Warning! Violence and the Supernatural

The fictional worlds of Palladium Books® are violent, deadly and filled with supernatural monsters. Other-dimensional beings, often referred to as "demons," torment, stalk and prey on humans. Other al ien life forms , monsters, gods and demigods, as well as magic, insanity, and war are all elements in these books.

Some parents may find the violence, magic and supernatural elements of the games inappropriate for young readers/players. We suggest parental discretion.

Please note that none of us at Palladium Books® condone or encourage the occult, the practice of magic, the use of drugs, or violence.

The Rifter® Number 28 Your guide to the Palladium Megaverse®!

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First Printing - October, 2004

Copyright 2004 Palladium Books Inc.

All rights reserved, world wide, under the Universal Copyright Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced in part or whole, in any fonn or by any means, without pennission from the publisher, except for brief quotes for use in reviews. All incidents, situations, institutions, governments and people are fictional and any similarity, without satiric intent, of characters or persons living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

Palladium Books®, Rifts®, The Rifter®, Coalition Wars®, RECON®, Nightbane®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, After the Bomb®, Phase World® and Megaverse® are registered trademarks owned and licensed by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.

The slogan "Limited only by your imagination," Beyond the Supernatural Two, Splicers, Chaos Earth, NEMA, MercTown, Merc Ops, Dimension Builder, Naruni, United Worlds of Warlock, Chaos Wizard, Geofront, Mechanoid® Space, Dinosaur Swamp, Arzno, Lazlo, Victor Lazlo, Lazlo Agency, Robert Mach, Heroes Unlimited, HU2, Powers Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Aliens Unlimited, Mutant Underground, The Nursery, Hardware Unlimited, Gadgets Unlimited, Beyond the Supernatural, BTS-2, Three Galaxies, Void Runners, Gramercy Island, Skraypers, Atorian Empire, Wonnwood, Land of the Damned, The Citadel, Wolfen Wars, Wolfen, Wulfen, Cosmo-Knights, Cyber-Knight, Dragonlands, Triax, Gargoyle Empire, Free Quebec, Xiticix Invasion, Fadetown, Hammer of the Forge, Siege On Tolkeen, Psyscape, Dweomer, ARCHIE-3, Northern Gun, Coalition States, Erin Tam, Emperor Prosek, Splugorth, SplylU1cryth, Mega-Damage, Skelebot, SAMAS, Glitter Boy, Dog Boys, Dog Pack, Techno-Wizard, Ley Line Walker, Shifter, Bio-Wizardry, Psi-Stalker, Brodkil, Juicer, Crazy, 'Burbs, 'Borg, 'Bot, D-Bee, Chi-Town, Triax, NGR, and other names, ti­tles, slogans, and likenesses of characters are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books lnc.

Palladium Online www.paJladiumbooks.com

The Rifter® #28 RPG sourcebook series is published by Palladium Books Inc., 12455 Universal Drive, Taylor, MI 48180. Printed in the USA.

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Palladium Books® Presents:

Your Guide to the Palladium Megaverse®

Coordinator & Editor in Chief: Wayne Smith

Editor: Alex Marciniszyn

Contributing Writers:

Brandon Aten

James M.G. Cannon

Edwin Emmer

Erick Fackler

Carl Gleba

Joseph Larsen

Kevin Siembieda

Taylor White

Todd Yoho

Proofreader: Julius Rosenstein

Cover Illustration: Scott Johnson

Cover Logo Design: Steve Edwards

Credits Page Logo: Niklas Brandt

Typesetting: Wayne Smith

Keylining: Kevin Siembieda

Based on the RPG rules, characters, concepts

and Megaverse® created by Kevin Siembieda.

#28

Interior Artists:

Kent Buries

Brandon C. Clark (DSS)

Michael Dubisch

Mark Dudley (DDS)

Drunken Style Studio (DSS)

Allen Manning

Brian Manning

Apollo Okamura

Chuck Walton (DSS)

Taylor White

Ka Xiong (DSS)

and other Palladium Madmen

Special Thanks to all our contributors, writers and artists - and a special welcome on board to the artists and writers making their debut in this issue. Our apologies to anybody who got accidentally left out or their name misspelled.

