While I think there should be some way to help unlucky players that wish to see their characters achieve higher levels, I don't think shifting penalty in death to a lower amount, which favors higher levels, should be put in place. Which in turn brings the average level to 9. Doing so, would just change players opinions, and make the players that wish to be able to be the "Strong men" of the town to go to greater means to get that next level, or depend on the DM's attention for loot making them able to achieve their title within the town.
What level would a character have to become, if the average level was slowly brought up to 9, if he wanted to be viewed as stronger, and more capable then most?
What level would a character have to become, if the average level was slowly brought up to 9, if he wanted to be viewed as stronger, and more capable then most?