Well, I would also add something:
- Start in Murdenholl, if there is no tournament, start the game again
Now, assuming that tournament is there, earn 3000 aurums in arena and bet that money on tournament. This one is probably easiest, you shouldn't have problems winning it.
- If there is a lord patrolling around the town, ask tawernkeeper for larger bounty. Attack them, make sure the lord will join and you are the one who engaged enemy. You will be able to do this bounties without any help as soon as you get around 100 decent soldiers, so probably not at the beggining of the game.
-Ask for tournaments and travel to the towns where they take place. Some of them are annoying, like the one in Karnoth, so just be aware of that - you won't always win. By visiting different towns you will also have a chance to recruit new companions and build enterprises.