In Divine Divinity you actually have some creatures that help you. Arhu for instance, or the Patriarch (the black dragon in the waste lands), but of course I see what you mean; an elaboration of these ideas. It would indeed be nice if in a RPG NPC wouldn't just stand for 'non playable character', but also for 'non playable creature'.

I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er.