Interesting ideas!
I do want to point out something though:
Chomper will *not* be in the Great Valley and therefore won't be around to teach the basic skills. Players will meet up with him much later on his island.
At least that was the original plan I had in mind. Another plan which could also work is:
To hide Chomper in one of the Great Valley's caves, where players who find him get his information, training and adventures.
Either way, Chomper won't be available to teach basic skills.