Instead of creating a new topic, I'm just going to tack on here:
We've gotten some reports of players approaching NPCs after their monster had turned to Shadow and asking for any item tags they were still carrying. Our NPCs weren't sure what to do and so handed them over. Since it sounds like there's some confusion on both sides of this issue, allow me a moment to clarify. (Rest assured, we will cover this in NPC briefing next time in case they don't read the forums.)
Generally, after an NPC is cut down, they will lie down dead. This is the time where PCs are able to search downed NPCs for items/tags. After a predetermined amount of time, or if it looks like PCs aren't going to search them, the NPCs will turn to Shadow in order to respawn, head back to MC, or do whatever it is they're instructed to do next. When NPCs have turned to Shadow, they "no longer exist" -- there is "nothing there" to search for items/tags. So PCs may not approach an NPC who calls "Shadow" for items/tags.
Hope that clears things up!