what they speak of is a "plus two modifier," "placing Gates in the realm of deities and demigods," you can't roll and get a deitie or demigod... Meaning he started with an 18 (three d6's rolling "natural 6's"; or having some previous modifiers, probably stolen from apple's druid), and then gaining a plus 2 modifier.

+10 experience points!

wasting my youth has finally paid off.