Non player character

A Non Player Character (or NPC) is a creature used with limited control by a Player Character. NPCs are controlled in whole or in part by the game's artificial intelligence programming.

An NPC can range from quest giver, merchant, villain, summoned creature or similar companion (as have Rangers), or a non-aggressive rank-and-file enemy or contact in a quest.

Next to quest-givers, the most common and controllable NPCs for player characters with which they can interact is the hireling.