Post by kotori87 on Jun 29, 2019 9:54:39 GMT -6
Ahoy folks, I am a huge fan of TortugaPower's lets play videos of RTW2, and I have been posting a series of roleplaying stories about events in his current game. In this thread I intend to collect all of my RP stories from TortugaPower's games, along with links to the relevant videos for each one. There are many more stories from other fans in the comments of each video. Please note that the Youtube videos, ships, and actual game events belong to TortugaPower. The stories posted here are my own creation and in no way represent Tortuga himself. Many thanks to Tortuga for being so open and interactive with his fans.
******************************
Episode 1: Legacy Fleet
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytbnX_jaR0c
Kapitan Von Kotori steps into the dockyard where SMS Schlesien, the Kaiser's newest battleship, was being built. He took a deep breath, savoring the sounds and smells of a battleship under construction. Hot iron, coal smoke, and the clanging of massive rivets being driven home saturates the air. He smiles. Soon, the most powerful battleship in the world would be his to command.
(I am thrilled to see my naming suggestion make it into the game so early. Schlesien was my request, and Schleswig-Holstein is for my brother Gascan. We're off to a great start!)
******************************
Episode 3: To war!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=73evZyYkJdg
Kapitänsgeschichte, September 1904: We are being deployed. Due to the recent American conquest of Venezuela and other colonial adventurism, the Kaiser has ordered the formation of an East Asia Squadron. Four battleships of the most powerful battleships in the world, along with three protected cruiser escorts. Our mission will be to protect German colonies in the Far East, and remind other nations just who rules the waves. The squadron is being painted in a brilliant white and buff to show the majesty of the Hochseeflotte... and to reduce temperatures under the tropical sun.
Kapitänsgeschichte, March 1905: The Fatherland is officially at war. It seems the upstart Americans wish to extend their precious "Monroe Doctrine" to Africa as well as the new continent. As a result of our perfectly legitimate police action to protect German citizens in Mozambique, the American Congress voted to declare war. President Roosevelt claims to "speak softly and carry a big stick". Kaiser Wilhelm is certainly not soft-spoken, but when it comes time to measure up the Americans will find our stick is much bigger.
(one of the other writers, Sr. RussianDoge, becomes the gunnery officer aboard the Schlesien. His RP can be found in the youtube comments and is quite amazing)
******************************
Episode 4: The Guam Saga
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQmk1_anyn4
Kapitänsgeschichte, May, 1905:
SMS Schlesien was tasked with a raid on the enemy territory of Guam. We arrived in the battle area at sunset. As expected, the American squadron sallied from Pago Bay at the sight of coal smoke, but declined to engage our big guns while it was still light. They turned back to await nightfall. Poor bastards, they had no idea we had been training extensively on Nachtkampftaktik (night fighting tactics). We began our bombardment of the army barracks as nautical twilight passed, and opened up with a volley to draw the attention of every American in the area. Like clockwork, the American warships came sailing into view. Our expert gunners were ready, and soon we were engaged in a sharp action against several cruisers and destroyers. Our mighty steel walls proved utterly immune to their guns, while their light hulls were rent asunder by our high explosive shells. After driving off the American counter-attack, we returned to the army base and finished our bombardment. The barracks facility was completely flattened, and one 15cm shell landed in the middle of the parade ground, knocking over a ridiculous large statue of George Washington. As we sailed away, I asked for a damage report. My Executive Officer stated that several portions of the hull would need a fresh coat of paint. The ship's Doctor reported only a single significant injury: one of the gunners bumped his head on a lighting fixture that was extinguished during the fight, and required several stitches. A few other sailors had minor burns from handling hot brass. All in all, a good night's work.
Kapitänsgeschichte, Oktober, 1905:
The invasion force is still not ready. Sending troops halfway around the world is a long, slow process. We did have some diversion to keep morale up though. Schlesien's raid on Guam scattered the defenders, wrecked the army barracks, and knocked over their big statue in the parade ground. Two months later, the Otto der GroBe and Wittelsbach returned to bombard the officer quarters, and found that ridiculous statue stood back up in the middle of the parade ground. So of course they sank an American cruiser and blasted the statue to smithereens. In early Oktober our spy on the island reported a new American cruiser arriving, bringing more soldiers and a whole new statue for their parade ground. I do not understand this absurd American obsession with statues, but we could not let it stand. So Schlesien set sail in company with the Schleswig-Holstein to flatten their base again. We met the American cruiser in late afternoon, but again it proved reluctant to engage in daylight. We pursued through twilight, and soon knocked down a funnel with a 30.5cm shell. That slowed the cruiser enough that we could close, and our combined firepower reduced it to a burning wreck. I ordered cease fire once crewmen began jumping overboard to escape the flames. We could have stopped earlier, but some fanatical gunners kept firing, lobbing horribly inaccurate shells our way even as water washed across the deck. Regrettably by the time we got back to our original objective, the tide had gone out and we could not approach close enough to spot that absurd statue.
