Table Of ContentWarning!
Violence and the Supernatural
The fictional World of Rifts® is violent, deadly and filled with supernatural monsters. Other dimensional be-
ings, often referred to as "demons," torment, stalk and prey on humans. Other alien life forms, monsters, gods
and demigod, as well as magic, insanity, and war are all elements in this book.
Some parents may find the violence and supernatural elements of the game inappropriate for young read-
ers/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, suicide or violence.
A supplement for the Rifts® RPG.
!®esrevageM ®skooB muidallaP eritne eht htiw elbitapmoC
1
kicjuW kcirE ot dnA .ino na fo yticanet eht dna roirraw a fo tirips eht sah ohw ,nnayraM ot detacideD
and Julius Rosenstein the only samurai I have ever known.
Kevin Siembieda
Third Printing — May, 1999
.cnI skooB muidallaP 5991 © thgirypoC
Copyright © 1995 by Kevin Siembieda
ro mrof yna ni ,elohw ro trap ni decudorper eb yam koob siht fo trap oN .ediW dlroW ,noitnevnoC thgirypoC lasrevinU eht rednu devreser sthgir llA
stnemnrevog ,snoitutitsni ,snoitautis ,stnedicni llA .sweiver ni esu rof setouq feirb rof tpecxe ,rehsilbup eht morf noissimrep tuy monahet ayinwbs,
and people are fictional and any similarity, without satiric intent, of characters or persons living or dead, is strictly coincidental.
Rifts®, Palladium Books®, and Megaverse® are registered trademarks owned and licensed by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.
seman rehto dn, RaS, n CG,rpsaNgyTlru o r,nsBbgikr er, oEndeTro rew,ogsttrideahmiitnraadD,iit MlxS,n K U,n oi tsitetiaolarnoeCHi, ,nwapsthgiN
.cnI skooB muidallaP dna adeibmeiS niveK yb denwo skramedart era seltit dna
World Book Eight: Rifts® Japan™ is published by Palladium Books Inc., 12455 Universal Drive, Taylor,
MI 48180. Printed in the USA.
Palladium Books® Presents:
Rifts Japan
World Book Eight
adeibmeiS niveK :yB nettirW
Contributing Writers: Patrick Nowak kinzeleZ nhoJ :gnitniaP revoC
Additional Text: C.J. Carella Interior Artists: Vince Martin
xWuaaeyrnBe
nyzsinicraM xelA :rotidE roineS Randy Post
Kevin Siembieda
netsO .A semaJ :srotidE
Kevin Kirsten Art Direction & Keylining: Kevin Siembieda
Julius Rosenstein
Typography: Maryann Siembieda
kicjuW kcirE :tnatlusnoC laicepS Mike O'Connor
Special Thanks to Pat Nowak who worked his heart out on this book only to have me rewrite 80% of it. This
lad's got lots of talent and is willing to do whatever is necessary to make a book sing.
Erick Wujcik for his suggestions and for sharing his of his vast knowledge about the Japanese culture, peo-
ple, traditions, myths, and history, as well as generous access to his extensive library of books on the Orient.
Also to Julius for his input, knowledge and help. C.J. for kicking in when I needed him most. John Zeleznik
for a dynamic cover painting. Vince Martin for some truly outstanding designs and artwork. Wayne Breaux and
-ed gnikrow drah lausu eht dna veK ,miJ ,xelA ,nnayraM ot dnA .snoitubirtnoc citsitra ,dlob rieht rof tsoP ydnaR
mon quellers at Palladium Books for their heartfelt efforts (not to mention a special guest appearance by Tom
.)sliated ssenisub dna retupmoc emos no gBnaitrstisoslad
adeibmeiS niveK
Contents Sixth Sense Warning ................................ 33
Visions and Dreams................................. 33
s dnaW cigaM. eerT muinnelliM.......................33
Endless Possibilities
Millennium Tree Staves .............................. 35
The Japanese Islands.
Corrupted Wands & Staves ........................... 36
The New Empire.................................. 11
d Iteetmnas.h..c.n..E........................7..3.. .
History & Backround ............................... 11
Elemental Shuriken.................................. 37
Kyoto............................................ 12
TW Power Shuriken................................. 37
Traditionalism of the New Empire..................... 12
g TnAihtaWerB-reriF quebus.........................7.3
f Roi fptsa JMapan .............................3.1...
r GedrewnoaPd ceisg.a.M........................8.3.. .
A Caste Society.................................... 14
Singing Arrows (Nari-Kabura)......................... 38
a t.E r.o t.nas.aeP. e.gar.ev.A e.hT...............5.1.
Tanto of Hellish Poison .............................. 38
& T yertscudhnInology...........................5.1..
" NhtgunnerctSh adknaussu o.hT. .ne.T."............83..
e Lawh...T.... ..&...... 5..y..1..r...a... .t. iliM ehT
Whirlwind Naginata................................. 38
Weapons Restrictions............................... 15
Zen Master's Bows.................................. 38
Foreign Realations ................................. 16
s d.row.S .enu.R .ohs.iaD. ts.etae.rG. &. ret.aer.9G3.
