Not just click them into the character's inventory. The character's strength rating should determine what they could move. Of course, npcs should be able to move obstacles out of their way eventually. I'm running with my gut here, don't forget, so gimme a lil' slack. These RPG's take ques from other popular genres' such as Quake and Half-life.
More difficult fights provides a more difficult challenge.
These tend to be less fight intensive but instead rely heavily on going through areas in order to find objects that will allow you to progress. For examples, see Myst, Eye of the Beholder series, etc. The fact is that without some sort of Action motive, games get boring rapidly. I think that combat is important, but it shouldn't replace the plot of the game as it's primary device to move the game along. RPG's back on my NES system and old PC trying to find a key, a scroll, or other items.