The Outer lands and The Tavern at the end of the world.
The world of bones is bigger than most even realise and whilst we live in a savage boiling world, it is nothing compared to true savagery outside the world of bones limits. Those of us in the know dare not leave. Rumors of packs of starving creatures ripping you to shreads, strange ruins and foreign fauna. In my youth i had decided to go out past the limits of our maps, i had traveled to the boundary and travelled the plains unknown.
The heat begin to boil my blood, getting used the the temperature alone was tough but the things. Strange creatures with twelve three jointed limbs stalked the land, they were feast on a corpse of something unrecognisable. It wasn't long before they spotted me, i ran with all my might. I saw a structure, a tall pitch black tower and contorted and twisted itself upon the horizon. I barely managed to get in time, they left and for now i was safe.
The decorum was strange but family it was like a library of somekind, books littered the walls in massive bookcases. I walked for what felt like hours until i came across a study.
"Ah come in" he said "sit right there and tell me what brings you out here"
I sat down and was meet by a human, but he seemed different. His limbs were far too long, as he reached towards the side table i saw they were, skelatal covered with clubs of a strange brown substance that seemed to occasionally drip upon the floor.
He turned to look at me and his face was a mismatch, one eye was grey and clouded, what seemed to have been dulled by the ages whilst the other was yellow and bore a slit pupil. His nose was missing showing too deep circular chasms and his mouth was an organised mismatch of teeth, clearly not belong to one or even several creatures but each being unique.
"Ah sorry, i don't mean to startle you, i know you appearance is certainly unconventional to say the least" he spoke "you must have alot of questions but i fear we won't have much time to discuss, you were lucky to find me. The world of bones is a cruel place but once you crossed the boundary you entered the world of flesh. It is even more inhospitible as you have seen."
"It is" I muttered
"I see, well i will escort you back to the safety of your world but i ask a favor" "Never come back, even if you survive out here you become a husk, this land changes you" "I have barely survive by scavanging what i can"
"What about this tower? Certainly proves you have done something to stake a hold here"
"It was here before i came, the crude furniture is mine but the building was here and has been here long before me i am sure of it"
I soon found my head growing heavy as sleep overtook me and i soon found myself waking surrounded by dwarves.
"you okay sir, everything alright"
"Yeah, im okay"
"You should be more careful, we found you passed out on our embark site"
"Ah i see, where is ....."
"No one else with you"
"I see"
"You are welcome to join us, we are building a grand tavern on the edge of the world"
"You are most kind and i think it only fair i repay that by helping out"
"Well, what you waiting for get up and get working"
"Say what is the taverns name"
"Aye, that is something we are working on but it will be in honor of Ustir Fogpattered"
"Who were they"
"A legendary duck warr.."
"A DUCK?"
"Aye, he fought against the invaders of his sight, lost a bill and an eye but never gave up"
"Is he still alive?"
"He died imprisoned, some dwarves attempted raids to resue him but alas the old duck was far too old"