Palladium Books® – Weekly Update – March 1, 2024
One game system – every genre – countless worlds – endless adventure
By Kevin Siembieda
The TMNT and Other Strangeness RPG and Kickstarter Exclusives have been quietly moving forward behind the scenes this entire time. From color artwork and miniatures to tribute art and more, things are getting done. Please see the new TMNT and Other Strangeness RPG Update posted to the Kickstarter page for more info and a bunch of images.
Click here to go to the Kickstarter Update page.
The TMNT and Other Strangeness RPG Pledge Manager is open now for all Kickstarter Backers. You should have already gotten an email request to fill out your survey. Remember, you have until the end of March to upgrade your pledge level and get more add-ons.
Backers, click here to start your survey.
The TMNT and Other Strangeness RPG Pre-Order Store is also open now through at least the end of March. It offers select items at the reduced Kickstarter prices at least till the end of March. It includes the full color Redux Edition books (spectacular), the Black, White & Red Edition books (breathtaking), Game Master Screen (with plastic pockets so you can change the info as you desire), and the Mutagen Green Dice. This pre-order store closes before we ship product, but these items will continue to be available for a few dollars more through retailers and the Palladium Books online store later this fall. Remember, we anticipate the books shipping to Backers in September. Note: The variant cover edition books (gorgeous), two miniature sets, dice sets, poker deck, prints, etc. are only available to Kickstarter Backers. If you are not a Backer, you’ll need to find a friend who did back it and see if they are willing to add the items you want to their pledge.
Non-Backers, click here to go to the Pre-Order store.
A comprehensive TMNT & Other Strangeness Update has been posted to the Kickstarter campaign page. This Kickstarter Update is filled with images of the miniatures and some tribute art you have been anxiously waiting to see (a few of them also shown in this Weekly Update). And there is much more to see in the weeks ahead.
Click here to go to the Kickstarter Update.
Hanging out with TMNT Mirage Studio Legends! Sean and I spent last Saturday afternoon with Mirage Studio greats Jim Lawson, Steve Lavigne, and Dan Berger. Read all about our fun time with these gents in Closing Thoughts.
Palladium’s Hot Sellers this week? While Rifts®, especially the Rifts 30th Anniversary Edition hardcover, and Palladium Fantasy sales remain strong, we have seen a burst of interest in Dead Reign®, Heroes Unlimited and After the Bomb® game line sales this week. The latter two surging even before the new TMNT update and pledge manager going live. We are seeing a similar trend among retailer and distributor orders where Rifts® reigns supreme, but there is also strong interest in the game lines noted above. There also appears to be an escalating interest in all hardcovers across the Megaverse®.
UPDATE: Yin-Sloth Expeditions. John Klinkel suggested we add a new adventure for the Orcish Empire. I loved the idea, so I am building on the adventure he submitted. When I told him what I was doing, he said, “Oh wow, the fans will love that. I love that.” Me too. I also drew the main bad guy in the adventure. Drawing relaxes me so it was a nice change from our hectic pace and long hours.
UPDATE: Other Projects. Rifts® Bestiary Volume Two is moving along and I did a little work on Rifts® Antarctica when a flash of inspiration struck. I have also been working on the history behind the TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG as well as soliciting and editing written remembrances submitted by other creators for the Redux Edition. That includes people who knew and gamed with Erick Wujcik.
Be a real world super-hero and make a genuine difference. Please donate to one of Sean and Kevin’s favorite charities. It is a worthy cause that truly saves lives. Even $5 helps. This charity makes a very real difference in the survival of innocent families and all funds collected go to the charity itself. Sean Owen Roberson’s Mom and Dad play a key role in this effort, so it is a cause near and dear to our hearts. In short, you are helping children, teens, and families survive in war-torn Congo. Please join me, Sean, and his family to make a real and immediate difference in the lives of people in desperate need. Thank you for your support. See complete details below.
