The Riven Earth

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•Jul 2026

Three centuries after the Great Cataclysm shattered reality, Earth is a patchwork of alien landscapes, dimensional refugees, and ancient powers where ley lines pulse with sorcery and humanity is no longer at the top of the food chain. Now a fascist Coalition of techno-purists fights a cold war against a Federation of magic-wielders, while Atlantis, vampires, and threats from beyond the stars circle a world on the edge of another cataclysm.

World Overview

Rifts is one of the most ambitious "kitchen sink" tabletop RPG settings ever created. Published by Palladium Books, it intentionally combines nearly every genre—science fiction, fantasy, horror, post-apocalypse, superheroes, cyberpunk, westerns, and mythology—into a single world. The Premise Hundreds of years in Earth's future, humanity reached an incredible technological golden age. Then a cataclysm struck. The deaths of billions unleashed enormous magical energy, reactivating ancient ley lines that crisscross the planet. Where these ley lines intersect, tears in reality—called Rifts—opened across the world. These Rifts connect Earth to: Other planets Alternate dimensions Different time periods Countless alien worlds As a result, virtually anything can appear on Earth: Dragons Demons Alien invaders Wizards Cyborg armies Ancient gods Supernatural monsters Entire civilizations from other dimensions This means the setting has an in-universe explanation for why every genre exists side by side. The World Earth has become a patchwork of wildly different nations and civilizations. Some examples include: The Coalition States: a technologically advanced human empire that distrusts magic, aliens, and non-humans. Magic kingdoms ruled by powerful sorcerers. Alien empires. Vampire kingdoms in Mexico. Dimensional marketplaces full of monsters and slaves. Ruins of old Earth filled with forgotten supertechnology. Traveling a few hundred miles can completely change the style of your campaign. Technology and Magic One of Rifts' defining features is that technology and magic are equally powerful. A party might include: A glittering power-armored supersoldier A dragon hatchling A cybernetic assassin A ley line wizard A psychic A cowboy riding a robot horse A demonic alien mercenary They're all considered valid player characters. Character Variety Rifts has an enormous selection of character types (called O.C.C.s and R.C.C.s). Examples include: Robot pilots Full conversion cyborgs Juicers (chemically enhanced super-soldiers) Crazies (cybernetically modified warriors) Techno-Wizards Mind Melters (master psychics) Shifters (dimensional summoners) Dragons Alien races ("D-Bees") Wilderness scouts Mercenaries Monster hunters With dozens of sourcebooks, there are hundreds of playable options. Tone Rifts is deliberately over-the-top. Imagine mixing: Mad Max Fallout Warhammer 40,000 Dungeons & Dragons Shadowrun giant anime mecha Lovecraftian horror ...and making them all exist in the same world. One adventure might involve defending a village from vampires. The next could have your team piloting power armor against an alien invasion before traveling through a dimensional Rift into a world ruled by dragons.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Riven Earth?

What is Spindle?

Spindle is an interactive reading app where you become the main character in richly crafted story worlds. Think of it like stepping inside your favorite book—you make choices, shape relationships, and discover how the story unfolds around you. If you love series like Fourth Wing or A Court of Thorns and Roses, Spindle lets you live inside worlds with that same depth and drama.

How do I start a story in The Riven Earth?

Tap "Create Story" and create your character—give them a name, a look, and a backstory. From there, the story opens around you and you guide it by choosing what your character says and does. There's no wrong way to read; every choice leads somewhere interesting, and the narrative adapts to you.

Can I write my own fiction?

Absolutely. Spindle gives storytellers the tools to build and publish their own worlds—craft the lore, the characters, the conflicts, and the magic. Once you publish, other readers can discover and experience your story. It's a beautiful way to share the worlds living in your imagination.

Is Spindle a game?

Spindle is more of an interactive reading experience than a traditional game. There are no scores to chase or levels to grind. The focus is on story, character, and the choices you make. Think of it as a novel where you're the protagonist—the pleasure is in the narrative, not the mechanics.

Can I read with friends?

Yes! You can invite friends into the same story. Each person plays their own character, and the narrative weaves everyone's choices together. It's like a book club where you're all inside the book at the same time—perfect for friends who love the same kinds of stories.