Charon

Charon the Ferryman, carries the dead across the River Styx. He gave Alexander passage for the price of two old coinss. It has been said to look into his face is to see the abyss.

Behind the scenes
In Greek Mythology, Charon is a personage whose job it is to ferry souls of the dead across the river Styx to Hades. He was thought of as a silent, shrouded old man. In time, the image became synonmous with Death.

For that reason of the toll across the river, ancient Greeks buried their dead.

Other characters inspired by the Charon figure is the Ferryman (KQ2) of the poisoned lake in KQ2, although in that game, it's a ghoul. As is the Boatman in KQ8.

In the unofficial remake oF KQ2 the ghoul is given a history.

In general, the spooky ferryman is a common theme in many adventure games, always inspired by the Charon. One such appearance (although comical one) is in Monkey Island 3.