Thanks for the kind words about our reviews and bannage situation.
I didn't expect to rekindle the NPC discussion, but let me say this about it: As a matter of policy, we try to minimize restrictions on what characters can and cannot do based merely on "rules". We could make a rule that says "Thou shalt treat NPCs as though they were player-characters," but that's not our thing. If we really want to prevent a behavior, we do our best to code a solution.
As has been noted, many of the NPCs who have a crucial function, such as the bank teller and shopkeepers, have coded protection from guards. You would also find that killing them does have IC consequences, as player-characters going to do business and finding the keeper dead get aggravated and make a point of finding out who is killing them, and will take care of the problem. Likewise, NPCs who are "cute" or have value as sparring partners gain some protection from the player-character population.
On the other hand, NPCs who are "annoying" or "mere fodder" are slain with little thought. It is not unusual, however, for player-characters who serve no useful purpose to meet a similar end.
In sum, the likelyhood of an average character hanging around town being slain, whether player or non-player, is inversely proportional to how useful to society they are perceived to be.
Thanks,
R.
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