Before the final book in the first series, some gods just didn't seem to care or get around to it. Some waited for the kids to prove themselves through some quest or deed, but  quest and deeds were not given out often. So when a quest did open up, many jumped at the chance.<br/><br/>Percy saw this and demanded gods claim their kids, some promised to do so, others could not give a crap but at least they are trying. Not sure about that 12 and over rule, I don't plan on Marcus getting claimed right away.<br/><br/>He is grandfathered into the old "prove yourself" system and look forward to writing that out IC.