Game stats

If you think that an NPC…

• … might get into a fight with the PCs, stat them up as a monster.
• … will cause ongoing trouble, write them up as a threat.
• … will regularly act on a PC's orders, stat them up as a follower.
• … needs HP, armor, and a damage die, but isn't a monster or follower, then use the follower guidelines anyhow Creating followers. Or just wing it.

An NPC might not need these stats when you first create or conceive of them, but that might change over time. A friendly NPC might start following a PC's lead and become a follower. Or they might become a source of ongoing trouble and become a threat. Or both. Both is good.

When I first introduce Elios, I don't expect him to get into a fight with the PCs, and he's not causing them any trouble. So there's no need to give him monster stats or write him up as a threat.

He respects Rhianna, and generally defers to her when it comes to the town's defenses, but I don't really see him as her follower.

As play progresses, though, and the town becomes frustrated with Rhianna's leadership, I might decide that Elios has become an ongoing problem and I'd write him up as a threat (a wildcard*, probably, at least to start).*