Just started a new game as a warrior, got to the little village where Faendal the archer lives and he's dead lying on the floor as you first get into the village. I'll not be able to do the little letter quest now and I'll not be able to train from him. Is there anyone else later on that can train me in archery and become my companion as I don't want to start again.

Pfooh. Do start again if you haven't done much yet. Faendal is an awesome companion imo.

If you've only just started then you might as well start again.

aela can train you at archery, and become your companion if you marry her, she's one of the companions at Jorrvaskr

It's strange that he's dead though. I wonder what happened.

Faendal is a good companion if you give him some armour, I'd restart.

You could just use a console command and rez him. Id hardly consider it cheating.

Probably killed by the sawmill operator

When i was chopping wood he seemed to be stealing it from the pile's >.>

Sven killed him?

Playing on the 360, no console commands

That is quite possible yeah, didn't think of that. Grrr, I'll gut sven before restarting lol

I always take the approach to keep the story going on how the game plays it out. I wouldn't restart just because something happened you didn't intend. Its what makes each playthrough special. It's your choice of course, but I enjoy the little things that normally do not occur.