A Gjall and a couple of seekers ended up solving part of the problem. I still had to kill a mage and a rogue, and then some, apparently higher-level mage showed up that was a bit more of a challenge, but problem solved.

After the carnage, I tried placing a crafting table, partly to build a quick shelter for the night, but also to see if I could get more stuff, but I wasn't able to place it anywhere. Is that normal?

I find it nearly impossible to find the right orientation/location to place a crafting table in mistlands anyways, but this seemed worse.

There's also a skull nearby that apparently has something in it that I'm supposed to want, so I'll have to figure out what that is now and go back and get it.

Still haven't found a mine, which is what I really want/need...