PHORCYS (PHORCUS, PHORCYN), in Greek mythology, son of Pontus (Sea) and Gaea (Earth), father of the Graeae, the Gorgons, Scylla, and Ladon (the dragon that guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides).

Why do the Graeae feel they must live at the edge of human existence?

To find the way to the Gorgons lair, Perseus had to approach the Graeae.