yay starter tools! I was hoping for containers next, but thats a good idea too.
I don't think giving people cash right off is a good idea...could lead to someone creating an account giving a friend the cash then remaking over and over again. all cash should be made in game, the way things were meant to be done.
as far as starter tools go:
I really don't like the stone shovel thing, but you can't dig a hole with a pick(though there are picks that have a broad back side for scooping), so mining is really going to throw us off with the many different qualities of tools. then again a tin pick would work if you can dig with it...
for weapons, if you get rid of stone tools(I'm hoping you will) then tin would be default for weapons and could be the start item...then when weapons break you'd need someone able to repair them/make new ones...which makes me think it would be nice to have more than 1 type for each metal so we crafters have more usages to get to the next tier(which takes a really long time).
also repairs! I know you can resmith metal once it breaks, but for a swordsman to be in the middle of a fight and have his sword break then need it resmithed is bad. would be nice to have to old repair method back for some stuff. maybe even have max life go down on an item as it is repaired(ie sword that has 7/25 life would repair to 16/16 but would leave a normal bar once broken?).
as far as picks with broad backs I meant something like this:
best image I can find that isn't huge...