Originally posted by AgentMir:

Thanks for the tips, used the console to retrieve my corpse. I’ll need to get a bit further before attempting the Elder next time.
The initial plan was to make a portal as soon as landfall but as mentioned I was swarmed and insta-killed, literally before even being able to reach dry ground.

a portal as soon as you make landfall is generally a really good idea, you just got very unlucky and found yourself in the plains biome. the monsters there is to strong right now. try sailing a bit from the shore and se if you can spot a black forest or meadows further along the coast.
The elder summoning stone thingie is in a black forest, so scout around :)