Daisho of the Relentless Warrior....................... 39
Other Places in and Around Japan................... 17
m ..r.o.t.S. .e.h.t. f.o.. o..h.s.i.a.D..........0..4. .
Takamatsu....................................... 17
yltKsohGatal unoSS afo laying.......................04.
Society........................................... 18
Magical items ..................................... 40
Ichto Province..................................... 18
e (sKruPa nsseeblmuokttoorBo).....................0.4..
Foreign Relations .................................. 19
tsWeroF eht foi naFnd..............................1.4
Villiages of the Ichto Province........................ 20
Hat of Invisibility (Kakuregasa)........................ 41
Otomo Shogunate................1.....2......... ...
e .tu.lF. .g.ni.k.ae.p.S. y.ln.e.v.ae.H............1.4.
e ..m...e.h..c..S. .d..a..M.. .e..h..T.....1..2... .
Holy Incense Burner................................. 41
Foeign Relations................................... 22
Lantern of Protection ................................ 42
n H.oi.-taB.ro.rpa.rno.Cd. ......................32..
s .e.u.g tKa.nt.aiSn.v i.i.L......................2.4. .
Other Place of Note................................ 24
g n.ie.eS.-e.ur.T .fo. ro.rr.iM....................2.4.
f Joa spdannal.s.I .r.e.h.t.O....................4.2.. .
) ezakimaK.( sdniW ylnev.aeH eht fo redw.oP ...........24
The Russian Coast.................................. 24
h t.gn.e.rtS. f.o .so.ot.aT........................3.4.
. .....2..6............................anihC dnalniaM
Korea............................................ 26
New Empire & Traditional O.C.C.'s .................. 43
Taiwan........................................... 26
Traditional Samurai Warrior O.C.C. .................... 43
Philippines........................................ 26
oCdoihdsueB...................................4.4..
eTsenrapiaaJ ehnTgle............................6.2..
dr.o.w.S .ia.ru.m.a.S .gn.iv.i.L .eh.T...........4.4.
Map of Ley lines of Japan............................ 27
Hand to Hand: Zanji Shinjinken-Ryo.................... 47
d nu.orkcaB. ylim.aF iaru.maS.......................74
Kyoto Millennium Tree ............................ 28
i aruma.S elameF...................................94
The Average Millennium Tree ........................ 29
Ronin O.C.C. ...................................... 49
Means of Defense .................................. 30
Mystic Ninja O.C.C.................................. 51
Energy Eruption ................................... 30
: dNnaiHn ojti dtnsaHu/Tai-Jutsu....................3.5..
Protectors & Inhabitants ............................. 30
t n.e.m.p.iu.qE. a.jn.i.N. la.n.oi.tid.a.rT.........4.5.
Millenniumy eLL ine Storms ........................03.
Ninja Gimmick Clothing ............................. 54
. C...C..O.. k.n.o.MB. .igs.nh.iat.hm.g.oiF.n ...5.5..
Powers of the Millennium Tree...................... 32
Sohei Warrior Monk O.C.C. .......................... 58
Bark Body Armor.................................. 32
s .n..u.N.. .r.o..i.r.r.a.W... .—.0.. 6.i.e .hoS elameF
Bark Sheild ....................................... 32
Yamt asOeibrP uni.atsnCuhoMi. C.....................06.
Camoflauge....................................... 32
Demon Queller O.C.C................................ 64
& R simfrottsS. ,.se.n.i.L. y.e.L. .re.v.o. 2.lo3.r.t.n oC
Tengu R.C.C. ...................................... 66
Control over Normal Weather ......................2.3.
u s.tuj.-gn.eT. :d.na.H o.t d.na.H..................96.
Leaf: Blanket of Healing............................. 32
r .o.m..r.A.. y..d.o.B. .f.a.e.L..............2.3.. .
The Republic of Japan.............................. 70
enTiL yeeLleportation .............................3.3
y .......r.....o.......t...s...0...i....H7....... ....
Powo Hete ral .................................3.3...
People Out of Time.................................. 71
Purify Food & Water ............................... 33
Government ....................................... 71
& R ensotiotrcaetrirouns.e.R....................3.3... .
