The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth: A classic D&D adventure

[@welovettrpgs]

I hope this is useful to you. When I said Gnome Vale is "part of the Forgotten Temple of Tharizdon" I mean the adventure module - not the actual temple. Also, I want to apologize for the color of my socks. It was laundry day. UPDATE A Polish friend said: " Long y sound. And the c is soft. So the name is actually pronounced Tsoj tsanth (So my translation is still off - I need to soften the "c" - but not too far off and much closer than what others are saying. And Waaay better than what I used to call it in the 80s)

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

Wait! You guys actually wear socks?

[@andrewlustfield6079]

Easily one of my favorite modules from back when---just a blast to play through, and I still draw inspiration from it today in my own games.

[@welovettrpgs]

@@andrewlustfield6079 same - thats why my PCs are fighting Drelnza

[@Tusitala1967]

One of my favorites too! I've run it three times, including an update to 5e.

[@helixxharpell]

Aten. I always share your videos with my design team. ❤

[@welovettrpgs]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@helixxharpell]

@welovettrpgs OK. I'm gonna need you to critique our new world setting Khor The World of Many Portals when it kickstarts next year. Cool beans?

[@welovettrpgs]

@@helixxharpell Sure, love to.

[@kyleswanson6615]

I love this adventure! I used a modified version of it a couple years ago for my campaign and my players had a great time.

[@welovettrpgs]

That's awesome!

[@Gumby-vx7ki]

Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth was also my favorite dungeon module. Even though the dungeon ecology made little sense, the fantastic artwork, new monters, fun treasure, and cool wilderness encounters captivated me.

[@welovettrpgs]

same here!

[@NerdyLiches]

Another like and comment for the algorithm. Trying to watch your entire collection, since I appreciate your content and love "small" creators. The recent VTT one felt like an ad. Couldn't finish it. Love your content.

[@welovettrpgs]

Much appreciated

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

Btw, pal.. My novel is now 153 pages, and new stuff keep popping. I want to send you a excerpt since it was your videos what kicked me to finally sit and write.

[@welovettrpgs]

That's so great! I'm proud of you!

[@cernunnos_lives]

Absolutely love the lore presentation. Well edited too. The art in this module is incredibly well done and one of my old classics. I remember being into it longer than I ever ran the adventure.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thank you kindly!

[@GKahla]

There is so much setting lore in this book, and so little context outside the tournament format... I enjoy this book for the adventure hooks and evocative history it implies. Great coverage, Aten! I love @welovettrpgs -

[@welovettrpgs]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks!

[@mitchryan257]

Great video. I think the real highlight of this is Drelnza, she has captured my imagination.

[@welovettrpgs]

She is a highlight! Thanks!

[@WTFoolproof]

on my third rewatch. lots of replay value.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks! Got another great new adventure rundown coming end of this week.

[@russellharrell2747]

This channel is quickly becoming my fav TTRPG channel. Zee’s animations are still hard to beat tho

[@welovettrpgs]

zee is great.

[@mykediemart]

Great overview of this module. I agree it has a lot of monsters and lore to offer and is a real classic. looking forward to your related videos.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@Geraint3000]

I’ve always been fascinated by this adventure and have always wanted to run it. This book is one of the few WoTC books I’m looking forward to. Btw, you have a hardcore of supporters Aten. I really appreciate your knowledge and input into the lore of D&D.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thank you!

[@sequoyahwright]

Excellent video, sir. I have run this module a few times, but not in recent decades. I remember it as my favorite by far in those halcyon days. Drelnza escaped by going mist-ical and leaving the party to the tender mercies of the xeg-yi and zag-ya. I planned to have her track them down and eliminate them one by one, since they made no effort to move, consecrate or do anything to her crypt aside from looting the bejeezus out of it, but things didn't get that far along. Thank you for your hard work and consistency.

