Artorias' Fall into the Abyss

Lore & Background

Despite his immense strength, Artorias could not defeat the Abyss single-handedly because it had no form to strike. In a desperate act to protect his loyal companion Sif, he used his greatshield to create a barrier, but the Abyss overwhelmed and corrupted him. He failed to save Oolacile from destruction; the city remained ruined until Manus was finally defeated by a later undead hero. Artorias became a mindless husk, wandering the valley as a monster until centuries later when an undead champion would witness his tragic end.

Reader's Guide

The event begins when Gwyn dispatches Artorias to investigate the sudden corruption in Oolacile. The knight arrives to find the city consumed by a black mist that corrupts everything it touches. Artorias attempts to fight the source of the corruption, but realizes quickly that the Abyss cannot be cut down like a normal enemy. It is an endless void that consumes light and sanity alike. In a final, desperate gambit, Artorias uses his own soul as a vessel to seal away the majority of the Abyss, preventing it from spreading further into Lordran. This act leaves him broken, both physically and mentally. Centuries later, during the Age of Dark, an undead hero encounters the fallen knight in the valley. The encounter reveals that Artorias is still fighting the darkness within himself, even in death, serving as a tragic reminder of his sacrifice.

Did You Know?

• Artorias is explicitly described as a dragon-slayer in item descriptions such as the Greatsword of Artorias, contradicting claims he was not one.
• The Great Grey Wolf Sif remained loyal to Artorias long after his fall, guarding his grave monument in Darkroot Garden—not his physical corpse, which remains in Oolacile.
• Unlike other knights of Gwyn, Artorias fell without any divine protection or magic aid from the Lord of Cinder.
• His armor and weapon are among the most iconic symbols of tragedy in the entire franchise.