Industry ........................s ..n..o..p..a..e..W.... ...C.....D.....S.. .e..s.e...n. 7a1p11a8J lanoitidarT
The Cities......................................... 72 AT-N20 Neural Stick ............................... 120
Education ......................................... 73 AT-AAD Grenade or Missile ......................... 120
c i.lb.u.pe.R. e.h.t n.i .no.it.at.n.em.g.u.A4.7 n. amuH a TmshalPr 3o2-wTAer...........................12.1..
r AeuicgM /umCJre.a Onz&ite.as Mtion...........4..7... . Energy Pistols..................................... 121
&C lgoninreienngig..n.E. .c.i.te..n.e.G.........5..7. . AT-6 "Mini" Laser Pistol ............................ 121
The Law & Law Enforcement......................... 75 AT-8 Laser Pistol................................... 121
The Military ....................................... 75 At-20 "Sharpshot" Police Special Laser................. 122
Glitter Force....................................... 76 AT-30 Combat laser Pistol ........................... 122
The Navy ......................................... 76 m PaeiABs Tetlc-oi1trl3a.P0 .....................2.2.1..
f Joa cpialbnu.p.e.R.. .e.h.t. f.o. .s.e.e.B..-.D.6.7.. . H-10 Combat Laser Pistol............................ 122
Earth for Humanity ................................. 76 H-13 Ion Pulse Pistol................................ 123
n gieroFRelations...................................67 Energy Rifles & Rail Guns.......................... 123
AT-23 Police Stun Rifle ............................. 123
Character Classes.................................. 78 AT-84 "Sharpshot" Laser Rifle........................ 124
Cyberoid O.C.C..................................... 78 AT-88 Combat Laser Rifle ........................... 125
Cyber-Samurai O.C.C.............................0.8.. AT-30 Particle Beam Rifle ........................... 125
Tech-Ninja O.C.C.......................e ..lf..i.R... t..lu..a..s..s.A... r..e. t.8a.2w.r.e.d.n5U.2. 10.8. -UTA
. N.Ci.n..ja.C-.J.u.O.c.ie. r...................4..8.. . H-15 "Scattergun" Shotgun........................... 126
. C.C.O yzar.C ajniN................................68 ATl G-i6a0Ru0 n..............................7.2.1.. .
Ninja 'Borg O.C.C. ................................. 88 AT-120l iaRG 0repuS" un"..........................7.21
a TjneicNhno-W .C.i..Cz.a..Ord. .................9.8.. liGaR 0u06-nH .................................7.2.1.
Samas Samurai Pilot O.C.C. .......................... 91 ARC-2 "Nighthawk" Defense System .................. 128
Infantrymen O.C.C.................................. 92 Explosives........................................ 129
Robot Pilot O.C.C................................... 92 Missiles .......................................... 129
r Oepo.oCrT. eCcr.o.F. r.e.tt.il.G.................3.9.. Torpedoes ........................................ 129
Police Officer O.C.C................................. e 9.gr4.ah.C. l.eh.c.ta.S .0.1D.-.T.A.............92.1..
Other O.C.C.'s..................................... 95 s e.d.a.ne.r.G. d.n.aH........................9.2.1..
AT-25 Pump Grenade launcher........................ 130
Cyborgs of Japan.................................. 96b DmeotBe 6c2t-oCrC..........................0.3.1...
c CinooiBn &v ceiternrsebiyoCn....................6.9.. Land Mines....................................... 131
cCinoonivBe ensteinoanp.a..J...................6.9.. . e .niM. .len.no.sr.eP.-it.nA. 05.2-.TA............13.1.
Partial Conversion .................................. 96 AT-D52 "Bullet" Anti-Personnel Mine ................. 131
Full Bionic Conversion .............................. 96 AT-D54 Anti-Armor Mine ........................... 131
r Oeidlo.SC gro.byCC c.il.bu.p.eR..................7.9.
Decommissioned Cyborgs............................ 98 r AewromPor................................2.3.1.. .
Life Expectancy .................................... 98 Japanese Samas Power Armor ........................ 132
s m.e.tsy.S .cit.en.reb.yC. g.nin.re.vo.G .sw.aL...9.9. ArmaTech "Samurai Class" SAMAS Power Armor ....... 134
Dragon 'Borgs .................................... 101 Glitter Boy Power Armor ............................ 135
Wing Blade 'Borg .................................. 101 New Glitter Boys .................................. 137
Tsunami 'Borg..................................... 102 "Point" Glitter Boy ................................. 137
t 'aBbomrgo C.. ".l.a.ir.e.p.m..I."............5..0.1.. "Hawkeyy o.Be re.tt"ilG. ..........................04.1
"Flame Cloud" Attack 'Borg......................s .m...et..s.y. S.1 n.0o.7p.ae.W. .B.G. la.n.oi.tp.O....24.1..
Cybernetics & Bionics.................. .................1...4...3.............. ..1..0..9.......... 58-APTA
Cybernetic Implants & Enhancements .................. 109 d "naNrB-Hinjabot"..............................4.41..
Bionic Weapons & Tools............................. Ill Ichto Power Armor & Bots.......................... 146
IPA-40 Dai-Katana Bugei.........................6.41..
High-Tech Weapons................................ 114 IPA-45 Ikusr oa"( Warrior")........................84.1.
ArmaTech Indusrties ................................ 114 IPA-50 "Grenadier".......................0...5..1.... .
d..n...a..r..B...-..H............................ 115 r .o..m...r.A.. .r.e.w..3.o.5P.1. .u. .gneT-uIzPAa-T60
& E nsdddsO.................................5.1..1. . IPr TAepe-un6Sg2" u" ...........................55.1..
