FromSoftware's Dark Souls is full of tragic stories, from the fellow Undead players meet along the way to the ultimate fate of player characters should they reach the end of their journeys. Perhaps the series' most tragic tale, however, is the story of Artorias the Wolf Knight. Appearing throughout the lore of Dark Souls, Artorias is encountered as a boss in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. By the time players reach Artorias, he is corrupted by the Abyss and unable to control his actions. Despite his monstrous appearance and sounds, Artorias had once been a noble Knight of Lord Gwyn.
Dark Souls' Four Knights of Lord Gwyn were an order of accomplished and deadly warriors in service of Lord Gwyn, helping him keep order throughout Anor Londo and defend the kingdom against any threats to the Age of Fire. Artorias was one of these knights and was well-respected among his compatriots. The Giant Archer, Gough, speaks of Artorias' nobility and good heart. Meanwhile, the Assassin Ciaran was said to love Artorias deeply, going so far as to ask for his soul to pay proper respects. The respect of these noble warriors could not have been easily won, which speaks wonders about Artorias' character. In a world where evil often outnumbers good, Artorias was a force for light and life across the kingdom of Anor Londo.
The mission that led to Artorias' death was a noble, but futile quest. Artorias was originally sent into Oolacile to beat back the forces of the Abyss and free the kingdom from darkness. He was also tasked with rescuing Princess Dusk of Oolacile, who had been captured and corrupted by the Abyss. Unfortunately, Artorias could not complete his mission and was corrupted by Manus, Father of the Abyss. Artorias' dominant arm was broken, leaving him to fight with only his sword. As the Abyss overcame him, Artorias' last action was protecting his lupine companion, Sif, through the magic imbued in his great shield. Manus is later slain, and Sif is saved thanks to the actions of the player character.
Dark Souls’ Artorias Had a Legacy Built on Lies
Ultimately, the legacy of Artorias in the Dark Souls series was built on a total fabrication. He failed in his quest to stop the Abyss and was corrupted by the very force he sought to destroy. The actions of the player character throughout Oolacile are attributed to Artorias the Abysswalker, thanks to Dusk of Oolacile's exhaustion-addled mind. Artorias goes down into legend for heroics he was not alive to see. Given the scope of his personality that players are allowed to see through his relationships with Gough and Ciaran, it is likely that this reality would have greatly shamed him.
With the last of his consciousness and the protection of his shield, Artorias sacrificed himself to protect his lupine companion, Sif. While Sif is saved for a time, he takes it upon himself to guard the grave of the master that died defending him. He understands the ring which Artorias bore ultimately led him to his doom at the hands of Manus and seeks to prevent others from being corrupted by the Abyss. Sif is ultimately killed by the same character that saved his life, despite recognizing them before combat. Though Sif rejoins Artorias in death, Sif's demise undoes the last heroic action Artorias ever committed in his life.
While there are few characters in the Dark Souls series that receive happy endings, Artorias emphasizes just how tragic stories in the game can be. Dark Souls is a world cruel to heroes, and Artorias was forced to experience that firsthand. Sacrificing himself to save his close companion, who would eventually need to be struck down so that players can defeat the Abyss, and then being consumed by the very evil he sought to destroy, is one of the most terrible ways to go.