This might be a weird one but for inspiration and pure reading enjoyment I can really recomment the Donjon/Dungeon series by Lewis Trondheim and Koan Sfar.

Yes it is a comedic, parody of fantasy with anthromorphic characters (main character is an anthromorphic duck) but the world is compelling the storyline is great and the art a symbiont of old school d&d (Otis,Tramp etc) and cartoony.

There is lots to steal here. The premise and first impression might seem childish/funny d&d parody butit is very well written.