NPC Levels/XP?

[Wierdoom]

Hello,
I started playing through this game a few days ago, and I had a couple of questions regarding NPC levels.

First off, I've played until the point right before the Spellhold, and I decided to incorporate Edwin into my party. However, he's only level 9 compared to my 12. Will this cause any major problems in the long run? I have this problem with Jan as well.

Also, I am considering removing a 1 or 2 NPCs from the party, after playing with 6 for a while. Once again, will this be problematic due to the lowered amount of XP gained before due to 6 party members?

My party is as follows:

Me (Sorcerer)
Korgan
Jaheira
Viconia
Jan
Edwin

I am considering thinning it down to:

Me
Korgan
Viconia
Edwin
Maybe Jan

Any input would be appreciated

-Wierdoom

[Stworca]

XP is not a problem, trust me.

[Wierdoom]

XP is not a problem, trust me.

Alright then. What about the aforementioned party - would that be a viable selection?

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

It's the 'Classic' evil party, and will work just fine - you have pretty much the best single-class characters available, and the best Thief in the game. If you have ToB you'll even get another Evil fighter to add there - just leave Watcher's Keep until ToB so you can level him up to Godlike power with the rest of your party there (looting the first floor in SoA is still worthwhile).
If you want to level Edwin up faster, kick out the rest of your party and have him learn a heap of spells with just you and him in the party, and maybe have Jan learn heaps of spells with just you, him and Edwin.
While removing romance partners normally ruins the romance, there is a way to do this and still keep it going. As long as you move your romance NPC far away from your PC (ideally behind a closed door) before you kick her out, and tell her not to leave after all when she tries to confirm it, then it doesn't count as 'truly' kicking them out, and the romance will continue. Don't forget to pick them up again is all.