Yes it is one of the harder fights. And that shouldn't have been a surprise. In addition to all the story elements you have to go past some tough Gnoll areas to get there and its at the far edge of the map.
There are multiple ways to resolve the encounter peacefully. And if you blunder into it and get killed . . . then try the peaceful solution or leave and come back later. I really don't see the problem. And the dialogue checks are not hard (especially when you buff Lae'zel . . . always buff characters before checks!)
