Muddy Dwarf

Dwarves are meant to swing mighty hammers and craft legendary weapons. Yet Durik’s gentle hands and green thumb make him a misfit in his underground home, and when his unusual talents draw unwanted attention, he has no choice but to start fresh in the surface city of Ruttenwand.

Becoming the West Quarter’s first mortician wasn’t exactly his plan, but with the friendship of a local baker’s daughter and the grudging respect of a gruff Orkin guard captain, Durik’s gentle hands and gifts with the dead soon make him indispensable.

Yet in a city that stands at the edge of the Pale Rot, even the simplest life has its complications. As Durik’s understanding of death energy grows, so too do the shadows that threaten his newfound home and the people he’s come to cherish.

A GameLit fantasy, about finding your place in the world, one brew, burial, and bun at a time.

About the Book: Join Durik’s journey through the years as he finds his place among Ruttenwand’s diverse streets; brewing ales, honoring the dead, and uncovering the deeper mysteries that lie beyond life’s veil.

From warm bakery mornings in the West Quarter to quiet vigils in the Low Gardens, he witnesses both the fleeting joys and lasting sorrows of the shorter-lived races he comes to call family, all while outside forces slowly transforms the city he now calls home.

System Elements: A system-light GameLit fantasy where skills improve through practice and abilities are earnt through pivotal moments rather than combat levels, offering a refreshing non-combat focused progression for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with heart and a little soul magic.