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Contents - The Rifter® #28 - October, 2004

Page 6 - Art Since this is our Halloween horror issue, we thought a nice

full page illustration of a Mike Dubisch werewolf was fitting. This is just one example of the level of artwork you can expect for BTS-2 (currently in fmal production and expected for No­vember release).

Page 7 - From the Desk of Kevin Siembieda Palladium Books, the house of ideas? We'd like to think so,

and with books like the Rifts® China mini-series, Sp/icersTM RPG and Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, Second Edition, we hope you'll agree. Kevin Siembieda talks about these recent and upcoming releases, a little about our game systems, unleashing the imagination, conventions and a special thanks to our loyal fans . We may still be stumbling around and missing more than a few deadlines, but we think you ' ll like the end results, and we have plenty of cool things in store for you in the future.

Page 8 - Palladium News Rifts®: Promise ofPower™ is the official name for Nokia's

Rifts® role-playing game for the N-Gage QD platform - get the latest news right here. Also get the lowdown on Gen Con® 2004, the latest on Erick Wujcik, and other news.

Page 9 - Palladium Coming Attractions Splicers® is at the printers and ships the same day as the

book you're holding in your hands. Kevin is busy writing Be­yond the SupernaturatTM Two and we have more than a dozen out of print books scheduled for a return before Christmas. They include the Rifts® RPG, Rifts® Game Master Guide, Rifts® Book of Magic, RiftS® Federation of Magic™, Palladium Fantasy®: Dragons & Gods, Palladium Fantasy®: Monsters & Animals, Heroes Unlimited™: G.M. Guide, and others. Plus get the latest on other upcoming titles like Rifts® China 3, Merctown and sourcebooks for BTS-2.

Page 14 - X-Mas Surprise Package It has become tradition for Palladium Books to give a little

back to the fans this time of year. The 2004 X-Mas Surprise Package - Grab Bag is our way of doing that. Autographed books, T-shirts, back stock, new releases, special editions, origi­nal artwork and surprises can be yours if you are willing to take the chance. Our way of saying thank you and Happy Holidays. See page 14 for all the details. Limited time offer.

Page 17 - Beyond the Supernatura[I'M

The Soul Tree Joseph Larsen presents source material and stats for the Soul

Tree, an ethereal tree that thrives in graveyards, devouring the knowledge and memories of the dead, and tormenting and cor­

rupting the living. Includes pacts with the tree, evil fruit, Protecting Wraiths, Spy Minions, Poltergeists and Seeds.

Artwork by Kent BurIes.

Page 23 - Heroes Unlimited™

Power Up the Vote The political season is in an uproar in the United States of

America, as it is time to elect our president. That political atmo­sphere has inspired Brandon K. Aten to write a piece on superhumans running for political office. Who better to seek po­litical office than everyone's favorite hero? Talk about a "popu­lar" vote and the trust of the people. Brandon outlines how to start, political platforms, campaign fmances, running mates, campaign workers, follow through, the public eye, some appro­priate new skills, a couple of candidates, and tables for rolling up a Political Party. A fun change from the usual super-heroics and adventure themes.

Artwork by political volunteer, Taylor White.

Page 34 - Rifts®

The Arrows of Ith'arian Edwin Emmer presents eight different Rune Arrows com­

plete with curses, history, and dazzling powers. He also offers some ancient spells and a monster from the time of the Elf­Dwarf Wars. Great optional source material for Game Masters of any game involving magic. Dynamic artwork by the magical Kent Buries.

Page 41 - Rifts®: China Two

The Geofront - Official Source Material Todd S. Yoho and Kevin Siembieda join forces to present

what got cut out of Rifts® China 2. An expanded history of the Geofront - the best chance humans have for defeating the Yam a Kings and reclaiming even part of China for humankind. Plus, Geofront Prime Minister, Tan Yankai, Geofront Defense Minis­ter, Jing Jiaxin, the Geo-Scout O.c.c. , a Gun Master note, and the Cave Explorer vehicle.

Artwork by the venerable Drunken Style Studio artists (in this case, primarily Brandon C. Clark).

