Thank you for the responses everyone. I think I have decide to go "Hearth and Home" mode and not try to take out the next boss yet. I still sometimes die to Trolls (as I found out yesterday and this morning) if I am unable to get a good backstab in to start the fight. So I need to work on my blocking and dodging some more.

I think I will follow jonnin's advice and take on the first boss again before proceeding. That way I know I have improved upon my gameplay.

I did capture two non-star wolves this morning in my pit trap and tame them, yea! It did not work the way I intended, they did not follow me into it. So, I put floor panels over the pit, had them path onto the platform, then destroyed it. They made a baby that I left in the pit to use in the future when I go after a star wolf (not ready yet.)

Going to continue farming the Black Forrest for copper and other supplies. I'll upgrade my current base of operations, breed up the wolves, organize my storage better, and fight forest mobs to level my skills. Then I may head over to the Elder area, scout that out and set up a forward base for him and the nearby swamp. I think I will venture into the swamp and test my fighting skills on those mobs before going against Elder, since the raids will become those mobs after I kill Elder.

Thank you again for all the input, everyone here was very helpful and informative.