Manual

102
Non-Player Characters
A non-player character is technically any character in the game that is not
controlled by a human player. However, most players use the term NPC to
refer to a friendly humanoid, and refer to creatures as enemies or monsters.
Some examples of NPCs are quest givers, bankers, auctioneers, merchants,
flight masters, trainers, and guards.
You can tell friendly NPCs apart from other characters because they have
green names. In addition, the tool tip text for an NPC will indicate what
kind of NPC it is, such as a trainer or merchant. NPCs of the opposite
faction, while friendly to opposing players, are hostile to you, and so they
appear with red names.
Despite the presence of so many NPCs, you can only interact with some of
them. Many guards and citizens are not interactive. You can tell if an NPC
is open to interaction if the cursor changes shape when you mouse over the
character. Most interactive NPCs stay in one place. That means they do not
wander, so it is easier to find them. However, some quest giving NPCs
occasionally patrol a small path.
Interaction Icons
If you can talk to an NPC, the mouse cursor changes from a hand to a chat
balloon when you mouse over that NPC. NPCs that offer the chat icon
usually give you quests, gossip, or information when you right-click on
them.
If the NPC is a merchant, then the mouse cursor changes to a purse. Rightclicking
on the merchant opens up a trading window and allows you to buy
and sell items.
If the NPC is a class or trade skill trainer, then your cursor will turn into a
book when you mouse over the individual. Right-clicking on the trainer
opens the training window and lets you learn new abilities or spells.
Some NPCs have multiple roles, such as being both vendors and quest
givers. When you mouse over these NPCs, your cursor will offer the chat
balloon only. Once you click on the NPC to talk to it, you get a dialog box
that then allows you to choose how you want to interact with it.
When you mouse over certain characters, your cursor might also change into
a sword. If this happens, then that NPC is a hostile enemy and you can attack
it. Only characters that change your cursor to a sword, including all monsters,
can be attacked. All other non-player characters are immune to attacks.