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I'd let them start with level 2 PCs at least, depending on how much they explored with the older characters.
Besides the Bandits, did they do any of the other encounters, like finding Jhod and dealing with the bear? If they have a lot of the other locations done (not including the Stag Lord of course), I might have them start at level 3.
The Swordlords could charter multiple groups of adventurers to protect their interests in the frontier. You can delay the guards arriving at Oleg's, or maybe its a small squad (3-4 guards) arriving at first.
You could even have Oleg's "under siege" by a larger group of Bandits when your new PCs arrive. The small squad of guards are barely holding them off. This way can get them started on the whole Bandit storyline in an exiting way with very little work. Just reuse the Thornwood camp bandit stats.
Hope this helps.
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Ouch on the wipe!
So a few options:
1. Not everyone died. An NPC (anyone you definitely want the party to meet) found one of the PCs in time to save them and nursed them back to health. The NPC does so because of what bandits did to their family, loved ones, their forest (e.g. druid or fey). Anytime you are opting to use a DM device to bring someone back, talk it over with all the players. You're doing this for story purposes, and they're the ones who make the story and should choose whether this happens, and if so, who survives. When using a plot device to circumvent death, use very sparingly as the game will lose its luster if players feel death isn't actually a risk.
2. Feywild. The Greenbelt has a heavy fey influence where worlds sometimes cross over. Perhaps Tuskgutter is no ordinary giant boar, and those mortals it slays are sent to a First World realm for the continued amusement of whatever denizens you see fit and however you see fit. Given the capricious nature of fey to ever seek new experiences, this might not be a combat-based encounter. The prize for circumventing whatever you put in their way might be new bodies (in my game, we ran an entire encounter where the origin of the "reincarnation" spell was traced to the fey, and a dead PC earned a new body this way, albeit at a cost...he had to listen to a secret given by the Witte Joffers - or whatever unique fey fits your mythology - and be bound never to reveal it lest his soul return. If you think learning the truth about something isn't a bad thing...
3. Dead is Dead. But the cause isn't lost. The dead party's actions of striking against the bandits inspires some locals, who for various reasons have retreated to live in the Greenbelt. They meet at Oleg's after one of them found the remains (allowing them to start with perhaps a valuable piece of equipment, as you see fit, as well as maps). Although they don't know if the charter will benefit them, they either pose as the PCs (interesting deceit) for the greater good, or they send word to Restov and hope for the best.
4. New Charter. A year has passed and the Greenbelt claims another. Kesten Garess, Oleg, Svetlana (and any other PCs they've met) gather in Restov to beseech the Swordlords (or other sponsors) to re-engage the charter with a new band. This could be heirs, family members, best friends, whatever ties PCs into the story.
Depending on how you handle XP, you could start them at level 2 given the encounters you've had already and probably some exploring would have most parties at this level.
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I really like Sunderstones idea about a siege at Oleg's. Having some Guards inside that can't break the Siege is an awesome twist on the first Encounter at Olegs.
My current party had to save the post 2x. Since the AP provides no direct reason to speed things up, I had the Stag Lord send a band to retake the fort as the PCs were floating around, scouting his base. He's got the numbers (able to attract 1d6 a day).
I think I will go along with the Idea of a new Charter. Does by any chance someone now if there is a Part of the AP where to get more Information about the Current Situation in Restov and which Charakters should be there. The Current Swordlord etc.
The AP isn't too descriptive about Restov as it's not a place the PCs are supposed to visit (often). However, that didn't stop some amazing DMs from coming up with ideas. If you look at Redcelt32's posts, he turned the Swordlords and Houses into a Game of Thrones. I'm using that concept now, and it rocks. Because it spans dozens of posts, too much to summarize here. I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but here's my DM Notes for Brevoy politics.
I could see another House convincing Surtova (the regency) to issue the charter to another party as clearly the Swordlords sponsor was a poor choice. Depending on how the players want to play it, perhaps they are secretly Swordlord agents, perhaps they are loyalists, perhaps they are black sheep who the House needs out of their way (but who knows, maybe they'll succeed, low risk to the House, chance for a big payoff), and so on.
The Swordlords benefit from an independent PC kingdom in the south because it secures their borders in the event of civil war. If House Surtova or one loyal to it were to get a garrisoned barony in place, it could end the movement. Could end up the Swordlords become a hostile political force to the new party!
That's the fun and brilliance of expanding Brevoy's politics.
Another option: The PCs are the guards sent to reinforce Oleg's trading post. They meet up with the one surviving PC to finish the bandit threat once and for all. After the Stag Lord is dead, the Swordlords are impressed with the group and grants them the second charter of rulership, sending new guards to relieve the PC guards.
I believe the Swordlords issued at least 4 charters (the Wraiths, Var, PC's, and Drelev. They could of easily had more charters of eager would be nobles/adventurers.
I would start them at 2nd level. One of them could be from Oleg's tavern area and know some of the details of the former PC's (can fill the gaps)