I hope this long rest/ downtime is something on the order of a day or days, not weeks or months?  Even that could be impossible if our merry band is on the run, which is kind of a drag.  And this isn't 1st ed with seeking out trainers and so on; while as Miroque says one expects to improve in skills that are used, the more abstracted advancement in pathfinder still assumes one is sort of improving while gaining XP, not after the level is earned.<br/><br/>It's up to you, oh DM, but I'd prefer it all at once, whether it's immediately or after downtime.  For Aleria's case for instance, why would her BAB improve when she hasn't attacked at all, but used only spells, and run?  :-)  (Sorry, couldn't use Bree as an example, as she used rays).<br/>If that means gaining the whole level, HP and all, after a certain amount of downtime, that's fine too.  Usually I like enforced downtime in games, and it leads to plenty of fun roleplay opportunities.  It's just that this game has a real urgent feel to it that makes it seem like a character spending weeks training is selfishly letting the war pass them by.<br/><br/>Even for spells one might rationalize that the caster has been toying with something all along, twiddling their fingers at the dinner table, but finally the spell comes together and works - I've roleplayed that with sorcerors before.  Even for wizards this could mean having a spell in their book that they haven't mastered, if automatic gain of spells is permitted, until suddenly "it all makes sense".<br/><br/>Well, it's an interesting discussion (I think), but of course it's the DM's choice.  I do think that if circumstances prevent us from taking downtime for long periods (so earning a level, but not gaining it), that would not be fun.... especially if XP gain stops once the level is earned, as was the D&D standard in days of yore.  But I could be wrong, I haven't been in that situation.  I'll be happy no matter what, judging by the game so far!<br/>