A higher level would give you more customization options. I don't know why anyone would want to leave them quite that late in the game, though, unless they had a really specific build in mind.
I have a very specific type of person in mind, someone that has been alive for a very long time, much longer than what they look like but with a completely unknown past. To me it would only make sense for someone like that to have a lot of skills, knowledge and experience....I always hate how games tend to underrate characters who are absolute beasts in cut-scenes and should be absolute beasts in the player's party but they start at a low level because f*** common sense the game has to be supa 1337 hardcore. Granted my henchman won't feature in any cut-scenes but I rather there be sense there. It won't be there around much unless you level yourself with console commands or mods or something but that's ok with me. After the second playthrough I'll probably do console commands and all the rest anyway. All that really matters is the story anyway.
