Yeah, you're not ready to venture into the Narlmarches (west) yet. With the right tactics I'm sure it's possible to do those areas, but it would be challenging (especially depending on your class) since the available NPC's are very limited at this stage of the game. You should have gotten some leads suggesting that Tartuccio and his team headed south. If you chase him to an old tomb you will have the chance to recruit an additional party member. Continue chasing him and you should reach an area called Old Sycamore. There are a few enemies there that are outside of your league (beware of worgs and campsites filled with corpses) but most of the other things in this area are good level-up fodder. This also lets you recruit all the party members you missed out on earlier. My experience from when I did this is that Bokken is incredibly fragile and basically guaranteed to die to archer fire. Don't make him fight if you want him around.