So after "Whispers in the Dark" is it possible to go straight to Volunruud to talk to Amaund Motierre?
Astrid defiance of the Night Mother irks me lol
Anyone try this out?

I'm pretty sure "no". I had cleared it out and it repopulated when Motierre's quest triggered. Even a few of the chests and whatnot. Some of the other NPCs hadn't respawned, though, which made the second time a bit easier than the first.