Gallery & Media
At a Glance
- Location: Border of the Underworld
- Ruler: Charon (the Ferryman)
- Who visits: All souls (and very foolish mortals)
- Best time to visit: Dusk (if you must)
- Travel time: Varies
- Danger level: ☠☠☠☠☠
- Key features: The black waters, Charon’s ferry, the silence of the dead
- Not to be missed: The crossing (once)
The Traveller’s Guide
Overview
The Styx is the Underworld’s front door, moat and customs desk rolled into one long, cold, very dark river. Every soul arrives here eventually. The scenery is breathtaking, mainly because breathing stops being necessary.
Getting there
Die. Alternatively, find a cave entrance at Taenarum and keep walking downhill until the temperature, the lighting and your prospects all drop sharply. Charon runs the only ferry. There is no timetable, and complaints are not accepted.
What to bring
One obol (a small silver coin), traditionally placed under the tongue. Charon does not take cards, IOUs or contactless. Those who cannot pay wait on the shore for a hundred years, which is longer than most airport delays, but only just.
Local etiquette
Do not touch the water: the gods swear their most binding oaths on it, and it does not appreciate tourists. Do not chat to Charon. He has heard every joke, and he did not laugh at any of them.
