The not-immortal Blacksmith

“I have found a new player!” Ghondish almost yelled to his players as they arrived.

Maxamilian looked up from his character sheet, “After your debacle with the goddess of the afterlife, I'm surprised you even continued looking.”

“Hey, how was I to know that she had banned the game?” Ghondish asked, mouth forming into a slight smile, “It's not my fault it's so popular down there.”

“So, who is the new player?” Pendleton asked, sitting down at the large table.

“My little sister, Sarah.” Ghondish smiled.

“You have a sister?!?” Kocha exclaimed. “Is she cute?”

“I think my little sister is cute. But that's me.” Ghondish rolled his eyes, “But your mileage may vary. She is the goddess of small shadows.”

Pendleton cocked his head to one side, “I've never heard of her. How new is she?”

Sick of hearing the boys talk, Serric; goddess of darkness and shadow; stepped out of the kitchen of the barn she was sharing with her brother, only until I have my own place, she reminded herself. “I am very new to godhood” She lied.

The boys stared at her. Then Kocha coughed, “Um, nice to meet you, goddess Sarah. Welcome to Humans and Highrises.”

*-*-*

“Well, if she is going to act like that, I reach across the bar table and slap her.” Sarah said.

Maxamilian, eyes wide, stammered, “Y-yo-you are going to slap the LEVEL 8 Karen?!? You have more balls than I! I bow to your biggest brass balls!” He nodded across the table.

“I have better than Balls, as I have 'Ovaries'.” She rolled the die, then looked over to her brother, “I have a 19 total. Does that hit?”

“Yes. In fact you hit her hard enough that she falls off her chair.” Ghondish replied, wincing.

“Good. I stand up, and using my 'oration' skill, I loudly denounce her for being a total douche-canoe, and a blight upon the entire Townhouse complex.”

“Roll it.” Was all Ghondish could say.

Sarah rolled the die, “Roll high, roll high...” The die rolled and bounced across the table. Everyone present held their breath.

The die came to a halt...

18.

The table exhaled. “My name, that was dramatic!” Maximilian exclaimed. “I was actually worried.”

“Me too”, was exclaimed around the table.

“Alright, I'm only a level 2, but my Charisma bonus is +3, and Proficiency bonus is +2...Oh, my Feat 'Words of Truth' give double proficiency! So total bonus is +7.” Sarah said, excitement leaking from every pore; as behind her shadows danced across the walls. “Total of 25! Eat that bitch!”

“Ok, she rolls to resist...” Ghondish rolled a die, “And...bugger.”

“What?” Pendleton asked.

“Come around here, P, and look at the roll?” Ghondish asked.

Pendleton obliged, and started to laugh. “A one? You rolled a Nat 1?” He continued laughing, as he sat back down.

“RAW stares that a Nat 1, or Nat 20 for that matter, have no bearing on skill rolls.” Maximilian stated.

Kocha nodded, “Still, that is funny as hell.”

Maximilian grinned. “Yup.”

“Your attention please?” Ghondish asked. “Her Wisdom 'Saving Throw' total, as a level 8 Karen, gives her a total of 12.” He grinned at the table, “She failed.”

Cheers erupted from around the table.

*-*-*

Much later that evening, Serric was in her proper form again, and discussing the game with her big brother.

“Well, I like the new edition. Much less clunky that the one Gobb taught us to play.” Serric said.

“Yes. The rules back then were horrendous. Converting rolls to a chart, to get under a base? What a waste.” Ghondish replied. “So, what do you think of the boys?”

“I like them. They are all a bit young for my taste, But Kocha is nice, and Pendleton is so sweet! Maximilian reminds me of Korekk the Slayer, but without the blood spattered armor.”

“Remember when Korekk decided to play an arsonist?” Ghondish laughed. “It took us months to figure out it was him all along! That guy was quicker in his brain than on his feet. I never thought of him as 'Just a War God' after that.”

“Right?” Serric laughed, then sobered. “He was covering our retreat when Gobb died, and I fell.” She shook herself. “I pray to the universe that he still lives.”

Ghondish hung his head, then looked up, “I'm pretty sure of it. At least he wasn't in the afterlife when I snuck in to talk with Ilaldin.”

“She's the new god of death?” Serric asked. “Sorry, god of the grave?”

“Not exactly.” Ghondish replied, “Death is still Death, no one wants to fight HIM. No, she took up the mantle Exandis vacated, and altered things to also be in charge of the afterlife as well. She is doing an excellent job of it too.” He took a breath, “So, about the game?”

“I like it. I think I will keep on playing.” Serric smiled, “It will never be the same as the old group, but I like it.”

“Good.” Ghondish smiled at his little sister. “And I'm glad to have you back. Buuut, did you have to play a Karen?”