SNARLS Sensor System ............................. 116 IPA-i M7. uz0i.M ...............................6.51.
Armed Forces Personnel Backpack..................... 116 Robots........................................... 158
Energy Clips....................................... 117 AT-1053 Ka-Kuml atBeaM" ear".....................851.
Vibro-Blades ...................................... 117 AT-1063 Hi-Tora "Fire Tiger" ........................ 161
s.w.o.r.r.A. .&. s.w..o.B........................ 118 IR-201" rekl5aW .barC" inaK ........................461
IR-2020 Wrecker .................................. 165 Tables for Oni Creation .............................. 200
IR-2040 Destroyer ................................. 168 Oni R.C.C. ........................................ 202
IR-2050 Apocalypse................................ 170 Oni Master ........................................ 203
IR-2060 Banshee................................... 173 Oni Mystic ........................................ 204
i I.nR.im-.2.0e.7G.0. .......................6.7.1... Sura-Kappa R.C.C................................... 205
IR-4u "0stD0aT0 ragon".........................8.7.1.. Goblin............................................ 206
Goblin Spider...................................... 207
Body Armor...................................... 181
KM-200 Jet Pack................................... 181
Republic of Japan Military & Police Armor ........... 182 Quick Find
AT-A11 Kuru Street Armor (Police) .................2.81.
AT-A14 Infantry "Trooper" Body Armor ............... 183
AT-A15 marine Heavy Combat Body Armor ............ 183 Body Armor....................................... 181
k .c.a.P.. t.e.J. .0.0.2.-.M..K...............1..8.1. .
Ichto & H-Brand Armor ........................... 184
e AcrilmoPo r&.. .y.r..a2..t8.i1.li. .M napaJ fo cilbupeR
y AdIoBA rro-tma1rtl0ifon0I r.....................4.81..
AT-A11 Kuru Street Armor (Police).................... 182
IA-130 "Sumo" Body Armor ......................... 185
AT-A14 Infantry "Trooper" Body Armor................ 183
y doBA "rekiH" 5 & 4-AHrmor.......................581
AT-A15 Marine Heavy Combat Body Armor............. 183
y AdrmoBor .".n..a..m...s..r.e..i.t.n. o18r6F" 7 & 6-AH
Ichto & H-Brand Armor ............................ 184
Ha-20 Jucier Environmental Armor.................... 186
r o.m..r.A. .y.d.o.B. ".n.a.m6.8.s1r.e. itnorF" 7 & 6-AH
HA-4 & 5 "Hiker" Body Armor........................ 185
e Sksielnls.a..p..a...J..................7..8...1.... .
IA-100 Infiltrator Body Armor ........................ 184
r .o.m.r.A. l.at.n.e.m.n.o.ri.v.n.E .re.i.cu..J 1082-6AH
Hand to Hand Combat............................. 190
IA-130 "Sumo" Body Armor.......................... 185
o duJ. :strA laitraM c.isaB...........................391
. ......................................1....9 od3ikiA
Enchanted Items .................................. 37
.Fujitsu .........................................3.91.
l SahtnuermikeelnE ..............................7.3..
e..t.a..r..a..K.........................4..9..1.... .
s .e.d.an.e.r.G. .re.d.w.o.P. .c.ig.a.M.........8.3..
Kendo ........................................... 194
Singing Arrows (Nari-Kabura) .....................8.3..
Other Forms of Modern Combat ...................... 194
Tanto of Hellish Poison .............................. 38
"Ten Thousand Strength" Nunchakus ................... 38
Mystic Martial Arts Powers......................... 195
TW Power Shuriken ...............................7.3
Arts of Invisibility................................. 195
TWs ubeuq.rA gnihtaerB-eri.F .......................73
Art of Stealth...................................... 195
Whirlwind Naginata ................................ 38
Art of Hiding...................................... 195
Zen Master's Bows ................................. 38
Art of Evasion..................................... 195
s ..9..d...3.r... .o.. wS enuR ohsiaD tsetaerG & retaerG
Art of Vanishing ................................... 195
r .o.i.r.r.a..W... s..s.e.l.t.n..9e.3l.e. .R ehDta ifsoho
e .siu.gs.iD .fo t.rA.............................69.1.
m rotS. eht fo ohsi.aD ...............................04
f Moy tsrtiAc Invisibility ......................6.9.1... .
Ghostly Katana of Soul Slaying ....................... 40
g EninedxraHe ydroBcises........................69.1.
Magical items ..................................... 40
Stone Ox ......................................... 196
Bottomless Purse (Kanebukoro) ....................... 40
Combination of Kangeiko & Shocu Geiko............... 196
Fan of the Forest Wind .............................. 41
Iron hanr oKd anshu ............................6.9.1..
y (tiKlibiasikvnuI fro etagHasa) .....................1.4.
