Running Role-playing Games Under the Waves
The history of submarines is fraught with disaster and turmoil. Mankind’s struggle to wage war beneath the Sea has claimed many lives.
Drama abounds on submarines. Danger lurks around every corner. One false move can spell the Doom of the entire crew. Dozens of men packed in a cramped space with an unseen enemy stalking their every move.
Running a role playing game set aboard a submarine can be rewarding for Game Master and player alike.
This short guide will give pointers on running games set on submarines plus a list of resources and a list of submarine movies to get the tone and feel right.
Points of Consideration
When constructing your RPG campaign involving submarines, keep in mind some key points.
Claustrophobia
The game master should play on the sense of claustrophobia. The quarters are tight. Men share bunk beds. When one crewmember is on duty, a man who is off duty sleeps in his bunk.
In times of crisis, it is easy for men to trip and fall over each other. Of course, the sense of claustrophobia is heightened by being surrounded by water.
Use this to good effect in your games. Reinforce the fact that everywhere they step or move is another person.
Increase the tension by having the lights go out or flicker at key moments. Make a character crawl into a tight, flooded space to fix machinery.
Threat of Imminent Death
Crews of submarines know the slightest malfunction or failure in the vessel can cause their horrible death. The danger of striking something on the ocean floor and the danger of colliding with another submarine or surface vessel are real and powerful threats.
Build on this tension throughout the campaign or session. Make the players constantly be on guard for debris or obstacles that might cause damage to their vessel.
When in combat, make sure the players are well aware that one torpedo strike or one depth charge can kill the entire party.
Sound
War movies featuring submarines always use sound to reinforce the environment.
The sound of a sonar ping. The muffled sound of being underwater. The creaking of the vessel as the water pressure increases.
Think about how sound can put your players into the world of a submarine. When diving, explain how the vessel creaks as if it will be crushed like an egg.
Exhaustion
Lack of rest plagues submarine crews. They are often pushed to the limit, especially in high-risk situations or combat. All shifts could be awake for 24 hours or 48 hours at a time.
This exhaustion can lead to frayed nerves and short tempers. Use this when building your campaign or session.
Make sure your players know that their characters have been awake for hours or even days. Let them know that tension is starting to get to them. Have non-player characters stumble and bump into them or challenge their orders.
Cat and Mouse
Submarine combat should always be sneaking and hiding. Of course, a submarine can attack a convoy of surface vessels. The prizes are always huge oil tankers or aircraft carriers.
However, the climax of a session or campaign should be a cat and mouse battle with another submarine. Using obstacles to hide and sneak. Using tricks like jettisoning debris or oil to fool the enemy into thinking you’ve been destroyed, only to sneak around behind them and launch a torpedo.
Time Period
What time does your campaign takes place? Is it the American Civil War? Is it World War 1? Is a World War II? Present day?
There are many other times in which a session involving submarines can take place as well.
The time will define your session or campaign. In the early stages of submarine development the men practically knew they were signing their death warrants. However, they were willing to risk their lives in the service of their country.
World War II seems to offer the most opportunity for combat since the oceans teemed with German U-boats.
Jargon
Submarine crews have their own vocabulary. Some common terms are: dive, surface, up periscope, down periscope, ballast, torpedo, sonar, port, starboard, conning tower, deck gun, hatch, bulkhead, and many more.
Work in jargon for more realism.
Submarine Movies
In preparation for building a campaign or session, watch some war movies. There are a number of great submarine movies and television shows. Here’s a short list:
Run Silent, Run Deep
Destination Tokyo
The Enemy Below
Das Boot
U-571
Crimson Tide
The Hunt for Red October
“Star Trek: TOS” Episode – Balance of Terror
Submarine Resources
The History of Submarines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_submarines
Submarine Sounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDJsXIBxpQw
Jargon: http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/all-the-wacky-submarine-terms-you-never-knew-you-wanted-1708297555
Even More Jargon: http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/even-more-wacky-submarine-terms-you-never-knew-you-want-1711910869
More History of Submarines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine
United States Navy Submarines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarines_in_the_United_States_Navy
World War II Submarines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:World_War_II_submarines
U-Boats: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-boat
Conclusion
Role playing on a submarine can provide a gaming group with a rewarding experience. The tension, the danger, and the drama can be used to create an unforgettable session.
Think about how to use claustrophobia, the sense of impending doom, the sounds, and the exhaustion. The use of all of these elements not only leads to excellent combat gaming, but also tremendous role playing.