********************************
Episode 05: Expanding the Empire
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFhwji53TDA
The sun rose high on the Pacific Ocean, the clear blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds. A cloud of black coal smoke rises from three columns of steam ships, their triple expansion engines driving large cast bronze propellers that push the vessels onward. They are a motley collection of whatever cargo vessels could be marshaled in California on short notice. The beleaguered American garrison on Guam has been completely cut off from supplies, and a previous attempt to reinforce them failed spectacularly. A division of Marines, as well as artillery support, ammunition, and foodstuffs to reinforce the garrison is being sent to end the German invasion. Despite the losses of the previous convoy, the Marines insisted on sailing together as a convoy. Not only will it keep them organized when they arrive, it is still the best chance. The sea is vast, and a convoy is as easy to spot as a single ship, while many individual ships will be found more easily. The convoy can also have a concentrated escort to ward off any attackers.
One of the steam ships in the convoy is equipped with a massive wireless set that allows it to communicate with the homeland and with the garrison on Guam via a wireless station on Mt Lamlam. Although the Germans have been unable to break the American naval code, it is still apparent that a second relief force has been dispatched. Since it is known that the Americans don't have any battleships in the Pacific, the Linienschiffe of the Ostasiengeschwader are sent one by one to patrol off the approaches to the war-torn island.
After two days on station to the east of the island, a lookout in the topmast of Linienshiffe Schleswig-Holstein notices a distant smudge on the western horizon: coal smoke. No neutral ships have entered the war zone in months. Either a battleship is out of its assigned patrol location, or the convoy nearly escaped notice. The engine-order telegraph bell rings All Ahead Flank and the alarm sounds for the crew to man battle stations. Coal smoke billows from the three funnels, forming a draft of air to bring fresh oxygen to the boilers. Stokers furiously shovel coal and and light off the last of the twelve naval boilers to raise more steam as the throttle valves are swung wide. Three massive pistons pump each engine around twice a second, driving the ship to its maximum speed of 19 knots with three screws churning the sea. The clanging of the engines and auxiliary machinery is accompanied by the singing of steam past the main steam stop valves and down the header, a din that will soon be joined by the thunder of guns.
The dark cloud on the horizon soon separates into three distinct columns of ships, with several small escorts running around. One larger vessel separates from the rest, and the silhouette becomes clear: two tall funnels far apart, matched with two main turrets mark her as an armored cruiser of the New Orleans-class. She is faster than the Schleswig-Holstein, but is compelled to fight to save the convoy. Surveying the scene through the armored slits on the conning tower, the captain makes a swift tactical decision: eliminate the cruiser first, then prey on the convoy at will. The heavy 305cm guns and special Schießübungen (artillery practice) will make short work of the cruiser, while the heavy armor will shrug off any return fire from the lesser vessels.
As the range finder counts down, the huge guns take aim. Finally, at 10 km, the main battery erupts into fire and smoke. 1622 kg of metal and explosive scream downrange, towering columns of water rise just short of the American cruiser. A second broadside rings out and is met with a bright flash and puff of smoke as a shell strikes true. This goads the cruiser into action. Her bow swings around to head back to the convoy and her artillery, beyond the range normally used for practice, opens up a barrage of fire. The gunnery duel is far from even: experienced and drilled German gun crews systematically drop shell after shell on the outclassed cruiser. An American shell strikes the heavily armored hide of Schleswig-Holstein, but bounces harmlessly into the sea. Another 7" shell penetrates deep into the superstructure of the ship and detonates inside the officers quarters. The room is unoccupied for the battle, but a damage control party is sent to put out any small fires left inside. As the Linienschiffe chases the cruiser north, shells crash all around both ships. A hit glances off the roof of turret Anton, while another explodes inside a coal bunker. The 15cm guns join the barrage, and as the range closes, the damage begins to tell. The cruiser heels over sharply as she spirals into an uncontrolled turn: a shell has wrecked her steering gear and locked her rudder to port.
