Started another game being a protege (for extra cha) seeing that I really don't have to have the str at beginning so:::::: I picked up dog while lvl 6 and now I'm 11 and hes still 12! I guess he waits for you to catch up. Parmanian
If you are over a followers level e.g. you are level 27 and the follower is level 16 when you level up you we both gain a level but if the follower was level 27 and you were level 16 the follower will not level until you have gone over the followers level. Followers will only level up if you are the same level as them or are a higher level than them. they do not level up if you are a lower level than them.
I found this out with magnus, gar and dante. I was one level lower than them and they waited till I reached their level. I just got my 9th follower Thorvald and hes 23 and the rest of the party is 22, so he'll wait until we match him. Parmanian
For me I think it is super great that you got all your followerers' lvl to be the same as you. I mean like when you fight the last boss or something like that. YOu guys are almost equally strong. Because Since I usually don't pick up the drunk guy in shrouded hills untill I am like 5 lvls above him its hard to keep him alive...