Dark Souls Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Dark Souls Wiki

In-Game Description

Ancient Manus was clearly once human. But he became the Father of the Abyss after his humanity went wild, eternally seeking his precious broken pendant.[1]

Manus, Father of the Abyss is a character in Dark Soulsand a boss in Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss.

Description[]

Manus is the final boss of the Artorias of the Abyss DLC. He is encountered in the Chasm of the Abyss.

It is possible to summon the past version of Great Gray Wolf Sif to aid in the battle. Sif's summon sign is found in the arena where the player fights Manus, inside the fog door.

Plot[]

Once the Chosen Undead has the Broken Pendant in their possession, Manus pulls them through a magical rift from Darkroot Basin into the past land of Oolacile.

He has kidnapped Princess Dusk and is eventually confronted in the Chasm of the Abyss.

Lore[]

Dark Souls[]

Soul of Manus

The Dark Soul of Manus.

Manus was a primordial human who possessed an extraordinary soul consisting of a viscous, lukewarm lump of gentle humanity, an immense Dark Soul[2]. He was also a sorcerer who used a rough and old wooden catalyst, very crude but large enough to be used as a weapon[3]. His sorceries in particular were dark and in fact manipulated the Dark Soul, even managing to give it a will and throw it at enemies to chase them[4]. Manus also possessed one half of an ancient stone pendant infused with powerful dark magic that was infinitely precious to him and represented a source of wrenching nostalgia and lost joy of a passed loved one[5][6]. At some point in the distant past, Manus died and his body was buried[7] in the caves of the region upon which the civilization of Oolacile would later arise[8].

Broken Pendant

The Broken Pendant of Manus.

At some point after Gwyn sacrificed himself to link the First Flame, the Primordial Serpent Kaathe arrived in Oolacile and manipulated the country to upturn the grave of the primordial man buried beneath the dungeons of their city and resurrect him[9][10]. In fact, Kaathe was looking for a potential Dark Lord[11] and after the Four Kings and their Darkwraiths, to whom he had taught the powers of Lifedrain[12], had been sealed together with New Londo[13]he decided to find another path to achieve his goal[14].

Charge manus

Manus becomes the father of the Abyss.

However, the royal family of Oolacile took the precious broken pendant of Manus for themselves, giving it to Princess Dusk[15]. The wrenching nostalgia connected to his object of obsession and the sincere hope to reclaim it[16] drove Manus mad and his Dark Soul went wild, transforming him into a dark beast eternally seeking his pendant[17]. His immense mass of humanity out of control led to the manifestation of an Abyss that spread, threatening to devour the entire land[18]. The Dark emanating from Manus did not limit itself to generating countless Humanity Phantoms with a will of their own but also influenced the residents of Oolacile, making their humanity go wild and horribly mutating their bodies, bloating their head and opening them with cracks lined with innumerable tiny red eyeballs and protuding brain parts[19]. On the brink of madness, Oolacile sorceries would also discover abyssal sorceries that are more weighty and deal physical damage instead of magical as their Dark Soul, used instead of normal souls, were closer to their natural state and produced sorceries with a more tangible presence and closer to matter[20].

Knight Artorias

Artorias corrupted by the Abyss of Manus.

As the Abyss continued to spread across the land of Oolacile, Knight Artorias came to stop it and confront Manus[21], as the Knight of Gwyn already had experience with fighting the Abyss and its creatures after the events of New Londo and his hunt for the Darkwraiths[22], and possessed a Silver Pendant that protected him from the Dark[23]. Artorias, together with his trusted companion Sif, thus faced Manus[24] but his strength proved insufficient to defeat the Father of the Abyss and he succumbed to the Abyss[25][21]. Wounded by the battle, Artorias used his Cleansing Greatshield to form a barrier to protect Sif leaving a magic barrier to repel the Dark[26]. Artorias, now corrupted to the Soul by the Abyss[27] and with his armor corroded[28], was left to fight alone and wounded the distorted creatures of Oolacile[29].

Dusk Post-Manus

Dusk taken by Manus.

At one point Manus managed to take possession of his lost pendant, kidnapping Princess Dusk and taking her to his Abyss[30][31]. However, due to a time distortion, Manus found himself chasing a further copy of his pendant, but this one was located in the future[32]. Using his Dark power, Manus snatched the Chosen Undead that found it from the future bringing him to the Oolacile of the past[33]. This Undead would be able to put the corrupted Artorias to rest and succeed his mission, facing Manus and defeating him, thus saving Oolacile from further corruption[34]. After the Undead rescued Princess Dusk, however, she found herself in the future together with her pendant[35], thus creating the paradox that led to her salvation at the hands of that same Undead centuries later[36][37]. Thanks to Elizabeth's confidentiality, the legend spread that Artorias had defeated Manus and his Abyss, omitting the role of the unsung hero to preserve the honor of the knight[38][39].

Dark Souls II[]

Soul of Nashandra

The fragments of Manus.

Although he was killed, the Dark Soul of Manus was so large and powerful that he was reborn in death, and his soul split into miniscule fragments that retained some will[40][41]. These pieces began to coalesce once again absorbing the other humanities[42], becoming the incarnations of different emotions of Manus[43] and then human in shape, with their own self-awareness: Elana the embodiment of Manus' wrath[44], Alsanna, the embodiment of Manus' fear[45], Nadalia the embodiment of Manus' solitude[46] and Nashandra, the tiniest fragment of Manus and the embodiment of his want[47]. These new entities had some recollection of their father and his dark powers[48] and when the Abyss that they called home was dissipated they scattered across the land[49]. To sustain themselves and seek more and more power, they reached Drangleic where in one way or another they came into contact with the holders of magnificent souls[50], drawn to their awesome strength[51].

