The Fall of a Knight: How the Abyss Corrupted Artorias
Artorias, one of Lord Gwyn’s most trusted and revered knights, was corrupted by the Abyss primarily through direct exposure to its immense, corrupting power and, crucially, his inability to fully resist it. While he possessed exceptional skill and courage, Artorias lacked the inherent Humanity necessary to withstand the overwhelming darkness emanating from Manus, Father of the Abyss. Overwhelmed and physically broken, he ultimately sacrificed himself by shielding his companion, Sif, from the encroaching corruption, a final act that ensured his own irreversible descent into the Abyss’s influence.
The Legend of Artorias: A Paragon Brought Low
Artorias the Abysswalker stands as a tragic figure in the lore of Dark Souls. Celebrated as a heroic knight and a master swordsman, his story is one of noble intentions, valiant struggle, and ultimately, devastating failure. Understanding how the Abyss corrupted him requires delving into the events surrounding the fall of Oolacile, the arrival of Manus, and Artorias’s desperate attempt to contain the spreading darkness.
The Threat of Manus and the Abyss
The story begins with Oolacile, a land of idyllic beauty, threatened by the awakening of Manus, an ancient being whose raw power manifested as the Abyss, a dark and chaotic void capable of consuming everything in its path. Anor Londo, sensing the danger, dispatched Knight Artorias to investigate and quell the threat. His mission included rescuing Princess Dusk, who had been abducted, presumably by forces connected to Manus.
Entering the Abyss: A Knight Outmatched
Equipped with his greatsword and his trusted greatshield, Artorias ventured into the heart of the corruption. To do so safely, he forged a covenant with an unnamed abyssal creature and received a ring that would allow him to traverse the Abyss unharmed. This ring was crucial, but it alone was not enough to protect him from the overwhelming power of Manus himself.
The Corruption Takes Hold
The article states the key reason is: When Artorias entered the Abyss to confront Manus, he was completely overwhelmed by the darkness. Deeply marked by the Abyss with his arm broken, Artorias had no choice but to abandon his shield so as to protect Sif in a magic barrier and was corrupted by the dark.
Artorias’s encounter with Manus proved to be his undoing. The raw power of the Abyss, fueled by Manus’s ancient rage, was simply too much for him to bear. The knight, lacking sufficient Humanity – the very essence needed to resist the darkness – began to succumb. His body was broken, his dominant arm shattered, rendering him unable to wield his shield effectively.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Realizing he was on the verge of complete corruption, Artorias made a heart-wrenching decision. Using the last of his strength and will, he erected a magical barrier around his loyal companion, Sif, protecting the wolf pup from the encroaching Abyss. This act of selflessness ensured Sif’s survival, but it sealed Artorias’s fate. Abandoning his shield and fully exposed to the Abyss, he was consumed by its darkness, his mind and body twisting into the corrupted being the Chosen Undead would eventually face.
The Spread of the Legend
Even in death and corruption, the legend of Artorias persevered, albeit in a twisted form. Tales spread throughout Lordran of a heroic knight who bravely fought the Abyss and ultimately sacrificed himself to save the land. However, the truth of his failure and corruption remained hidden, replaced by a romanticized narrative of unwavering heroism. This misrepresentation only adds to the tragedy of Artorias’s fall, as he was remembered for an achievement he could not attain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Artorias and the Abyss
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify details and give a deeper understanding of Artorias and the Abyss:
1. Is Artorias the most powerful of Gwyn’s Knights?
According to the article: Of Lord Gwyn’s four most trusted knights, Artorias was deemed the strongest in close combat, which the player can test for themselves in the Oolacile Township area in a memorable boss battle.
While each of Gwyn’s Four Knights possessed exceptional skill, Artorias was widely regarded as the most formidable in close combat. His prowess with the greatsword was unmatched, making him a deadly force on the battlefield.
2. What is wrong with Artorias’s arm?
Artorias’s arm was broken during his encounter with Manus. It was likely a physical manifestation of the Abyss’s corrupting power, rendering him unable to wield his shield properly.
