D&D 5E SKT Leveling Flowchart: When, exactly, does the party reach level 7?

[Prakriti]

Simple question, because the flowchart doesn't make it as clear as one would hope: When does the party reach level 7?

Based on the flowchart, I can think of a few likely answers:

(1) As soon as the party first reaches the Eye of the All-Father.
(2) Right after they speak to the Oracle.
(3) Right after they plunder the burial mounds, but before they return to the Eye of the All-Father.

It's really not clear.

Thanks!

 

[Arial Black]

When they are in the sandbox bit of exploring the area they are 6th.

When they decide to go to the Eye, that is the milestone that gets them to 7th.

The precise moment they level up is up to the DM. Anytime from the moment they decide to go there until the moment they are standing at the entrance to the Eye.

 

[Prakriti]

When they are in the sandbox bit of exploring the area they are 6th.

When they decide to go to the Eye, that is the milestone that gets them to 7th.

The precise moment they level up is up to the DM. Anytime from the moment they decide to go there until the moment they are standing at the entrance to the Eye.

This is what I want to believe (otherwise level 6 will last for a long, long time), but what do you make of the bracket connecting Ch. 3 and Ch. 4 on the flowchart? It seems to suggest that level 7 doesn't arrive until after the party has finished plundering the burial mounds.

 

[Arial Black]

This is what I want to believe (otherwise level 6 will last for a long, long time), but what do you make of the bracket connecting Ch. 3 and Ch. 4 on the flowchart? It seems to suggest that level 7 doesn't arrive until after the party has finished plundering the burial mounds.

You should hit 8th on the way to your first giant boss.

You go to your first giant boss after presenting the treasure from the burial mounds.

If you were still 6th when you first went through the temple and only got to 7th after plundering the burial mounds, then you would go from 7th to 8th without actually doing anything.

 

[Demetrios1453]

Basically, the party should hit level 7 once they are done with the early sandbox side quests and meet Harshnag. The level 7 part of the adventure should consist of the journey to the Eye of the All-Father, the exploration of the oracle complex, and the burial mound plundering. They should hit level 8 as soon as they choose which giant lord they are going after.