GiveSendGo – BRIC and Goma Citizens need help
Glitterbois Podcast Series: The Early Days of Palladium Books podcast with Kevin Siembieda. We have banked a few episodes now and will be doing more in the weeks ahead. I’m having a blast talking about the early days of Palladium Books, game design, and the joys of creating and running role-playing games. I’m not sure I fully realized how unique Palladium’s approach to game design and world building is compared to most other RPG companies until these chats with Glitterbois, Legion of Myth, Four-Colour Café, and others. Part of Palladium’s secret sauce – as Sean would say – is our emphasis on the ROLE-playing, character and story, our attention to wow-factor, lore, and fun, and that our books are written by RPG fans for fans. We are gamers just like you, so we listen to you, understand you, and know what you want. Then we work hard to give it to you. We put in that extra spoonful of love and care that takes our games to the next level.
The interview with Kevin and Sean on Four Colour Café – Issue 31, was live last Sunday, February 25, 2024, but it was recorded and is available for your listening enjoyment. We appreciate them having us on and we had a blast chatting with Bear and the guys. You can check it out by clicking here.
A Kickstarter you might find of interest – Savage Worlds Science Fiction Companion. Fully compatible with Rifts® for Savage Worlds, the SWADE Science Fiction Companion is funding now on Kickstarter from Pinnacle Entertainment Group! This 200+ page hardcover expands options for space travel, giant war-walkers, cyberware, transhumanism, exploration gear, and more to help you add everything from Space Opera to the hardest Sci-Fi to your games. The Sci-Fi Bundle pledge includes the companion, a hardcover adventure book, Pawns, Archetype Cards, an Action Deck, and Vehicle Cards. Go to the Kickstarter for more detail.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/545820095/savage-worlds-sci-fi-companion?ref=8zboc0
BRIC and Goma Citizens need our help
Hello, my name is Larry Nelson, Vice President for RIGHT – Relief in the Congo for God's Children from Human Trafficking. We are a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization working to protect children and help families in the Congo.
RIGHT's mission is to raise funds to assist the BRIC Foundation (Building Resilience in the Congo Foundation) in their rescue efforts to save young boys being stolen from their families and forced to become child-soldiers against their will. BRIC also rescues young girls whose bodies are often used as commodities by the armed rebel factions that plague the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
RIGHT has managed to raise funds to build enclosures for BRIC sanctuaries including fortified walls, gates, classrooms, teachers, and more to protect children while giving them an education, a safe place where they can function during the day. At night, many BRIC associates take the children into their own homes to feed and care for them as they would their own families.
In 2023 RIGHT purchased property in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo where the enclosure pictured is built. Here BRIC holds classes on auto repair, sewing, hairdressing for men and women, as well as crafting musical instruments and other items to sell as income-generating opportunities. They have also held creative workshops to help the children and people of surrounding communities, like Goma, address their substantial trauma.
However, military conflict in this region has increased over the past year, making BRIC's local efforts all the more essential to protect innocent people. As we speak, the city of Goma is surrounded by violent rebel factions who regularly block the passage of people, food, and medicines.
Food supply lines from other communities have been cut off by these warring rebel forces, forcing Goma's citizens to either forage for food in the rainforest or starve. However, mothers and fathers cannot leave their children home while they forage for food, because if left alone, the children are at great risk of being kidnaped and trafficked, turned into child-soldiers, or worse.
Thankfully, BRIC provides a refuge for the area’s children. BRIC associates are now accepting neighboring Goma children into their sanctuary's enclosure during the day so their parents can sneak out into the wilderness in search of food to feed their families.
It is a grim situation, but your contributions to this crowdfunding campaign will help immeasurably.
Your contributions over the last few years have provided the fortified walls and iron gate to the BRIC enclosure, as well as the school, educational programs, and necessary supplies for all who seek help and safe haven there. You are making a direct and lifesaving difference to these families in need.
It is a blessing that, with your previous contributions, BRIC was able to complete construction of the Goma sanctuary's thick walls and armored security gate in the nick of time before this latest outbreak of war and violence.
