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You want to hook your reader. Whether or not you introduce the MC right away, or not, you must start with some kind of action.
This, generally. But don't mistake the word "action" for zombies exploding while they eat the entrails of vampires. I'd substitute the word "interest". I can think of any number of novels that begin with a fairly quiet situation with a portent of tension, but nothing overt in the way of physical activity.
It's probably more important what you shouldn't do, which is to rattle off a litany of background information having nothing of immediate importance to your story. This was hilariously parodied in a Monty Python episode titled "Njorl's Saga", which I watched just last night, and which should be obligatory training for anybody aspiring to write a High Fantasy Epic. Terry Pratchett is undoubtedly familiar with this episode, and has morphed it into wicked wonderful satire in his novels.
caw