Stumbling Up

A Loser's Guide to Progression, Book 1

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].

One drunken mistake later, he’s conscripted into the Adventurer's Guild. First stop? A deadly [Trial Dungeon] with a sarcastic slug, a mysterious goth, and two best friends who are absolutely not qualified for this.

Richard is a ‘foot-long’ telepathic jerk with a gift for emotional damage.

Leo is a pink sweater wearing himbo with a double-bladed axe and a hit first mentality.

Tandy is a genius crafter with a deep and irrational hatred of sheep.

And Meredeath? She’s not in Kansas anymore, but she is kicking monster butt in platform boots.

Together, they form [Your Mom’s Party], the dungeon’s least-likely survivors. Join them as they stumble towards glory treasure power adventure.

Welcome to the party.

Try not to die.

Stumbling Up is a heart-wrenching adventure comedy about three friends tackling their quarter-life crisis by pursuing adventure. It's a stat-light LitRPG like Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl and Shirtaloon's He Who Fights With Monsters. These are not your average OP main characters. They're the underpowered losers we’re all rooting for.

©2026 Marsh Douglas (P)2026 Marsh Douglas

Really good start to the series

I loved this book, Richard is the best… Can’t wait for the next book, the shifting of team dynamics makes for an interesting tale

A Twist on Traditional Adventuring Parties

Cole and his friends aren’t your typical adventurers. It’s a motley crew of a hesitant crafter, a mostly non-combat mage, a meathead warrior, and a talking slug with way more knowledge than he lets on. They pick up a couple more oddball additions as they go and fumble through some fairly straightforward quests because they’re all kinda terrible at this. It’s a wild ride from beginning to end since you never can tell what choices they’ll make next. If you enjoy backseat adventuring, this one’s for you. I was constantly yelling at them like you would if watching someone do something stupid in a horror movie. They eventually get it together. Mostly. 10/10 Will read again.

Who wants a banana slug?

A great story! The mixing of mundane life and being thrust into adventure and coping with the results. The author ‘weaves’ a tale of childhood friendship and the changes an immortal fanged banana slug, an off-worlder, and grudge filled system can impose. Solid start to a series looking forward to the next book

Absolutely fantastic adventure!

The characters are relatable, well developed, and fun! Richard is hilarious, and the action and adventure just keeps going! Can't wait for book 2!

Can't wait for book 2!

The narrators being so much life to this already endearing cast. I am watching the movie run through my head as I listen! Can't wait for book 2!