My own take on the NPC companions is that I would prefer them to have interesting backstories and personalities rather than the magically- and demon-led strangeness that they current have.
There is no reason for one, maybe two, NPCs to be under a magical curse or the unwitting pawn of a Big Bad Beastie, but when they are in the majority it all loses its sparkle and becomes, "meh, you think you have problems, you should talk to X". Have an NPC companion who is dangerous curious, or one who cannot resist gambling. Maybe one who is a runaway child of a great noble house or a wanted criminal. Light touches. 'Interesting' doesn't need to be applied with a trowel.
