Here Be Dragons
The Empire and the Eastern Lands occupy areas of a large continental land mass. An uncharted ocean surrounds it and what is beyond that, nothing is known. A few small islands have been found within a hundred miles of land but sailing beyond sight of the coast is dangerous. Neither civilisation has the knowledge or technology to explore the oceans.
Within the continent, large areas are wilderness. Populated only by savage tribes of humans, orcs and just about every other creature. Geographical features such as the great mountain range west of Twill are to hazardous to cross even if they weren't home to giants and many other creatures of legend.
Even close to major populations, mountains and forests hide many secrets and provide homes to the worst types of creatures. Few rulers spend money mapping or patrolling these wildernesses. It is the people who live on the edges, peasants and minor nobles, that have the best knowledge of what is nearby but often this is confused with legend and speculation.
To the brave, the hopeful and the stupidly naive, these unknown areas are magnets. Everyone knows stories of adventures who returned with the head of a great beast defeated in battle or sacks of gold found in ruins. The many who fail to return at all are never spoken of.
