ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

First time I saw a hostile adventurer group on the world map. I play as Alchemist, I'm level 8, and I play rather cautiously. I didn't want to engage as I had no idea how difficult it would be.

How dangerous are those hostile adventurer groups, and how do they relate to your level? If I wait, and come back later, will they grow in power as my level scales?

They're generally pretty dangerous, and should be avoided generally. They do scale to your level.

If you do end up in a fight with them, you'll have to fight 2-4 elites with various player classes in a very small map.

Do they try to follow you if you get too close on the world map? I danced a bit around them, a few tiles away, and they didnt seem to try to catch me.

If you do get into a fight, is there any way to flee the fight, or are you forced to fight them? E.g. do any of the normal escape mechanism work? I've got Teleport, and Alchemist Gem Portal.

They don't chase you, they just wander randomly around the map (later in the game there are similar enemies which will chase you, those are a pain)

You can flee the fight if you can get to the map exit, but this is usually on the other side of the map from where you start (with the enemies obviously between you and it). The size and features of the map makes teleport and gem portal not overly useful, although controlled phase door and movement infusions are handy.

You can use the Rod of Recall to escape. Also, the wandering adventurers will chase you if you get too close, but they're easy to escape.

This is true until late-game. In the east, the adventurer parties WILL actively pursue and chase you, instead of wandering.