3. Why did Artorias traverse the Abyss?
Artorias entered the Abyss to fulfill his duty as a knight of Anor Londo, tasked with stopping Manus and rescuing Princess Dusk. He sought to contain the spreading darkness and prevent the Abyss from consuming Oolacile. He utilized the covenant and associated ring to enter the Abyss.
4. Why did Artorias fail?
Artorias failed because he was ultimately overwhelmed by the power of the Abyss. He lacked the inherent Humanity to resist its corrupting influence, and his body was physically broken in the process. He was left unable to complete his mission of quelling the Abyss.
5. What is the myth surrounding Artorias?
The myth of Artorias paints him as a heroic knight who bravely fought the Abyss and sacrificed himself to save Lordran. The article states: Despite being corrupted by the Abyss and being killed by the Chosen Undead, rumors instead told of Artorias honorably dying fighting against the Abyss. As such, he was seen as a hero through all of Lordran.
This romanticized narrative obscures the truth of his failure and corruption.
6. Is Artorias related to the Abyss Watchers?
The Abyss Watchers are not directly related to Artorias by blood, but they were formed in his honor. The article states: 10 The Abyss Watchers Are Formed In Artorias’ Honor. The Abyss Watchers are a physical manifestation of this fact, carrying on Artorias’ fight from the first game. The group emulate his fighting style and take on the responsibility of battling the Abyss.
7. Why is Artorias considered a good boss fight?
The Artorias fight is praised for its fair challenge, compelling lore, and emotional weight. The article states: Everything about the Artorias fight is perfect. From the fight itself, a fair one on one duel in a gladitorial arena, the lore of the character and you releasing him from his thralldom, the score… There is something pure about this fight, moreso than any other boss battle in the series. Players essentially free him from the Abyss’s influence.
8. Did Artorias stop the Abyss?
Artorias did not stop the Abyss. While he attempted to contain it, he ultimately failed and was corrupted in the process. The Chosen Undead ultimately finished what Artorias began.
9. Was Artorias a human?
The article states: Gwyn, Artorias, Ornstein and Ciaran are all the same race, but they are not human. Canonically, they have only been named as Lords.
Artorias was not a human. He and the other prominent knights were considered Lords.
10. Why did Artorias go to Oolacile?
Artorias went to Oolacile to stop the Abyss created by Manus and to rescue Princess Dusk. He was sent as a representative of Anor Londo to contain the threat.
11. What is the name of Artorias’s wolf companion?
Artorias’s wolf companion is named Sif, the Great Grey Wolf. After Artorias passed away, Sif became the guardian of Artorias’ grave in the Darkroot Garden.
12. What is Artorias dominant hand?
Artorias is left handed :: DARK SOULS™ II Discusiones generales.
Artorias was left-handed, a detail reflected in the design of the Majestic Greatsword.
13. Does Artorias love Ciaran?
While it’s never explicitly stated, there’s a strong implication that Artorias and Ciaran had romantic feelings for each other. The article indicates: Yes, it is generally assume they were greatly interested in each other, quite likely lovers.
14. How did Artorias traverse the Abyss unharmed?
Artorias entered into a covenant with an abyssal creature and received a ring that protected him from the Abyss’s direct effects. However, this ring only provided limited protection and could not shield him from the overwhelming power of Manus.
15. What are some real-world connections to Artorias?
Some believe that Artorias is inspired by Lucius Artorius Castus, a historical Roman military leader. The film King Arthur (2004), asserts that Arthur’s Roman name was “Artorius Castus”, and that Artorius was an ancestral name derived from that of a famous leader.
The Lasting Legacy of a Fallen Hero
Artorias’s corruption serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the overwhelming power of the Abyss and the limitations of even the most skilled warriors. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring nature of legends, even when those legends are built on a foundation of tragic failure. His willingness to sacrifice himself for Sif, even in the face of utter corruption, stands as a testament to the enduring power of love and loyalty. To learn more about the narratives and educational aspects within games, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.