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{{Book|title = The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun|author = Gary Gygax (With thanks to Rob Kuntz)|editor = Andrea Olson-Barnas|publisher = TSR|type = Adventure|cover_artist = Karen Nelson|inter_artist = Karen Nelson|released = 1982|pages = 32|isbn = 0-88038-002-0|series = WG Series|preceded_by = [[The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth]]|cartography = Eric N. Shook|image = WG4- cover.jpg}}'''The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun''' is an adventure module for 1st Edition AD&D, for player characters levels 5-10 and presumably for a party size of 6-8 if following directly on from S4: [[The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth]].
{{Source|fgcolor=#fff|
image=|
caption=|
name=''The Forgotten Temple<br>of Tharizdun''|
type=Adventure module|
code=WG4|
edition=1st edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''|
author=[[Gary Gygax]]|
first published=1982|
series=[[Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth|S4]] [[Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun|WG4]]|
class=Canon|
}}
'''''The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun''''' is an adventure module for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' role-playing game, set in the ''[[World of Greyhawk]]'' campaign setting.  The module bears the code WG4 and was published by [[TSR, Inc.]] in 1982 for the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' rules. Because it is one of the ''WG'' modules, it is a module intended for the ''World of Greyhawk'' campaign setting.


== Blurb ==
The adventure is a loosely connected sequel to module S4. It is a combined wilderness and dungeon adventure set in the Southern [[Yatil Mountains]] focused on a temple dedicated to the evil and insane Greyhawk god [[Tharizdun]].
''"This special module is a combined wilderness and dungeon adventure scenario. It contains background information, referee's notes, encounter keys, outdoor and dungeon level maps, and new monsters and treasures. While it is designed to interface with THE LOST CAVERNS OF TSOJCANTH, this module is capable of standing alone. Likewise, while it is played within the Greyhawk Campaign, it can easily be adapted to play in any individual campaign which employs the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS<sup>TM</sup> game system"''
The module was written by [[Gary Gygax]] with artwork by Karen Nelson.


== Index ==
==Plot summary==
The adventurers are involved in the story by a gnomish community and travel to the temple. After battling their way in, the characters explore the temple chambers which contain mundane creatures and new monsters from the ''[[Fiend Folio]]''.  This segment of the module is similar to many other of TSR's AD&D dungeon crawls including those of the S1-S4 series which precedes this module.


=== Art ===
During their exploration the characters may reach the chambers of the temple in which religious rituals were performed, and risk insanity and death as they contact remnants of the worship of the imprisoned god [[Tharizdun]]. To progress further the characters must enact portions of the rituals of worship of Tharizdun, traveling into a dark and freezing underground subtemple, and magically opening an inner sanctum called the "Black Cyst." Having advanced this far the characters are likely to be driven insane, killed outright, or permanently trapped within the underground temple.   
* '''Karen Nelson''': Griffin<sup>(p.7)</sup>, Heraldry of the Rotting Eye Tribe<sup>(p.9)</sup>, Littered Quarter<sup>(p.13)</sup>, Quaal's Feather Token<sup>(p.15)</sup>, Writhing columns<sup>(p.18)</sup>, Norker<sup>(p.21)</sup>, Annis<sup>(p.31)</sup>, Bead of Force<sup>(p.32)</sup>, Grell<sup>(Backcover)</sup>


=== Characters ===
==Lovecraftian elements==
* '''Groog''', Mountain giant leader of the temple forces.<sup>(p.4,16,27)</sup>
The thematic elements of nightmare and insanity which are introduced when the PCs are exposed to the evil influence of Tharizdun's temple bring elements of Lovecraftian horror to Dungeons & Dragons, not for the first time. The concept of a trapped, malevolent god, intent upon the destruction of all that is, harkens to the dark and insane Great Old Ones. In his comprehensive article on the topic of Lovecraftian influence on D&D – "The Shadow Over D&D" – [[James Jacobs]] says of ''The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun'' and ''Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil'', "Tharizdun [...] obviously owes his pedigree to Lovecraft."
* '''Gwaylar''', Laird of Gnome Vale and Uvalnoniz Clan<sup>(p.3)</sup>
* An unnamed noble from the Kettish Family '''Aldeen'''<sup>(p.20)</sup>
* '''Teldroll Storis''', a mountain dwarf fighter/thief 9/10<sup>(p.20)</sup>
* '''Wongas''', the last High Priest of [[Tharizdun]], now a Coffer Corpse<sup>(p.26)</sup>


