More mystery and uncertainty will be added with the removal of levels and classes.
As for grouping and finding your own level it is really not needed to use tells or such, it can all be done in ic.
[a mighty group of warriors all of same season, all familiar with each other and with long history have decided to venture and fight the threat of dog beasts coming from the mountain. They start to gear up. A newcomer fresh off the boat.er Mist, approaches them]
Newcomer: Umm excuse me Sires I couldnt help overhearing, are you going to do the gnollz?
Warrior 1: [chuckles to himself and continues sorting his gear]
Warrior 2:[Takes a brief glance at the Newcomer and mutters to himself, giving a slight motion with his hand to his fellow Warrior 3]
Warrior 3: [Nods to Warrior 2 in acknowledgment, steps up and faces the Newcomer] Aye lad, you are correct. [Starts sizing up the Newcomer]
Newcomer: Can I come with you guys?
Warrior 3: [Steps closer to the Newcomer, still appraising him] How many seasons have passed since the Mists brought you here lad?
Newcomer: [Lies] Eleven.
Warrior 3: Alright lad, you shall take the front line then. [turns to his fellow warriors] Lets head out lads, the new lad will lead the way.
..
A little communication through ic can go along way in finding out if someone is good to party up with or not.
Also, food for thoughts: can a lower lvl Mpc/Pc defeat much higher lvl Mpc/Pcs just through means of rolling a good grapple and or similar checks?
Any challenge rating, or new descriptions just defeats the purpose of hiding levels/class.