In 2025 I’m reviewing zungeon zines. They’re stream of consciousness and unedited critiques, just like Bathtub Reviews, but they’ll be a little briefer. The goal here is a little different: I want to spotlight what a craft-based, just-do-it approach to module writing can do.

The Temple of Kuzhlen by Kirhon Vi is a 3 page zungeon, published about a week after the Zungeon Jam went live. It features a public domain cover, and a hand-drawn cover. Its pretty cool. Let’s get into it.

What do I like? I really like the touch of having a follow up to the rumour, here, for a little more information. I really like how the final room is locked but visible from the first room you enter. I really like how all of the rooms are unique; I really like the two distinct factions that are immediately easy to embody and make decisions in the shoes of. The clues regarding the small mystery I think are seeded such that the players will figure it out quickly, and I feel like there’s a decent chance of resolving conflict peaceably if they’re paying attention and the referee communicates the faction habits clearly.

What could be improved? I think that the time spent on the second rumour space might be more useful to introduce a dilemma, like that the Molten Claws are needed by the party for some reason. I think that there needs to be a little more clarity about what the two choices when facing down the slime might be. I think a specific named character for each of the two factions would be really helpful; I want to say that I’d like some advice how to play those characters, but honestly I think their descriptions are so strong that’s probably unnecessary. I also think that the module clearly favours non-violent solutions, but I think the party need to be more strongly encouraged to do violence otherwise it isn’t really a choice, is it? What do the factions have that violence would get them more easily? On the other hand, there’s no strong reason to help either of them, either, or to aid one over the other. Giving all of them a little extra spice would help add drama and make decision-making more difficult.

This is a great little first stage zungeon, filled with fun people to interact with and interesting potential encounters. It just needs to be a little more flammable. With those things added, this is easily something I’d pay for, and as it lies the Temple of Kuzhlen will be a great addition to your campaign, or a fun one-shot.

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