Event editing: Invisible NPC like in Narshe?

I think maybe your NPC is not visible (yes you need an visible invisible NPC lol):



Basically setting its memory bit somewhere before you first enter the cave (not the entrance event though). This should allow to not pass through the NPC and be able to talk to him. $1EE0:0 is default bit so you'd want somethiing else at the end of the range allowed by FF6LE to make sure it is unused. Finally you clear that bit at the end of the event to be able to pass through the NPC after without removing it completely.

If this still fail, try C0 49 81 00 05 26 (check bit set) just for testing purpose and reduce your event to one bit check and a dialogue. But even then you shouldn't be able to pass through the NPC if the good properties are set so I think your problem is with the appearance bit. You event seems ok.