Alright, this is the stage of the game where equipment becomes more essential to survival. Now, we dont know what sort of damage these hostiles will do, but assuming it's just physical since they're stalker cohorts and not stalkers themselves, we need to make sure our most vulnerable members are protected.
Forge, also, doesnt require leaving home- so possibly making some padded armor is a good next move?

Similarly, there is almost no point in staying and fighting these battles, if they're just going to keep coming, and we get no reward for winning (only damage, wah!) So I would advise anyone who is worried about battles to immediately switch their fighting stance to "flee".

I can also farm up a bit more money and get us a stash of enigma berries, if you guys want? Let me know.