“ | I promised to tell you everything you need to know. The thing is, however, you don’t really need to know anything. You see, even if you made it to Rome, which is quite unlikely, you’d never defeat my giant brothers without a god fighting at your side. And what god would help you? So I have a better plan. You’re not leaving. You’re VIPs—Very Important Prisoners! | ” |
–Phorcys to Frank and Percy, in The Mark of Athena |
Phorcys (or Phorkys, from Ancient Greek: Φόρκυς), is a god of the hidden dangers of the deep. He is a primordial sea god, generally cited as the son of Pontus and Gaea. His wife was Keto, and he is most notable in myth for fathering by Keto a host of monstrous children collectively known as the Phorcydes.
The Heroes of Olympus
The Mark of Athena
Percy Jackson, Frank Zhang, and Gleeson Hedge met Phorcys and his sister Keto at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. He let Jackson, Zhang, and Hedge in for three denari and gave them the V.I.P tour. He showed them the rare monsters he had in captivity. Then Phorcys trapped Zhang and Jackson in their own tank to fight everyday, while Keto continued to tour Hedge, keeping him distracted. Jackson tried to control the water but failed because it was Phorcys' territory. He and Zhang, who turned into a koi fish, tried to get Hedge's attention. Zhang, Jackson, and Hedge, then, broke the glass tank, and escaped with Jackson promising to return and free the monsters and sea creatures that Phorcys had kept in captivity.
Personality
Phorcys was very robust. He had the tendency to act on the more flashy side of things. Instead of relying on information to entertain tour groups, he used fireworks; he felt that too much information would bore quests, which led to him constantly getting angry at Keto. He was, also, playful, joking around with Jackson and Zhang before finally trapping them. Much like Keto, he had no problems mistreating sea creatures except if it prevented them from performing tricks.
Appearance
Phorcys wore a wet suit that appeared to be several shades of green. There were glittery silver words printed on the side: PORKY'S FOLLIES. In his greasy wiry hair, he wore a microphone headset. His eyes were milky blue with one higher than the other. When he smiled, his smile looked like it was being peeled back.
Phorcys had many geatures simular to a crab. He tended to scuttle around sideways on his bowed legs. He had a hunched back. He also kept his arms in the air as if holding plates.
Abilities
- Main article: Hydrokinesis
Being a god of the sea, Phorcys had some level of control over sea water. He used his ability to aid in his control of the aquarium and all the creatures kept there. He was able to overpower Jackson's ability to control water, but only as long as he was in his immediate area.