With the enemy cruiser disabled, Schleswig-Holstein now turns on the convoy like a hungry wolf. She stalks between the northern column and the central column, guns firing on all sides. On the decks of the troop transports, brave Marines line the rails, rifles in hand, firing in vain at an enemy they cannot beat. On some ships the scuppers run red with blood. On other ships, bright orange flames dance on the decks, consuming wooden decks, lifeboats, lines, and even flammable paint. The destroyer escorts dart to and fro among the flaming wrecks, to afraid to close with the fearsome avatar of death. Instead, they occupy themselves with rescuing the few survivors they can from the water. Soon their decks are crowded with merchant seamen and marines, telling stories of the maelstrom of destruction they survived.
The victorious German Linienschiffe retreats as twilight sets in. As the sun sets on the ruined convoy, the sun sets on the last, best hope the Americans had of winning the war. A destroyer attempts to close with Schleswig-Holstein out of the setting sun, but is instead silhouetted by the brilliant sky behind it. It backs off after a 15cm shell strikes home. The three destroyers will spend the night fishing survivors from shark-infested waters until every square foot of space is crammed with 91 soggy, demoralized men, barely clinging to life in some cases.
SMS Schleswig-Holstein received only a few hits during the battle, with none killed and only a handful wounded. The junior officers had to find a new place to bunk while repairs were made, and most of their uniforms were damaged beyond repair. For the role his ship played in defeating two enemy cruisers and a critical convoy, Kapitan zur See von Gascan was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class. On his return to Germany after the war, all of the captains of the Ostasiengeschwader were granted an audience with the Kaiser himself, in company with Großadmiral Torturpitz.
(This was written by my brother Gascan and posted here with his permission. His ship, the Schleswig-Holstein, fought an epic battle against an American convoy and totally demolished it)
**********************************
Episode 6: A Royal Pain
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp7V9s4pKdo
Kapitänsgeschichte, July, 1908: Will these barbarians never cease? It seems Britannia has become jealous of our growing empire, and determined to strangle our proud nation in its infancy. We are off to war again. SMS Schelsien has been assigned to the 2nd Battle Squadron as part of the High Seas Fleet. Her days in the white-and-buff of the East Asia Squadron are over. While doing a training cruise near Helgoland, the linienschiff Wapen von Hamburg encountered a strong raiding force of British cruisers. Instead of firing at floating targets, our gunners had real live targets to aim at. It was a short, decisive fight. The British cruisers were scattered before our armored fist, and all who could not flee fast enough were sent to the bottom. Not a bad result for a routine training cruise.
(War with Britain this time. This is when the RP in the comments section really starts taking off. My own entry here is quite short, but others have much more to say)
**********************************
SMS Schleswig-Holstein, an RC combat model that is very similar to the Schleswig-Holstein in the game
SMS Schlesien, another RC combat model of the same class, takes aim at a French dreadnought during a fleet battle
******************************
Episode 1: Legacy Fleet
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytbnX_jaR0c
Kapitan Von Kotori steps into the dockyard where SMS Schlesien, the Kaiser's newest battleship, was being built. He took a deep breath, savoring the sounds and smells of a battleship under construction. Hot iron, coal smoke, and the clanging of massive rivets being driven home saturates the air. He smiles. Soon, the most powerful battleship in the world would be his to command.
(I am thrilled to see my naming suggestion make it into the game so early. Schlesien was my request, and Schleswig-Holstein is for my brother Gascan. We're off to a great start!)
******************************
Episode 3: To war!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=73evZyYkJdg
Kapitänsgeschichte, September 1904: We are being deployed. Due to the recent American conquest of Venezuela and other colonial adventurism, the Kaiser has ordered the formation of an East Asia Squadron. Four battleships of the most powerful battleships in the world, along with three protected cruiser escorts. Our mission will be to protect German colonies in the Far East, and remind other nations just who rules the waves. The squadron is being painted in a brilliant white and buff to show the majesty of the Hochseeflotte... and to reduce temperatures under the tropical sun.
Kapitänsgeschichte, March 1905: The Fatherland is officially at war. It seems the upstart Americans wish to extend their precious "Monroe Doctrine" to Africa as well as the new continent. As a result of our perfectly legitimate police action to protect German citizens in Mozambique, the American Congress voted to declare war. President Roosevelt claims to "speak softly and carry a big stick". Kaiser Wilhelm is certainly not soft-spoken, but when it comes time to measure up the Americans will find our stick is much bigger.
