipping to get any package in time for Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah – do not delay!


$100+ worth of goodies (often more) for $60 (plus shipping). Books are signed if you want them to be. It is just 2½ weeks till Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah! Less when you account for the time to process and ship orders, so this weekend and the next are the perfect time to order yours in time for the holidays without having to pay for an express delivery. The Surprise Package Offer ends December 24, 2024.


A great gift for any holiday, birthdays, anniversaries, or a nice treat for yourself (you deserve it!), or a way to try new settings, and fill your collection. After these past four crazy years, you deserve to do something nice for yourself and your gaming pals. The Surprise Package Offer gets you physical game books at PDF prices, and we will sign them if you would like us to. See what other fans are saying in the comment section, below. Enjoy and happy holidays.


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.


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.

Shipping Guidelines – Only 2 weeks to Christmas – order now

Whether you are buying a Surprise Package or a regular order, if you need it in time for Christmas, please order sooner than later to avoid needing to pay for express service or the package not arriving in time for Christmas. Take comfort in your gifts arriving before December 25 with these key ship-by dates. The closer you get to Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah, the more we recommend UPS as the most reliable method of shipping.


– United States Postal Service: Media Mail – December 9th so order NOW! Media Mail is a low priority mail service so orders placed after December 9th cannot be assured of delivery in time for Christmas; they may or may not. Last year, mail delivery was very good, but we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas when you use Media Mail after December 9th. Moreover, YOU assume ALL risk when you ship via Media Mail. If an order arrives late, goes missing, or is damaged in transit, it will NOT be replaced by Palladium Books.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Ground Advantage – December 17th.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail – December 18th.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail EXPRESS (expensive) – December 19th.


– UPS Ground (anywhere in the contiguous USA) – December 15. Last year, UPS was astonishing in its speed and accuracy of shipping. After that date, all bets are off.


– UPS 3-Day Select – December 17th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS 2nd Day Air – December 18th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS Next Day Air – December 19th (to arrive December 24, Christmas Eve) – Palladium Needs that order submitted by December 19th, so we can pack and ship it December 20th to arrive Monday, Christmas Eve, but please don’t cut it that close or pay such a high price for expedited shipping.


– No shipments to Canada! – Until the Canadian postal workers end the strike, we cannot ship to Canada. Moreover, orders shipped just prior to the strike may be sitting in limbo.


– To our friends overseas – December 5 with no guarantee that the package will arrive by Christmas. Even NOW, we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Your package should arrive in time, but if there are delays at Customs, work strikes, bad weather, etc., it might miss. Order as soon as possible. Note: Right now, we are finding overseas packages are taking 15-30 days to arrive, sometimes longer! Cost Saver: A Surprise Package mitigates 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 $20-$40 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 may arrive in time for Christmas but we cannot guarantee it AND you should assume they will NOT arrive in time for Christmas. Please spread the word and place those orders as soon as you can. Ho, ho, ho and happy holidays.


– 2024 Shipping Note: Please make sure your address is complete and correct! As always, at Palladium, we will be working overtime and doing 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.

Notebook and Pen Sets

NEW – 3 Notebook & Pen Sets

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or a fun practical gift, we have three for you.

NEW! Rifts® Unleash Your Imagination Blue Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2618 – available now.

NEW! Palladium Books® Live the Fantasy Black Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2619 – available now.

New! Heroes Unlimited™ Unleash Your Power Red Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2620 – available now.

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

A special thank you to our fans


I want to thank all of you who love and support not just Palladium Books, but me and the Palladium crew. We have gotten numerous emails and Surprise Package comments that are generous, sweet, and heartwarming. Many have offered condolences regarding the passing of my beautiful Kathy Simmons and encourage me to stay the course. There have also been countless holiday greetings, warm wishes, and wonderful stories and comments about how much our games, and my writing in particular, mean to people.


We appreciate every one of these friendly and kind correspondences. It’s beautiful to know how much our games have meant to you, inspired you, and helped so many of you in various and mindboggling ways. Sean and I and the entire Palladium staff see that as a miracle and a blessing. Not many people get to make a difference in this crazy world let alone bring so many people so much joy. If that’s not a miracle, I don’t know what is. For me it’s amazing, humbling, and pure magic – a wondrous gift that makes me proud and fills me with joy and more ideas that I want to share with you as RPG books. We have so many new games and sourcebooks planned for you in the years ahead. Some of which you’ll begin to see in 2025.


Many of you are only recently learning about the unexpected death of Kathy Simmons this March (sudden heart attack). She was dear to everyone at Palladium, not just me, so her passing affected everyone deeply. We all appreciate your kind words of condolence and fond memories of her. There is no reason to apologize for only now reaching out to us, because she is on our minds and missed every single day. Besides, your thoughts and prayers are always welcomed anytime and in the future.


I won’t lie to you, losing Kathy was devastating to me, her family, and the guys, but we are getting through it as best we can. Kathy was my life partner and best friend, so her absence this holiday season is rough, but I have amazing friends, like you, to help me through it. To quote the singer Jelly Roll, “I’m not okay, but I’ll be alright.” We all emotionally heal a little bit more every day. Thankfully, Kathy was so sweet and caring that my memories of her are joyful and funny. We made each other laugh all the time. In fact, it’s the little things that make me smile (and miss her) most. But as another dear, departed friend, Erick Wujcik, would always say, “It’s all good.”


I’m mentioning this, because I want you to know that your kind words and support of me, the guys, and Palladium Books not only matter, but are noticed and deeply appreciated. They make a difference in our lives and help us get through difficult days. Thank you, each and every one of you.


Now fire up your imaginations and start a game soon. Don’t forget to snag a Surprise Package or one of our new logo T-shirts, matching mugs, or cool notebook & pen sets. Most importantly, let the people you care about know how much they mean to you. A card, a phone call, an email or text message means more than you may imagine. Otherwise, be silly, be happy, be thankful, and hold the people and things that bring you joy close, especially during the holidays. And know that we appreciate you and wish you the very best from Palladiumville, located south of Christmas Town and across from Halloween Town. Ho, ho, ho.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Friend, and Surrogate Santa

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Every year we like to post a selection of the comments we get from Surprise Package customers. It’s a nice acknowledgement and thank you to them (you know who you are) and you enjoy reading them. I read each and every comment that comes in the Surprise Packages, and they always brighten our day. We all appreciate your kind words, suggestions, and insights. In fact, the idea to do hardcover editions of core rule books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags. We get a lot so we can only 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 your day to day grind and worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season and beyond.


Your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.


– Kevin Siembieda (and the Palladium Crew)

J.J. in San Antonio, Texas, writes: Favorites: Rifts® and Chaos Earth®. Thanks so much for the last Surprise Package. It was so much more than I was expecting.


[You are very welcome, J.J., we aim to please. This is our way of saying thank you to our fans and bringing some Christmas cheer to our gaming community. Happy Holidays. – Kevin]



J.C. in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, writes: I haven’t found a game you guys make that I haven’t enjoyed. I’d have to say my top favorites are a three way tie between Palladium Fantasy, Heroes Unlimited, and Rifts®. Keep making games!


[I love it, J.C., and we will keep making great games for as long as we can. – Kevin]



M.R. in Mission, Kansas, writes: I buy a Christmas Surprise Package every year as a Christmas gift to myself. I have been reading the content for over 20 years. Even though I play other game systems with friends, Palladium’s writing, content, setting, and commitment to a quality product is second to none. Thanks for all you do. Merry Christmas.


[Merry Christmas and happy new year to you, M.R., I hope the Surprise Package makes you smile. We appreciate your support all these years. – Kevin]



S.S. in Bend, Oregon, writes: Thank you again for these Surprise Packages. The Surprise Packages have been a great way for me to rebuild my collection. Cheers.


[The Surprise Package are great for many things, S.S., rebuilding collections, replacing worn out books, trying a new setting, a treat for yourself, and, of course, as gifts for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and any gift-giving occasion. Enjoy and happy holidays. – Kevin]



M.H. in Redondo Beach, California, writes: As a permanent G.M. of Palladium Fantasy for over 30 years, I just love Palladium Books. My old group of buddies are searching for the chalices of Dragonwright as we speak! Looking forward to the future for Fantasy. Hoping for some surprises with future books! Kevin and Sean and the team, you guys rock. Happy holidays!


[Thank you, M.H., we appreciate your kind words. Fear not, we have big plans and cool surprises coming for Palladium Fantasy over the next several years. Bwahaha. Um, I mean, good stuff is coming. Happy holidays. – Kevin]



S.C. in Mesa, Arizona, writes: Favorites: Rifts® and Heroes Unlimited. Thank you all for making such awesome RPGs. Keep up the good work and I look forward to what’s to come.


[Will do, S.C., and we have some amazing stuff that is coming, not the least of which includes Yin-Sloth Expeditions, Rifts® Bestiary Vol. 2, Rifts® Antarctica, and so much more! Merry Christmas and happy new year. – Kevin]



B.W. in Chandler, Arizona, writes (in part): And here we are for Surprise Package #3. Thank you for everything so far. I am far behind in reading everything, but I love getting the new books and flipping through all of the great art and tasting the amazing creativity running through them by reading random bits that catch my interest.


[Welcome back for Grab Bag number three, B.W., glad you’re loving everything being sent your way. We aim to please. – Kevin]



A.W. in Brownville, Texas, writes (in part): I am rebuilding my Rifts® collection from 27 years ago. Rifts® has always been my favorite setting and has influenced my gaming from teenage years. Kevin (and your team), your lore and imagination and tenacity for this industry and what could be, helped to spark mine and has helped me to push my storytelling with friends to amazing places and life long relationships … I can’t imagine my life without RPG’s, and you helped shape this industry then and today.


[A.W., wow, thank you for your generous and humbling words of praise. I love what I do, and I do it with people I love, and it is that passion that takes our games to the next level. We love the world building and role-playing in these games and enjoy pushing the envelope to inspire you and others. Sean and I greatly appreciate your recognition of Palladium’s role in helping to shape the RPG (and videogame) industry with our storytelling, lore, and art. Please keep your imagination burning bright and game on. – Kevin]



S.M.H. in Springfield, Virginia, writes (in part): Favorites: Rifts® and Heroes Unlimited. Totally loving Kevin’s interview series on the Glitterbois podcast and cannot wait for the TMNT Kickstarter to ship.


