Stumbling Up (Book 1 Stubbed): A Loser's Guide to Progression

Meet Richard: ‘immortal’ banana slug, emotional terrorist, dungeon life coach… Then there’s Cole. He just wants to survive. Richard has goals. Neither of them is optimistic.

In a world split between [Mundanes] and [Adventurers], Cole rolled the worst specialization imaginable: [Self Criticism].

With a sarcastic slug, a mysterious goth, and his two horribly unqualified best friends, he’s headed to fame! riches? certain death, and the journey will challenge the very bonds of their friendship.

Welcome to [Your Mom’s Party]—the dungeon’s least likely to survive.

Try not to die.

———————

Update Schedule:

3 Chapters a Week thereafter (Sun, W, F) @14:11 EST
More on Patreon.

———————

What to Expect

✅ Stat-lite LitRPG mechanics (Skills, specializations, party dynamics—not spreadsheets)
✅ Character-driven narrative with emotional arcs and messy growth
✅ Found family and friendship front and center
✅ Dungeon crawling with unconventional strategies and slice-of-life interludes
✅ Banana slug wisdom (or at least loud, sarcastic opinions)
✅ Progression through failure (because some of us level up the hard way)

What You Won’t Find

❌ Harem or romance-driven plotlines (but feelings may still happen. Poorly.)
❌ Spice (unless you count dungeon bile or Meredeath’s combat boots)
❌ Power fantasy wish fulfillment (unless your fantasy is learning to like yourself)
❌ Edgelord monologuing (unless Richard is making fun of it)
❌ Generic dungeon tropes (everything here is squishier, smellier, and probably alive)