Well, I hope this helps you. I enjoyed writing it, so get out there and bash a lot, make rude noises, and offer to eat and elf that shows up. One thing I didn't mention, but may have come out. I am cheep in my playing, I hate spending money I don't have too. Free armour and weapons abound in the swamp, and while not great don't cost you much.
Fishing is the same thing.
You have a lot of down-time healing, so buy a pole and some bait and fish sitting down while you heal up. Saves money for food and passes the time too. Good luck all.