I didn't read all the townspeople's dialogue every time on my main character, but I'm planning to do it on my alt (now that I'm not so desperate to find out what happens next in the MSQ!). I do make sure to talk to all of the Scions and other major characters between quest objectives though.

Back in Heavensward (and spoiler-tagging just to be safe)...
the real potency of Haurchefant's death wasn't its impact on our character, but on going back to Camp Dragonhead and talking to all the people around there that had something to say about it. And then their scripts update after finishing Heavensward and again after Dragonsong, as they start to come to terms with it. Francel has particularly lovely things to say, and I really hope he get some further plot involvement soon.