I just saw one NPC near Swamp, he looks like the NPC guard from York town and he was smoking
If u want more info then check this pics:
https://imgur.com/gallery/64lIs
https://imgur.com/a/j7DqY  

I don't see him when I go to that spot...  

well then is probably a glitch. I saw a stucked lizardon in cave too  

There's been tons of random npcs showing up in the rail caves lately (clearly york guards and such). If you're uncertain, refresh your game and try seeing them again.  

I mean, he said something about baddies coming out of a tree, and that looks like a tree something could come out of.  

 

Vaping his lungs out  

That sign right there says 'property of the joint'  

For some reason I laughed at this, York Guard must've went into a mid life crisis when they didnt give rewards for killing pyrats.

But. To be honest. I feel like it is a quest, reason I say this is because
1. York Guard specifically stated "I see Rebels come out tho tree" and York guards do not affiliate or are around any rebel baddies. Plus the coincidence of there literally being a tree infront of him with a huge gaping hole on top is more evident.
2. Dialogue is unique completely.
3. No other York Guard is seen "vaping his lungs out" Lmao.

If it is a glitch, It is one hell of a coincidence of one.with how everything is set up  

Maybe it's called an NPC?  

Posted by DoubleliftGraal

Maybe it's called an NPC?

Here let me get my magnifying glass because I did not see this already said. or i must've missed something, because I am sure it was already defined.