Charon - Ferryman of the Dead
Charon is the Ferryman of the Dead, a macabre and monotone figure with an eye for gold. They are primarily responsible for ferrying spirits down the River Acheron and the River Styx.
Mortals are sometimes buried or cremated with a gold coin within their mouth as a payment for Charon’s services. Mortals who are not given the proper funeral rites are at risk of not being ferried to the Underworld and become left to wander the world as a ghost.
Charon is one of the caretakers of the Underworld, assisting Hades and Persephone in the management of the Lands of the Dead. They are also a psychopomp, one of the beings responsible for ferrying souls to the Underworld, along with Hermes, The Keres and Thanatos. As a psychopomp they are capable of passing through The Divine Gate without much hindrance.
Like Chthonic Deities, due to Charon’s association with the Underworld and death. They are rarely referred to by name, as it was believed it would call their attention. Therefore they are almost always referred to by epithets, such as the “Ferryman of the Dead”, the “Underworld Boatman”.
Apperance:
Charon is commonly depicted as an ugly, grey toned humanoid, hooded and draped in a long and tattered black cloak. They are usually accompanied by a skiff (boat) and wield a long oar-like pole. Charon is also sometimes depicted as a skeletal figure or adored with gold coins as jewellery.
Divine Classification
Quasi-Deity / Chthonic
Realm
Date of Birth
The Silver Age
Year of Birth
26000 BF
28098 Years old
Children
Pronouns
They/Them
Gender
Genderless
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