I'd see it as a fun thing to start like it is actually, having some distance and rushing to get the sword first kinda idea, Otherwise the standard thing would maybie to get a platform of some sort in the middle next to the sword or such and start of Close there and move on out from there, But from that the stairs/ledges would only serve as, well scenery mostly if you don't get crazy people to climb up them and fight on them etc.
Try things out, idk really since i'm not too good with mods other then playing on them, but if i find the time i'll totaly test them out.