After having established that I'm not getting more xp from venturing out on my own, I'm probably gonna take along some NPC's anyway. I'm thinking of the sorceress girl (she seems very mallable for my evil ways) and the rogue girl for now. The rogue talks too much for my liking but I'm sure I'll be able to shut her up.
Currently figthing the orc camps...so still in act 1 I think!