Chi-Gung Mega-Damage Skin........................ 197
Heavenly Speaking Flute ............................. 41
Dam Sum Sing .................................... 197
Holy Incense Burner ...............................1.4
Wrist Hardening ................................... 197
Lantern of Protection ................................ 42
Kick Practicer o Kagi ...............................791
Living Kani Statues ................................. 42
. ....1.9.7...........................srewoP ikirojneZ
Mirrof Tor rue-Seeing .............................2.4.
Calm Minds....................................... 197
s dn(iW ylKnevaeH ehta fo redwmoP ikaze)..............24
Karumi-Jutsu...................................... 197
T ht.agn.teor.tSo. fso. ...........................3.4.
Two Minds ....................................... 198
Vibrating Palm .................................... 198
Hand to Hand Skills
Vital Strike or Atemi................................ 198
Hand to Hand Combat............................... 190
h AsetelFm gin.i.r.e.h.t.i.W.................8.9..1.. .
Basic Martial Arts: Judo.............................. 193
Monsters of Japan................................. 199 Hand to Hand: Aikido ............................... 193
Hand to Hand: Jujitsu................................ 193
Oni "One Hundred Demons" ......................... 199
Hand to Hand: Karate................................ 194
Hand to Hand: Kendo ............................... 194 e SseknialplaJs.................................7.8.1..
: NdinnjiatsHu/T aoi-3Jtu 5tdsu naH Kyoto Millennium Tree.............................. 28
96 ustuj-gneT :dnaH ot dnaH c SiteynresbtyCe gmninsre.v.o.G. s.w.a.L.........9.9..
Hand to Hand: Zanji Shinjinken-Ryo 47 Map of Rifts Japan.................................. 13
Other Forms of Modern Combat....................... 194 New Glitter Boys................................... 137
Otomo Shogunate ................................... 21
High-Tech Weapons.................n ..a..p..a..J. .d..n...u..o..r..A.. ..d..n. .a1. 1n.4i. s.7e.1c.a. lP rehtO
ArmaTech Indusrties ................................114 Powers of the Millennium Tree........................ 32
H-Brand ......................C .W. .De.a. .pS.o .en..ss.e...n....a..p....a...J... . l.81a.1.n15.1o..i. .tidarT
& Ends.....5... ....s..1......d...1.......d... ..... O e .e.rT. .m.u..in.n.e.l.li.M. .e.g.a.re.v.A.. 9e.2h.T.
Armed Forces Personnel Backpack..................... 116 The New Empire ................................... 11
r Mo eidsasnielreG. D..A..A..-.T.A............0..2.1.. The Republic of Japan............................... 70
AT-N20 Neural Stick................................ 120
r e.w.or.hT. am.sa.lP. 3.2-T.A...................12.1. s' .C.C.R & s' .C.C.O
Bows & Arrows ....................................118 k On.oCM.C g.n.B.i.its.hh.ag.m.i.Fo.n. .......5..5.. .
y grCenE lips....................................... 117 Cyberoid O.C.C. ................................... 78
m e.tsyS ro.sneS S.LRAN.S......................... 116 Cyber-Samurai O.C.C. .............................. 80
s .no.p.a.eW.. C. D. .S .es.e.na.p.a.J l.a.no.i.t id1a1rT8 Demon Queller O.C.C. .............................. 64
Vibro-Blades ......................................711 i aru.m.aS. ela.m.eF............................9.4.
Energy Pistols..................................... 121 i eh—oS elamWeF arrios nur.N ......................06.
r PeisstaoLl. .t.a..b..m...o...C.. .0..3.2.-.2.T.1.A.. . Glitter Force Trooper O.C.C. ......................... 93
r PeissatLo 8l-.T..A...........................1.2..1. . Infantrymen O.C.C.................................. 92
r PeissatoLl ."..i.n..i.M...". .6..-.T...A....1..2..1.. . . C..C...O. a.jn.iN. .ci.ts.yM....................15..
Am PaTeBi -es1lci3ttra0oP l........................22.1. Ninja 'Borg O.C.C. ................................. 88
AT-20 "Sharpshot" Police Special Laser................. 122 Ninja Crazy O.C.C.................................. 86
rPesaiL stHabtm-o1oC0l .........................2.21.. Ninja-Jucier O.C.C..................................48
H-13 Ion Pulse Pistol.................. .C......C.....O... ..d..r..a..z..i..W.... -1.o2.n3.h.c.e.T.9. 8a..j .niN
Energy Rifles & Rail Guns .......................... 123 Police Officer O.C.C. ............................... 94
AT-88 Combat Laser Rifle ........................... 125 Oni R.C.C......................................... 199
AT-30 Particle Beam Rifle ........................... 125 Other O.C.C. 's .................................... 95
AT-23 Police Stun Rifle....................r O.e.i.d.C.lo...SC. .g..r.. o.1b.2.y3.C.. .c.il.b..u.p.e.R....7.9.. .