(one of the other writers, Sr. RussianDoge, becomes the gunnery officer aboard the Schlesien. His RP can be found in the youtube comments and is quite amazing)
******************************
Episode 4: The Guam Saga
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQmk1_anyn4
Kapitänsgeschichte, May, 1905:
SMS Schlesien was tasked with a raid on the enemy territory of Guam. We arrived in the battle area at sunset. As expected, the American squadron sallied from Pago Bay at the sight of coal smoke, but declined to engage our big guns while it was still light. They turned back to await nightfall. Poor bastards, they had no idea we had been training extensively on Nachtkampftaktik (night fighting tactics). We began our bombardment of the army barracks as nautical twilight passed, and opened up with a volley to draw the attention of every American in the area. Like clockwork, the American warships came sailing into view. Our expert gunners were ready, and soon we were engaged in a sharp action against several cruisers and destroyers. Our mighty steel walls proved utterly immune to their guns, while their light hulls were rent asunder by our high explosive shells. After driving off the American counter-attack, we returned to the army base and finished our bombardment. The barracks facility was completely flattened, and one 15cm shell landed in the middle of the parade ground, knocking over a ridiculous large statue of George Washington. As we sailed away, I asked for a damage report. My Executive Officer stated that several portions of the hull would need a fresh coat of paint. The ship's Doctor reported only a single significant injury: one of the gunners bumped his head on a lighting fixture that was extinguished during the fight, and required several stitches. A few other sailors had minor burns from handling hot brass. All in all, a good night's work.
Kapitänsgeschichte, Oktober, 1905:
The invasion force is still not ready. Sending troops halfway around the world is a long, slow process. We did have some diversion to keep morale up though. Schlesien's raid on Guam scattered the defenders, wrecked the army barracks, and knocked over their big statue in the parade ground. Two months later, the Otto der GroBe and Wittelsbach returned to bombard the officer quarters, and found that ridiculous statue stood back up in the middle of the parade ground. So of course they sank an American cruiser and blasted the statue to smithereens. In early Oktober our spy on the island reported a new American cruiser arriving, bringing more soldiers and a whole new statue for their parade ground. I do not understand this absurd American obsession with statues, but we could not let it stand. So Schlesien set sail in company with the Schleswig-Holstein to flatten their base again. We met the American cruiser in late afternoon, but again it proved reluctant to engage in daylight. We pursued through twilight, and soon knocked down a funnel with a 30.5cm shell. That slowed the cruiser enough that we could close, and our combined firepower reduced it to a burning wreck. I ordered cease fire once crewmen began jumping overboard to escape the flames. We could have stopped earlier, but some fanatical gunners kept firing, lobbing horribly inaccurate shells our way even as water washed across the deck. Regrettably by the time we got back to our original objective, the tide had gone out and we could not approach close enough to spot that absurd statue.
********************************
Episode 05: Expanding the Empire
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFhwji53TDA
The sun rose high on the Pacific Ocean, the clear blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds. A cloud of black coal smoke rises from three columns of steam ships, their triple expansion engines driving large cast bronze propellers that push the vessels onward. They are a motley collection of whatever cargo vessels could be marshaled in California on short notice. The beleaguered American garrison on Guam has been completely cut off from supplies, and a previous attempt to reinforce them failed spectacularly. A division of Marines, as well as artillery support, ammunition, and foodstuffs to reinforce the garrison is being sent to end the German invasion. Despite the losses of the previous convoy, the Marines insisted on sailing together as a convoy. Not only will it keep them organized when they arrive, it is still the best chance. The sea is vast, and a convoy is as easy to spot as a single ship, while many individual ships will be found more easily. The convoy can also have a concentrated escort to ward off any attackers.
One of the steam ships in the convoy is equipped with a massive wireless set that allows it to communicate with the homeland and with the garrison on Guam via a wireless station on Mt Lamlam. Although the Germans have been unable to break the American naval code, it is still apparent that a second relief force has been dispatched. Since it is known that the Americans don't have any battleships in the Pacific, the Linienschiffe of the Ostasiengeschwader are sent one by one to patrol off the approaches to the war-torn island.
After two days on station to the east of the island, a lookout in the topmast of Linienshiffe Schleswig-Holstein notices a distant smudge on the western horizon: coal smoke. No neutral ships have entered the war zone in months. Either a battleship is out of its assigned patrol location, or the convoy nearly escaped notice. The engine-order telegraph bell rings All Ahead Flank and the alarm sounds for the crew to man battle stations. Coal smoke billows from the three funnels, forming a draft of air to bring fresh oxygen to the boilers. Stokers furiously shovel coal and and light off the last of the twelve naval boilers to raise more steam as the throttle valves are swung wide. Three massive pistons pump each engine around twice a second, driving the ship to its maximum speed of 19 knots with three screws churning the sea. The clanging of the engines and auxiliary machinery is accompanied by the singing of steam past the main steam stop valves and down the header, a din that will soon be joined by the thunder of guns.
