Will the Exclamation marks appear above the NPC if I havent activated the quest?

[Wyatthaplo 0]

Will the Exclamation marks appear above the NPC if I havent activated the quest?

 

I figured that because the exclamation marks were their that I had activated the quest. But I have just been doing some research on here and they all tell me to come back later... does this mean I haven't activated the quest and that I need to find them all again?

[Arperum 3]

yes. But the question marks return at that moment.

[Wyatthaplo 0]

crap... Allthough I got the achievment just by entering the halls and walking up the stairs, without having sent any Developers there, so I think I may leave the actual quest