the random maps have issues sometimes. If you got hit by greylings, your alter may be too close to the black forest, and you may want to seek another alter or start another map (keep the character, get your stuff back).

The game is hard and at times, really unfair. You have 3 real options... overprep all the time, which is tedious but some people play permadeath on an honor system and manage, and they are never unprepared to fight the unfair fight. Or you can roll with it, and die from time to time, which is what I do. Or you can give in, as it just gets tougher from here.
Running away in bad situations is perfectly acceptable too, but sometimes you just get mashed no matter what you try. Also just running away to a good place to die so you can get your stuff is viable.