[S.M.H., we can’t wait to ship the TMNT Kickstarter items either. The Fanroll dice are at the printer, everything else is getting wrapped up. Folks seem to be enjoying all the interview series we are doing: the Glitterbois, Legion of Myth, and the video chats on the Palladium Books YouTube channel. – Kevin]



M.B. in Enoch, Utah, writes: Love what you guys do. Been playing Palladium for years. By far the most immersive system I’ve played. Keep up the good work. Love listening to Kevin on Legion of Myth.


[Thanks, M.B. for the kind words and all the love. That works out well because we love making the games you love. I’m enjoying talking about the creative process and the history of Palladium Books. Game on. – Kevin]



R.O. in Wichita, Kansas, writes (in part): It’s been a pleasure running Rifts® games for years now … I recently had my Rifts Group travel to Chaos Earth and fight the Millenium Bugs from Systems Failure …


[What a great idea, R.O., very cool. That’s the beauty of the Palladium Megaversal system, you can weave and blend anything and everything. I love it. Happy holidays! – Kevin]

5 Thanksgiving Day Sales Start Now – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – November 27, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

BY KEVIN SIEMBIEDA

5 Thanksgiving Day Sales Start Now  – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – November 27, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!


I hope you are all happy, healthy, and able to spend some time relaxing this Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. Or maybe you’ll curl up on the couch and watch your favorite sporting events and/or holiday season movies. If you’re like me, you’ll be doing a bunch of online and in store shopping to get Black Friday and Cyber-Monday deals. Please don’t forget about lil’ ol’ Palladium Books and our five sales, all of which are available to you right now (see details below) and run the whole weekend and into Cyber-Wednesday!


I have a lot for which to be thankful, starting with you, our fans. Thank you for being the greatest fans on the planet. You make our days brighter, fuller, and filled with love. We try to do the same for you, especially during the holiday season, so enjoy the 5 sales detailed below, try not to overeat, and have fun reading the new Surprise Package Comments From Fans Like You at the end of this email. We love ‘em. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us at Palladium Books.

5 Big Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Cyber-Monday Sales available now! Enjoy.

SALE #1 – Palladium’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Cyber-Monday SALE – now thru Wednesday, December 4th – 30% discount


The majority of the following game lines are on sale at big savings, while supplies last. RUE and select hardcovers are also part of the sale. Note: Get much bigger savings but less certainty with the Surprise Package offer (see #2 below).

  • Rifts® Ultimate Edition Hardcover (Cat. No. 800HC) and most Rifts® World Books and sourcebooks all 30% off.

  • Phase World® and most Dimension Books all 30% off (excludes Secrets of the Atlanteans; almost sold out).

  • Rifts® Chaos Earth® RPG Hardcover and sourcebooks all 30% off.

  • Palladium Fantasy RPG® 1st (Cat. No. 449HC) and 2nd Edition (Cat. No. 450HC) Hardcovers and most Fantasy sourcebooks all 30% off (excludes Dragons & Gods; almost sold out).

  • Dead Reign® the Zombie Apocalypse RPG and all sourcebooks 30% off.

  • Nightbane® Hardcover RPG (Cat. No. 730HC) and all sourcebooks 30% off.

  • Heroes Unlimited™ RPG and most sourcebooks all 30% off (excludes Powers Unlimited #1, almost sold out).

  • After the Bomb® RPG and all mutant sourcebooks 30% off. Create mutant animal super-heroes using the After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks for the standalone post-apocalyptic setting or combine it with Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies or TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux editions (coming in 2025), or use them to create animalistic Nightbane or D-Bees in Rifts®, or Frankenstein lab creations for Beyond the Supernatural, or as aliens from other worlds and dimensions for Phase World® or any appropriate setting. Unleash your imagination.

  • Sale runs now thru Wednesday, December 4. Please spread the word.

SALE #2 – Christmas Surprise Package offer now through December 24


The best deal in gaming – $100+ worth of goodies (often more) for $60 (plus shipping). Books are signed if you want them to be. It is just 3 weeks till Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah! Less when you account for the time to process and ship orders, so this weekend and the next are the perfect time to order yours in time for the holidays without having to pay for an express delivery. The Surprise Package Offer ends December 24, 2024.


A great gift for any holiday, birthdays, anniversaries, or a nice treat for yourself (you deserve it!), or a way to try new settings, and fill your collection. After these past four crazy years, you deserve to do something nice for yourself and your gaming pals. The Surprise Package Offer gets you physical game books at PDF prices, and we will sign them if you would like us to. See what other fans are saying in the comment section, below. Enjoy and happy holidays.


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.


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.

SALE #3 – Palladium Fantasy Bundle of Holding – 16 PDF books for about $2.20 each – incredible savings – now thru Monday


$35 gets you $196.50 worth of PDF Fantasy books. This includes the core rule book and 15 other Palladium Fantasy PDF books! Insane savings and a great way to start, or add to, your PDF reference library.


For just $17.95 you get all six PDF titles in this revived offer’s Starter Collection (retail value $71.50) as DRM-free ebooks, including the complete Palladium Fantasy RPG 2E core rulebook, the sourcebooks Mysteries of Magic: Heart of Magic, Monsters and Animals and Dragons & Gods, and the introductory setting sourcebooks The Western Empire and Library of Bletherad.


But if you pay more than the threshold price of $34.96 (at the time of this writing) – you’ll level up and also get the Bonus Collection of 10 more PDF Palladium Fantasy sourcebooks worth an additional $125. Including Wolfen Empire, Eastern Territory, Land of the Damned 1 – Chaos Lands and 2 – Eternal Torment, Mount Nimro, Baalgor Wastelands, Northern Hinterlands, Bizantium and the Northern Islands, Old Ones 2E, and Adventures on the High Seas 2E.


Available now through Black Friday and Cyber-Monday – but order before the holiday rush so you don’t forget! Oh, and most of our other PDF books are on sale at DriveThruRPG (see Sale #4 below).

What’s that? You don’t use the Palladium game system? That’s okay, because you can easily adapt it to any edition of D&D or other fantasy game. The unique character classes, monsters, magic, weapons, magic items, locations, and adventures are easy to adapt and surprise your players with things they are not expecting.


Please tell everyone about the Bundle and help new gamers discover the fun and depth of the Palladium Fantasy setting. Snag one for yourself and then, please, spread the word far and wide.

Sale #4 – DriveThruRPG.com Black Friday-Cyber-Monday sale – now thru Monday


Hundreds of Palladium Books PDF editions are on sale now thru Cyber-Monday – The Rifter, Rifts, Heroes Unlimited, Nightbane, Dead Reign, and many more. Sounds like time to build your digital library for quick, easy searches and reference. And don’t miss out on the Fantasy Bundle of Holding (see Sale #3 above). Happy holidays.

SALE #5 – Kevin’s Toys, Art and Collectibles SALE – now through December 11, 2024


Negatives at half price, plus toys (Star Wars, Marvel and DC superheroes, etc.), Palladium collectibles, and a variety of proofreader copies, hardcover Printer Proofs, and more, all on sale now through December 11. And we are adding new collectibles, negatives, and items through the weekend. Check it out at: http://stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles

Shipping Guidelines – Only 3 weeks to Christmas – order now – Sunday is December 1st

Whether you are buying a Surprise Package or a regular order, if you need it in time for Christmas, please order sooner than later to avoid needing to pay for express service or the package not arriving in time for Christmas. Take comfort in your gifts arriving before December 25 with these key ship-by dates. The closer you get to Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah, the more we recommend UPS as the most reliable method of shipping.

– United States Postal Service: Media Mail – December 9th so order NOW! Media Mail is a low priority mail service so orders placed after December 9th cannot be assured of delivery in time for Christmas; they may or may not. Last year, mail delivery was very good, but we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas when you use Media Mail after December 9th. Moreover, YOU assume ALL risk when you ship via Media Mail. If an order arrives late, goes missing, or is damaged in transit, it will NOT be replaced by Palladium Books.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Ground Advantage – December 17th.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail – December 18th.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail EXPRESS (expensive) – December 19th.


– UPS Ground (anywhere in the contiguous USA) – December 15. Last year, UPS was astonishing in its speed and accuracy of shipping. After that date, all bets are off.


– UPS 3-Day Select – December 17th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS 2nd Day Air – December 18th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS Next Day Air – December 19th (to arrive December 24, Christmas Eve) – Palladium Needs that order submitted by December 19th, so we can pack and ship it December 20th to arrive Monday, Christmas Eve, but please don’t cut it that close or pay such a high price for expedited shipping.


– To our friends in Canada and overseas – December 5 with no guarantee that the package will arrive by Christmas. We suggest ordering no later than December 2, but SOONER is better, and even NOW, we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Your package should arrive in time, but if there are delays at Customs, work strikes, bad weather, etc., it might miss. Order as soon as possible. Note: Right now, we are finding overseas packages are taking 15-30 days to arrive, sometimes longer! Cost Saver: A Surprise Package mitigates 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 $10-$30 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 may arrive in time for Christmas but we cannot guarantee it AND you should assume they will NOT arrive in time for Christmas. Please spread the word and place those orders as soon as you can. Ho, ho, ho and happy holidays.


– 2024 Shipping Note: Please make sure your address is complete and correct! As always, at Palladium, we will be working overtime and doing 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.

FUN! Surprise Package Comments can be found at the end of the Update. Every holiday season, I (Kevin) share a selection of Surprise Package comments from gamers like you. I do so to give a shout out for their (and your) support and because I know many of you enjoy reading them nearly as much as we do. We can’t post them all, but we share as many as we can. They are located at the end of each Weekly Update.

TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux Pre-Order Store

News! TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store. There is now a link on the front page of the Palladium website to the TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store (as well as below). Please note that these products will not ship until 2025. The advantage to placing your pre-order before March, 2025, is that you will get the items at the lower Kickstarter price. For example, you save $10 on each of the two color cover volumes of the two main books, because the final retail price will be higher than the current Kickstarter price. Moreover, Sean Owen Roberson has outdone himself on the Redux editions. Clear and concise rules clarifications, new and helpful tables and charts, sweet layout, gorgeous color art, and so much more.

News! TMNT & Other Strangeness Backers who have not yet filled out the Backerkit fulfillment survey with your ship to addresses, etc., please do so. There are a few hundred of you who have not done it yet and you cannot receive your pledge rewards unless you have filled it out. We fear some of you may have had our many reminders blocked by filters. Click here to take care of it now!

News! Rifts® for Savage Worlds: Europa Kickstarter by Pinnacle Entertainment is in full swing! Even if you don’t use the Savage Worlds game system you may want to check it out. Why? Because it fills in the blanks about Rifts® Europe (Italy, Germany, France, England, Scandinavia, etc.) as of 109 PA. This is ALL “official” world and source material authorized and approved by Palladium Books (specifically Sean Roberson and Kevin Siembieda). Which means you can easily adapt the world information, gear, maps, adventures, and more into your Palladium Rifts campaign or start a new one. Learn more by clicking the link below to see the Rifts® Europa Kickstarter preview page. Game on and enjoy.

History of Palladium Books on YouTube

News! Palladium Books® YouTube Channel offers the Official History of Palladium Books – Here’s what’s coming:

  • November 21 – The Mechanoid Trilogy

  • December 5 – Palladium’s Weapons & Armor series

  • December 19 – Palladium Fantasy RPG


A new episode goes up every other week with the occasional bonus episode in between. Many more chats are coming. Each one a friendly and candid conversation that people are loving. J-M Defoggi and I, Kevin Siembieda, reveal the origins and inside story behind the creation of your favorite Palladium role-playing games and sourcebooks. Presented in rough chronological order.

News! Glitterbois podcasts are offering a series of conversations about the origins of, and thought process behind, Palladium’s many game lines and specific books. These podcasts always cover additional details and memories about the games and Palladium’s history. More fun times.

News! What’s hot at Palladium this week – Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® remain sizzling hot and Fantasy has gotten even hotter with the Palladium Fantasy 2nd Edition Bundle of Holding super-sale happening through Cyber-Monday. Thank you for your support and keep the orders coming. Remember to order your Christmas Surprise Package in time for the holidays.

Notebook and Pen Sets

NEW – 3 Notebook & Pen Sets

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or a fun practical gift, we have three for you.

NEW! Rifts® Unleash Your Imagination Blue Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2618 – available now.

NEW! Palladium Books® Live the Fantasy Black Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2619 – available now.

New! Heroes Unlimited™ Unleash Your Power Red Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2620 – available now.

Palladium Fantasy Bundle of Holding

NEW! 2 Palladium Fantasy 2E – Second Edition (current rules) Bundle of Holding – for epic fantasy adventures – available now

The Palladium Fantasy RPG® 2nd Edition Bundle of Holding was such a smash hit in 2022 that Allen Varney is bringing it back with a couple extra books added for good measure. And just in time for the holidays. A great way to build your PDF library on the cheap, we recommend you get both the Starter and the Bonus Collections, because you will never get these titles at a better discount than this! The Palladium Fantasy Bundle is available now and runs through Black Friday and Cyber-Monday – but order before the holiday rush so you don’t forget!


For those of you new to the Bundles of Holding, you get huge savings on these PDF titles whenever you “buy in.” However, the biggest savings are during the first couple weeks of the offer. Ah, but a Bundle of Holding is always a big bargain no matter when you buy in, even on the last day!


What’s that? You don’t use the Palladium game system? That’s okay, because you can easily adapt it to any edition of D&D or other fantasy game. The unique character classes, monsters, magic, weapons, magic items, locations, and adventures are easy to adapt and surprise your players with things they are not expecting.


Please tell everyone about the Bundles and help new gamers discover the fun and depth of the Palladium Fantasy setting. Snag one for yourself and then, please, spread the word far and wide.


Everything you need to launch a sprawling campaign using the current 2nd Edition FRPG rules. Hundreds of spells, human and inhuman player characters, magic items, monsters, heroes, 100,000 years of history in a unique world, and adventures galore all presented with Palladium’s trademark depth of story.


https://bundleofholding.com/presents/2024Palladium2E


2E STARTER Collection (US $17.95 – total retail value $71.50)

  • Palladium Fantasy RPG®, 2nd Edition ($13.50)

  • Dragons & Gods ($12.50)

  • Monsters & Animals ($12.50)

  • Mysteries of Magic 1: The Heart of Magic ($9)

  • The Western Empire ($13)

  • Library of Bletherad ($11; epic source for adventure)

Total PDF retail value of $71.50, all for only $17.95!


2E BONUS Collection (threshold starts at US $32.95 – retail $125 more for a total of $196.50!):

Gets you everything in the Starter Collection plus PDFs of …

  • Old Ones 2E ($12.50)

  • Adventures on the High Seas 2E ($12.50)

  • Wolfen Empire ($11)

  • Eastern Territory ($13)

  • Land of the Damned 1 – Chaos Lands ($13)

  • Land of the Damned 2 – Eternal Torment ($13)

  • Mount Nimro ($11)

  • Baalgor Wastelands ($13)

  • Northern Hinterlands ($13)

  • Bizantium and the Northern Islands ($13)

If you have never played Palladium Fantasy® 2nd Edition, it is epic, and the Starter and Bonus Collections give you plenty to get rolling. Also easily adaptable to D&D and other fantasy settings.


If you are a long time Palladium Fantasy® fan, you get the Second Edition RPG and other “core” books to have available as a digital reference for your current games. Build your PDF reference library on the cheap via the Bundle of Holding. And the sooner the better, because as more people buy, the price goes up, but it’s always an exceptional bargain.


The Palladium Fantasy 2E Bundle will END on December 2, 2024 at 11 PM Pacific Time – don’t miss out on this limited time offer!


Again, please spread the word and tell everybody about these PDF bundles. All PDF bundles are hosted in association with OneBookShelf, DriveThruRPG’s parent company, and you get your PDF bundle added directly into your DriveThruRPG library. What? You don’t have a DriveThruRPG account yet? No worries, they are FREE and very easy to set up.

Xmas Grab Bags are back!

Christmas Surprise Package – Now Shipping – 3 weeks till Christmas – offer ENDS Christmas Eve, 2024

When you factor the time it takes for you to place an order and for Palladium to process, pack and ship it, you really only have about 2 ½ weeks to order and ship in time for Christmas without having to pay rush fees. So don’t delay, order today and ship via Media Mail or Ground Advantage while you have the time.


The Surprise Package offers huge savings, surprises, and autographs (if you request them) that thrill the purchaser. This is the 26th year we are offering this fan favorite Christmas season bargain because we love doing it as much as you love getting them.


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 is a way for you to get physical books (and autographs if you want them) at PDF prices! $100+ worth of Palladium products for only $60 (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.


No other RPG company on the planet has an offer like this. Truly the best deal in gaming to get unique and special holiday gifts for the gamers in your life, or for yourself.


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®, Beyond the Supernatural, Rifts®, RECON, 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’s a surprise. Plus, Surrogate Santa Kevin, who personally hand-picks every item for every Grab Bag, 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), 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, including 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 $100+ worth of product. Yes, often more, for only $60 plus shipping. 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. Only from PalladiumBooks.com – happy holidays. PLEASE spread the word about this great offer. Note: Search online for Palladium Surprise Package box opening videos to get an idea of what you can expect to receive. I know the Legion of Myth, among others, has such videos.


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 $110 (often more) worth of product and only paying $60 plus shipping. Shipping via Priority Mail International (required for packages weighing more than four pounds) to most locations in Europe, Canada and many other countries is around $70-80 US dollars. HOWEVER, because the cost of the product is so low, that’s the equivalent of paying retail for the products and only $20-$40 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. Only from PalladiumBooks.com – happy holidays.

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Being Joyful and Thankful


Don’t let politics and holiday stress drag you down. This is a great time to take a deep breath and be thankful for what you have. Not just that, but find solace and joy in the people around you and the things that make you smile and happy. (Like Palladium Books! lol)


I miss my beautiful Kathy Simmons and her amazing cooking that beguiled everyone during the holidays. But mostly I miss her sweet voice, her lovely smile, and cheery wit. We joked and teased and laughed a lot, even when times were difficult. She could get me to decompress from the worst day in a matter of minutes. She and our home were my safe haven. My happy place. Even though all those cherished things are now missing, I’m super-thankful to have had them for so many years. I have thousands (millions?) of glorious memories – some make me smile, others make me laugh out loud, while others make me cry. The tears come, not because they are sad memories – no they are sweet memories – but because there are no new memories to be made together. Still I’m thankful for the wonderful time we shared. Funny, it’s all the little things, the sweet moments and quiet time together that seem to be most important now. We faced some of our worst nightmares together and still found ways to laugh and be joyful in each other’s company.


So please, tell the people you love – your friends and family and fellow gamers – how much they mean to you. Tell them how they are special and matter. That they are loved and appreciated and are the most important thing in the whole wide world. I’m glad Kathy knew that, because one minute she was there, and the next, she was gone.


Tell them and be thankful to have them, because even one great friend is of immeasurable value. And if you have more than one great friend and a loving family, you are rich beyond measure. The rest is all just the frosting on the cake.


Me? I’m rich beyond measure. Not only do I have friends who I consider to be amongst the most amazing people on Earth, but I have the greatest fans, a great business partner, and a job I love. Thank you, one and all, for being part of my incredible life and everchanging Megaverse. Enjoy your life and all its wonders. Happy Thanksgiving.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Friend, and Surrogate Santa

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Every year we like to post a selection of the comments we get from Surprise Package customers. It’s a nice acknowledgement and thank you to them (you know who you are) and you enjoy reading them. I read each and every comment that comes in the Surprise Packages, and they always brighten our day. We all appreciate your kind words, suggestions, and insights. In fact, the idea to do hardcover editions of core rule books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags. We get a lot so we can only 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 your day to day grind and worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season and beyond.


