[Ziggurat]

There are some NPCs you need to pick up as a quest. Later in the game. Other than that, they are just there for fun. They slightly cut down on experience points gained through fighting, but not alot. They add much color and you can learn how other character professions can play. The dialog can be great! Or annoying... Some people take all of them at least part of the time. I have two favs but I am not using any except for quest related ones in this current game. And, no, you do not need any of them to get new quests, just to finish a couple you will already have. Hope this helps.