Charon (Fallout 3)

Charon is a possible companion and the ghoul bouncer of the Ninth Circle in 2277.

Background
A quiet and intimidating ghoul, Charon is Ahzrukhal's personal bodyguard and soldier. Every couple of days, Ahzrukhal sends Charon out to run some kind of errand. He always leaves packed with weaponry, and returns with a bag of caps. He's loyal to whoever holds his contract beyond question and will do whatever his employer orders. Charon never sleeps - a strange trait even for a ghoul - and when he's in Underworld, he hangs out in the bar. There are rumors that he is unhappy with his position but can't leave Ahzrukhal's employ.

Although little is said about Charon's past, Ahzrukhal will tell the Lone Wanderer that he was raised by a group of people who brainwashed him into obeying whoever has his contract. Ahzrukhal insists that he is not a slave, and implies that Charon did something in the past to deserve his "employment" with Ahzrukhal. While the terms of the contract are never shown, if Charon is asked to retrieve the G.E.C.K. in Vault 87, he says that he is only good for combat services and that he is "nobody's errand boy."

Daily schedule
At the Ninth Circle, he is the bouncer. He stands in the corner until needed. If dismissed by the Lone Wanderer, he will return there and sit in a nearby chair.

Quests

 * Hired Help: One can receive Charon's contract for free by killing Greta for Ahzrukhal, or by paying a large amount of caps. After the contract is obtained, Charon will approach Ahzrukhal and murder him in cold blood as revenge for all the dirty work he made him do.
 * Take it Back!: With Broken Steel installed, Charon can be ordered to activate the purifier, despite his previous refusal to retrieve the G.E.C.K. in Vault 87.

Effects of player's actions

 * The player character can obtain Charon's contract by paying Ahzrukhal 2,000 or 1,000 caps (Barter 50), or by agreeing to kill Greta. Acquiring Charon's contract makes him a potential companion. Once he is no longer bound by honor to serve Ahzrukhal, Charon will kill him.
 * Even though hiring him has no Karma requirements, Charon follows a personal moral path. Stealing in Underworld turns him hostile. If the Lone Wanderer kills a good non-player character in Charon's presence, Charon will become upset and, if subsequently fired, turn hostile.

Appearances
Charon appears only in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes

 * Charon was written by quest designer Erik J. Caponi.
 * In Greek mythology, Charon (or Kharon) is the ferryman of Hades who carried souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron, which divided the world of the living from the world of the dead.
 * When having Charon switch from melee combat to ranged weapons, he will make a remark referencing the song "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" by The Beatles.