Your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.


– Kevin Siembieda (and the Palladium Crew)

R.H. in Tonawanda, New York, writes: Always need to do a second one [Surprise Package]. Thank you again for providing this fantastic deal!


[You are very welcome R.H., but why stop at two? Just saying. Happy Holidays. – Kevin]



M.A. in Wasco, California, writes: Love you guys! Grateful for anything you can send me in my list. Thank you very much, Kevin, for the Deluxe books I ordered a week ago, beautiful.


[M.A., we love you too – you and all our wonderful fans. We try to make all our books top notch, but some, like the TMNT & Other Strangeness books coming in 2025, are extra special and exceed even our expectations. We cannot wait to put them in your hands next spring. Enjoy and happy holidays. – Kevin]



C.P. in Rapid City, South Dakota, writes (in part): Long time Rifts® fan, but I’m getting more and more into horror gaming. I would love to delve into Beyond the Supernatural and Nightbane … please load me up with the essentials for those lines as I love Palladium Stuff and would like to start exploring those lines. Happy Holidays and New Year, all. I love you guys.


[Hey C.P., I’m loving all the love in these Grab Bag comment sections. We love you all too or we wouldn’t offer the Surprise Package deal. Palladium Fans are the world’s greatest and we appreciate you all more than you may ever realize. Happy holidays and here’s to an extraordinary New Year. Game on! – Kevin]



J.A. in Eagle Point, Oregon, writes: I am glad to see this [Surprise Package offer] return for another year, it makes me happy to see Palladium doing well. I am extremely excited for the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux editions. I backed it and am eagerly awaiting both the Red, White and Black editions and the regular editions. Thank you so much for all you and the crew do for the gaming community. My condolences on your loss, it was a shock to us all that follow and support Palladium. I am happy that you continue to see the light and good in everything around you. Keep up the work and game.


[Hi J.A., I appreciate your sincere and heartfelt comments. You will love both editions of the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux. We’re always happy to do the Surprise Package offer again to bring a little extra joy to our fellow gamers around the world.


Kathy Simmons’ sudden death was a shock to us all. Thank you for your condolences. Losing her made this year a strange and bittersweet one, and something of a blur. But we have all pushed forward as best we can just as Kathy would want us to do. She loved me and Palladium Books, and our fans, so much. Doing the Surprise Package offer these many years and reading all the comments from the sweet and kind ones like this one, to the serious and the silly ones, and everything in between, made the holiday season a special time for me and Kathy. A shared time and experience for us both. Kathy, like me, would read every single comment. She would point out the ones that touched her heart or made her laugh, or needed special attention, as well as point out regular customers and friends. I’m grateful to have had so many wonderful Christmas seasons with her – and with all of you. The tradition must go on! Happy Holidays and tell those you love how much they mean to you, especially during the holidays. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. – Kevin]



J.H. in Vancouver, Washington, writes: Hi, I’m back again. The last box I got was too good and I had to get another one. Thanks again guys. Have a good one.


[Welcome back, J.H., get as many Surprise Packages as your heart desires. – Kevin]



C.H.K. in Casselberry, Florida, writes (in part): Special wants: Hell Followed because Alex Marciniszyn says it’s fun. I say, I want to try that! … role-playing helps me live a positive life and my favorite, most caring company of all is you guys, Palladium Books. I look forward to more Legion of Myth interviews, so I have more Palladium goodness to share with my friends … Take care and BE THE LIGHT!


[Yes, C.H.K., be the light! I love it. We all need to focus more on the positive, and deal with the negative as best we can. When you appreciate the beauty, people, and good things that bring you joy, you are happy and feel lighter. Life is too short and precious to do otherwise. Your comments and kind words made us all smile, as did the wonderful surprise prize package you sent to us in the mail. We were all like, what the heck? Thank you, so much. This is just one example of why I always say Palladium fans are the world’s greatest and a welcomed part of our extended family. Whatever Alex tells you, it must be true, and he’s right, Hell Followed is epic and fun. From what I can see, I’d say you’re doing a good job at being the light. Keep it up. With sincere respect and appreciation – Kevin and Crew]



A.K. in Corbin, Kentucky, writes: An update on Tomes Grotesque if possible. Beyond the Supernatural is my favorite game from you guys and I would love additional sourcebooks.


[Hey A.K., you and a few thousand other people. Publishing Tomes Grotesque and Beyond Arcanum some time in 2025 is a personal objective for me and Sean. No promises, but I’ll be doing my best to put them into your hands by this time next year. – Kevin]



J.N. in Springfield, Missouri, writes: Favorites: Palladium Fantasy. Looking forward to purchasing TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux Editions as soon as they release in 2025!


[You will love them, J.N., they are amazing on so many levels. FYI: If you pre-order them before March 2025, you will get them at the Kickstarter price; about a $10 savings for each of the two main books. – Kevin]

W.A.S. in Fairbanks, Alaska, writes: Keep the Rifts® books coming! Looking forward to TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux Kickstarter [items] coming our way. Please make the Savage Worlds Europe a full Rifts® sourcebook in the future. What’s going on with the Lazlo sourcebook? Seems like it fell into limbo.


[Hey, W.A.S., you will love the TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux editions. They are beautiful and remastered. If all goes well, 2025 will offer a number of new releases for Rifts®, Fantasy, and other settings. Rifts City of Lazlo is in a bit of a limbo but far from forgotten. It’s our policy not to talk much about upcoming releases or Palladium’s plans until items are going to print, so you’ll just have to wait to see what the new year has in store for Rifts – Rifts® Bestiary 2 and Rifts® Antarctica are at the top of our list. As for the City State of Lazlo, Rifts Europa, and others, they are on our radar. Happy holidays! – Kevin]



E.A. in Olympia, Washington, writes (in part): I have enjoyed every game setting from Palladium Books, though Rifts® and Heroes Unlimited are most favored. These are rich worlds where we can play anything or anyone in every type of scenario we wish. The character creation process is so much fun, my group and I will even get together for the joy of creating random characters and then crafting back stories for them … I was introduced to Rifts®, Heroes Unlimited, and Palladium Fantasy all at the same time. I was hooked on the system and art. It has been a fantastic journey within these worlds and the people I met and shared time with – lasting friendships. Kevin and Sean are assured to have Palladium Books grow and [continue] the Megaverse®.


[Hi E.A., thank you for the delightful, love-filled note in the comment section. It warms our hearts when we see how much joy our simple games have brought to so many people. I’m thankful and glad to inspire imaginations and help bring laughter and friendship to tables around the world. Talk about humbling (and to my mind, miraculous). Merry Christmas and game on. – Kevin]



D.H. in Troy, Michigan, writes (in part): Thank you Kevin and Crew for doing this every year. This will be my second year ordering. It’s a little Christmas treat for myself. Will you do an Open House next year [2025], I would love to come just to say I was at Palladium Books! Keep up the good work and thank you for years of memories with friends.


[You are very welcome, D.H., it is our pleasure to do these Surprise Packages. No 2025 Open House, but we are considering doing one in 2026. More details when we decide when and where. Meanwhile, you know you can swing by the office any time to get a little tour of the place. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. – Kevin]



B.C. in Spring, Texas, writes (in part): Kevin, I admire how you’ve handled all the tragedy and stress of this year. Strength and health and healing to you … Grateful for the new automated Nightbane excel sheet and hope one is coming for Heroes Unlimited … I’m also loving the Kevin interviews, but I’m now eager for an interviewer to ask about your Game Mastering advice … to foster story and improvisation …


[Thank you for your kind words, B.C. The healing continues every day and my emotional strength and health improves daily. I learned that from Kathy, Erick, and my Mom, all amazing human beings. Legion of Myth has been asking me and Sean all kinds of G.M. and storytelling questions, and you’ll see more in upcoming interviews after we’ve covered Palladium’s long history. Wow, I’ve done a lot. Lol. I loved your suggestions and will keep them in mind. Keep your imagination burning bright. Happy holidays. – Kevin]

Sales, New Products & Fun – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – November 21, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Sales, New Products & Fun – Palladium Books® Weekly Update – November 21, 2024

We are insanely busy with … well, everything! So I’m gonna focus on new products, news, and time sensitive sales! Below are brief summaries, news, and updates, but larger, more detailed descriptions follow.

Notebook and Pen Sets

NEW! Three different Notebook and Pen Sets – Sean and I thought these were cool when we received the sample, so we decided to print several dozen and offer them for the holidays. Well, we had two visitors here at the studio when the attractive notebooks arrived and everyone went crazy over them, including the Palladium staff. At only $9.99 each for a pocket-size (3.5 x 5.5 inch), 80 page, lined notebook and matching pen, you will too. Three choices: Red Heroes Unlimited, Black Palladium Fantasy, and Blue Rifts; but I say get them all. See photos and more details below or click on the link to the store. Available only while supplies last. Based on the reaction of people who see the pen and notepad set, I was a dope and printed what I suspect will be far too few. Get them while you can. A nice stocking stuffer. See more details below.

SALE! Only 11 days left – The Palladium Fantasy PDF Bundle of Holding (16 PDF books) at crazy savings – Get $196.50 worth of PDF Fantasy books for less than $35. This includes the core rule book and 15 other Palladium Fantasy PDF books! Insane savings and a great way to start, or add to, your PDF reference library. What more needs to be said? Spread the word so fans of Fantasy settings, not just Palladium fans, can discover the fun.

SALE! Palladium Surprise Package – best deal in gaming – only 4 weeks till Christmas (see shipping guide below). $105 (often more) in Palladium products for only $60 plus shipping. That’s typically 4-6 books (and/or other items), all signed by Kevin Siembieda and available staff if you request it. Heck you pay that or more for a single core rule book from most companies! So we are talking about big savings and fun. And it’s all based on your Wish List from Surrogate Santa, Kevin. The perfect gift for the holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries at bargain prices, or treat yourself. The Surprise Package is a great way to fill your collection, try new settings and RPGs, and replace battered old books. Don’t limit yourself to just books either, everything in the Palladium store can be considered for your Surprise Package – miniatures, poker decks, art prints, bookmarks, coffee mugs, greeting cards, and other products. See more details by clicking the link below and learn why the Christmas Surprise Package has been a fan favorite for 26 years. No other game company does anything like this so please spread the word. Limited time offer – ENDS Christmas Eve.


