The Stainless Steel Rat

[alex_greene]

I don't think I've ever seen this mentioned here before, but has anyone thought of trying to obtain the license to publish a Stainless Steel Rat setting book for Traveller?

For those not in the know, the term "Stainless Steel Rat" refers to one James Bolivar "Slippery Jim" diGriz, a master thief and good-natured scoundrel who would rather live on his feet than die on his knees.

Caught in the first book, The Stainless Steel Rat, by the Special Corps (an organisation of master Agents) James diGriz is recruited by them to hunt down other stainless steel rats like him.

The term refers to the fact that rats make their habitats in the wainscotting of human structures, just as his kind (rogues) make their habitats in the wainscotting of human society; and, as humanity has spread out amongst the start and their homes have gone from brick and wood to stainless steel, so too must the rats adapt, dwelling amongst the stainless steel wainscottings of human structures and societies, rats as much stainless steel as the dwellings they hide in.

I know the Scoundrels book promises thievery and roguery galore, but just as you've got the Hammers Slammers setting coming on top of Mercenary and the Military Vehicles guide, surely the Stainless Steel Rat can also be given his own sourcebook too?

Just a thought.

 

[kungfugenius]

I really like the sound of this Stainless Steel Rat. Can you provide more info? I'd love to introduce this concept in my game session on Saturday.

 

[rust]

From the Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat

 

[alex_greene]

Pre - Special Corps: "Slippery Jim" had the Rogue career pretty much all of his adult life, apart from the first term, served in the Army (which he loathed, but it was better than starting his career as a Prisoner).

He never took more than he judged people could lose without retaliation, he never stole from innocents or other thieves*, and he never killed or seriously directly harmed anybody.

Post-Special Corps: diGriz is caught during one of his crimes and recruited into the Special Corps working under Inspector Inskipp. Boring, routine desk work during his probationary period results in his discovering that someone is building a battleship, thinly disguised as an industrial vessel. In the peaceful League no one has battleships any more, so the builder of this one would be unstoppable.

diGriz' hunt for the guilty becomes a personal battle between himself and the beautiful but deadly Angelina, who his planning a coup on one of the feudal worlds. diGriz' dilemma is whether he will turn Angelina over to the Special Corps, or join with her, since he has fallen in love with her. While he is nearly killed by Angelina, he does win her over in the end.

In the first sequel, The Stainless Steel Rat's Revenge, a now happily-married Jim diGriz comes up against the unthinkable: the planet Cliaand is invading planet after planet and winning. He falls foul of their leader, Kraj, and is subjected to a horrific form of turture - but he prevails, and foils their plans.

There are other sequels, involving time travel to Earth, alien invasions, the return of the Grey Men, dirty politics and a presidential race, and even a circus.

This might help clarify things.

* unless the thieves were, like, murderers or sadists, in which case he'd bleed them financially dry and leave them metaphorically to hang for the cops to find and charge with their crimes, and his.

 

[kungfugenius]

Thanks, you provided a wealth of information and many adventuring ideas. I'm now a fan of Stainless Steel Rat.

 

[Traveller-61]

Three cheers for the Rat of Steel :lol: and his wife (complete with a surgically implanted conscience) and kids (almost as dangerous as their parents).

I loved these books (even the last few that were not quite up to the early ones) and I seem to remember that the first one or two were adapted for a 2000AD strip years ago.
Now considering Mongoose's new relationship with Rebellion maybe there is a route for an official Stainless Steel Rat sourcebook???

DW

 

[Klaus Kipling]

Damn, but the time has passed, for now, for a Stainless Steel Rat movie. The rights have been knocking around for a few years, but 5 years ago would have been ideal for George Clooney (before he got so comfy) and Angelina Jolie (before she became somehow wrong) to pay Slippery Jim and his wife, Angelina (hmmm?).

However, back in the 80's 2000AD adapted 3 of the books (Stainless Steel Rat, SSR Saves the World, SSR for President) in comic form, I think John Wagner writing and Carlos Ezquerra doing the art. Rather good in fact. But perhaps Rebellion still might retain the rights to the character and setting as far as the strip is concerned....?

 

[Stainless]

I have no idea who you're talking about.....

 

[dayriff]

I loved the Stainless Steel Rat books, but I'm not sure there's enough "there" for a sourcebook. It's a character and plot driven series, with the background society and technology level being whatever they need to be for a cheap gag.

Is there anything about the setting that anyone can recall as particularly unique? What do you need to play in a Stainless Steel Rat game that a setting book could give you?

 

[EDG]

I have no idea who you're talking about.....

Read more 2000AD

 

[saundby]

The Stainless Steel Rat was one of the original Traveller inspirations. To play SSR, you simple play Traveller.

Jim diGriz was statted out in one of the original books. I don't have them to hand at present, perhaps someone else has it handy...

 

[alex_greene]

The Stainless Steel Rat was one of the original Traveller inspirations. To play SSR, you simple play Traveller.

Jim diGriz was statted out in one of the original books. I don't have them to hand at present, perhaps someone else has it handy...

1001 Characters, IIRC. The stats were outed as Jim diGriz', along with the likes of Count Retief's and Kimball Kinnison's, in Citizens of the Imperium (the LBB, not the forum).

 

[Traveller-61]

Jim diGriz was statted out in one of the original books. I don't have them to hand at present, perhaps someone else has it handy...

You are right - I had forgotten that completely :shock:
I think he had some amazing Jack of all Trades skill (4 or 6). Now I will have to go digging in my collection to find out ...

DW

 

[Dave Chase]

I believe it is in CT Supplement 4 Citizens of the Imperium pg 42

Under Heroes and Villains section

#2 Special Agent 8C8B77
JOT 2, Forgery 3, Streetwise 2, Electronic 2

Formerly a master thief, this individual was caught and now works (albeit grudginly so) as a field agent for an organization known as the Special Corps.

Dave Chase