Some people take role playing very seriously. In a sense, it becomes a cult to them. Their holy symbol is the D20 and they pray to the Dice Gods. As an outsider looking in, it is silly and ludicrous. As an insider looking around, it makes sense.
The dice represent everything. They show us that everything in life is random. They show us that things do not simply succeed or fail, but there is a wide range of possibilities. Part of that range includes critical success, and critical failure, both results beyond our expectations. And they show us that even the things we take for granted can be done very well or very poorly.
So who decides our fate? It has to be some kind of god, right? And since their will is expressed through our rolls, they are the Dice Gods.
Any rational person knows that it is pure chance. The whole point of using dice is that it is the only fair way to get random results. But it's different when it's happening to you. When you roll three natural 20s in a row during the most crucial part of the game, and it single-handedly allows you to escape from the jaws of death and turn the tide, you feel like the gods are smiling upon you. And when you summon forth the most powerful ability you have, that one that you've been saving for only the most dire of situations, and you botch the roll, you definitely feel like it is something beyond mere coincidence.
No matter what activity people get into, they lose a bit of rationality about it. People wear lucky socks or make sure to leave a door slightly ajar or flip a coin before making a decision. They may even tell people that they know it doesn't do anything, but in their minds, it makes a difference.
The Dice Gods bow to no mortal, but if you can do something to curry their favor, you'll do it when you need to.
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There are also cursed dice, and blessed dice.
ReplyDeleteLike, some dice that seem to "roll" better.
Tbh there's probably a grain of truth to this one since dice can be weighted differently, I'm willing to bet, even if its unintentional. Depending on how it was molded and whatever.
Very true. Actual dice are rarely perfect. Some do favor numbers more than others. It certainly plays into the superstition well enough. Much like how most folksy beliefs have some shred of truth to them.
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