Now more than ever, money is needed to provide emergency food, shelter, and basic necessities for those who seek help from BRIC during this time of strife. Another imperative that RIGHT is looking to help fund is the installation of security lights and barbed wire atop the sanctuary's walls to better protect those within – any funds donated in excess of immediate needs will go towards these improved safety measures.
We pray that the rebel forces, Congolese Army, and Congolese leaders can find a way to bring peace back to the area. Until then, RIGHT will need to raise funds to help BRIC protect and assist as many children and families as possible.
Please support this worthy cause. Donations of any size, even a few dollars, are welcome. God Bless you for your prayers and support.
– On behalf the RIGHT Board Members, and supporters helping the Building Resilience in the Congo Foundation (BRIC) to save lives – Dan & Kayna Stout, Traycee Shepard, Larry & Yvonne Nelson
GiveSendGo - BRIC and Goma Citizens need help
T-Shirts Coming Soon
Due to popular demand, Palladium is bringing back two fan-favorite T-Shirts plus a brand new Heroes Unlimited shirt. All available in most sizes. All shirts should become available in February.
- Rifts® Logo T-shirt – The ever-popular Kevin Long Rifts Logo; white printing on a black T-shirt.
- Living the Fantasy T-shirt – Kevin Siembieda’s iconic dragon battling a knight from the original RPG book cover; red printing on a black T-shirt.
- NEW! Heroes Unlimited: Unleash Your Power T-shirt – Heroes Unlimited logo, superhero artwork and the slogan “Unleash Your Power;” white printing on a black T-shirt.
Coffee Mugs Coming Soon
Due to popular demand, Palladium is bringing back two fan-favorite coffee mugs plus a new Heroes Unlimited coffee mug. All items should be become available in February or March.
- Rifts® Logo – The ever-popular Rifts Logo; white printing on a black coffee mug.
- Living the Fantasy – Kevin Siembieda’s iconic dragon battling a knight from the original RPG book cover; red printing on a black mug.
- NEW! Heroes Unlimited: Unleash Your Power – Heroes Unlimited logo and artwork; white printing on a black coffee mug.
Now on DriveThruRPG.com – 15+ world settings, 300+ RPG titles, and more from Palladium Books
No other game company offers more 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!
- Rifts® RPG Megaverse®. Rifts® is the ultimate setting in which you can combine any number of genres and style of game play you may desire: science fiction and technology, fantasy and magic, horror and the supernatural, noir, cowboy adventures, space opera, and more. Play humans, aliens, dimensional beings, modern knights, cyborgs, giant robots, mages, psychics, mutant animals, dinosaur tamers, dragon hatchlings, vampires, werebeasts, dimensional travelers, cowboys, and more to become heroes of legend. Combine any and all of these genres and characters into a wild and fun, yet plausible setting. There has never been a game quite like Rifts®.
- Rifts® Chaos Earth® titles. Live through the Great Cataclysm and the Coming of the Rifts that created Rifts Earth. Rifts® Chaos Earth® RPG, Creatures of Chaos™, Rise of Magic™, and Chaos Earth® Resurrection™ are all available.
- The Rifter® #1-85. Each issue is a wealth of source material for Rifts® and 3-5 other Palladium game settings. More than 8,600 pages of source material and counting. Most issues are only available in digital form.
- Palladium Fantasy RPG® titles. A rich, original setting in which you can play humans or any number of nonhuman species of people in a world of magic, heroes and wonder. All of it epic.
- Dead Reign® RPG and sourcebooks. The Zombie Apocalypse unleashed. A great introductory RPG that is surprisingly uplifting, fun, fast, and easy to learn.
- Heroes Unlimited™ RPG Second Edition titles. Create any type of superhuman you can imagine to build your own super-hero universe.
- Ninjas & Superspies™ RPG and the Mystic China™ sourcebook. 41 types of martial arts, ninjas, super-spies, gizmos, mystic powers, and magic in the main book, plus even more in Mystic China.
- Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG and sourcebooks. Modern horror; 14 character classes, 42 occupations for “ordinary people,” 100+ psychic abilities, 16 monsters, and more.
- Nightbane® RPG and sourcebooks – Urban Fantasy. Only you know the truth. Only you can see the Nightlords and their demonic minions. Only you have the power to stop the spreading evil and save lives. But you are just a teen or young adult. There’s no manual on how to use your special powers and magic, and you must transform into your monstrous Morphus to use them. Trust no one.
- After the Bomb® RPG series and world setting. A post-apocalypse Earth where human civilization has crumbled and legions of mutant animals are the heirs apparent. The RPG presents stats for 100+ mutant animals, 52 animal powers, 33 animal psionics, Chimeras, and rules for creating any mutant animal you can imagine – plus the Empire of Humanity and the ruins of North America. Each sourcebook offers new mutants, world information, and adventure ideas. Or create mutant animals for use in TMNT, Heroes Unlimited, Rifts, and others.
- Rifts® Phase World® and the Three Galaxies – sprawling space opera! Dozens of alien worlds and their people, Cosmo-Knights, Atlanteans, Prometheans, dimensional gateways, evil empires, villains, heroes, strange beings, alien tech, alien magic, rules for creating spacecraft, planets and dimensions (see Megaverse Builder), and much, much more.
- The Mechanoid Invasion® RPG Trilogy (The Mechanoid Invasion, The Journey and Home World). Dystopian science fiction at its best. This is the very first RPG (1981) published by Palladium Books, about planet devouring, robotic invaders from outer space. They target all humanoids, but loathe humans most of all. Three generations of galactic heroes battle the Mechanoid® invaders. Also see Rifts® Sourcebook 2: The Mechanoids® featuring a Mechanoid threat to Rifts® Earth unless you and Archie Three can stop them.
- Splicers® RPG. More dystopian science fiction as humans must turn to living weapons, living power armor, and genetically engineered war mounts to battle the self-appointed caretaker of humanity. The insane artificial intelligence known as Nexus and her many multiple personalities. Think Guyver meets the Terminator with elements of horror, epic and different.
- Systems Failure™ RPG. You play rough and tumble survivors of an alien invasion that has ravaged Earth and “turned off” technology. It is time to fight back, kill “the Bugs,” and reclaim our world for humanity. A standalone RPG designed to poke fun at the fears about the end of the world. A cult favorite and lots of fun. Kill the bugs!
- Wormwood, a Rifts® Dimension Book setting. A strange and alien fantasy world inspired by the twisted and fun concepts and art of comic book legends Timothy Truman and Flint Henry. Be a Holy Terror, Wormspeaker, or Apok to battle the demonic beings threatening to overtake the world.
- RECON®, Deluxe Revised RPG. Fast military combat and action set in a fictional era of the Vietnam War. Different game rules by Joe Martin and Erick Wujcik.
- The Palladium Weapons & Castles Series – for use with any game system. Nearly 1,000 weapons, scores of castles and floor plans. All historically accurate, real world weapons and castles throughout the ages.
UPDATED Rifts® Automated Character Sheet now available. Three updates, in fact. This EXCEL template provides automation to your Rifts® character creation process. Done in Microsoft Excel, this character template will allow you to build your character with substantial ease and speed. Ideal for the new gamer who doesn’t know all of the Palladium Books® rules just yet, it’s also a highly effective tool for Game Masters and advanced players alike who make multiple characters, NPCs, or just like to min/max or theory craft characters between games. Note: If you already purchased this item, you can download the updated version for free. Enjoy.
FREE Nightbane® RPG digital Sneak Preview on DriveThruRPG.com – Have you been wondering what the buzz is all about for Nightbane® and Urban Fantasy? Well, now you can see for yourself with this fun Preview of the core rule book. There are also free Sneak Previews of Creature Feature™, Dead Reign®, BTS, and numerous Rifts® books and other titles, including Rifts® Manhunters™, Titan Robotics™, Northern Gun™ One and Two, Lemuria, and more.
