As the Player Lead (Hi, to those of you who don't know me!) I'm going to chime in here.
Please keep in mind, that the statements made by the DM Team are referencing something that has -ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE-. When high levels are around, high level threats MAY arrive. With that in mind, please keep the following in mind as well.
Narfell is a persistent world. It's meant to feel "Alive". That means that whenever DMs can, they're going to put in things that are not 'normal'. This is what makes a world feel more real, so it doesn't end up feeling like "Wow", where you know what's going to be where, every time, without fail, no surprises.
In regards to shepherding low levels around, this has ALSO always been a thing, but the idea is to be roleplaying, here. Not simply grinding for loots, or doing all the work for them. Shepherding means taking care of. Watch them, coach them, explain the stories that you've seen in the areas you're showing them, take on a threat or two to hammer home the point of WHY YOU DON'T GO OUT ALONE, perhaps! Premium level Narfell lore, right there, ripe for the picking.
As the DMs said, the -best- case scenario here, is to log in a lower level character. If you only have high levels, stay back. Announce it IC that you'll be doing that, and walk, talk, and be a part of the story in an IC fashion. If things get hairy, yeah, step in, and RP what's happening. I highly recommend remembering one more important note, especially around new players.
You don't always win!
That doesn't mean that anybody is out to TPK your party. That means sometimes, the signs that the DMs show that there's a significant threat ahead, are not meant to be won easily. They MIGHT even be things you're expected to RUN from, because your INT is higher than 10. If it's not, then you have an excuse for continuing forward, perhaps .
Long story short, please note that the DM's posts here are to help YOU, the players. This is not a new rule, it's a reiteration of expectations. Please treat it as such, and enjoy the server!
-Player Lead Jerrick