Ferryman

The Ferryman is a character (or multiple characters) from the Castlevania series. His role in the games is simple: he waits to transport the hero across a river (seeing as swimming isn't an option). Sometimes it requires specific items, but nevertheless, he'll take the hero where the hero needs to go.

Ferryman appears in Rondo of Blood as a minor character, transporting them across bodies of water in two occasions. He does not ask for Richter or Maria to give him an item, and, in fact, will supply them with items if they speak to him after he has transported them.

Ferryman also appears in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night as well, but in two forms. The first form he appears in - that is, the first the player can see - is his Rondo of Blood incarnation, which is considered to be a cameo appearance. To see this, the player must go to the Outer Wall and descend to the lowest possible point, then go to the telescope at the far left and hitting "Up."

This will make Alucard look through the telescope, and he will see the Ferryman from Rondo of Blood rowing on the river.

The second incarnation in this game appears in the Underground Caverns where he will ferry Alucard over damaging bodies of water after he obtains the Merman Statue and until he obtains the Holy Symbol, which allows him to swim without being damaged.

Quotes

 * Welcome aboard, O Prince. Shall I guide thee 'cross the river?
 * Thy destiny awaits, O Prince.

Mythology connections
It is somewhat obvious that Ferryman was based about the Greek Mythology character,. Charon was the ferryman of Hades, transporting people across the river Acheron. He required a price, a Greek coin called obolus. The price is very similar to the item requirement in the Castlevania games as well.

Trivia

 * It is ambiguous as to what side the Ferryman is on, as he has no issue ferrying the Belmonts and other heroes, yet calls Alucard by his royal title and dwells within the castle, implying that he serves some sort of allegiance to the Dracula royal family, similar to the Master Librarian, although it could be said that he is against Dracula as he only appears to aid the heroes.