Andor's Trail

I've been stuck by the cabin for awhile now. Recently found the blackwater dagger but it was poisonous so I'm guessing I can't use that. I'm using a defenders blade and been unequipping my stone cuirass from time to time in order to have a second hit per round. Even leveled up to 22 and collecting potions along the way but it's impossible to GE thru the cave and outta blackwater. I'm getting so frustrated just killing the monsters in cabin n snowmen that I'm about to start over. Anyone else getting stuck in blackwatwr with no way home or any ideas how to get out? Even tried "save cheating " but it makes no difference if I return to cabin to rest

It's known to be an area where this might happen. Advice would be to collect a lot of potions, try to avoid monsters on your way down and save often. It won't be an easy journey, but it should be doable. Head up again only when you've gotten considerably stronger.

I can feel your pain, I had the same problem with insect cave, easy to grind there, but when I tried to go back...

My advice is the same, grind lots of potions from easiest mob you can kill, then save&cheat before each mob so you lose least possible hp.
After you get a little back, it gets easier and those big minotaur looking guys also drop meat..
Also there is a away to gain form blackwater dagger Other option is to start over, which you increased knowledge and tactics, you can get back to blackwater and survive there pretty quick.

Do you have the jewel of fallhaven? If you do (maybe even if you dont) take off the defenders blade and go bare handed on the way back. 1 or two attacks is fine when you're a good match for the enemy, but getting 3-5 swings will surely help out.

Don't use the Blackwater gear, the effects really hurt your build.

Stay near the cabin and kill what you can without using potions, sleep in the bed to heal, go back outside and kill more monsters, build up as many potions as you can.

You can make it out of there, but it won't be easy.

Happy hunting!