Maybe good solution would be to allow players without profession to work at tavern. But for lower wage, lets say for 3 gold. Or maybe inexperienced workers would get the same wage, but would lose their hitpoints and spirit while working (because they would work the most dirtiest and exhaustive work possible (maybe as tavern toilet cleaners? XD) Or maybe "begging in the streets" mode? In this way hero would get money quite fast, but will lose his fame. Village bank would be other solution. Or maybe disable deterioration for the heroe's weapon? Or maybe even with 0 durability, heroe's weapon would be still able to do 50 % damage. Ore maybe allow the hero to fight with his fists? Without any weapon he would still do 1 damage.
Well looks like there is a lot of options how to solve such problem