Styx

Siblings: The Oceanids

**Styx** is both a deity and a river that forms the boundary between Earth and the Underworld.

## Overview

The rivers Styx, Phlegethon, Acheron, Lethe, and Cocytus all converge at the center of the underworld on a great marsh, which sometimes is also called the Styx. The river Styx possesses a dual nature, bearing corrosive properties and miraculous powers throughout the various sections of its dark waters.

## Description

### Invulnerability

Parts of the Styx were said to have the power to make those who touched it invulnerable. According to one tradition, Achilles was dipped in these waters of the river by his mother as a child, acquiring physical invulnerability with exception of his heel, by which his mother held him. This vulnerability was his downfall as he was struck and killed by Paris' arrow when it pierced through his heel during the Trojan War.

### Corrosiveness

However the majority of the river was toxic to both mortals and spirits; some parts of the river would cause those who touched it to lose their memories, others would cause mortal's to age and drain their lifeforce, and others would burn like an acid capable of melting through any armor. Due to this corrosive nature, the Styx has in modern times become identified as the river of Hell itself, and became the most famous one across the realms.

## Inhabitants

### Charon

The ferryman Charon often is described in contemporary literature as having transported the souls of the newly dead across this river into the underworld, although in the original Greek and Roman sources, it was the river Acheron that Charon plied. However, it means not that Charon is denied access from the Styx, for he is seen ferrying the dead across the river.

## Powers and Abilities

**Boundary Manipulation:** Styx can create, shape and manipulate boundaries — physical, material, spiritual, existential, pataphysical, logical, conceptual, metaphysical, and so on. Since everything is existentially and conceptually defined by boundaries, the possibilities offered are limitless — for limits themselves are nothing more than the boundary Possible/Impossible, and Styx can manipulate even that. Simply put, there is ultimately nothing Styx cannot achieve. Styx can change their own boundaries to make the impossible possible.

**Hatred Embodiment:** Styx can become a physical representation or manifestation of hatred itself and gain power from the hatred in others or oneself, they can use endless hate as a power source to extend their life span or as a weapon and can become immune to death unless certain conditions are met.

**River Deity:** Styx with this ability either is or can transform into a River Deity, a god/goddess who represents or is associated with water, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, water falls and floods, and even droughts. River Deities are common in mythology and were usually important among civilizations.

**Underworld Deity:** As an archetype an underworld deity, a god/goddess who represents or is associated with the underworld or also known as the netherworld, and sometimes two different places. The also possess unlimited control over life and death. Underworld deities were very common in mythology and feared by most. Especially when one defines as the Anti-Being.

**Oath Deity:** Styx with this ability either is or can transform into an oath deity, a god/goddess who represents or is associated with oaths, contracts, agreements, pacts and keeping one's word. Oath Deities are common in mythology and were important among ancient and current civilizations.