[quote=Rane]]
To me it does indeed sound like you don't have to reload if the NPC in question is no longer needed.
However, if the NPC is needed for the mainquest then you will be forced to reload if you happen to kill him/her.[/quote]
Oh, that's good!

Sometimes, I get scared, because once in awhile, I accidently hit NPC's and then I have to kill them because they're hitting me, and then I would be like, "Oh, no! What if he/she was important to the Main Quest?!"
Yay! Now us killing-spree peoples don't have to worry about continuing a 'broken' game! *dances*