How does the world map work exactly?

[DaLagga]

So I've read up on the features and watched a couple of videos, but I can't seem to find a good explanation of how the world map works. Are there just a set number of nodes that you progress through, a bit like FTL, where you have events/encounters before moving on to the next area? Or is a bit more like Battle Brothers or Mount and Blade where the map is more open and dynamic? Can you own forts/towns/etc.? Thanks.

[Mad Sheep Studios]

The world is "nodes based" meaning you can travel from one node to the next adjacent. With that, one day elapses. So it's more like in FTL. But you are not restricted to travel in one specific direction, but can roam through whole zone/world.

[Mad Sheep Studios]

Also, the world/travel in Urtuk is zone-based. Meaning the starter zone is the 'Badlands' and you have to proceed to next zone (Swamps Caverns) and so forth unitl final zone.