Yep.
There would need to be alot of xp in act1b to get us to level 8. I was surprised when they were fighting ketheric at level 8.
Could be faked (but why), but they could definitely change things down to level 6.

BG3 Modder: https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/users/55895062?tab=user+files