Cool. Am I able to create an NPC that associates with my character?

I was thinking something like:

When he comes to PL to do his trading and stocking up he would most likely stay at the refugee camp overnight. I wanted him to have a young male contact there he gave little handmade trinkets/jerky/what have you in exchange for local news as most people wouldn't be keen to engage a half dead.

But he's like the little orphan refugees hero of sorts and doesn't mind his half deadness.

Doesn't have to be a huge role NPC just someone who is directly associated with the character that adds depth to his tale.

Could come into play later on in the story too as a tipping point/motivator for an event/events