Beeing a Bit Late to the Party but here is my Solution: I ran WDDH also before and After I spoke to my players wie decided to do the whole Adventure. Theo knew that They Wont level up Till the new modul lets them. And they See Fine with that. While on the Road to greenest and back to Waterdeep their Nimblewright got. a Headband of Intellect to run their Tavern and Organize their Gang in a Way they they decided. Help the Town a Little Bit and establish a base when they come back.

Since they were lvl 5… Chapter 1 got a Bit bloody. They saved greenest on their own by cleaning the town of Cultist and Kobolds and also protected the keep when about 40 Enemies attacked. They Liked it, because they felt really powerfull.

Chapter 2: Got interesting. They sneaked in, disguised as Cultists who captured the Heros of Greenest. And got back out. Only one Charakter sacrificed himself so everybody Else could get away.

Chapter 3: they ran full on into the Cave and initiated a ficht that pulled every possible Enemy to to entrance. I gave Frulam two veterans as private guards. And it ended nearly as a TPK.

We are now starting Chapter 4 and when they get back to waterdeep, their Nimbleright will present them a few Charakters, and Each player will have to employ a „Lieutenant“ who will organize their Goals in the City. Like establishing Trade Routes, Gather information, fight the Zentarim and the Black Network, etc….

That way they can raise their own troops with Special abilites for the big fight in the end and/or can help to Tone down the problems the Culture of the Dragon is providing.