I'd suggest doing some foundry quests. After all wasn't that one of the big selling points of Neverwinter Online? ,) Besides raising the level cap won't really change much. Be honest and say that you need a new carrot on a stick. Or are jealous of how others got their equipment.
Why do you need penalties for grouping (especially in PUGs)? Why not make it so that no one can leave the group while inside a dungeon? If someone wants to drop out he/she would have to leave the dungeon first. On the other hand kicking someone wouldn't work either.