=== Creatures ===
==Reception==
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
''The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun'' was ranked the 23rd greatest ''Dungeons & Dragons'' adventure of all time by ''[[Dungeon]]'' magazine in 2004, on the 30th anniversary of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' game.
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; -webkit-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
* Aarakocra <sup>(p.6-7)</sup>
* '''Annis <sup>(p.15,31)</sup>'''
* Bear <sup>(p.5)</sup>
* Boar <sup>(p.5-6)</sup>
* '''Boggart <sup>(p.23,31)</sup>'''
* Brown Mold <sup>(p.19)</sup>
* Caryatd Column <sup>(p.26)</sup>
* Coffer Corpse <sup>(p.26)</sup>
* Dragon, Brass <sup>(p.7 Mentioned)</sup>
* Dwarf <sup>(p.20)</sup>
* Ear Seekers <sup>(p.25)</sup>
* Giant, Hill <sup>(p.5-6,10,12,14)</sup>
* Giant, Mountain <sup>(p.12-13,16)</sup>
* Gnoll <sup>(p.11-12,18,22)</sup>
* Gnome <sup>(p.3)</sup>
* Grell<sup> (p.25)</sup>
* Griffon <sup>(p.7)</sup>
* Guardian Daemon <sup>(p.25)</sup>
* Human <sup>(p.20)</sup>
* Lamia <sup>(p.7-8)</sup>
* Leucrotta <sup>(p.7)</sup>
* Lion, Mountain <sup>(p.6)</sup>
* Lynx, Giant <sup>(p.6)</sup>
* Meazel <sup>(p.27)</sup>
* Norker <sup>(p.5-6,10-12,14-15,18,20-21)</sup>
* Ogre <sup>(p.5-6,10,12,16-17,20-22)</sup>
* Orc <sup>(p.8)</sup>
** Half Orc/Hobgoblin <sup>(p.8)</sup>
* Otyugh <sup>(p.24)</sup>
* Shadow Demon <sup>(p.28)</sup>
* Spider, Huge <sup>(p.22)</sup>
* Stag, Giant <sup>(p.6)</sup>
* Stunjelly <sup>(p.24)</sup>
* Troll<sup>(p.5-6,10-12,15,20)</sup>
* Troll, Giant <sup>(p.12,19)</sup>
* Wolf <sup>(p.5-6)</sup>
* Wolf, Dire <sup>(p.17)</sup>
</div>
</div>
=== Items ===
* '''Wand of Force'''- a wand that can be used as a sword and to cast Wall of Force and Bigby's Forceful Hand. <sup>(p.32)</sup>
* '''Bead of Force'''- a bead that can be used to cause damage and trap creatures within a sphere<sup>(p.32)</sup>


=== Locations ===
==Bibliography==
* [[Ket]]<sup>(p.6)</sup>
*Bambra, Jim. "Open Box." ''White Dwarf'' #44. London: Games Workshop, 1983.
* [[Perrenland]]<sup>(p.6)</sup>
* [[Yatil Mountains|Yatils]]
** Gnome Vale<sup>(p.3)</sup>


=== Organisations ===
*[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''The [[Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun]]''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1982.
* Jagged Knife Clan, orcs<sup>(p.8)</sup>
** Rotting Eye Tribe<sup>(p.8)</sup>
* Uvalnoniz Clan, gnomes <sup>(p.3)</sup>


== Appendix ==
*[[James Jacobs|Jacobs, James]]. "The Shadow Over D&D: Lovecraft's Influence on Dungeons & Dragons." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #324. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.
Trivia


The wand of force has been nicknamed 'The Lightsaber' by some fans.
*[[Erik Mona]], [[James Jacobs]], et al. "The 30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time." ''[[Dungeon]]'' #116. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.