Page 55 - Rifts®: Dinosaur SwampTM

Creatures of the Horror Forest - Official Source Material

What's this? Todd Yoho has a second feature done special for our Halloween edition of The Rifter®. This time the prolific Mr. Yoho takes us back to Dinosaur Swamp (see Rifts® World Book 26: Dinosaur SwampTM for the complete overview of the region, new O.c.c.s, Eco-Magic and more).

Never before seen material includes the Civil War Specters known as the Wraith Brigade, plus Wraith Soldiers, Carno­

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suchids, Lepidosaurs, Razormouth Frogs, and Gruesome Tarbids.

Artwork by Apollo "I'm Getting Married" Okamura (open­ing art) and Dinosaur Hunter of Calgary, Kent Buries.

Page 65 - Rifts®

The Janissary Project Who knows how many secrets the Coalition States has buried

in its closet? Erick Fackler takes us back to 104 P.A. to reveal an incident involving the nefarious Doctor Desmond Bradford and the notorious Lone Star Complex in something called The Janissary Project. Genetic experimentation, super-soldiers, madness and folly . And while our story may start in 104 P.A. it has ramifications in the present. CS Janissary R.C.C., time-line and new weapons. All optional source material.

Artwork by Allen and Brian Manning.

Page 82 - Rifts®

Shadow Realms Carl Gleba wrote this exploration into the realm and magic of

the Shadow Beasts special for this Halloween edition of The Rifter®. The Shadow Forest, The Shadow Fortress, Lord Gray, the Plane of Shadows, Shadow Behemoth, Shadow Lord R.C.C., new Shadow Spells, adventure hooks and more. Thanks Carl, we love it.

Art by Apollo Okamura.

Page 93 - Rifts® Phase World®

The Hammer of the Forge Chapter 28 of James M.G. Cannon's popular ongoing saga.

More surprises and treachery.

Artwork by Apollo "get me to the church on time" Okamura.

The Theme for Issue 28 This issue's theme is horror and Halloween! What else for an

October issue, only this year, we made sure we had a bunch of horror material lined up, some of it done special by Palladium freelancers who got started in The Rifler®, Carl Gleba and Todd Yoho.

What's in The Rifler's® future? How about a "swimsuit" is­sue? Seriously, it's coming next July, featuring a host of Palla­dium's fan favorite artists.

The Cover Scott Johnson is back with a vengeance. After spending time

working for Marvel Comics' marketing and promo division , Scott has returned to do some covers for Palladium. This little beauty was done special for this Halloween issue of The Rifter®, but we ' re thinking it might make a dandy cover to Pal­ladium Fantasy's Land of the Damned Three. And if you like this, just wait till you see his cover for Rifts® China 3. You'll like it, you'll like it.

Optional and Unofficial Rules & Source Material Please note that most of the material presented in T he

Rifter® is "unofficial" or "optional" rules and source materia l.

They are alternative ideas, homespun adventures and material mostly created by fellow garners and fans like you, the reader. Things one can elect to include in one's own campaign or sim­ply enjoy reading about. They are not "official" to the main games or world settings (unless stated otherwise, of course).

As for optional tables and adventures, if they sound cool or fun, use them. If they sound funky, too high-powered or inap­propriate for your game, modify them or ignore them com­pletely.

All the material in The Rifter® has been included for two reasons: One, because we thought it was imaginative and fun , and two, we thought it would stimulate your imagination with fun ideas and concepts that you can use (if you want to), or which might inspire you to create your own wonders.

www.palladiumbooks.com - Palladium Online

Coming Next Issue The RifterID #29 • The criminal underworld of Rifts® Japan

(yakuza, gangs, etc.).

• More material for Rifts®.

• Material for Palladium Fantasy®.

• Material for Nightbane® and/or Heroes Unlim­itedfM•

• Fractures, a short story for Heroes UnlimitetPM

(a sequel to Fallen Angels).

• The next chapter of The Hammer of the Forge™.

• The latest news and developments at Palladium Books, and Apollo's Wedding!

• Source material for the entire Palladium Megaverse®.

• New contributors and fun. So please join us.

PaUadiunl Books® role-playing games ... infinite possibilities, limited only by your imagination™

Palladium's games are found in stores everywbere

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