Artorias, the Abysswalker

Lore

Knight Artorias, also known as the 'Abysswalker', was one of the four knights of Gwyn.

There is a possibility that he was present during the fall of New Londo as he traveled there when the Four Kings fell to the dark and hunted the Darkwraiths. To do this, he made a covenant with the beasts of the Abyss (possibly Kaathe or Frampt) that allowed him to traverse it.

When Oolacile fell to the dark, he was awarded the Silver Pendant for facing the Abyss, an ancient treasure of Anor Londo that "deflects the Dark of the Abyss, especially in its magic forms". He traveled to Oolacile but was defeated by Manus. Artorias sacrificed himself to protect his wolf companion, Sif, using his greatshield to raise a barrier around the pup. He fled from Manus, but his exposure to the abyss overcame him and he fell to its corruption. By the time the the Chosen Undead arrives, it is too late; Artorias is by then completely overtaken by the corruption of the Abyss and attacks the player.

His grave, marked with his greatsword, is placed at the Oolacile Sanctuary area (which would later become the Darkroot Garden) and is guarded by Sif, Alvina's clan of Forest Hunters, and possibly also Lord's Blade Ciaran.

Theories

The Pact with the Beasts of the Abyss

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The "beasts of the abyss" are generally accepted to be the primordial serpents.

It is clear that Artorias gained the ability to traverse the abyss without being completely consumed. More specifically, it was either Frampt or Kaathe that Artorias made the pact with.

Kaathe was thought to be responsible for convincing the people of Oolacile to dig up Manus, as he generally wants to see Humanity propagate by any means. Artorias may have been deceived into being corrupted. Or, it may have been Frampt to mess up Kaathe's plans, which is more in line with the legend of Artorias going to Oolacile to fight Manus.

References in Dark Souls 3

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A replica of his sword can be found leaning against a tombstone in the dark Firelink Shrine. It is likely Hawkwood's though, but even he was a member of a legion formed to honor Artorias. A Hornet Ring is found nearby, a symbol of his fellow knight, Ciaran. However, this may just be fan service for those who recognize the connection. The shrine handmaid sells Artorias' armor as well, the Wolf Knight Set. It bears the description "…a knight tainted by the dark of the Abyss. The twilight blue tassel is damp, and will ever remain so. A vanquished knight left behind only wolf's blood, and legacy of duty. The Undead Legion of Farron was formed to bear his torch, and the armor of these Abyss Watchers suggests their own eventual end."

Dialogue

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Cut Dialogue

Whatever thou art, stay away.
Soon, I will be consumed.
By "Them", by the Dark.
Ugh.
UAAAGH.
Thou are strong, human
Surely thine kind are more than pure dark
I beg of thee, the spread of the abyss, must be stopped.
Cough
Ah, Sif, there you are…
All of you, forgive me
For I have availed you nothing
HURR UAGHH DUURR DOOORP HUAAAAGHH

Sources

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Soul of Artorias
Soul of Lord Gwyn's Knight Artorias, who was consumed by the Abyss.
The legend that Artorias repelled the Abyss only told half the story.
It seems that he was defeated, and his honor preserved, by some unsung hero, who is the true victor of the Abyss.

Covenant of Artorias
This ring symbolizes Knight Artorias's covenant with the beasts of the Abyss.
It's wearer, like Artorias himself, can traverse the Abyss.

Crest of Artorias
This crest opens a door in the Darkroot Garden sealed by ancient magic.
This door leads to the grave of Sir Artorias the Abysswalker.
Many adventurers have left for the grave, but none have returned for they make easy prey for local bandits,
With such dangers, the crest can do more harm than good in the hands of the uninitiated.

Greatsword of Artorias
Sword born from the soul of the great grey wolf Sif, guardian of the grave of the Abysswalker Knight Artorias.
The sword can damage ghosts, as it was cursed when Artorias joined a covenant with the creatures of the Abyss

Greatsword of Artorias (Cursed)
Sword born from the soul of the great grey wolf Sif, guardian of the grave of the Abysswalker Knight Artorias.
Sir Artorias hunted the Darkwraiths, and his sword strikes harder against dark servants.

Abyss Greatsword
This greatsword belonged to Lord Gwyn's Knight Artorias, who fell to the abyss.
Swallowed by the Dark with its master, this sword is tainted by the abyss, and now its strength reflects its wielder's humanity.

Helm of Artorias
Helm of Artorias the Abysswalker, one of Gwyn's four knights.
The death of the helm's owner can be surmised from the corrosive Dark of the Abyss,
and the musty azure-blue tassel, once a symbol of pride and glory.

Armor of Artorias
Armor of Artorias the Abysswalker, one of Gwyn's four knights.
The death of the armor's owner can be surmised from the corrosive Dark of the Abyss,
and the tattered azure-blue cape, once a symbol of pride and glory.

Silver Pendant
One of the ancient treasures of Anor Londo.
Presented to Artorias for facing the Abyss.
Effectively deflects the Dark of the Abyss, especially in its magic forms.

Cleansing Greatshield
The steel greatshield used by Knight Artorias, who succumbed to the Abyss.
Artorias, deeply scarred by the Abyss, used this to form a barrier to protect his compatriot Sif.
Although this drained the shield, its magic defense remains high.

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NEXT: Asylum Demon

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