For our group the DM culminated a major story event really well, and whilst he expected us to be a bit higher (closer to 11) at the time, he simply modified the XP reward to boost us to level 11 at that huge story point - we also got some cool rewards from NPC's who'd set us on this quest.
(in fact two of our group were named as lords of a small town and charged with protecting it - which led us on our next path!)
So I guess im saying, you can make it fit with the story and not seem like 'poof you are more powerful' but more a reward at the end of a hard trial. (Our final dungeon was 9 encounters with only a rest near the end (which didnt complete entirely as we were interupted by the BBEG !)
(in fact two of our group were named as lords of a small town and charged with protecting it - which led us on our next path!)
So I guess im saying, you can make it fit with the story and not seem like 'poof you are more powerful' but more a reward at the end of a hard trial. (Our final dungeon was 9 encounters with only a rest near the end (which didnt complete entirely as we were interupted by the BBEG !)