The dark cloud on the horizon soon separates into three distinct columns of ships, with several small escorts running around. One larger vessel separates from the rest, and the silhouette becomes clear: two tall funnels far apart, matched with two main turrets mark her as an armored cruiser of the New Orleans-class. She is faster than the Schleswig-Holstein, but is compelled to fight to save the convoy. Surveying the scene through the armored slits on the conning tower, the captain makes a swift tactical decision: eliminate the cruiser first, then prey on the convoy at will. The heavy 305cm guns and special Schießübungen (artillery practice) will make short work of the cruiser, while the heavy armor will shrug off any return fire from the lesser vessels.
As the range finder counts down, the huge guns take aim. Finally, at 10 km, the main battery erupts into fire and smoke. 1622 kg of metal and explosive scream downrange, towering columns of water rise just short of the American cruiser. A second broadside rings out and is met with a bright flash and puff of smoke as a shell strikes true. This goads the cruiser into action. Her bow swings around to head back to the convoy and her artillery, beyond the range normally used for practice, opens up a barrage of fire. The gunnery duel is far from even: experienced and drilled German gun crews systematically drop shell after shell on the outclassed cruiser. An American shell strikes the heavily armored hide of Schleswig-Holstein, but bounces harmlessly into the sea. Another 7" shell penetrates deep into the superstructure of the ship and detonates inside the officers quarters. The room is unoccupied for the battle, but a damage control party is sent to put out any small fires left inside. As the Linienschiffe chases the cruiser north, shells crash all around both ships. A hit glances off the roof of turret Anton, while another explodes inside a coal bunker. The 15cm guns join the barrage, and as the range closes, the damage begins to tell. The cruiser heels over sharply as she spirals into an uncontrolled turn: a shell has wrecked her steering gear and locked her rudder to port.
With the enemy cruiser disabled, Schleswig-Holstein now turns on the convoy like a hungry wolf. She stalks between the northern column and the central column, guns firing on all sides. On the decks of the troop transports, brave Marines line the rails, rifles in hand, firing in vain at an enemy they cannot beat. On some ships the scuppers run red with blood. On other ships, bright orange flames dance on the decks, consuming wooden decks, lifeboats, lines, and even flammable paint. The destroyer escorts dart to and fro among the flaming wrecks, to afraid to close with the fearsome avatar of death. Instead, they occupy themselves with rescuing the few survivors they can from the water. Soon their decks are crowded with merchant seamen and marines, telling stories of the maelstrom of destruction they survived.
The victorious German Linienschiffe retreats as twilight sets in. As the sun sets on the ruined convoy, the sun sets on the last, best hope the Americans had of winning the war. A destroyer attempts to close with Schleswig-Holstein out of the setting sun, but is instead silhouetted by the brilliant sky behind it. It backs off after a 15cm shell strikes home. The three destroyers will spend the night fishing survivors from shark-infested waters until every square foot of space is crammed with 91 soggy, demoralized men, barely clinging to life in some cases.
SMS Schleswig-Holstein received only a few hits during the battle, with none killed and only a handful wounded. The junior officers had to find a new place to bunk while repairs were made, and most of their uniforms were damaged beyond repair. For the role his ship played in defeating two enemy cruisers and a critical convoy, Kapitan zur See von Gascan was awarded the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd class. On his return to Germany after the war, all of the captains of the Ostasiengeschwader were granted an audience with the Kaiser himself, in company with Großadmiral Torturpitz.
(This was written by my brother Gascan and posted here with his permission. His ship, the Schleswig-Holstein, fought an epic battle against an American convoy and totally demolished it)
**********************************
Episode 6: A Royal Pain
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp7V9s4pKdo
Kapitänsgeschichte, July, 1908: Will these barbarians never cease? It seems Britannia has become jealous of our growing empire, and determined to strangle our proud nation in its infancy. We are off to war again. SMS Schelsien has been assigned to the 2nd Battle Squadron as part of the High Seas Fleet. Her days in the white-and-buff of the East Asia Squadron are over. While doing a training cruise near Helgoland, the linienschiff Wapen von Hamburg encountered a strong raiding force of British cruisers. Instead of firing at floating targets, our gunners had real live targets to aim at. It was a short, decisive fight. The British cruisers were scattered before our armored fist, and all who could not flee fast enough were sent to the bottom. Not a bad result for a routine training cruise.
(War with Britain this time. This is when the RP in the comments section really starts taking off. My own entry here is quite short, but others have much more to say)
**********************************
SMS Schleswig-Holstein, an RC combat model that is very similar to the Schleswig-Holstein in the game
SMS Schlesien, another RC combat model of the same class, takes aim at a French dreadnought during a fleet battle