A.W. in Mountain Grove, Missouri, had this to say about the holiday deal: “This will be my second Surprise Package this year! The first one arrived so soon after ordering, I wasn’t expecting it. Which makes it one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received … I will definitely be buying a few more of these before the year is out.”

Shipping in time for Christmas – 4 weeks to Christmas – less when you account for shipping. Whether you are buying a Surprise Package or a regular order, if you need it in time for Christmas, please order sooner than later to avoid needing to pay for express service or the package not arriving in time for Christmas. Take comfort in your gifts arriving before December 25 with these key ship-by dates. The closer you get to Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah, the more we recommend UPS as the most reliable method of shipping.


– United States Postal Service: Media Mail – December 9th so order NOW! Media Mail is a low priority mail service so orders placed after December 9th cannot be assured of delivery in time for Christmas; they may or may not. Last year, mail delivery was very good, but we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas when you use Media Mail after December 9th. Moreover, YOU assume ALL risk when you ship via Media Mail. If an order arrives late, goes missing, or is damaged in transit, it will NOT be replaced by Palladium Books.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Ground Advantage – December 17th.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail – December 18th.


– United States Postal Service (in USA): Priority Mail EXPRESS (expensive) – December 19th.


– UPS Ground (anywhere in the contiguous USA) – December 15. Last year, UPS was astonishing in its speed and accuracy of shipping. After that date, all bets are off.


– UPS 3-Day Select – December 17th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS 2nd Day Air – December 18th, but you will pay for expedited shipping.


– UPS Next Day Air – December 19th (to arrive December 24, Christmas Eve) – Palladium Needs that order submitted by December 19th, so we can pack and ship it December 20th to arrive Monday, Christmas Eve, but please don’t cut it that close or pay such a high price for expedited shipping.


– To our friends in Canada and overseas – December 5 with no guarantee that the package will arrive by Christmas. We suggest ordering no later than December 2, but SOONER is better, and even NOW, we cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Your package should arrive in time, but if there are delays at Customs, work strikes, bad weather, etc., it might miss. Order as soon as possible. Note: Right now, we are finding overseas packages are taking 15-30 days to arrive, sometimes longer! Cost Saver: A Surprise Package mitigates 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 $10-$30 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 may arrive in time for Christmas but we cannot guarantee it AND you should assume they will NOT arrive in time for Christmas. Please spread the word and place those orders as soon as you can. Ho, ho, ho and happy holidays.


– 2024 Shipping Note: Please make sure your address is complete and correct! As always, at Palladium, we will be working overtime and doing 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.

FUN! Surprise Package Comments can be found at the end of the Update. Every holiday season, I (Kevin) share a selection of Surprise Package comments from gamers like you. I do so to give a shout out for their (and your) support and because I know many of you enjoy reading them nearly as much as we do. We can’t post them all, but we share as many as we can. They are located at the end of each Weekly Update.

TMNT & Other Strangeness Redux Pre-Order Store

News! TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store. There is now a link on the front page of the Palladium website to the TMNT & Other Strangeness Pre-Order Store (as well as below). Please note that these products will not ship until 2025. The advantage to placing your pre-order before March, 2025, is that you will get the items at the lower Kickstarter price. For example, you save $10 on each of the two color cover volumes of the two main books, because the final retail price will be higher than the current Kickstarter price. Moreover, Sean Owen Roberson has outdone himself on the Redux editions. Clear and concise rules clarifications, new and helpful tables and charts, sweet layout, gorgeous color art, and so much more.

News! TMNT & Other Strangeness Backers who have not yet filled out the Backerkit fulfillment survey with your ship to addresses, etc., please do so. There are a few hundred of you who have not done it yet and you cannot receive your pledge rewards unless you have filled it out. We fear some of you may have had our many reminders blocked by filters. Click here to take care of it now!

News! Rifts® for Savage Worlds: Europa Kickstarter by Pinnacle Entertainment is in full swing! Even if you don’t use the Savage Worlds game system you may want to check it out. Why? Because it fills in the blanks about Rifts® Europe (Italy, Germany, France, England, Scandinavia, etc.) as of 109 PA. This is ALL “official” world and source material authorized and approved by Palladium Books (specifically Sean Roberson and Kevin Siembieda). Which means you can easily adapt the world information, gear, maps, adventures, and more into your Palladium Rifts campaign or start a new one. Learn more by clicking the link below to see the Rifts® Europa Kickstarter preview page. Game on and enjoy.

History of Palladium Books on YouTube

News! Palladium Books® YouTube Channel offers the Official History of Palladium Books – Here’s what’s coming:

  • November 21 – The Mechanoid Trilogy

  • December 5 – Palladium’s Weapons & Armor series

  • December 19 – Palladium Fantasy RPG


A new episode goes up every other week with the occasional bonus episode in between. Many more chats are coming. Each one a friendly and candid conversation that people are loving. J-M Defoggi and I, Kevin Siembieda, reveal the origins and inside story behind the creation of your favorite Palladium role-playing games and sourcebooks. Presented in rough chronological order.

News! Glitterbois podcasts are offering a series of conversations about the origins of, and thought process behind, Palladium’s many game lines and specific books. These podcasts always cover additional details and memories about the games and Palladium’s history. More fun times.

News! What’s hot at Palladium this week – Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy® remain sizzling hot and Fantasy has gotten even hotter with the Palladium Fantasy 2nd Edition Bundle of Holding super-sale happening through Cyber-Monday. Thank you for your support and keep the orders coming. Remember to order your Christmas Surprise Package in time for the holidays.

NEW – 3 Notebook & Pen Sets

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or a fun practical gift, we have three for you.

NEW! Rifts® Unleash Your Imagination Blue Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2618 – available now.

NEW! Palladium Books® Live the Fantasy Black Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2619 – available now.

New! Heroes Unlimited™ Unleash Your Power Red Notebook & Pen Set

  • Black ink pen with comfortable, “soft touch” finish.

  • Matching 80 page, ruled paper notepad with matching color ribbon bookmark.

  • Pocket-size 3 ½ by 5 ½ inches to slip nicely into a back pocket or purse.

  • $9.99 per set – Cat. No. 2620 – available now.

Palladium Fantasy Bundle of Holding

NEW! 2 Palladium Fantasy 2E – Second Edition (current rules) Bundle of Holding – for epic fantasy adventures – available now

The Palladium Fantasy RPG® 2nd Edition Bundle of Holding was such a smash hit in 2022 that Allen Varney is bringing it back with a couple extra books added for good measure. And just in time for the holidays. A great way to build your PDF library on the cheap, we recommend you get both the Starter and the Bonus Collections, because you will never get these titles at a better discount than this! The Palladium Fantasy Bundle is available now and runs through Black Friday and Cyber-Monday – but order before the holiday rush so you don’t forget!


For those of you new to the Bundles of Holding, you get huge savings on these PDF titles whenever you “buy in.” However, the biggest savings are during the first couple weeks of the offer. Ah, but a Bundle of Holding is always a big bargain no matter when you buy in, even on the last day!


What’s that? You don’t use the Palladium game system? That’s okay, because you can easily adapt it to any edition of D&D or other fantasy game. The unique character classes, monsters, magic, weapons, magic items, locations, and adventures are easy to adapt and surprise your players with things they are not expecting.


Please tell everyone about the Bundles and help new gamers discover the fun and depth of the Palladium Fantasy setting. Snag one for yourself and then, please, spread the word far and wide.


Everything you need to launch a sprawling campaign using the current 2nd Edition FRPG rules. Hundreds of spells, human and inhuman player characters, magic items, monsters, heroes, 100,000 years of history in a unique world, and adventures galore all presented with Palladium’s trademark depth of story.


http://bundleofholding.com/presents/2EPalladium


2E STARTER Collection (US $17.95 – total retail value $71.50)

  • Palladium Fantasy RPG®, 2nd Edition ($13.50)

  • Dragons & Gods ($12.50)

  • Monsters & Animals ($12.50)

  • Mysteries of Magic 1: The Heart of Magic ($9)

  • The Western Empire ($13)

  • Library of Bletherad ($11; epic source for adventure)

Total PDF retail value of $71.50, all for only $17.95!


2E BONUS Collection (threshold starts at US $32.95 – retail $125 more for a total of $196.50!):

Gets you everything in the Starter Collection plus PDFs of …

  • Old Ones 2E ($12.50)

  • Adventures on the High Seas 2E ($12.50)

  • Wolfen Empire ($11)

  • Eastern Territory ($13)

  • Land of the Damned 1 – Chaos Lands ($13)

  • Land of the Damned 2 – Eternal Torment ($13)

  • Mount Nimro ($11)

  • Baalgor Wastelands ($13)

  • Northern Hinterlands ($13)

  • Bizantium and the Northern Islands ($13)

If you have never played Palladium Fantasy® 2nd Edition, it is epic, and the Starter and Bonus Collections give you plenty to get rolling. Also easily adaptable to D&D and other fantasy settings.


If you are a long time Palladium Fantasy® fan, you get the Second Edition RPG and other “core” books to have available as a digital reference for your current games. Build your PDF reference library on the cheap via the Bundle of Holding. And the sooner the better, because as more people buy, the price goes up, but it’s always an exceptional bargain.


The Palladium Fantasy 2E Bundle will END on December 2, 2024 at 11 PM Pacific Time – don’t miss out on this limited time offer!


Again, please spread the word and tell everybody about these PDF bundles. All PDF bundles are hosted in association with OneBookShelf, DriveThruRPG’s parent company, and you get your PDF bundle added directly into your DriveThruRPG library. What? You don’t have a DriveThruRPG account yet? No worries, they are FREE and very easy to set up.

Xmas Grab Bags are back!

