What is an NPC?

[S2]

Please tell me about NPCs.
I discovered an NPC base near my base.
When I got close, I was attacked. Is it okay to defeat this?
In the latter half of the game, will you be able to recruit NPCs and give them jobs?

I have summarized what I want to know.
・How to recruit NPCs?
・Will the NPCs I join die?
・Is there a limit to the number of friends you can have?
I'm curious about these three things. Please let me know if there is anything else I should know.
thank you.

[LudwigVH]

What you discovered is a Bandit Base/ Camp. They are inhabited by humans who are not friendly protecting their base/ camp. It is fine to attack these, they will have loot to grab and some have a NPC you can rescue.

There is 11 total bandit camps/ bases to be found. Five of these have a NPC (Non Player Character) which you can rescue. Before they appear for rescue, you have to build the control center. The NPC's can do tasks for you in relation to resource gathering. There are other building related to the NPC system which play a factor as well.

If you are on the NoS Discord have at look at this regarding the NPC system https://discord.com/channels/1007455563241771119/1174237294283206707/1174486137310556290