ARC-2 "Nighthawk" Defense System................... 128 Robot Pilot O.C.C................................... 92
r ResaiLf "ltoehs.p.ra.h.S." .4.8.-T.A...........4.2.1.. Ronin O.C.C....................................... 49
AT-600 Rail Gun ................................... 127 Samat oliPO iarsumaS .C.C...........................19
AT-1200 "Super Rail Gun" ........................... 127 Sohei Warrior Monk O.C.C........................... 58
e lf.iR tl.uas.sA r.etaw.red.nU. 08-.UTA...........5.21. . .C...C....R.. a..p.p..a.K..-.a..r.u.S......5..0.2.. .
H-15 "Scattergun" Shotgun ........................... 126 Tech-Ninja O.C.C................................... 82
H-600 Rail Gun .................................... 127 Tengu R.C.C....................................... 66
s .ev.iso.lp.x.E................................9.2.1. Traditional Samurai Warrior O.C.C..................... 43
AT-25 Pump Grenade launcher......................... C.1.C.3.O. 0ts.eir.P n.ia.tnu.oM. .ihs.ub.am.a.Y....0.6.
l eChctaSh 01Da-TArge............................92.1.
CC-26 Bomb Detector............................... 130 Monsters of Japan................................. 199
Hand Grenades..................................... 129 Goblin ........................................... 206
Missiles........................................... 129 n ilboGSpider......................................702
Torpedoes......................................... 129 " snom.eD derd.nuH en.O" inO.....................9.91
Land Mines....................................... 131 Tables for Oni Creation.............................. 200
e ..n.i.M... .l.e..n..n.o..s..r1.e.3P..1-..i .tnA 052-TA Oni R.C.C......................................... 202
AT-D54 Anti-Armor Mine ........................... 131 Oni Master........................................ 203
AT-D52 "Bullet" Anti-Personnel Mine..:................ 131 Oni Mystic........................................ 204
. C..C..R. ap.pa.K.-ar.uS........................50.2.
Miscellaneous
Cyborgs of Japan ................................... 96 Mystic Martial Arts Powers......................... 195
s g.ro.B.' n.og.ar.D.............................10.1. Arts of Invisibility .................................. 195
Earthr of Humanity .................................67 Body Hardening Exercises ........................... 196
Enchanted Items.................................... 37 Zenjoriki Powers ................................... 197
Glitter Force....................................... 76
Endless Possibilities
What do you imagine when you think about Japan?
Is it crowded, ultra-modern cities filled with neon lights, computers,
e Yhta ktiu szIa ,?sedutitlum gnignorht dna ygolonhcet-hgih ,scinortcele
tattoos, seedy geisha houses, dark allies, motorcycles and street gangs?
Or is it the traditional samurai, ninja, warrior monk, shinto priests and
,seert gnimossolb ,sniatnuom tnecifingam eht s'ti spahreP ?stra laitram
tranquil Zen gardens, temples, Buddhist shrines and ornate castles?
What about dragons, ghosts, two-toed demons and countless gods?
I tend to picture all these things when I think about Japan. Japan is
fo sdnasuoht snaps taht yrotsih hcir a htiw ecalp citoxe ylbidercni na
years and is filled with heroic and powerful characters like the samurai,
monks and ninja. Its mythology is expansive and provocative, with lit-
erally thousands of interesting "kami," gods and spirits. In fact, it is said
sa ,snomf "eoond i,s "derdnuh dna imak noillim 8 ot emoh si napaJ taht
well as goblins, ghosts and other supernatural beings. This all leads to a
history of diverse religious, spiritual and mystical beliefs, powers and
occupations that are especially unique and intriguing to the western
-solb yrrehc ,stserof hsul htiw ,evitacovorp si epacsdnal eht nevE .dnim
-nuom )fo stol( dna snoitamrof kcor deggaj ,sllafretaw lufituaeb ,smos
yalp ot enim erew stnemele eseht fo lla dna yna ,®stfiR htiW .sniat
with and I wanted them all\
-id ym ,noitanigami evitcarevo na htiw melborp a yltneuqerf os si sA
lemma became which characters, powers, oni, kami, devices and ideas
do I put into this book to make it balanced, exciting and capture all the
dessefnoc-fles a ,taP .thgir tsuj tif lla ti ekam ot yrassecen stnemele
techno-junky proposed a Triax™ style book brimming with robots,
power armor, tanks and bionics. He would contribute significantly to
-ta citoxe eht erutpac ot dedeen osla ew tub ,koob eht fo stcepsa eseht
taP .ygolohtym dna snoitidart ,elpoep ,yrotsih esenapaJ eht fo erehpsom
came up with the idea of having two major human kingdoms, one super
dna imak tneicna pihsrow ohw tsilanoitidart rehto eht dna hcet-hgih
completely reject technology. I loved it! This meant I could throw in
lautca ruof fo aedi eht htiw pu eman cbeo rIhg !ctik eht dna gnihtyreve
pre-Rifts cities having been Rifted into limbo for the last 300 years,
thinking only three days had passed, and popping back into Rifts Japan
detubirtnoc dna ffuts-hcet eht fo hcnub a no dekrow taP !AP 78 acric
more ideas, while I developed the New Empire, Republic of Japan,
other kingdoms, and cultures, along with the martial arts, mystic, magic
,.J.C ,suiluJ yb snoitseggus dna tra s'ecniV .ffuts lacigolohtym dna
dna htped eht ot dedda Eylno muidalrlaP ta isklofc rehto dnka kicjuW
excitement.
