In Greek mythology, Phlegyas was the King of the Lapiths, and one of the sons of Ares, the god of war. In addition, he was the father of the Thessalian princess Coronis, who was also one of Apollo's lovers.

When Phlegyas heard that Apollo killed Coronis for having an adulterous affair with a man named Ischys, the king of the Lapiths flew into a horrible rage, causing him to burn down Apollo's temple in Delphi. Apollo would later kill Phlegyas and send him to Tartarus.

In the Divine Comedy, Dante and Virgil encounter Phlegyas as a quick-tempered ferryman for the River Styx. Phlegyas reluctantly helps the poets cross the river, and after a brief encounter with one of Dante's political enemies, dock at the other bank, where the City of Dis awaits the poets. In the video game, Dante's Inferno (which is based loosely off of the poem), Phlegyas is turned into a monster made out of magma, with the top of his crown/head being mistaken for a raft. After fighting through hordes of enemies, Dante takes control of Phlegyas to break into the City of Dis.

This skin is basically a combination between both depictions.