Closing Thoughts
– Hanging with Mirage Studio legends Jim Lawson, Steve Lavigne, and Dan Berger
All three were guests at the Great Lakes Comic Convention in Warren, Michigan, last weekend. The event took place at the Warren Convention Center, a 45 minute drive from the Palladium offices, so I had invited the guys to visit Palladium Books. Sadly, they couldn’t squeeze it into their very tight schedule, so Sean and I came to them. I have to admit, Sean and I are juggling so much that driving out to see them didn’t cross our minds until Sophie Campbell said, “If they can’t come to you, you must go to them! It will be wonderful.” Thank you, Sophie, we did and it was wonderful visiting with them.
The last time I saw this crew was at a 1990s Mid-Ohio Con – and it was the first time Sean was meeting them in person. [Which was rad! – Sean] The guys generously invited me and Sean to join their panel talk. That was a funny, spontaneous event. Sean and I sat quietly in the audience prepared to enjoy the question and answer session. About 5 minutes into the talk, someone in the audience asked how TMNT & Other Strangeness came about. Steve Lavigne gave an accurate but brief answer and some follow-up questions were asked. I raised my hand, stood up, and said, “I can provide more details on that if you’d like. I’m Kevin Siembieda, the founder of Palladium Books.”
The crowd burst into cheers and clapping. Jim Lawson exclaimed, “Kevin! We didn’t recognize you. The last time we saw you your hair was dark brown.” (It’s white nowadays.) We all laughed about that, and the crowd with us. The three sweet guys insisted Sean and I join the panel talk. We did and had fun talking about all things Ninja Turtles.
Afterward, Sean and I hung out for a few hours to get a few TMNT RPG books signed, buy some original artwork, and enjoy a nice chat with them and their wives. By the way, Jim Lawson, Steve Lavigne, and Dan Berger are each doing an amazing full page tribute art and a written remembrance for the Redux Edition.
Sean showed them a bunch of the new art and color work for the Redux TMNT & Other Strangeness RPG, as well as the Kickstarter Exclusive miniatures (you can see them yourselves in the most recent TMNT & Other Strangeness Kickstarter Update). Jim Lawson loved the color work on his black and white illustration by Luis Antonio Delgado, and all three Mirage artists went wild over the TMNT Kickstarter miniatures. (Kickstarter Exclusives only available to Backers.) They unanimously said these were among the very best miniatures they’ve ever seen for TMNT, and that the figures looked like they leapt out of the pages of the RPG. (We agree!) The guys made us promise they would get a set of the miniatures and the Redux hardcovers. We assured them we would see to it.
It was a pleasant afternoon with some cool TMNT dudes and their lovely wives. [My favorite part was just hanging out with them. – Sean] The convention’s dealer area was pretty nice too and I’d recommend this convention (I think they hold four events a year) for anyone who lives in the area. I know Sean and I will be back to a future event.
One of our personal rewards working on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness Redux has been reconnecting with old friends and associates like Kevin, Peter, Jim, Steve, Dan, Freddie, Mike, and a host of others; and forming new relationships with wonderful people like Sophie Campbell, Ciro Nieli, Jeremy Colwell, Luis Antonio Delgado, Mike Rooth, and many others. [Or if you’re me, forming a slew of new friendships. – Sean] Not only are these men and women talented creators in their own right, but they are nice people. It has been an honor and a pleasure working with them.
– Kevin Siembieda, Writer, Game Designer, Friend
P.S.: Expect to see us collaborating with many of these fine folks more in the future, and not just on Ninja Turtles projects.
– Sean Owen Roberson
© 2024 Palladium Books Inc. All Rights Reserved. Palladium Books®, Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Dead Reign®, Chaos Earth®, The Mechanoids®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, Powers Unlimited®, Splicers®, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, After the Bomb®, and all related titles, names and slogans are trademarks of Palladium Books.
TMNT © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
This Update may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.