The end result is one hell of a Rifts® World Book! As long-time
detnaw ew gnihtyreve tif t'ndluoc ew ,tcepsus ydaerla yam snaf ®stfiR
for Rifts Japan into one book. Consequently, we are already working
on a supplement that will focus on many of the key gods, oni, and su-
-of osla lliw koob sihT .ygolohtym esenapaJ llif taht sgnieb larutanrep
retcarahc rehto fo yteirav a dna stseirp otnihS ,srewop cigam no suc
classes. It is likely to be a big book (160 to 220 pages) and may be pre-
sented as a Rifts® Conversion Book with a title like Gods & Oni of
-mocpu fo gnikaeps dnA .6991 ylrae ni elbaliava eb lliw tI .napaJ stfiR
ing products, the following books are also slated for 1996: The Juicer
Uprisings™, Lemuria & Easter Island, Northern Gun™, The New
rehtO !tnempoleved ni ydaerla era seltit esehT .ratS enoL dna ,™tseW
likely releases are Rifts Chi-Town™ or The Coalition States™, The
Omegan Order™ and Cyber-Knights™, plus cool stuff for the Palla-
dium Fantasy RPG, Heroes Unlimited™, Robotech® and Night-
spawn™. Also don't miss the Rifts® Game Master Companion™, a
super-ynaw etaerc uohy stel ataht romtareneg retmcarahc retuypmoc
na htiw reganam ngiapmac a sulp ,setunim evif naht ssel ni retcarahc
in-depth index of ten Rifts® books (on disk and in book format), a pair
uoy fi ,ylsuoireS .atad dna selif ecnerefer fo snot dna sneercs emag fo
have a Windows-driven computer, check it out! You ain't seen nothing
like it!
Kevin Siembieda
sdnalsI esenapaJ ehT
By Kevin Siembieda with concepts and ideas by Patrick Nowak
neve teY .ytinupmi evitarapmOnoe cm uhst triewmem dbelrr tohawt m oesth otf tfhoe p lsanneat eis cao ho sptilee ewdild eernhests lias
fo emoS .snoitazilivic namuh-non neve ro namuh fo stekcop ylno htiw these masters of the open seas tend to stay in familiar waters and con-
gninethgirf era srehto tub ,secalp yppah lufecaep ,ecin era stekcop eseht .sretsulc dnalsi dnuora srebmun tsetaerg eht ni etagerg
eht no sucof ot dnet osla ew ,erutnevda no sucof ew ecniS .elbirret dna fo sretsam era oot ereH .dlrow tnereffid yleritne na si aeS eht rednU
most dangerous places where conflict is brewing. Japan, paradoxically, the seas and mysterious creatures and civilizations. The elegant and
dna tcilfnoc fo debtoh a ,emit emas eht ta dna ,efas dna ,lufecaep htob si powerful pneuma-biforms, dolphin, whale singers, Lemurians, sea ti-
turmoil. gniddub era erehT .srednow sti ot dda seeb-D dna , ,ssantmnaatptuhmib
eht fo tser eht morf detalosi ylemertxe era napaJ fo sdnalsi ehT secrof ,tneloveneb tey ,ekil-raw e ehTktr iidtlo nnsiama ,odgnik citauqa
,re eAhbtmm deenmraice aeRps. oruE tnatsid morf ylralucitrap ,dlrow eht erolpxe ot nugeb sah RGN eht nevE .yvaN weN sih dna 2-omeN fo
long distance travel, especially by air or sea, is incred,esirubocl yfOy b T. sddeeirtraatiesurancd nxsgIre denorwo wuens n.i shtped naeco
Ground travel has its advantages and disadvantages, but is painfully there are evil monstrosities as well, the Lord of the Deep and its devour-
ro lacigolonhcet fo lufdnah a rof tpecxE .regnad htiw thguarf dna wols ing minions, the invading and enslaving alien Naut'Yll, Horune pirates,
eht fo taht ot lauqe ylhguor era levart fo sdohtem tsom ,snoitan lacigam daed ,stnatum cifirroh ,sredir mrots ,skrahs wodahs ,srecilpS-eneG
middle ages, with a great deal more monsters, bandits and dangers lurk- pools, shimmering water and dimensional triangles. Note: All of these
ing between point A and point B. stfUiR fon sdegaep rehst eni adeslia.ted era erom dna ,sgnieb ,secalp
-redliw tsav era aisA dna ,aidnI anihC ,ailognoM ,aissuR fo tsoM When the ley lines seethed with energy and the Rifts came, Japan
nesses dominated by monsters. The level of technology is archaic, in was irrevocably changed in other ways. Honshu was split in half and
some cases only a notch above stone age. Most population centers are southern Hokkaido was splintered. Tokyo and much of the coastline
drawot elitsoh serutaerc larutanrepus rehto ro ino ,seeb-D fo niamod eht was devoured by the rising ocean. New islands appeared, old islands
ot deganam evah taht snoitazilivic namuh tnednepedni wef ehT .snamuh disappeared, and the courses of rivers and mountain ranges were al-
gnihtemos otni ,demrofsnarts udrvnivae a rde seusmpicriooufs eofr st rsanagwers a ndd ltrecohnwolo gey r(withniceh s oemhe mTay .rde-eret
sretoobeerf ro sroreuqnoc ,sroirraw evissergga era ro ,)cigam sa drag different, something alien.
