For those starting out with rockjoint or any other disease and dont feel like going to whiterun yet

[Nephkin]

There is a hawk along the path towards bleakfall barrows from riverwood, follow the path until you come to the first s curve. Kill the wolves first than find and shoot the hawk with a ranged projectile (presumibly arrow) and you have yourself a few free disease curing hawk feathers.

edit: there is also a talos shrine between the guardian stones and lakeview manor, this can be used as a substitute.

[Zenarkenstin]

Nifty, but nothing a quick trip to a hold's local temple won't cure

[Belanos]

I didn't realize that you could shoot down birds in the game. But it would be a lot less hassle just to make your way to Whiterun and activate one of the shrines there. Once you take down those wolves, there's nothing in your way that could pose any danger anyway.

[lupus_hegemonia]

If you playing without mods, you can start exploring and killing bandits & wolves.
If you're playing with mods (a lot, like myself), even the very first step you're doing after Helgen's escape is a challenge, the battles (even with wolves) are hard, etc.

Personally, the only conflict I do (when escaping from the cave), is to kill these bandits (with the help of the Nord fella who joined my escape) and get the first treasure map (the bandits have).
Then, I'm heading to Riverwood and getting "Recorder" (one of the best stand alone companions) and I'm visiting the Trader Shop to get his quest (to find the Golden Claw) WHICH IS CONNECTED (this quest) with the very first part of the Main ("Alduin Defeat") Quest.
And then, heading to Whiterun, after I took all the available quests from the "Message Board" (outside Riverwood's Inn)...

[Nephkin]

well i mean its a neat trick to figure out if ur not playing a disease free mod or anything like that. and the birds respawn quickly when away from the vacenity and they are lightweight so with all those factors they could easily be farmed and even taken with incase you get sanguinare vampiris and you dont want to be a vampire by the time you forget you even have it.

[Washell]

Originally posted by lupus_hegemonia:

If you playing without mods, you can start exploring and killing bandits & wolves.
If you're playing with mods (a lot, like myself), even the very first step you're doing after Helgen's escape is a challenge, the battles (even with wolves) are hard, etc.

That rather depends on the type of mods you install. Don't make blanket statements.