[@welovettrpgs]

BBEG revenge is great! She'll avenge you when she hunts down my PCs! :)

[@TheAlphahirogen]

Thanks for the great video! I've really liked your content and suggestions for dungeon design, it really has helped me to improve my own game. I'm currently two months into DM'ing my first campaign, and have found I really, really enjoy doing it, even more so than being a player. Making a huge, living breathing world (and then having the players crash through it in unexpected ways) has been a lot of fun. I've used your suggestions to "improve" the dungeons on the pre-written campaign module I'm currently running. The whole concept of an ecosystem within the dungeon really resonates with me, and has always been one of my frustrations as a player. I want a challenging dungeon, but I also want the monsters to make sense! Thanks again for the time you've invested into making these videos, I wish you success with the channel hopefully taking off soon. But do know there are folks out here watching and learning from your content!

[@welovettrpgs]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate everyone that is here. You've all been great!

[@KabukiKid]

I loved this adventure. Yeah, it is an insane monster hotel funhouse dungeon, but we had a ball playing it. It was crazy deadly to us, though. I think we lost like 8 PCs in this one... 2 or 3 to that berserking clay golem! lol :-) The extra booklet with the new monsters and items was such a bonus... definitely the best bang for my buck I think I can recall from that era of gaming. :-)

[@welovettrpgs]

Agreed! Nice to see you! Hope all is well!

[@KabukiKid]

@@welovettrpgs I'm well, thanks... hope you are doing well, Aten. :-)

[@mjolasgard2533]

I love this adventure. I'm running it on RPOL at the moment, but you're right in that its an endurance test. I've reframed the adventure as an archaeological dig - where the team must beat out a rival for the famed Tome of Iggwilv. In the dungeon, the other team, better prepared and in vaster numbers, is encountered peacemeal, adding social events to the mix. And letting me have wandering monsters a little easier.

[@welovettrpgs]

I was so excited to review this when last year I realized ... oh it's actually the new monsters that made this cool. So I started doing the lore videos. It is PERFECT for a tournament module though. And it could be a nice addition when running the Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun.

[@mjolasgard2533]

@@welovettrpgs There is the Exploration element too IMO- that seems largely missing form newer modules. This is defo a fun module

[@welovettrpgs]

@@mjolasgard2533 Exactly. That's why I mention the Wilderness survival guide. This adventure leaned into the hex crawl which was not as common back then.

[@mjolasgard2533]

@@welovettrpgs Totally agree!

[@macoppy6571]

Bard: I kiss the sleeping beauty. 😍😘🍆 DM: Aha! Dinner 🍽 🧛‍♀️🪦

[@welovettrpgs]

Perfect!

[@cernunnos_lives]

I remember thinking the same thing years ago lol...

[@sonicexpert986]

Great stuff man! I look forward to watching your Iggwilv video after this one!!!

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@williammoore9794]

Lovely stuff. Thanks for another great video.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks for your support! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@trollsmyth]

Loving this series and your channel in general. I thought I knew a lot of D&D lore, but you've clearly delved deeper than I have. Totally agree on this module; not being a fan of "fun-house" dungeons, I never ran it, but I used damn near everything in the supplemental booklet.

[@welovettrpgs]

thanks!

[@colinleat8309]

Soap box, ...I almost had coffee coming out my nose! 🤣🤣🤣. I would love to participate in one of your game sessions. Your an amazing D.M. you continue to inspire me as both a player and G.M. (especially as a G.M. for my own Ravenloft campaign). Many of those old modules are underated. True, they may not be the best written, it doesn't matter though. It's what you do with it. You are absolutely right that the D.M./G.M has alot of work. They/we have a great amount of responsibility to keep the game going and keep everyone interested. As much as I LOVE D.M.ing my own Ravenloft campaign, I love being just a P.C. as well, that's why we take turns in our extended group. I run Ravenloft, Rachel and Michael run all the others. ( It's ok I only used their 1st names 😉). I actually recommended your videos about D.M.ing to Rachel, she watched and asked: Are you trying to tell me something? 🤣 Thanks so much Aten! Looking forward to your next video! Peace brother! 🤘😎🖖🇨🇦❤️

[@welovettrpgs]

thanks!