Christmas Surprise Package – Now Shipping – 4 weeks till Christmas – offer ENDS Christmas Eve, 2024

When you factor the time it takes for you to place an order and for Palladium to process, pack and ship it, you really only have about 3 ½ weeks to order and ship in time for Christmas without having to pay rush fees. So don’t delay, order today and ship via Media Mail or Ground Advantage while you have the time.


The Surprise Package offers huge savings, surprises, and autographs (if you request them) that thrill the purchaser. This is the 26th year we are offering this fan favorite Christmas season bargain because we love doing it as much as you love getting them.


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 is a way for you to get physical books (and autographs if you want them) at PDF prices! $100+ worth of Palladium products for only $60 (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.


No other RPG company on the planet has an offer like this. Truly the best deal in gaming to get unique and special holiday gifts for the gamers in your life, or for yourself.


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®, Beyond the Supernatural, Rifts®, RECON, 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’s a surprise. Plus, Surrogate Santa Kevin, who personally hand-picks every item for every Grab Bag, 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), 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, including 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 $100+ worth of product. Yes, often more, for only $60 plus shipping. 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. Only from PalladiumBooks.com – happy holidays. PLEASE spread the word about this great offer. Note: Search online for Palladium Surprise Package box opening videos to get an idea of what you can expect to receive. I know the Legion of Myth, among others, has such videos.


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 $110 (often more) worth of product and only paying $60 plus shipping. Shipping via Priority Mail International (required for packages weighing more than four pounds) to most locations in Europe, Canada and many other countries is around $70-80 US dollars. HOWEVER, because the cost of the product is so low, that’s the equivalent of paying retail for the products and only $20-$40 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. Only from PalladiumBooks.com – happy holidays.

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Joy and Laughter are Magic


I know so many people who are down right now. Down about the election results. Down about the economy. Down on themselves. I get it. I understand being down. I miss my beautiful Kathy Simmons like crazy. I recently lost another friend and a great human being, Carl Johnson. I miss our weekly calls and his cheery voice. Even though he was fighting a losing battle to stage four cancer throughout his body, he was always positive and cheerful. Like Kathy, he never complained, made me laugh and made my day better just by chatting with me. Astonishing.


I want to be more like Kathy and Carl, bringing joy and laughter into the world daily. Moreover, I read a recent medical article that said joy and laughter are the best medicine, and there are no negative side effects. Amen.


In these challenging and uncertain times. Let us all focus on the things we actually have power over. Forget about politics and our little troubles, and focus on the things we can change for the better. Let us focus on the positive and the things that bring us joy and laughter. Things like running an RPG game or campaign, or any game, or reading a good book or comic book, or taking a walk, or calling a loved one. There are some movies coming out that sound really good: Gladiator 2 and Wicked both come out this week, and Moana II next weekend. A couple of friends have told me that Red One, in theaters now, is a great movie. I’m going to see one of them this weekend.


Focus on the good things in life. For me that’s friends, family, gaming, art, movies, and comic books among other things – all of which bring me joy, laughter, and closer to my friends and loved ones. Be joyful. Not just because ‘tis the season, but because being thankful, joyful and full of laughter is what makes life worth living. I, for one, refuse to live in dread, fear, and depression. I’m going to love and have fun with the people I care about, create and be silly to my last breath. I invite you to join me.


So see a movie, stock up on RPGs and sourcebooks via the Surprise Package offer, the Palladium Fantasy Bundle of Holding, and other sales that tickle your fancy, find your joy and hold onto it. And thank you for being part of my joy. Doing the Surprise Packages and reading your comments brings me joy. Knowing you enjoy our games so much and find so much fun and inspiration from them, brings us all joy. Thank you.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Friend, and Surrogate Santa

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Every year we like to post a selection of the comments we get from Surprise Package customers. It’s a nice acknowledgement and thank you to them (you know who you are) and you enjoy reading them. I read each and every comment that comes in the Surprise Packages, and they always brighten our day. We all appreciate your kind words, suggestions, and insights. In fact, the idea to do hardcover editions of core rule books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags. We get a lot so we can only 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 your day to day grind and worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season and beyond.


Your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.


– Kevin Siembieda (and the Palladium Crew)

C.O. in Chicago, Illinois, writes: Thank you so much for the Christmas Surprise Package I received. I was so excited I couldn’t wait to order another one.


[Beautiful, C.O., that’s our goal – to put a smile on your face and make you super-excited about gaming and the holidays. Merry Christmas! Ho, ho, ho – Kevin]



J.B. in Anchorage, Alaska, writes: I love Palladium Books! So happy to see more campaigns on Kickstarter and future projects. Much love and appreciation from Alaska.


[Right back at you J.B., much love and appreciation from Michigan to you and all our fans. If we can pull off all our plans for next year, you’re gonna be over the moon in 2025. Stay warm and game on. – Kevin]



J.T. in Longwood, Florida, writes: Hey Kevin! Been collecting and playing Palladium since the early nineties. Been getting these Surprise Packages for about 10 years. I have an ongoing Minion War campaign, so that Megaverse [in Flames] gold looks mighty sweet … really looking forward to the Antarctica release.


[Thanks for the decades of support, J.T., you’re gonna love Rifts® Antarctica next year. Game on. – Kevin]



J.H. in Vancouver, Washington, writes (in part): I recently started running Rifts®. I do sandbox style so there’s always something I need. My players right now are talking about heading out west away from Chi-Town … I love the work you guys have done over the years and firmly believe it’s one of the best systems out there. I’ve played for years …


[The western frontier is one of my favorite settings, J.H., so I think your players will enjoy adventuring there. Believe! We appreciate your kind words and praise. Happy trails. – Kevin]



D.C. in Northport, Alabama, writes: This will be my second Grab Bag and they are great, thank you so much. Favorites: Ninjas & Superspies, Rifts®, all of them.


[Hey D.C., I think you’ll like this one just as much as the first. Please feel free to purchase as many as you would like. Keep your imagination burning bright. – Kevin]



K.L. in Plymouth, Indiana, writes: I have been collecting Rifts® books since I was a kid growing up in Lansing, Michigan, buying them from the Abyss comic store. Despite having never actually played a game of Rifts®, because I’ve never found a group to play with in person. I’ve always loved the amazing art and the system’s flexibility in being able to do any kind of genre. These books have always brought me a lot of joy and always set off my imagination.


[You’re not the only one who enjoys reading our books, K.L. Still, it’s too bad you’ve never been able to find a local player group for the full experience. I think you’ll enjoy your Surprise Package. – Kevin]



J.H. in Draper, Utah, writes: My all-time favorite games are Rifts® followed closely by Heroes Unlimited. It has been a while since I have played anything but I am gearing up to start a campaign again. What I love most about the product is even after all this time, the game is the same. Not like other game companies that come out with new version after new version.


[Welcome back to running an RPG campaign again, J.H. Don’t overthink it and have fun. I hope your campaign is a blast for all involved. – Kevin]



L.B. Jr. in Modesto, California, writes (in part): Another year has come! I love the Christmas Surprise Package offer, and have gotten it every year! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and a blessed New Year. My end goal is to have all of your books, and every year I get a little closer. I absolutely can’t wait for Psychic Scream. That is one I’ve been wanting badly.


[Hi L.B., I’m glad you enjoy our games so much. Using the Surprise Package to build your collection at a discount is smart, glad we can help. Psychic Scream is not forgotten. – Kevin]

Palladium Books® Weekly Update – November 7, 2024

Written by pb_addy on . Posted in Weekly Updates.

Weekly Update

ONE GAME SYSTEM – EVERY GENRE – COUNTLESS WORLDS – ENDLESS ADVENTURE

Palladium Books® Weekly Update

November 7, 2024

I hope everyone experienced a happy and fun Halloween. Time sure flies because now we’re all thinking about Thanksgiving/Black Friday (only 3 weeks away!) and Christmas, a mere 6 and a half weeks away. Yikes. So get those Surprise Package orders in as soon as possible to avoid the holiday rush. Mail and shipping gets crazy and slows down after Black Friday.


Hundreds of you enjoyed the recent DriveThruRPG.com Halloween Horror Sale and have also been snapping up the digital Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet which people are enjoying. Its timely release has also reminded gamers about the Rifts® and Palladium Fantasy Interactive Character Sheets and Fantasy NPC Sheet. See more details on DriveThruRPG.

6 Weeks til Christmas – The Palladium Christmas Surprise Package – $100+ in product for $60 plus shipping – available now! This weekend saw a sharp increase in Surprise Package orders. It’s smart to order early because you beat the Christmas rush and it gives you the opportunity to order additional surprise Packages over the coming months and spread out the cost. As always, gamers are loving their Surprise Package. Here is one customer’s comment:


A.W. in Mountain Grove, Missouri, had this to say (in part): “This will be my second Surprise Package this year! The first one arrived so soon after ordering, I wasn’t expecting it. Which makes it one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received … I will definitely be buying a few more of these before the year is out.”


A typical Surprise Package nets you 4-6 books (and/or other items). Kevin Siembieda and available staff are happy to sign your books if you request it. That’s 4-6 books for what you pay for a single core rule book from most companies! So we are talking about big savings and fun.


Remember, the Surprise Package is the perfect gamer gift for the holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries; something special at a low price! Or treat yourself to RPGs and sourcebooks you’ve been meaning to try, or replace battered old books. Don’t limit yourself to just books either, everything in the Palladium store can be considered for your Surprise Package – miniatures, poker decks, art prints, bookmarks, coffee mugs, greeting cards, and other products. See more details by clicking the link below and learn why the Christmas Surprise Package has been a fan favorite for 26 years. No other game company does anything like this. Limited time offer.

FUN! Surprise Package Comments can be found at the end of the Update. Every holiday season I (Kevin) share a selection of Surprise Package comments from gamers like you. I do so to give a shout out for their (and your) support and because I know many of you enjoy reading them nearly as much as we do. We can’t post them all, but we share as many as we can. They are located at the end of each Weekly Update.

