Before I pick who I want in my party for sure I just want to know if there are any NPC's that are required to be in your party for you to beat the game (this is my first time playing). For instance, do I have to have Jaheira in my party because she promised Gorion she would look after me?

Thanks

There is nobody you are required to have. You could go it alone if you wanted to.

Noone is required, its not like ff2 where u have a set party, you can have anyone... or you can have noone at all, thats up to you, im into the 3 person party now... (currently its me viconia and korgon (im a fighter/theif) and its going pretty good but WOW its hard, never had to reload to much.

Of course, you'll need a tank (Minsc, Keldorn, Korgan) and a mage (Aerie, Imoen, Nalia, Edwin).
If you don't have those, the game is almost unbeatable!

For the full list of NPCs, their locations, stats and history, check out http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/BG2/Walkthrough/npcs.htm

That should make it a bit easier for you to decide whom to pick up.

Minsc and Jaheria will show up at the Copper Cornet if you tell them to take a hike during the prolog so you can always pick them up later.

Capt. Tripps. . . Every time I dropped Ms. J., she got upset and waited @ the Harper Hold in the Docks. Is this different if you just never pick her up in Irenicus' dungeon?