Charon

“	Gguhhhhhh....	„
	~ Charon

Charon is the boatman of the Underworld and transition incarnate, son of Nyx, and responsible for ferrying deceased souls across the river and into the underworld. In Greek mythology, he required a single obol - placed into the mouth before burial - as payment for his services, or else the soul in question would be left to wander the banks of the Styx for a hundred years.

Charon's services in-game are, unfortunately, much more expensive; he functions as the game's shopkeeper, selling Zagreus various power-ups, healing items, and boons in return for the obols he collects throughout his escape attempt. He can be found in chambers with a preview showing a brown sack, usually around the mid-length of each biome before a mini-boss encounter and at the penultimate chamber of a biome, before the boss encounter.

He also operates the Wells of Charon which can be randomly found throughout the Underworld.

He doesn't say much, communicating only in groans of various intonations, which Zagreus appears to either understand or enjoy interpreting in humorous ways. Zagreus often expresses annoyance that Charon apparently either cannot or will not simply ferry him up to the surface in his boat.

While all the gods (except Chaos) can use Charon's shop to offer their boons to Zagreus, Hermes is the only god with whom Charon has a lasting professional relationship, as seen in dialog with Hermes, as well as in Hermes's Codex Entry.

Charon returns in Hades II and sell his wares to Melinoë, this time using Gold as currency instead of his obols as they were melted by Chronos.

Characteristics and Personality

Charon, or simply the "Boatman," is the main figure who transports the souls of the departed to their final destination. He remains a mystery and does not like to be persuaded or bribed, having been deceived and paid dearly for it in the past.

Charon is a mysterious and enigmatic figure even to the rest of the inhabitants within the Underworld. However, conversations with Zagreus and other characters suggest that he is actually quite affable and reasonable, so long as he isn't deceived, and especially "stolen" from. Even his brothers, including Thanatos, seem to fear him and dare not challenge him. When forced to confront Zagreus, Charon will demonstrate that he is not a fool and will use his paddle as an "unlikely weapon." Nyx and Hermes explain that he may actually enjoy having someone to fight with from time to time.

Charon is generally antisocial even by Underworld standards. His odd friendship with Hermes, the Messenger God, is surprising as Charon manages to intimidate even the most powerful of beings within Hades' realm.

Above all else, Charon was also shown to be extraordinarily money-hungry, as he was obsessed with acquiring golden obols by any means necessary for reasons that were known only to him. His obsession with gold was so strong, that he would make it a point to demand payment from all of the souls that came to him before delivering them to the House of Hades. Should a soul be unfortunate enough not to have any coins on them when they die, Charon would refuse to allow them safe passage instead leaving them to rot for eternity in Erebus unable to make the rest of the trip.

Although he usually does not respond to requests, he can make exceptions. Charon's sweet side was revealed afloat, when at the request of Persephone, he helped by secretly returning her and her son. Charon offered a ride on his boat from Greece to the House of Hades. During the transport, Charon remained in perpetual silence, but it was something that was very kind of him.

Physical description

Charon appears as a seedy, shadowy floating figure. He always carries his oar, and sometimes uses it as an unlikely weapon. He wears a large hat that obscures his face, revealing only one of his eyes that appears a vivid purple light. His long black clothes with golden details are lined with coins collected from his salary, the obols. His hair is dirty blond and wavy, and he exudes smoky purple air coming out of his mouth when he breathes.

In Hades II, all of Charon's gold has been replaced with silver, his robes are torn and his hat is different, now with a cone point instead of being flat. His face remains obscured, but his hair is more visible now. He's seen manipulating gold, if it's with magic or his own smoke is unclear. His oar has also lost its golden details in exchange for new silver ones.

History

Before Hades

Charon is one of Nyx's many children, an ancient being present in the underworld long before Hades arrived. After Hades's arrival, he offers to ferry the souls of the dead across the River Styx to Hades.

In addition to his role as a ferryman accepting the funeral coin, the obol, in exchange for passage, Charon also functions as a local merchant, offering a variety of goods and services.

It's hinted that Charon took Persephone to the surface when she decided to leave the Underworld.

Hades

Charon will appear intermittently during escapes, selling items he unearthed from the Styx during his travels. However, it is anticipated that the cost of any of these items will surpass a single obol, with many being notably pricier compared to their regular rates. Nevertheless, they do offer enhanced effects or rarity at the very least to offset their higher prices.

It was also Charon that arranged for Skelly to be Zagreus's training dummy and for Hermes to lend an extra hand, all in secrecy.

During Zagreus's last visit to his mother, she'll be ready to depart. Charon is the one that ferries them down to the House, much to the prince's surprise.

Epilogue

Charon will attend the feast thrown at the House and enjoy it alongside Hermes.

After that, he'll keep being the shop in Zagreus's security checks. The prince can also try to win a discount, if he manages to survive the boatman's strong attacks.

Hades II

Charon provides assistance to Melinoë in her war against Chronos.

Affinity

If given Nectar, Charon will give you the Bone Hourglass, which increases the duration of items sold at Wells of Charon.

Charon's affinity gauge is maxed out at 7 hearts.

Favor

Charon's favor requires spending at least 10,000 in total at his shop.

Codex entry

Unlocking the complete Codex Entry requires deepening Zagreus' relationship with Charon.

Book of Shadows Entry (Hades II)

Wares

Before Styx

The following offerings are available in Charon's Shop in Tartarus, Asphodel or Elysium:

Temple of Styx

“

Not far from here, the dead begin their journey to their final resting-place down in the depths below; and so the river-boatman Charon often passes through.

„

Charon's Shop in Temple of Styx has 6 offerings in total.

