Is Artorias a Giant? Exploring the Lore of Dark Souls’ Abysswalker
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No, Artorias is not a giant in the traditional sense within the Dark Souls universe. While significantly larger than a human, standing roughly 9-10 feet tall, he belongs to a race of beings often referred to as Lords or gods, a classification distinct from the giants who are characterized by their immense size and unique physical attributes. The confusion often arises from the varying sizes of the Lords, and the game mechanics associated with soul absorption, but lore clarifies Artorias’s specific origins and racial identity.
Unpacking the Lordly Lineage
The term “giant” in Dark Souls is somewhat fluid, often used colloquially to describe any large humanoid creature. However, in the context of Lord Gwyn’s lineage, the term applies to something different. Gwyn and his closest knights, including Artorias, Ciaran, and Ornstein, are of a different stock. This “race,” for lack of a better term, is characterized by impressive physical prowess, longevity, and a potential to grow in power through the absorption of souls.
While these Lords can certainly grow larger by absorbing souls, this does not make them “giants.” It’s a mechanism that enhances their already substantial size, moving them within the range generally associated with a “giant” appearance, but their origin remains separate. The giants are a distinct race with their own history and society, often depicted as more monolithic and less agile than the Lords.
The Artorias Enigma: Size and Soul Absorption
The key to understanding Artorias’s size lies in appreciating the distinction between inherent racial traits and the effects of soul absorption. The initial size of Artorias, around 9-10 feet tall, is the baseline for his “race.” This contrasts sharply with the much larger sizes of true giants, who can dwarf even the enhanced Lords.
The absorption of souls, as witnessed when Ornstein absorbs Smough, grants temporary or permanent size increases, but this is a power amplifier rather than a fundamental change in species. Artorias himself, during his boss fight, exhibits signs of corruption and distortion, but these stem from the influence of the Abyss, not from soul absorption necessarily leading to giant-hood.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion surrounding Artorias’s status as a “giant” likely stems from several factors:
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Size Discrepancies: The sheer size of Artorias, especially compared to the player character, can lead players to categorize him as a giant without considering the broader lore.
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Game Mechanics: The mechanics of soul absorption, where characters visually grow after absorbing souls, can create the impression that size equates to racial identity.
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Ambiguous Terminology: The Dark Souls lore is deliberately cryptic, leaving much open to interpretation. The loose use of the term “giant” adds to the ambiguity.
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Boss Design: As the article states, “A character is large like he is so that you can identify tells and movements from any range.” So that the boss will be memorable.
Ultimately, while Artorias’s size is impressive, his origins and the fundamental nature of his being place him firmly within the ranks of the Lords, not the giants. He is a powerful warrior of great stature, but his lineage remains distinct. Understanding these distinctions is crucial to fully appreciating the rich and complex lore of Dark Souls. For more insights into the impact of gaming and learning, explore resources at the Games Learning Society https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How tall are the true giants in Dark Souls compared to the Lords?
True giants, such as the Ancient Dragon or the Giant Lord, are significantly larger than the Lords. They can be multiple times the size of Artorias, often towering over entire structures and landscapes.
2. Is it possible for a human to become a giant by absorbing souls?
While humans can become incredibly powerful through soul absorption, there’s no evidence to suggest that they can transform into true giants. Soul absorption primarily enhances existing abilities and attributes, rather than fundamentally altering a being’s race or species.
3. What is the difference between the Lords and the gods in Dark Souls lore?
The terms “Lords” and “gods” are often used interchangeably in the Dark Souls universe. They refer to the powerful beings who inherited the Lord Souls after the defeat of the dragons. These beings, including Gwyn, Nito, and the Witch of Izalith, are considered deities in the world of Dark Souls.
4. Was Artorias a Lord Soul holder?
While Artorias was one of Gwyn’s most trusted knights, he did not directly inherit a Lord Soul in the same way as Gwyn, Nito, or the Witch of Izalith. His power stemmed from his skill, dedication, and possibly the absorption of souls, but not from possessing a primary Lord Soul.
5. What role did the Silver Knights play in relation to the Lords?
The Silver Knights served as elite warriors under Lord Gwyn’s command. They were highly skilled and loyal, forming the backbone of Gwyn’s army and playing a crucial role in the war against the dragons. They were not of the same lineage as the Lords, but were highly respected and powerful warriors.
6. If Artorias wasn’t a giant, why was Sif, his companion, so large?
Sif’s size is largely a gameplay consideration. A larger model makes it easier for players to read its attack patterns and movements. Lore-wise, it is stated that Sif is not a normal wolf.
7. Did Artorias have any unique powers or abilities beyond his fighting skills?
Yes. He was able to traverse the abyss, as Artorias was known as “Artorias the Abysswalker”.
8. What is the significance of Ciaran’s relationship with Artorias?
The relationship between Ciaran and Artorias is strongly implied to be romantic. Her dialogue and actions suggest deep affection and loyalty towards him. The fact that she can be found at his grave, mourning his death, further emphasizes this connection.
9. How did Artorias become corrupted by the Abyss?
Artorias ventured into the Abyss in an attempt to rescue Princess Dusk of Oolacile from Manus, Father of the Abyss. During his battle with Manus, he was overwhelmed by the Abyss’s power, leading to his corruption and eventual downfall.
10. Is the Greatsword of Artorias a cursed weapon?
The Greatsword of Artorias is not explicitly described as cursed, but it requires both high stats and humanity to wield effectively. The sword is heavily tied to Artorias’s struggles and sacrifice, reflecting the burden he carried while fighting the Abyss.
11. Is Artorias the strongest of Gwyn’s Four Knights?
The article says yes, “Of Lord Gwyn’s four most trusted knights, Artorias was deemed the strongest in close combat”.
12. How does Artorias compare to other famous knights in fantasy literature?
Artorias’s story and character design draw inspiration from figures like King Arthur and Guts from Berserk. Like Arthur, he is a legendary knight known for his skill and valor.
13. What is the significance of Artorias being left-handed?
The fact that Artorias is left-handed is a subtle detail that adds to his unique character. The Majestic Greatsword, associated with Artorias, has a special moveset when wielded in the left hand, further connecting the weapon to his fighting style.
14. What are Artorias’s weaknesses in combat?
The article says that “All DLC bosses are resistant to Magic, Fire and Lightning damage. So simply put, do not use elementals against them.”
15. Did Artorias have any children?
There is no information available that states Artorias had any children. For more insights into the impact of gaming and learning, explore resources at GamesLearningSociety.org.