The problem consists only in the story/ premise. I'm not asking for an easy introduction, but for a believable plot. If your character gets killed by rats, he shouldn't be some king's first choice for a dangerous mission, or a bodyguard.
I think Fable 1 did a great job at creating a believeable starting plot, (except for the whole guild business), you start as a kid and go trough some trials as you become a promising hero candidate, and your choices influence some friends/rivals... I'd like to see something like this again, maybe with a little touch from Dragon Age starting stories... it could be part of the character generation, and as you age you could add new perks/skills/talents/feats on the go.
This will avoid the "omg I finally hit that rat/goblin" cause for a kid these monsters are a real threat... imagine a peaceful village attacked by goblins, and your kidself has to fight for her/his life, barely escaping death and no home to return... maybe than the PC would have to provide for smaller sisters/brothers and so the PC has to start adventuring...