I think there should be a Mini map added to the client for TOWNS. it'll make it so much easier to find certain npc's all aroung the place.

why it should NOT be for routes/caves: Gives the way through the route/cave so it ruins the challenge.

I thought of an idea to tell which friends are AROUND you (same TOWN)
if not there should be one!

alrighty... say your at a town filled with people! and you look at the mini map and see there
too many people around to tell if your friend is there :\

well hows about making the dots of your friends a specific color (say green) to tell them apart
from the rest of the players hanging around there?

if you need me to explain more i can i think... xD

Example: (sorry for my good paint skills)

*green dots = friends!
*white dots = other players!