For example, Cornifer's namecard will not appear, not even in subsequent encounters unless he is listened to again after his initial dialogue. Painting the Medium: Most friendly NPCs' names won't appear on the screen unless they properly introduce themselves first, with the dialogue syncing with the name card pop-up once they do so.
Averted with Myla after she becomes hostile, where she can be permanently killed. Some few characters can be hit with the nail however, but they will just shrug it off like it's nothing. When the Knight moves around, the NPCs' look at it, turning their heads without having to adjust their entire bodies. Tropes that collectively apply to a majority of NPCs listed here.