[@NefariousKoel]

I always pronounced it the same way as you. Will help defend that hill.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@keithr9640]

Just found the channel. Clicked on it because Tsojcanth was my favorite module as a kid as well. As you said, looking back on it it’s not a very good module but it has tons of individual gems in it. The monsters are for the most part excellent (just the eco system they’re in is terrible). The outdoor adventure I’d argue is still very good especially with the environmental challenges and Gnome Vale is mostly excellent (and a much needed safe spot). I like the final puzzle to enter the boss chamber and the boss itself though some papers need to be “found” to explain her. *spoiler* I’m pretty sure this is the first appearance on Slippers of Spider Climbing. I still love the module but admit mostly for nostalgia but I do raid it often to lift things for my current games. Overall an excellent video and was happy to become a subscriber.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thank so much! And it truly is a fantastic tournament module. Welcome to the channel!

[@VisualMediaConcepts]

I love all of We Love TTRPGs! videos.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@PhilKingstonByron]

Nice summary. well done.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thank you kindly!

[@colemcmullen3904]

Great video. Keep them coming.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks, will do! Thanks!

[@gamemasters]

pronunciation.. I have always given the J a hard J.. more Soj - Canth.. however.. you bring up a BIG point about the Polish pronunciation.. Even within the adventure is the Pech, which is also a Polish word (means bad luck - but it's actually a creature in the adventure). I.. Think you've gotten me to change my mind on how I say it.. instant subscribe from me as well!

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks. And I used to say it that way too - even an earlier video on this channel (Maybe my Tharizdun video?) But then I watched an interview with Emily Ratajkowski explaining how to pronounce her last name so I began digging deeper. Good to see you! I hope you're doing well!

[@simonrogers6830]

Great stuff, keep up the good work.

[@welovettrpgs]

Much appreciated!

[@maatlock]

Great video, thanks man! "We Love TTRPGs!" videos rule

[@welovettrpgs]

Glad you like them! Thanks!

[@dantherpghero2885]

I agree the hex crawl stuff and appendixes are much more useful than the dungeon itself. I used just about every wilderness encounter and some of the dungeon ones. But never ran the dungeon or module as a whole.

[@welovettrpgs]

As a tournament module its great - like a video game "hardcore" permadeath mode.

[@venkelos6996]

I don't usually play the oldest editions, but I'm a total lore junkie so this was a lot of fun for me! Since Iggwilv has already appeared in a 5e resource, I wonder if she has any chance of showing up in the new book, if we'll get a spiffy vampire warrior, with sone fun loot, or what all thus might grant? I usually focus in Forgotten Realms, so my own Greyhawk lore can lag, but always happy to learn more!

[@welovettrpgs]

Well her daughter will be but it's unlikely a Iggwilv stat block will appear. Keep an eye out for my Iggwilv Lore video. I'm 100% against them neutering her in The Wild Beyond the Witchlight. That is a great adventure until the end reveal which is one of the worst M. Night Shyamalan style endings ever. I highly recommend having Zybilna be Zybilna trying to impersonate Iggwilv while not actually being Iggwilv.

[@Frederic_S]

I love all your videos. Thank you for the upload.

[@welovettrpgs]

So nice of you. Thanks!

[@munehauzen]

Love the honesty and that you like it despite how little thought was put into the ecology xD

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@emjtucson]

Great video, very informative.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thank you!

[@JorgeUribe]

Thanks for the video!

[@welovettrpgs]

You bet!

[@Giantstomp]

I've been wanting to use Drelsna

[@RushAss]

Nice summary! This was arguably my favorite 1st Edition module in terms of pure dungeon crawl. I ran a party through it and nearly got a TPK. The Thief/Wizard blew off a fireball in the final fight out of desperation which took out Drelnza, but also cooked the rest of the party. That left him at 5 HP and one other player at 2 HP. Everyone else was toast. On another note, your beard and stache game are on point. Cheers!

