I stared blankly, at the young man called Scotty. Did he just say he's looking for the Troll. I attempted to scan him earlier and got an Error message. I had gotten the same message when I tried to scan the Faerykin Tester, and for now assumed he wasn't a bandit. The foolish human was of average height, thin and small framed. I imagined if the wind picked up, it might blow him away. He wore a smooth looking brown leather armor with small rectangular Cryspar plates fitted along it. Even the knuckles of his gloves were reinforced with the light blue crystallized mineral. His face was handsome, in it's own dumbstruck and wide eyed kinda way. His strawberry red hair was course and jagged, like it was cut short by a knife. In the interest of keeping the disgusted looks I was receiving to a minimum, I didn't place my eyes on the two young ladies very long. I did notice that they were shorter than their male companion, dressed in long flowing silk robes. I assumed they both were mages, at least they dressed like it. The One called Barbara, had short bob-cut blonde hair. Her robes were a lighter colored, off white accented with draping of sharp yellow. The other young woman wore rose colored robes, and had long light brown hair, with a thin braid flanking either side. Both of them carried fancy wooden quarterstaff's.

"You three are Apprentice class adventurer's?" Casey asked in surprise.

"Yes." He announced proudly. "We've just promoted Recently, but we're rising in reputation with every quest. If there really is a Troll, I bet we could get a sponsor, after we complete this quest."

"Oh there really is one!" I scoffed, "You three look well equipped, so I assume you're capable. But that fucking thing is terrifying ...at least go back and get reinforcements."

"You've seen it, Lizardman?!" The redheaded adventurer asked, "Where did you see it?"

"Lizar-...Nngh, Look here.. you strawberry shortcake! That Troll is like 'The Incredible Bulk' with fur. I really think you should have a bigger party." I seethed.

Scotty's eyes went blank while I made my reference. Not like he didn't understand, but like Scotty wasn't home for a moment.

After a few rapid blinks his mind seemed to return, then he repeated, "Where did you see it?"

"You're an NPC, huh?" I asked the adventurer, as his eyes returned to blank orbs.

"I don't understand?" the hollow eyed Scotty replied.

Randy leaned over and spoke quietly to Ned. Casey was walking around 'our guests' and back towards camp, but remained alert. Ned nodded to the Dwarf and Randy used his PAC to summon his AI. The characteristic bug zapper effect produced a small digital being of swirling digits who's voice seemed to crackle electronically, like an exposed wire.

{Greetings.} Shorty smiled at the Dwarf.

"'Sup, hey what can you tell me about these NPC player.. people?" Randy asked.

Scotty's eyes became voids again, as he continued to stare at me like he was expecting a response. I looked over his shoulder's and his companions shared the same look, but continued they're whispered conversation with each other.

{The G.A.P program, or Generated Artificial Players. A copy of the player's avatar is produced in-game, then programmed with a standard NPC AI. The goal of this process is to achieve overall game balance.} The AI's voice hummed.

"How you gonna have super buffed NPC's and call that balanced?" Randy asked.

{Methuselah was designed to be a long-term, self sustaining world. Example: If there are not enough strong players to defeat the monsters, the G.A.P. program populates the world with copies of player avatars, controlled by AI programs, in order to achieve balance. Because the game is only in beta testing, the program is subject to changes as well.} Shorty explained.

"So If there's only a level 2 dude in this server, You buff the NPC's to keep the monsters from overpopulating, or wreckin' shit?" Randy observed. "Oh ok. Thanks Shawty"

Randy dismissed his AI, and put away his bow. Casey and Ned sat down and I returned to cooking. I was content to now ignore the new arrivals. Scotty took two step's closer and all eyes of our party glared at him.

"As adventurer's ...you have to tell us, it's your duty!" Scotty invoked.

With a deep sigh I replied, "I don't have to do shit, but stay Dragon and die."

Randy chuckled at the reference. Scotty obviously didn't get it, but I noted his eyes still appeared coherent.

"Just tell 'em. They're NPC's, if they die... who cares?" Randy suggested.

"I care, somewhat. But I want to get through that forest soon, and to do that we need that Troll dead." I confessed. "If you three die, they have to investigate then amend the quest, then we'd have to wait for the new team to track and kill it."

"You're underestimating us!" the one called Barbara, shouted.

"Yeah Scotty is the strongest one here." The red robed girl boasted.

"Thank you, Dorothy. But he's concerned about our safety, so at least his intentions are good." Scotty mitigated. "We will defeat that Troll."

"Ok, Tell me about your party. Include your levels, classes and specific strengths."

I requested.

"Ew, I told you he was a creep!" cried Dorothy.

"Yeah, I'm a creep for making sure your ready to fight a Troll before I send you walking into it." I retorted.

"It's usually very personal information, but fine. We can share enough to show you we can handle ourselves." Scotty conceded.

"But Scotty-" Dorothy whined, while Barbara made a disgusted face.

"You sure have a way with the ladies." Joked Ned.

"This is usually how they react after he sees them naked." Sneered Randy.

Casey smirked, but spared me from further insult.

After some debate, Scotty seemed to be ready to start.

"I am a Level 11 Warrior. My fighting style is pugilist, so obviously I specialize in close combat. As human's we are weak against poison, so obviously that won't be an issue. Dorothy Is a level 9 Black mage. She is a dual elementalist so she wields both fire and water. Barbara Is a level 9 White mage. She is a healer who specializes in physical buffs. Each girl knows one advanced combat skill for their own protection, as well." Scotty relinquished.

The NPC adventurers looked unnerved, Like we had just read their diaries.

"Ok. You sound stronger than you look, so I'll tell you what I know." I announced, after dishing out breakfast to my party.

I looked at the NPC's and gestured to the left over food. They declined my offer.

"So it's a Mountain Troll, Level 12. Its HP was 220 I think, and it regenerates during combat. It's like 7 foot tall, probably weighs around 300lbs and it's all muscle. But its as fast as a horse, despite being as big as a house. Oh! Also it's definitely resistant to electricity." I rubbed my ribs as I stated the last bit. "And I last saw it about 2 miles North east in the woods, chewing on Goblins like they were beer flavored."

The NPC party gawked in surprise. Even my party seemed a little shocked, I guess I left a few things out when I had told them about the encounter. Scotty cleared his throat and regained focused.

"How do you know so much about this Troll?" He asked.

"I learned all this, while it was kicking my ass. After a I sunk a blade in it's eye, I got away by 'climbing' a tree and waiting for it to lose interest." I chided.

"Now your hostility makes sense. Thank you for the information, we have what we need." Replied Scotty. Lets take our leave, ladies."

As they began to walk towards the forest, I looked at my party and released a heavily burdened sigh.

"Do you guys want to get through the forest today, or wait several days to try?" I asked the three members of my party before me.

They looked around at each other, seeming to come to a decision without saying any words. I read their faces and turned to the trio of NPC's.

I shouted, "Hey! We'll make you a deal."