History of Palladium Books on YouTube

News! Palladium Books® YouTube Channel offers the Official History of Palladium Books. A bonus episode went up last Thursday talking about how the Christmas Surprise Package offer came into being and became a holiday tradition that makes gamers worldwide smile like children on Christmas morning. Many many more chats are coming every other week. Each one a friendly and candid conversation that people are loving. J-M Defoggi and I, Kevin Siembieda, reveal the origins and inside scoop behind the creation of your favorite Palladium role-playing games and sourcebooks. Presented in rough chronological order.


I’m having a blast and love that you folks are loving these chats. I think we have finished recording around 30 or so episodes. Watch for a new one every other week. In the future we’ll be delving into tales of the Defilers and interviews with notable Palladium Books creators like Sean Owen Roberson, Matthew Clements, Matthew Balent, Ramon K. Perez, Freddie E. Williams II, and others. Please offer suggestions about topics of discussion for our future consideration. Thank you.

News! Glitterbois podcasts – Rifts® Part Two was energetic and fun. It should be getting posted any time now (if not available already). I love doing these chats and you all seem to be loving them, too.

SPECIAL Event! Legion of Myth – 24 hours of gaming fun to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project – Veterans Day, November 11, 2024 – ALL proceeds go to the Project. Palladium’s very own Sean Owen Roberson will be part of this annual charity event for the second year in a row. This time he’ll be playing a 5 hour game of Paranoia with HeathenDog and a few other players starting at noon Eastern Time. Hey, if you ask me, it’s worth a few bucks just to keep Max Liao and HeathenDog up for 24 hours straight. Support our veterans and enjoy some gaming fun and silliness at the same time.


**Special Note: Howdy rifters, this is Sean. Some of you may not know, but I served in the US military and experienced first hand the sacrifices that so many men and women in uniform make for their country. Because of this, I do my best to support veterans, first responders, and their families whenever possible. This year is something more lighthearted — I’ve never played Paranoia, but I hear it’s crazy fun. So if you have time, please tune in and support the cause.  Thanks again for all of your support!**

News! Legion of Myth chats about magic and super powers – Last Sunday, Sean and I had a 4+ hour marathon chat with the two maniacs at Legion of Myth about using magic, superpowers, and psionics in various Palladium RPG settings. This episode and the How to Run a Halloween Horror One-Shot episode offer a lot to Game Masters. That is especially true of the Horror chat, which I thought offered outstanding tips and advice applicable to RPG campaigns as well as one-shot adventures. Sean and I are happy to share our insights about gaming and offer tips to players and Game Masters alike. Check out all our chats.

News! What’s hot at Palladium this week – Palladium Fantasy® is still sizzling hot and we’re about to make it even hotter next week. Meanwhile, Rifts® always remains strong, but we are seeing Chaos Earth®, Heroes Unlimited, and Nightbane® are picking up steam. Thank you for your support and keep the orders coming.

Rifts for Savage Worlds: Europa Kickstarter

News! Coming November 12, 2024 – Rifts® for Savage Worlds: Europa Kickstarter by Pinnacle Entertainment – Even if you don’t use the Savage Worlds game system you may want to check it out. Why? Because it fills in the blanks about Rifts® Europe (Italy, Germany, France, England, etc.) as of 109 PA. This is ALL “official” world and source material authorized and approved by Palladium Books (specifically Sean Roberson and Kevin Siembieda). Which means you can easily adapt the world information, gear, maps, adventures, and more into your Palladium Rifts campaign or start a new one. Learn more by clicking the link below to see the Rifts® Europa Kickstarter preview page. Game on and enjoy.

Xmas Grab Bags are back!

Christmas Surprise Package – Now Shipping

6 weeks till Christmas

When you factor the time it takes for you to place an order and for Palladium to process, pack and ship it, you really only have about 5-5½ weeks to order and ship in time for Christmas without having to pay rush fees. So don’t delay, order today and ship via Media Mail or Ground Advantage while you have the time.


The Surprise Package offers huge savings, surprises, and autographs (if you request them) that thrill the purchaser. This is the 26th year we are offering this fan favorite Christmas season bargain because we love doing it as much as you love getting them.


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 is a way for you to get physical books (and autographs if you want them) at PDF prices! $100+ worth of Palladium products for only $60 (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.


No other RPG company on the planet has an offer like this. Truly the best deal in gaming to get unique and special holiday gifts for the gamers in your life, or for yourself.


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®, Beyond the Supernatural, Rifts®, RECON, 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’s a surprise. Plus, Surrogate Santa Kevin, who personally hand-picks every item for every Grab Bag, 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), 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, including 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 $100+ worth of product. Yes, often more, for only $60 plus shipping. 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. Only from PalladiumBooks.com – happy holidays. PLEASE spread the word about this great offer. Note: Search online for Palladium Surprise Package box opening videos to get an idea of what you can expect to receive. I know the Legion of Myth, among others, has such videos.


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 $110 (often more) worth of product and only paying $60 plus shipping. Shipping via Priority Mail International (required for packages weighing more than four pounds) to most locations in Europe, Canada and many other countries is around $70-80 US dollars. HOWEVER, because the cost of the product is so low, that’s the equivalent of paying retail for the products and only $20-$40 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. Only from PalladiumBooks.com – happy holidays.

GiveSendGo Fundraising for BRIC needs our help

Some of you have supported this good cause before. It is a charity close to the heart of me and Sean, and every dollar goes direct to the people who need it, which makes a HUGE difference in saving lives in the Congo. Even a small donation is greatly appreciated, so please give if you can. Thank you so very much for your past financial support of RIGHT’s efforts to feed and protect the people rescued and sustained by the lifesaving BRIC project.


Through your donations, BRIC has been able to install an armored security gate, build enclosure walls, construct a building for offices and classrooms, and an enlarge a stage where students perform the creative, self-help exercises learned through BRIC seminars, as well as music and dance performances that inform and uplift the community. Most recently, they have built a small structure with a toilet and shower, as well as installed basic electricity to the compound. All of this is in addition to rescuing and rehabilitating those once forced into service as child soldiers and worse by rogue warlords and bandits.


These life sustaining improvements could not happen without your prayers and financial assistance since 2022, but our crusade to save and improve the lives of the people in the region is far from complete.


Feuding rebel warlords dangerously close to the homes of the people of Goma continue to control many roads, disrupt and block food supply lines, and harass the people. This has forced many citizens of Goma to turn to BRIC for help. Without that help, they must resort to foraging for food in the rebel-filled forest where they risk their lives or capture. Children left alone while parents forage for food are at great risk of being kidnapped and trafficked. BRIC allows fathers and mothers to drop their children at the enclosure. At this safe haven the children are fed with limited supplies of food, given school lessons, and provided other help as needed.


The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. People are displaced, starving, and homeless. Making safe havens like BRIC necessary for survival. Please join me (Kevin Siembieda) and Sean Owen Roberson by helping in any way you can. Your donations, small or large, will save lives. Thank you.

AVAILABLE NOW!

Yin-Sloth Jungles cover

BACK IN STOCK!

Yin-Sloth Jungles, 2nd Edition, Revised and Expanded!


The Yin-Sloth Jungles™ is a savage and unexplored wilderness filled with exotic people, strange creatures, ancient ruins, dark gods, and ancient secrets waiting to be unearthed.


– 15 O.C.C.s, all updated and expanded, making them seem brand new: Beastmaster, Holy Crusader, Jungle Fighter, Man-Catcher, the unique Tezcat and Pygmy Shamans, Spy, Undead Hunter, and Witch Hunter, among others.

– 18 Jungle People and monsters updated and expanded to feel like new, plus a few additions.

– New and expanded Shaman Chant magic.

– New and unique Pygmy Shaman Chant magic.

– New and expanded history of the Yin-Sloth Jungles.

– Expanded and clarified weapons, jungle armor, poisons, & more.

– The Orcish Empire and a few notable cities.

– Filled with great artwork by Peterson (ROG) and Mike Mumah.

– Written by Kevin Siembieda, John Klinkel, and Patrick Nowak.

– 160 pages – $24.99 retail – Cat. No. 459 – available now.

– COMING SOON! Yin-Sloth Expeditions setting and adventure book.

Now on DriveThruRPG!

NEW! Yin-Sloth Jungles, 2nd Edition Revised and Expanded PDF on DriveThruRPG.com


Yin-Sloth Jungles, 2nd Edition is now available as a PDF book on DriveThruRPG.com – and so is the original 1st Edition book. Get one or both to compare or have in your PDF reference library.

NEW! Nightbane® Automated Character Sheet


Now available on DriveThruRPG.com – The Nightbane Automated Character Sheet follows a similar format as the popular Rifts® Automated Character Sheet designed by Greg Diaczyk.

  • Microsoft Excel-based system for creating, updating, and tracking your Nightbane RPG characters quickly and easily. Once you know the system, you can have characters up and ready in 10-15 minutes!

  • Create your human Facade and Nightbane Morphus in minutes.

  • Offers a vast range of Morphus choices.

  • Select from scores of Common and Elite Nightbane Talents.

  • Spells, psionics, and more.

  • $5.00 – Available now on DriveThruRPG.com and coming soon on PalladiumBooks.com – Created by Greg Diaczyk.

300+ RPG products on DriveThru – a dozen unique world settings – one game system – endless possibilities. No other game company offers game worlds for so many different genres. Best of all, learn to 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!


In addition to PDF titles for entire game lines like Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, Ninjas & Superspies™, After the Bomb®, Beyond the Supernatural™, Dead Reign® (zombies), Nightbane® (Urban Fantasy), Rifts Chaos Earth®, Systems Failure™, Splicers®, RECON®, The Rifter® #1-85, and others, there are Game Master and player aids, character generators, paper minis, map packs, and FREE Previews of books like Creature Feature™, Dead Reign, Coalition Manhunters, Titan Robotics™, Rifts Bestiary Volume One, World Books, Dimension Books, and more to give you a glimpse of what’s in the book. Enjoy endless adventures across the Megaverse®.

