Thanks Eldritch for the tip re: Bloodlines patch. Got it now.
Laffwis, no it scales appropriately. Enemy stacks are 170% bigger and levels take 170% more experience, so it balances out. From memory, I am always around level 9, not 10, when reaching Freedom Isles so you are doing the right thing.
I would go for leadership all the time. IMO Attack and Defense modifiers are somewhat overrated. My order of preference (as a Mage) would be:
1. Leadership
2. Intellect
3. Mana
4. Attack
5. Defense
6. Rage