Illarion.org

Well as many other people have noticed over and over again it's impossible for a newb to start the game with the items handed to him, he either has to beg for items, money or materials. So I have a proposal that won't solve the problem but will help a bit, what if the items which break are turned into broken tool? Then you maybe could ask someone to repair for you and you would have another bussiness though this really doesn't help newbs though... Atleast it can give the game a new profession...

http://illarion.org/community/forums/search.php

As you said, many noticed this, many mentioned it.
It will be changed, so the offical response in various topics.