Palladium Collectibles – at Kevin’s Online Toy & Collectibles eBay Store

I am adding new collectibles of all kinds to my Ebay store in time for the holiday season. Some are Palladium negatives, rare and out of print books, original Palladium artwork, prints, posters, as well as other collectible toys, action figures, Nightmare Before Christmas items, one-of-a-kind proofreader copies, books, and other good stuff – including Erick Wujcik’s rare and sought after Amberzine #12-15. Check in every week or so to see what’s new. All items come from Kevin Siembieda’s personal collection.


One-of-a-kind Palladium Books negatives (special and rare collectibles). Negatives are always very popular items at the Palladium Open House, Gen Con, and conventions, and are catching on as rare collectibles, unique in and of themselves. Before digital printing, pages of a book were laid out by hand on a board, and each page was photographed.

  • Each negative is truly unique, attractive, and fun to have.

  • Own a piece of Palladium Books and RPG history you will treasure.

  • Each was used to print the very book you may have in your collection (1981-2004).

  • Each is signed in silver ink by Kevin Siembieda and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

  • Each negative is a one-of-a-kind work of art (on rare occasions, two-of-a-kind if a page or section of pages were replaced or a second edition was made).

  • Looks great matted or framed! Fits an 8×10 inch matt opening. Each neg is roughly 8 ½ x 11 inches.

  • Prices vary depending on the title, the art, and quality of the negative. Note: Many have scratches, or blemishes, and/or an opaque medium on the negative. Still, they look great and are a piece of RPG history. We recommend you carefully examine the photographs of each item to avoid disappointment. The negatives of many books are sold out or were never available.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Please don’t despair


Hmmm, it seems like people are either delighted or in despair over the election results.The media and the political ads have whipped many people into a frenzy or blind panic. Keep your heads, stay frosty, and don’t jump to any conclusions.Wait and see what unfolds and think positive. I, for one, believe in us – all of us – the American people (and especially gamers!) regardless of our political affiliations, gender, income, or color of our skin.


Find a way to get your footing back by taking a step away from politics and the Doomsdaysayers. Take a nice walk in nature or go to some special event. Lose yourself in a good game, book, comic book, movie, streaming, or a fun video. (Dare I say one of Palladium’s, the Glittterbois, or Legion of Myth videos?) And whatever you do, please don’t let fear and divisiveness ruin your holidays. Find solace and sanctuary in prayer and/or meditation and remember, we all have more in common than differences. Find laughter and joy wherever you can and hold on to it.


I went to my High School 50th Anniversary last Saturday. School was not a great experience for me. Being a nerd, gamer, and comic book creator was not cool in the 1970s, especially in the Motor City. I was teased and bullied and treated as an outsider most of my school years as if I were Harry Potter in a world of Muggles. It was neither a kind nor pleasant experience. Still, I made the best of it and found friendship and happiness where I could. As a result, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about attending the High School reunion, but I went to see.


You know what? I had a great time. Everyone was pleasant and welcoming. There were old friends I had forgotten about, many of my classmates remembered me as being a gifted artist and were absolutely thrilled I followed my dreams into creative pursuits. I found that alone lovely and endearing. We shared fond memories and talked about favorite teachers, and what we did after high school: college, work, families, travel, etc.


There was no talk of politics. It didn’t matter who might be a Republican or Democrat or anything else. In those few hours, we were one. We were all happy to see each other and share our lives and good memories. We embraced the good and each other. It was a nice and joyful experience. If only such camaraderie, good cheer, and generosity of spirit could be captured and held in our hearts every hour of the day and not let politics, fear, hate, and bias come between our humanity and commonality.


Powerbrokers of every kind sweet talk and use divisiveness and fear to separate us in order to gain power for themselves. They seek to drive us to see ourselves as “them and us.” Please don’t let that happen. We are we.


The beauty of our imperfect America is that we are free. Free to have different ideas and opinions. Free to speak our minds. Free to pursue our dreams. Free to learn and grow and better ourselves. Our strength is that we are one people. A people who more often than not, come to each other’s aid in times of need. America and other countries are not always fair, equal, or just – no place in the world is – but our nation, our democracy, our unity is special.


None of us are perfect, far from it. Our nation is not perfect either, because it is a reflection of ourselves with our equal capacity for good and evil, love and hate, kindness and cruelty, justice and injustice, generosity and greed. That’s the duality of humans that has haunted philosophers and individuals throughout the ages. Our imperfection and differences are part of our humanity and our singular uniqueness as human beings.


Together we can make our nation better by starting with ourselves. Strive to become the better person we all want to be – more tolerant, accepting of others, fair, just, giving, and kind without a “them vs us” mentality biasing our thoughts and choices. All without destroying everything we’ve accomplished, despite the bad and the ugly that tarnishes those accomplishments. To forgive our failings and build upon the good. Don’t expect more from our nation than we are willing to do ourselves. This is hard as hell, but it’s doable and worth the work.


Every day is a new start. Every day is a new beginning that we have the power to change within ourselves. Be the light. Take the step to be the person who tries to listen and understand others despite our differences. Strive to be the person you want to be. One who does not let their fears and prejudices rule them. A person who sees the good and the beautiful and strives to be the best they can be in each new day. Everyday. As a force of change and goodness within yourself, your good example will effect the positive changes you seek in the world. Some days you’ll be more successful than others, but when you stumble or fail, tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning. Life is too short and wondrous to live it in hate, anger, or fear. Be the best person you can be and the world will follow, one person at a time, until there is a multitude. I know this to be true. Be the light.


I didn’t mean to jump on a soap box, but I am seeing so many people scared, despairing, and upset that I wanted to try to say something that might bring some peace of mind to somebody. I hope I haven’t offended anyone. I hope my words have helped in any small way possible.


A little fun and warmth follows in the Surprise Package Comments below. I’ll provide more in every Weekly Update into the New Year. And please, use our games to find some peace, joy, and escape from the noise of the real world. It’s good to laugh.


– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Game Designer, Friend, and Surrogate Santa

Surprise Package Comments from fans like you

Every year we like to post a selection of the comments we get from Surprise Package customers. It’s a nice acknowledgement and thank you to them (you know who you are) and you enjoy reading them. I read each and every comment that comes in the Surprise Packages, and they always brighten our day. We all appreciate your kind words, suggestions, and insights. In fact, the idea to do hardcover editions of core rule books came from fan comments in the Grab Bags. We get a lot so we can only 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 your day to day grind and worries. Use them to bring a little joy, laughter, and adventure to the holiday season and beyond.


Your comments and support mean the world to all of us. Thank you for making us smile and feel valued. As always, I have tried to write a short response [in brackets] to each comment. Happy holidays.

B.W. in Chandler, Arizona, writes: Round two. Go, Guys! Thank you so much for the first Surprise Package box. I may not have 30 years of gaming memories, but Palladium is one of those wonderful memories from back in the day. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks.


[Hey B.W., glad you are enjoying the Surprise Package deal so much that you’re buying your second one and already planning a third. It’s smart to spread out the cost of your holiday purchases and you save money by shipping Media Mail before the Black Friday thru Christmas frenzy. Game on! – Kevin]



J.B. in Meridan, Idaho, writes: I love the games you guys come up with and have had so much fun playing them. I want you guys to continue making them.


[Glad you love our games, J.B. Your continued support and spreading the word about Palladium’s fun game settings as well as special offers like the Christmas Surprise Package will help us to continue to make new books. Thank you and happy holidays. – Kevin]



C.S. in Midwest City, Oklahoma, writes: I am soooo stoked about this [my first Surprise Package]! My friend recommended this and said it is awesome. Been a Rifts® fan since the ‘90s. Best wishes.


[These Grab Bags are awesome, C.S., so be stoked. I hope you enjoy your package. You have a good friend who told you about them. May your holiday season be full of nice surprises and awesomeness. – Kevin]



J.N. Jr. in McMinnville, Tennessee, writes: I love the work you guys do. Please keep it up.


[You’ve got it, J.N. In fact, we intend to blow people’s minds with everything Sean and I have planned over the next few years. Bwahaha … um, I mean thanks and happy holidays. – Kevin]



A.G. in Glenmore Park, Australia, writes: Armageddon Unlimited in particular interests me, seems like I could milk some cool stuff from it for my TMNT games. Also Rifts® Conversion Book One so I can blend my games across the different worlds. Love your work! Thanks for all your gold!


[Shucks, A.G., you are very welcome. All good choices. Enjoy the Surprise Package and keep your imagination burning bright. – Kevin]



W.M.C. in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, writes (in part): Wow, is it that time of year already? My favourite game was, is, and will probably always be Rifts® … With the god awful exchange and shipping rates to Canada this is the best way for me to acquire new (and rare) Palladium books. I am really looking forward to a number of your upcoming releases … I can’t wait to see what else you all have cooking for us.


[It is that time of year, WMC, and it’s smart of you and anyone living outside the USA to take advantage of it as I always make it worth your while. As for upcoming releases like the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux editions, Rifts® Bestiary Vol. Two, Rifts® Antarctica (epic!), and so much more, 2025 is gonna be an exciting year for everyone. – Kevin]



R.L. in Banning, California, writes: I loved TMNT RPG and Macross II back in the day. We played them the most, and then Rifts®. I miss TMNT and Macross a lot. Love Palladium, you guys have been the best – forget the rest!


[Thanks for the love and high praise, R.L. Um, I sure hope you know about the astoundingly gorgeous, full color TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG Redux edition books! They are completely re-mastered, full color, and include full page tribute art and written remembrances by comic book and gaming legends. See our preorder page for more info. As for Macross II, who knows what the future may hold? Game on! – Kevin]

B.A. in Vancouver, Washington, writes: I started with TMNT in middle school, but Rifts® made me a lifelong Palladium fan. You guys have gotten me through a lot of hard times! Thank you so much for decades of support for gaming and being such wonderful people.


[You sound pretty wonderful yourself, B.A.. Gosh, your kind words are making me blush. We put our hearts and souls into our games and genuinely care about our audience, is all. Glad you appreciate that dedication and hard work. Game on. – Kevin]



S.M. in Fort Wayne, Indiana, writes (in part): Love Palladium’s games and the ideas they inspire.


[Thank you S.M., we love inspiring others to be creative and to follow their dreams. – Kevin]