Neat! Eight whopping characters! Much wow!
Three follow up questions (and thanks for the explanation and reply!): What determines the art used? Is it a custom character set up just like a PC like we've been thinking?
Leaning on the example you gave, what would be the name of Gareth's shack/the PC's home for directions for visiting? Let's say the custom NPC is a blacksmith and already holds a "lease" to use the grounds to work, so they visit a certain set of hours regardless if the player owns it or not. Would that work? If so, how?
How powerful is appending information to established cannon NPCs? Can this be used to adjust behavior or establish lore that is shared through the entire village? Or even how a character presents themselves? For example, turning Hayden into a plucky tomboy, or making the guard start up a side business of knitting? Silly stuff like that.