[@welovettrpgs]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@jackmorrison5272]

Reminds me of the early DSA modules (German Roleplaying game ) I used to play. Have you thought about using this module for a tutorial on how to update classic modules without loosing the essence of what made it great? I agree with your take on the ecology of dungeons and this seems like a good place to ilustrate that.

[@welovettrpgs]

I've mentioned the issues with it in a couple other videos, my wandering monsters video for example. I will be doing a really full in depth discussion -DM toips etc - video about Castle Amber in the not too distant future that will get really detailed on how to take an old school 32 page module and turn it into an entire campaign. Oh, and I mentioned that in my "How to Maybe be a Great DM" video as well. Thanks!

[@occupationallystrong1606]

Great video.

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@Archaeo_Matt]

I'm a big fan of tournament play; but, you're right about it needing a fair bit of adaptation if you want to use it a campaign setting. I'd also agree about the Polish pronunciation, and when it first came out I did call it SO-canth (with no attempt at an accent). I did retain the use of a voiceless dental affricate for the "TS." In terms of glottochronology, you probably could trace "SYO" back to proto-Slavic. That said, there isn't a great basis for the existence of a Slavic language in Greyhawk; so, you have to contend with its origin in: Old Oeridian, Ancient Baklunish, Flan, Suloise, Ferrel, Fruz, Keolandish, Nyrondese, Velondi, or Lendorian. 😉 I ended up using "SAHJ-canth" because it seemed like it was, roughly, what is in "common" usage these days. Cheers!

[@welovettrpgs]

lol the "SAHJ-canth" makes my skin itchy. I think youll like my Iggwilv vs Tasha video. Ill get back to working on it soon.

[@Archaeo_Matt]

@@welovettrpgs I'll definitely check out the video when it comes. I'm pretty much completely ignorant about everything that came after 1e though. I read through the core books fro 2e and 5e, but nothing in between. I enjoy a wide variety of RPGs, but OD&D or AD&D 1e are what I'm sticking with for a d20 engine.

[@paulsavas2394]

Great vid!

[@welovettrpgs]

Thank You!

[@djeternaldarkness3769]

Good job man!

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@IM-Silviu]

+1 comment, also, very interesting video!

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@cydraiyne8323]

Luke Gygax has clearly pronounced thr name on Dungeon Craft if I remember correctly

[@welovettrpgs]

But Luke could be making it up too. I realize that sounds absurd but I'm cynical. I recently listened to a guy that played it with Gary back in the day but his was really bad too. I don't think they're pronouncing it correctly. The only person I would trust is to hear from Gary but I found nothing from him so all we have to go on is Gary's words about what inspired him to create Iggwilv Thus the Eastern European folklore origins.

[@jamesmangum8575]

Marvelous introduction to this module. I didn’t have a lot of disposable income as a kid in the 80s so I didn’t buy many modules. It is nice to learn about the classics. How do you use these old modules with your current group (I assume you are the overworked game master)? Do you pieces here and there or do you run it pretty true to the module? If you break it up, how do you decide what to keep?

[@welovettrpgs]

I mix and match but stay as try to the "canon" as possible. Right now they're going through part two of Castle Amber so I've used some old 80s material as easter eggs to the grognards. Use what you like, ignore the rest but try to have it make sense in the big picture. In "canon" Drelnza will be sleeping in her mother's treasure horde therefore she has plot armor. For now.

[@helixxharpell]

There's so much "subliminal" stuff contained in that Tharizdun cover that... Hehehehhe. 😉 Right Aten?

[@welovettrpgs]

I really need to do an updated version of my Tharizdun video. I learned a few more things (original Hommlet cover art / Return to Temple Elemental Evil tie-ins) plus I want to discuss the 4th edition changes.

[@chrisragner3882]

It was my favorite too!!! Thank goodness it was not in Finish! That language is the toughest! (I dated a Finish girl. Oh the foolishness to think she could love only me! 😂).