The original players of this campaign were Luke Gygax, Mike Olson, Sonny Savage, Richard Kuntz, and Mitch Preston, with Gary Gygax as Dungeon Master.<sup>(p.30)</sup>
==External links==
*[http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/wg.html World of Greyhawk Series (WG4 - 12)] at The Acaeum
*[http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/gh/gh-wg4.htm The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun] at the TSR Archive


External Links
 
* Articles: [https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/45273/forgotten-temple-tharizdun RPGGeek], [https://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=1228 RPG.Net], [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17080/WG4-The-Forgotten-Temple-of-Tharizdun-1e?it=1 DriveThruRPG], [https://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/wg.html Acaeum], [http://www.tsrinfo.net/archive/gh/gh-wg4.htm TSR Archive]
[[Category:Canonical sources|Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun, The]]
* Reviews: [https://merricb.com/2013/07/19/review-of-the-forgotten-temple-of-tharizdun/ Merric's Musings], [https://www.greyhawkgrognard.com/2018/04/12/thoughts-on-forgotten-temple-of/ GreyhawkGrognard], [http://grognardia.blogspot.com/2008/11/retrospective-forgotten-temple-of.html Grognardia], [http://swordsandstitchery.blogspot.com/2015/12/retro-review-wg4-forgotten-temple-of.html SwordsandStichery]
* Think Pieces: [http://lordofthegreendragons.blogspot.com/2010/05/cold-text-file-wg4-afterword.html LordoftheGreenDragons], [http://greytalkarchives.blogspot.com/2015/02/re-tharizduns-elemental-trinity-was.html Greytalkarchives],
* Forum Posts: RPG.Net- [https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/expanding-salvaging-the-forgotten-temple-of-tharizdun.780433/ Expanding/Salvaging The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun], [https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/1st-2nd-ed-caverns-of-tsojcanth-temple-of-tharizdun-and-wilderness-adventure.472802/ (1st/2nd ed) Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Temple of Tharizdun, Wilderness Adventure], Enworld- [https://www.enworld.org/threads/the-forgotten-temple-of-tharizdun-your-experiences.114633/ Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun- your experiences?] Dragonsfoot- [https://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=79731 Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun]
[[Category:Modules]]
[[Category:1e AD&D Modules]]
[[Category:WG Series]]
[[Category:Needs References]]

Revision as of 02:45, 27 April 2021

Greyhawk Source
The Forgotten Temple
of Tharizdun
Type: Adventure module
Code/Abbreviation: WG4
Edition: 1st edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
Author(s): Gary Gygax
Series: S4 WG4
First Published: 1982
Class: Canon

The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun is an adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting. The module bears the code WG4 and was published by TSR, Inc. in 1982 for the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules. Because it is one of the WG modules, it is a module intended for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting.

The adventure is a loosely connected sequel to module S4. It is a combined wilderness and dungeon adventure set in the Southern Yatil Mountains focused on a temple dedicated to the evil and insane Greyhawk god Tharizdun. The module was written by Gary Gygax with artwork by Karen Nelson.

Plot summary

The adventurers are involved in the story by a gnomish community and travel to the temple. After battling their way in, the characters explore the temple chambers which contain mundane creatures and new monsters from the Fiend Folio. This segment of the module is similar to many other of TSR's AD&D dungeon crawls including those of the S1-S4 series which precedes this module.

During their exploration the characters may reach the chambers of the temple in which religious rituals were performed, and risk insanity and death as they contact remnants of the worship of the imprisoned god Tharizdun. To progress further the characters must enact portions of the rituals of worship of Tharizdun, traveling into a dark and freezing underground subtemple, and magically opening an inner sanctum called the "Black Cyst." Having advanced this far the characters are likely to be driven insane, killed outright, or permanently trapped within the underground temple.

Lovecraftian elements

The thematic elements of nightmare and insanity which are introduced when the PCs are exposed to the evil influence of Tharizdun's temple bring elements of Lovecraftian horror to Dungeons & Dragons, not for the first time. The concept of a trapped, malevolent god, intent upon the destruction of all that is, harkens to the dark and insane Great Old Ones. In his comprehensive article on the topic of Lovecraftian influence on D&D – "The Shadow Over D&D" – James Jacobs says of The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun and Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, "Tharizdun [...] obviously owes his pedigree to Lovecraft."

Reception

The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun was ranked the 23rd greatest Dungeons & Dragons adventure of all time by Dungeon magazine in 2004, on the 30th anniversary of the Dungeons & Dragons game.

Bibliography

  • Bambra, Jim. "Open Box." White Dwarf #44. London: Games Workshop, 1983.
  • Jacobs, James. "The Shadow Over D&D: Lovecraft's Influence on Dungeons & Dragons." Dragon #324. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2004.