This is a prop from my take on the Divina Commedia book, by Dante Alighieri if it was a game.
Charon is the Ferryman of Hades. The player can use him (and only him!) to move around Hell and Purgatory. The old man/gondola must be paid with specific coins, or he won't move. For the safety of the traveller, he's also equipped with spears, to keep the angry souls at bay.