ehT .napaJ rof noitautis eht si hcuS .snamuh wollef rieht nopu yerp ohw Old holy places and locations like the Dragon's Triangle (Japan's
handful of free humans around them, mainly Chinese and Koreans, are version of the Bermuda Triangle) rippled with mystic energy, creating
rehto ot slaatnrcoiepnt drievnalesp, noew d rnivaal s,,s mmerrocetnsa rieelsb, birarnedtit s, sanedil paimratoesn awh ola pnluonidsenremid
the Japanessnei aismlaondd esh (ta dnnda ostnhoeirssn)e mfoird t nheeiilra r oets oduelr ceems,i ts dlanvae es,c aapnsd n bio sotftiyR. .sdlrow
tsum yeht ,napaJ hcaer ot sdnal tnatsid erom morf srelevart roF of the gods and supernatural monstrosities. Creatures from ancient Japa-
travel through the wilds of Europe and then monster ridden Russia or nese myth and legend, like the dragon, tengu and oni, once again
the Middle East (old Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan) and then through!emoh rieht napaJ edam dna htraE eht deklaw
China. Harsh wilderness, deserts, and mountains bar every step of the These lines of energy, the Dragon's Triangle, the storms they caused
way. The only alterenhatt mivoer fi sn atphaeJ eetqauloasill oyt ddeavnrgese reovuahs ,tdreehks atehlnrouu ygehht Bseururtmaearc, eht dna
-nI hguorht ro anihC fo tsaoc eht gnola neht dna manteiV dna ,dnaliahT fi ,elttil swonk dlrow nretsew eht ,suhT .erom eht lla ,dlrow eht fo tser
donesia. anything, about Japan. Most tend to associate it with demon infested
eht evarb tniop emos ta ,tsum relevart eht ,semoc eno woh rettam oN China — a distant and foreboding land, best avoided and often forgot-
sea, whether it be the China sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk or the ten. As a result, even 15 years after the pre-Rifts cities of Hiroshima,
Pacific Ocean! In the days before the Great Cataclysm and the transfor- Kure, Iwakuni, and Ichto reappeared in all their technological splendor,
eht erew levart ria ro retaw ,suxen lanoisnemid a otni htraE fo noitam the world is none the wiser.
-an elitsoh dna dnal fo selim fo sdnasuoht gnissorc ot sevitanretla ysae
tives. However, in the Time of the Rifts, such travel on the open seas or
,secnabrutsid enil yel ,ygrene citsym ,smrotS .edicius si seiks eulb tsav
or strange dimensional anomalies, can destroy a vessel or send it to an-
other place or time before the traveler knows what hit him. Further-
lanoisnemid ,sretsnom ,srotaderp gniylf ,stnepres aes sseltnuoc ,erom
ni yal sgnieb larutanrepus dna sdog ,snomed ,sneila ,seeb-D ,srediar
-lehs eht morf yawa ,nepo eht ni lias ot hguone hsiloof smitciv rof tiaw
%03 naht sseL .srebmun fo htgnerts dna ,dnal no secalp gnidih dna ret
dna noitanitsed rieht hcaer reve srelevart naeco ro enrobria tsom fo
elpoep gnirafaes dna setariP .eceip eno ni evirra t'nod meht fo ynam
around the world are found primarily in isolated and shallow seas and
eno morf poh ro tsaoc eht raen yats ot dnet yeht neve tub ,sekal dnalni
tsom ni tnetsixe-non yllautriv si snaeco eht gniliaS .txen eht ot dnalsi
fo edutitlum eht yb dereffo ytefas evitaler eht si tI .dlrow eht ni secalp
-eerf ,gnitarip sekam taht aisenodnI dna anihC ,napaJ dnuora sdnalsi
e sHhettoa ryrulinnpeO .saera eseht ot nommoc gnilias dna gnitoob
,srewop namuhni dna spihs cigam eh rStie pdhntla uhtgiwo rhttohb,
