hey i was curious if there was a way i could bring my friends up to speed to my level? I'm assuming there isn't much i could do seeing the game is entirely based around leveling. any info or help would be apricated

nothing stopping you making a second character and levelling with him.
More about gear than anything else

They would have to drive or whistle in catacomb, if you did it at higher levels then them, the monsters spawned would be at your level and most likely just kill off your friends and they would not gain any experience due to penalties upon death.