NPC is an abbreviation for 'Non-Playing Character'. They are computer controlled (or, if you play on Battle.net, server controlled) characters and usually encountered within the starting town.

Most NPCs serve a purpose. They can provide various services: some heal the player and his minions, repair the player's items, trade with the player or provide gambling services. In addition, most quests are obtained from NPC's. Some NPC's merely have a decorative goal to simulate crowdedness; players usually can't interact with them.

NPCs in the Diablo series of games
Tristram NPCs
Diablo NPCs — Adria • Deckard Cain • Farnham • Gillian • Griswold • Kael Rills • Ogden • Pepin • Wirt Hellfire NPCs — Celia • Complete Nut • Lester
Diablo II NPCs
Act I NPCs — Akara • Charsi • Deckard Cain • Flavie - Gheed - Kashya - Warriv Act II NPCs — Atma • Deckard Cain • Drognan • Elzix • Fara • Geglash • Greiz • Jerhyn • Kaelan • Lysander • Meshif • Tyrael • Warriv Act III NPCs — Alkor • Asheara • Deckard Cain • Hratli • Meshif • Natalya • Ormus • Dark Wanderer Act IV NPCs — Deckard Cain • Hadriel • Halbu • Izual • Jamella • Tyrael Act V NPCs — Anya • Deckard Cain • Larzuk • Malah • Nihlathak • Qual-Kehk • Tyrael
NPCs from D&D Diablo
Waystruck NPCs — Delpha • Taggart • Gwen • Sophie • Raffles

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