There are two solutions to the experience issue. First, DMs running Rise of Tiamat in the D&D Adventurers League should use the rules presented under the heading “Building Combat Encounters” in the Dungeon Master’s Basic Rules (pp. 56-58 in version 0.3) or under the heading “Creating a Combat Encounter” in the Dungeon Master’s Guide (pp. 81 to 85) to adjust foes to make them appropriate for the characters’ levels. However, DMs should not create new encounters to try to make up the experience deficit, nor should they use the milestone rule.
Alternately, or in conjunction with that solution, DMs may wish to wait to run some episodes of the adventure until characters reach the appropriate level and may want to run other adventures, such as D&D Expeditions, between episodes to help characters reach the appropriate level.
As far as treasure goes, DMs must only award magic items listed in the adventure and must not award random magic items. DMs may award appropriate consumable magic items, gold, gems, and art objects within the limits set by the tables on pages 136 to 139 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
D&D Encounters is a weekly Wednesday play program, geared for a casual play audience with short sessions each week. It is always for characters levels one through four. As such higher level characters are not eligible to play in the D&D Encounters (level 1-4) games.
That being said, you can pick up the Princes of the Apocalypse hardcover adventure and play the higher level content with appropriate level characters as a casual D&D Adventurers League game, or wait until an Encounters table transitions into casual play at higher tiers and join it then.
Yes! If older adventures are set to retire, there will be plenty of notice so that everyone has a chance to play them beforehand.
D&D Adventures League adventurers are written to be played by three to seven players. Playing a game with less than three or more than seven players can result in a less than optimal experience for everyone involved. If you have eight or more players, ask one of the players if they are able to run a second table of the current adventure or another one.
Dungeon Masters should be prepared to run 7-player tables. However, organizers can limit that number as needed by their event, the available space, when training new DMs, or as they otherwise deem necessary.
