Many of the Egyptian gods make single-time appearances in The Red Pyramid. In doing so, they exemplify the relationship between gods and mortals in Riordan’s world. Gods exist in the domain over which they have power and can influence mortals indirectly through gifts and words. When Sadie visits with Nut, the sky goddess, Nut gives Sadie and her group safe passage through the sky to a certain point, but she cannot guarantee any further than that due to Set’s influence overtaking the sky. Nut also asks Sadie to deliver a letter to Geb, Earth god, which allows Sadie to communicate with Geb and gain information about taking a necessary detour to Las Cruces. The gods also present more direct obstacles for the group. Serqet, Sekhmet, and the crocodile god all present direct threats to Carter and Sadie’s progress, but none can dispose of the siblings on their own. Instead, they act on Set’s orders and must deliver Carter and Sadie to Set, showing the hierarchy among the gods.

For most of the book, Carter and Sadie host Horus and Isis, and these pairings of mortal and god show what can come from a partnership between god and magician.