How do I initiate combat?

[Iban]

If you've walked through a bog recently, you might want to check your equipment for hitchhikers.

Good call. That solves that.

[sabinati]

you're taking damage from starvation maybe?

edit: or leeches, yeah

[Moogie]

As a general tip, I would not advise hunting anything that can actually fight back just yet. This is an unusual game in that it takes a while until you've built up your stats before combat is at all feasable-- simply, it is a lot more realistic than most games out there, that assume every person can singlehandedly kill wild animals with little or no training.

Catch rabbits and chickens. Pick apples and mulberries. Grow wheat and make bread. Most importantly, craft yourself a full set of leather armor before you even think of initiating combat with a fox that isn't firmly penned in with unbuilt fires.

Hope this helps a bit. I know it's a bit shocking to have such a harsh start in the world, but that's partly what makes this such an inspiring game. When you succeed, despite not being held by the hand every step of the way by some sissy easy tutorial stage, you will feel geniunly proud of your accomplishments.

[Iban]

Literally none of these options exist. There are no rabbits, chickens, fruit trees, anything. I'm basically eating roots and, if I'm VERY lucky, a rabbit.

[Moogie]

Literally none of these options exist. There are no rabbits, chickens, fruit trees, anything. I'm basically eating roots and, if I'm VERY lucky, a rabbit.

Literally all of those options exist, or I would not have suggested them. Move further afield, find other terrain types. Yes, you'll only find roots, apples and the occasional rabbit in pine forests. You'll find mulberries and more rabbits in broadleaf forests, and chickens can be found in all types of plains/grassland.

[sabinati]

learn to fish