[@welovettrpgs]

I have wanted to do a video about the Finnish gods & mythology but I literally can't because of the language. lol

[@chrisragner3882]

@@welovettrpgs😂!! I have a book on Scottish mythology and lore. I think this inspire me to explore that once again for my world! Finish stuff and Scandinavian mythology and culture is so cool!

[@welovettrpgs]

@@chrisragner3882 it is!

[@mikeb.1705]

Great video, as always! One of my favorite modules for all the reasons you mentioned. But I have to ask... how did you keep your copy so CLEAN!?! Mine is all scuffed and worn from hauling it around to various games in my backpack, LOL! Also, nice socks!

[@welovettrpgs]

I lost everything else from my past BUT except my D&D books which I kept in good shape. Very uncharacteristic for me but it shows how important D&D has been in my life.

[@mikeb.1705]

@@welovettrpgs glad your D&D stuff survived :-) I've always done my best to take good care of my books too, but wear and tear just seems to creep in :-/

[@welovettrpgs]

@@mikeb.1705 true!

[@dane3038]

Ok, need to think up a comment... Ah ha, when are you going to discuss The Temple of Elemental Evil? I think you should be able to squeeze it into a ten part series. Next week, right? Seriously, getting to know that module feels more like archeology than DM prep. Picture the Gandalf in the library meme.

[@welovettrpgs]

I already have a huge digital trove of info as ive been working on that topic since last spring. First long campaign I ever DMed when it was released. I loved the (buggy) video game from the early 2000s and I bought the Goodman Games version without thinking twice. Oh and the "Return to the Temple" from the late 90s too.

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

Interesting I've never used a module , I may steal ideas from them but I've never run one.

[@welovettrpgs]

That's just our old skool way of doing things! I mention that in my previous video, "How to (maybe) be a great DM."

[@Arnsteel634]

I can’t believe you were old enough in 1982 to be desperate for more monsters

[@welovettrpgs]

I'm older than the Moon Landing.

[@midnightgreen8319]

I have 3 copies of this adventure 🤣, not on purpose but I'm not complaining though.

[@welovettrpgs]

Niiice!

[@BryanLeeDavidson]

Is that a Plankeye guitar riff I hear at the end?

[@welovettrpgs]

It's from Ghosthack, just a WAV loop that I like.

[@kontrarien5721]

Nice work. Have a like and subscribe!

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks a lot!

[@EteraRPG]

what kind of moustache wax do you use?

[@welovettrpgs]

I want to say "Mimic enzymes" but that probably wouldn't be helpful to you. I use a cheap thick Palmade because it's easy to get in and off without harming the hairs. A friend recommends Fisticuffs Mustache Wax. I tend to shy away from waxes though because of the effect it has on the hairs. However, my palmade trick doesnt work in the rain.

[@EteraRPG]

@@welovettrpgs Ahhh, I also use thick polmade so I guess it's not just me. Sometimes when I know I have a long day or something more social going on I use a bit of school gluestick ontop of the polmade to seal it off, It does work but idk if it's good for the hairs to use it everyday.

[@welovettrpgs]

@@EteraRPG we used egg whites for our mohawks in the 80s. Of course some people used Super Glue!

[@EteraRPG]

@@welovettrpgs I had to google it, you're not joking. but what about the smell?

[@bigbiggoblin2873]

Noice

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks!

[@arthurbrockway8949]

Why does Jenna Ortega want me to join her in the Fortress of Wrath and how do I sign up for that mission?

[@welovettrpgs]

Everyone thinks it looks like Anne Hathaway

[@cadenceclearwater4340]

🥵🤒😷

[@takanobaierun]

So one could say, others need to... polish their pronunciation!

[@welovettrpgs]

Love it!

[@pccleric]

Just another video bashing Gygax. Yawn and snore.

[@welovettrpgs]

WTF are you moaning about? There's literally nothing in my video bashing Gary.

[@carminegraves]

u seem like a really cool DM

[@welovettrpgs]

Thanks! You seem like a really cool person!