I don't get why NPCs should be low level given that nobels were basically the fighting elite of their time and a fantasy world contain a lot of struggles. In the middle ages their training started at the age of 6-7. I get it's a fantasy setting and a lot can be different and not all nations are feudal. There a meritocracies, magiocracies, theocracies and the likes but why would they be low level? I don't think that the argument that if they are in the mid-level range, they could take care of most of the problems hold much ground. They have so much to take care of that adventuring for a couple of months is out of the question. Especially for higher ranking officials.