• 1 offer of either (Cost of this offering is not affected by Pact Condition Convenience fee):
  • 1 Diamond costing 1000
  • 1 Titan Blood costing 1200
• 1 offer of either
  • Hermes' Boon with Boosted rarity costing 500
  • Anvil of Fates costing 275

• 2 offers of the following:
  • 1/4 chance: Centaur Heart costing 125
  • 1/4 chance: Pom of Power costing 100
  • 1/2 chance: Non-Hermes, Non-Chaos Boon costing 150
• 2 offers of the following:
  • 1/3 chance: a non-Hermes, non-Chaos Boon with Boosted rarity. Costs 450
  • 2/3 chance: a super Pom of Power that can increase level of a boon by 2. Costs 300

The Boosted rarity for higher priced Gods' boons are:

• Chance to be Legendary: 10%
• Chance to be Epic: 25%
• Chance to be Rare: 65% -- this means the rarity would be at least Rare and never Common.

Trivia

• Charon is such an ancient deity that Hades himself refers to him as an ancient god. The lines from Ares and others suggest that Hades respects Charon for his longstanding role as the messenger of death. Since Thanatos is confirmed as Zagreus' childhood friend, this game line establishes Charon as the eldest among the three House brothers.
  • The official Japanese translation of Hades shows Hypnos using honorifics (カロン兄) "Karon-Nii" (older brother Charon) to refer to him in-game.
    • Later, Moros and Nemesis use the honorific (兄) "Ani," meaning "older brother," to refer to him. According to the codex in Hades II, Charon is "one of the older sons of Nyx".
      • The Fates are predictably older than Charon, as they played a crucial role in the creation of the Nocturnal Arms with Nyx, artifacts intended for future use by their siblings and Primordials.
• He just emits groans like "Gguhhhhhh...." For some reason, it seems to be understood by everyone in the House. Zagreus either genuinely understands him or playfully interprets things the way he prefers.
  • Sometimes, even the player can catch a slight slip of words. For example, when you max out their favor and give them Ambrosia, they let out a groan, saying, "Go..... on.....".
  • Moros demonstrates great surprise in knowing Melinoë can fully understand him, implicating it's not an easy feat for those outside of Nyx's family (and possibly even for those in the family).
• Aside from the Loyalty Card, Charon also has a Calling Card, which he gave to Persephone (see quotes section).
• He and Chronos have a big rivalry going on.
  • This appears to be simply because Chronos melted Charon's obols and formed new coins with his symbol. However, it could also be tied to how Charon was sometimes mixed with Chronos and identified as the God of Time.
• In Greek Mythology, no source gives a clear genealogy to Charon. Giovanni Boccaccio, an Italian Renaissance writer, identifies Charon as a child of Nyx and Erebus. Before that, the only other account has Charon as a child of Akmon, Ouranos's father, but the text might be corrupt.
• He had a placeholder sprite during the Early Access of both games.
• Charon is frequently shipped with Hermes within the fandom. Their ship name is Charmes or Speedboat.
  • So far, they're the most popular non-canonical ship in the fandom. In general, they're in third place, after Thanzag (Thanatos x Zagreus) and Patrochilles (Patroclus x Achilles).
  • Hades II seems to further develop their relationship in comparison to the little hints in the first game, as both express extreme concern for the other and a mutual longing.

Gallery

Additional notes

For additional information on Charon that does not pertain to Hades, see Wikipedia's article: Charon

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v · d · eCharacters of Hades II The Unseen The Olympians The Rest Stygian Dangers Bawlder  •  Blight-Shade  •  Bloat-Shade  •  Blood-Shade  •  Canine  •  Casket  •  Crawler  •  Deep Serpent  •  Goldwraith  •  Goldwrath  •  Hellifish  •  Hippo  •  Holeheart  •  King Vermin  •  Lamia  •  Lurker  •  Lycaon  •  Mourner  •  Numbskull  •  Phantom  •  Pinhead  •  Queen Lamia  •  Reed-Stalker  •  Root-Stalker  •  Satyr Supplicant  •  Satyr Hoplite  •  Satyr Vierophant  •  Screamer  •  Sea-Serpent  •  Shadow-Spiller  •  Shellback  •  Smacker  •  Sop-Spindle  •  Sorrow-Spiller  •  Spindle  •  Tempus  •  Thorn-Weeper  •  The Verminancer  •  Wailer  •  Wastrel  •  Wet-Whisper  •  Whisper  •  Wretched Pest  •  Wretched Thug Surface Threats Anchor  •  Auto-Forcer  •  Auto-Seeker  •  Auto-Watcher  •  Blasket  •  Boozer  •  Bronzebeak  •  Charybdis  •  Cutthroat  •  Droplet  •  Eidolon  •  Eyesore  •  Harpy Raptor  •  Harpy Talon  •  Headstone  •  Horror  •  Land-Dracon  •  Lubber  •  Mega-Dracon  •  Polyp  •  Satyr Champion  •  Satyr Goldpike  •  Satyr Raider  •  Satyr Sapper  •  Sea-Shambler  •  Seesword  •  Shambler  •  Sky-Dracon  •  Snow-Shambler  •  Spawn of Typhon  •  Stalker  •  Stickler  •  Tail of Typhon  •  Talos  •  The Yargonaut  •  Tombstone  •  Twins of Typhon Familiars Not in the Book of Shadows Achilles  •  Aetos  •  Adjudicator Revaal  •  Bouldy  •  Dusa  •  Jetty  •  Learned Sage  •  Megaera  •  Narrator  •  Nyx  •  Persephone  •  Record Keeper  •  Roxy  •  Supportive Shade  •  Thanatos  •  Wretched Broker  •  Zagreus