A few names to know ahead of time, and I'll drop more in the rp (and I'll provide a running Dramatis Personae in this PM convo, as distinct from the IC one). You can also feel free to create 'NPCs' as it were, where fitting.

Old Man Sturges: Mayor of Penderghast, by virtue of no one else wanting the job and the fact that he's had it for decades. (Human) His official duties are fairly limited, but occasionally mediates small disputes. Widely respected.
Gardad Norcidik: Constable, watch captain, smith, head of the villiage militia (every able bodied person, on the very rare occasions its needed) (Dwarf)
Denna Ivlessi: An Elf druid living out in the nearby forest. Has a tense relationship with the villiage, but serves as a herb woman/etc and purchases supplies in village.
Doruk One-Arm: Former adventurer, retired. Missing an arm. Bartender and Owner of Logar's Helm. Half-orc.
Adeles Illiea: Retired adventurer, originally from Penderghast. Doruk was of her party. Human.
Sister Agata: Tiefling, Prietess of Tyria (Harvest and Fertility Goddess).
Gimble Noblenockle: Tinker and Owner of the small general store in the villiage. Also a carpenter. Gnome.