Artorias the Abysswalker

Lore & Background

Artorias the Abysswalker was a knight who, alongside his companion Sif, ventured to Oolacile to slay a primeval human known as Manus, Father of the Abyss, who had been resurrected and driven mad by the sorcerers of Oolacile. During the battle, Artorias was overwhelmed by the power of Manus, leaving his shield arm broken and useless. In a final act of protection, he used his Cleansing Greatshield to form a magical barrier around Sif, saving the wolf. In the ensuing years, Sif survived and grew to tremendous size to protect Artorias' grave. The player can rescue a young Sif during the DLC, and if they do, Sif can be summoned to fight Manus. Sif has a strong memory, as it remembers the player if they saved it during the DLC beforehand, but still engages the player in battle when they later approach Artorias' grave.

In Their Own Story

The story of Artorias is revealed through the events of the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. Hundreds of years before the main game, Artorias and his companion Sif, then slightly larger than a normal wolf, traveled to Oolacile. Their mission was to slay Manus, Father of the Abyss, a primeval human who had been resurrected and driven mad by the sorcerers of Oolacile. However, Artorias was overwhelmed by Manus's power. With his shield arm broken and useless, Artorias could not continue the fight. Instead, he used his Cleansing Greatshield to create a magical barrier around Sif, saving the wolf's life. Artorias himself fell to the Abyss. In the present day of the game, Sif guards Artorias's grave, wielding Artorias's sword in its mouth. If the player rescued Sif in the past, the wolf recognizes them but still fights to protect its master's resting place.

Reader's Guide

Artorias the Abysswalker is a central figure in the lore of Dark Souls, primarily encountered through his legacy and his grave. His story is told through the Artorias of the Abyss DLC, where the player travels back in time. In this past, the player can encounter a young Sif and rescue it from the Abyss. If rescued, Sif becomes an optional ally that can be summoned to fight Manus, Father of the Abyss. Artorias himself is not fought as a boss; his fate is that he was overwhelmed by Manus and fell. The player's primary interaction with Artorias's legacy is through the boss fight with Sif, who protects Artorias's grave and the Covenant of Artorias ring. The fight with Sif is notable for its emotional weight, as critics have noted the role reversal of the player as a transgressor, and the fact that Sif limps in pain when reduced to low health. If the player saved Sif in the DLC, the wolf recognizes them but still engages in battle, making the encounter more tragic.

Did You Know?

• Artorias's shield arm was broken and made useless during his battle with Manus, Father of the Abyss.
• Artorias used his Cleansing Greatshield to form a magical barrier around Sif to save the wolf from the Abyss.
• Sif, the Great Grey Wolf, was slightly larger than a normal wolf during its time as Artorias's companion in the DLC.
• If the player rescues Sif during the DLC, Sif can be summoned as an optional ally to fight Manus.
• Sif remembers the player if they saved it during the DLC, but still engages them in battle when they approach Artorias's grave.