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Susan Sto Helit

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Added by: patrickthekid

Read more about Susan Sto Helit at: Wikipedia

Official Site: Terry Pratchett

Susan Sto Helit (also spelled Sto-Helit), once referred to as Susan Death, is a fictional character in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of fantasy novels. She is the "granddaughter" of Death, the Disc's Grim Reaper, and, as such, has "inherited" a number of his abilities. She has to date appeared in three Discworld novels: Soul Music, Hogfather, and Thief of Time. She is also referenced (though not by name) at the end of Mort, when her father invites Death to her christening. She is one of the Discworld series' principal protagonist. Being both human and supernatural, Susan is frequently (and reluctantly) forced away from her "normal" life to do battle with various malign supernatural forces or, barring that, to take on her grandfather's job in his absence. Death tends to employ her in his battles against the Auditors of Reality, particularly in situations where he has no power or influence. As the series progresses, she also begins to take on roles educating children, so that, as Pratchett mentions in The Art of Discworld, she has "ended up, via that unconscious evolution that dogs characters, a kind of Goth Mary Poppins".

Susan is the daughter of Ysabell, Death's adopted daughter (introduced in The Light Fantastic), and Mort, who was briefly Death's apprentice in the Book Mort. At the end of Mort they leave Death's domain and become Duke and Duchess of Sto Helit. Susan is their only child.

She is first introduced as a sixteen-year-old pupil at the Quirm College for Young Ladies in Soul Music, shortly after the death of her parents. (Death could not save them, only grant them an eternal moment in his domain, which they refused.) After graduating—and despite technically being the current Duchess of Sto Helit—she begins a teaching career, first as a governess (in Hogfather) and then as a schoolteacher (in Thief of Time). She insists on being addressed as "Miss Susan". She was 16 when first encountered in Soul Music and, since the novels take place roughly in real time, was roughly 21 during her final appearance to date in Thief of Time.

At the beginning of Soul Music, Susan is studying at Quirm College. When Death takes a holiday from his work in an attempt to forget his more troubling memories, a metaphysical vacancy is created in the post, and Susan is 'sucked in', as Death's butler Albert puts it, forcing her to temporarily assume the role. At first, she desires to use her power to help humanity, but as the book progresses, she comes to realise that she is powerless to interfere, and discovers the inevitability of death and destiny. Much to her relief, she is released from the position following the return of her grandfather, who breaks the rules to save the rock star Imp Y Celyn and his band.

Susan Sto Helit has not been a contender in any CBUB matches.