Assignment 4

NPC is a common abbreviation for 'Non-Player Character'. They are computer-controlled characters and are usually encountered within the towns.

Most NPCs serve a purpose. They can provide various services: some heal the player and their minions, repair the player's items, trade with the player or provide gambling services. In addition, most quests are obtained from NPC's. Some NPCs offer no services but an opportunity to talk to them, even having a special "Gossip" entry with a random speech.

Some NPC's merely have a decorative goal to simulate crowdedness; players usually can't interact with any of them. At best they can give out some random phrases, but are overall ambient objects.

There is no way to attack NPCs. However, some of them may attack the monsters, although usually the game avoids that. Even if NPCs are allowed to fight, their damage is negligible, although they can sometimes draw the enemy's attention for a short time and buy the player a second or two. NPCs vital to the plot are marked as "essential" and are not able to be killed in battle.

Followers are also NPCs, as players can't control them

Leah is the main NPC. She was a kind person. She understands the "Horadric lore" and is a skeptic. In terms of ability, she is able to wield a bow. 

NPC's are critical to the development of the plot and are incredibly useful in combat with monsters.