Look at the latest updates on playonline.com at the newest screen shots! Images of the area where the final CoP showdown will take place. Looks sweet.
Also, we should be able to scope our new NPC buddies out after this update. Check this out:

-The NPC may be called only when there are less than six members in the player’s group. A party may contain a maximum of three NPC fellows, along with the three players who have called them.

It also says that DRG and SMN will be able to use them, so that makes things *very* interesting. Course, they can only be used in certain areas...but the fact they gain exp and gear is awesome. You have to give it to SE, they know how to keep the ideas coming. This is a good update!