I think the biggest mistake you can make in creator owned work is having info-dumps like, "Here's how this world works!" it's just like someone playing dungeon master and boring me with the backstory of their fucking world. Just bring me into you story and get it cooking.
I take my rucksack and go out the opening where the front door used to be. Manchee gets up from where he's curled and follows me. When I sit down, he recurls by my legs and fall asleep, farting happily and giving a doggy sigh. Simple to be a dog.