Artifacts[]

Strategies[]

It is possible for the player to kill Manus outside his fog gate:

  1. Kill all the surrounding Humanity Phantoms.
  2. Unequip all armor, then equip a fully upgraded longbow, Feather Arrows, the Symbol of Avarice, the Red Tearstone Ring, and the Hawk Ring.
  3. Unequip the Symbol of Avarice after the Red Tearstone Ring activates.
  4. Stand on the right side of the bridge that leads to the fog gate. There are a set of ridges, and on the third from the bridge, Manus's red eyes will be visible.
  5. Shoot towards the eyes until you successfully hit Manus. Keep shooting until his health is low. Now you have two options:
    1. Enter the fog door and finish him off.
    2. Kill him from the ledge. The fog gate will disappear and you'll gain his reward souls. When you approach the platform that Manus usually grabs you off of, you can roll off to land without damage.

If the player wishes to face Manus conventionally, it is advisable to equip Stamina-boosting items that such as the Cloranthy Ring, as well as a high-Stability shield that blocks physical damage. Only attack Manus after he finishes his jumping smash or frenzy combo, lest you be caught in the middle of his strikes.

Manus will start using his magic attacks at around 50% health. Use the Silver Pendant to deflect them, as they are difficult to dodge.

Notes[]

The Silver Pendant, although not required, can be of great help as it blocks his magic attacks if used with correct timing.

Great Grey Wolf Sif can help in this battle. Whilst Sif's attacks are not very damaging, the extra summon can keep Manus distracted and give the player time to heal. It is wise to only summon Sif after Manus is below half health, to distract him in his harder phase, making it less likely the player will be targeted by the Dark Orb barrage attack.

Sif's summon sign is inside the Manus's arena, directly to the left of where the player spawns. As a result, Sif can only be summoned during the fight. Thankfully, Sif is summoned instantly after touching the sign, without the usual white phantom-summoning animation. Since it is summoned during the fight it does not increase Manus' Hp.

Boss information[]

Attacks[]

Short Arm Slam[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
834 0 0 0 Strike No Both Medium
Manus-Short-Slam

Long Arm Slam[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
 697 0 0 0 Strike No Both Average

Manus briefly holds up his shadowy limb then brings it down at the player. This attack can reach more than halfway across the boss arena and breaks the guard of most medium-stability shields, dealing moderate damage to the player. It can be dodged by rolling in any direction during its downswing. This attack is telegraphed by rapid movement along his shadowy limb.

Manus-Long-Slam

Back Swipe[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? 0 0 0 Magic No Both Average

If the player is behind Manus, he can twist his arm all the way around to defend his back.

Manus-Back-Swipe

Uppercut[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? 0 0 0 Strike No Both Medium
Manus-Uppercut

Long Arm Sweep[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? 0 0 0 Strike No Left Medium
Manus-Swipe

Triple Swing[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? 0 0 0 Strike No Both Medium
Mauns-Triple-Swipe

Catalyst Smash[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? 0 0 0 Strike No Left Medium

Manus quickly strikes the ground with his catalyst, dealing moderate damage. Often followed by a Short Arm Slam.

Manus-Catalyst-Slam

High Jump Slam[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
??? 0 0 0 Magic No Both Average

Manus jumps high above the player, then slams down with his catalyst and hand. This causes the player to lose their target lock afterwards.

Manus-Slam

Berserk Combo[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
758 0 0 0 Magic No Both Very Fast

Manus lets out a quick scream which makes him mad, then performs four swipes and two downward smashes, potentially hitting the player six times. This deals high damage, and drains a lot of stamina if blocked.

Dark Orb Barrage[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
0 585 0 0 Magic No Both Average

Manus uses his Catalyst to cast a barrage of Dark Orbs, similar to the sorcery Dark Bead. The Dark Orbs spread out in a fan shape, making it easier to evade by strafing/rolling at close range. The Dark Orbs also drop to the ground after a moment, limiting the range of this spell.

Manus telegraphs this attack by holding his Catalyst out to his left, charging it for a moment, then swinging it towards the player to release the Dark Orbs. This attack can break the guards of most shields, so try blocking it with the Silver Pendant.

Manus-Barrage

Abyss Rain[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
0 467 0 0 Magic No Both Average

Manus casts a dark sorcery where multiple Dark Orbs appear in the air above and rain down around him in a sizable area of effect. Each Dark Orb can home in on the player within a certain range. The player can use their invulnerability frames from fast rolling (12 invulnerability frames, 14 with the Dark Wood Grain Ring). Alternatively, use the Silver Pendant — it does not stop the Dark Orbs, but holds them in place above the player if you remain still, letting you roll away before the Silver Pendant wears off.

Abyss Cage[]

Dmg phy Magic Damage Fire Damage Lightning Damage Attack Type Parryable Tracking Speed
0 ??? 0 0 Magic No Both Average

Dark Orbs propagate from above Manus, surrounding the entire arena before homing back in on Manus. This attack covers the entire arena, except for the area right next to Manus, like an inverted AoE. Dodge it by getting as close as possible to Manus once he starts casting. The Silver Pendant can also block this attack.

Manus-Abyss-Cage

Defenses[]

Physical Defenses Elemental Defenses Resistances
Regular Defense Strike Defense Slash Defense Thrust Defense Magic Defense Fire Defense Lightning Defense Poison Toxic Bleed
324 324 324 324 768 624 720 S S S

These stats are sourced from FuturePress's Official Dark Souls Strategy Guide.


Drops[]

Item Soul of Manus
Soul of Manus
Humanity
Humanity  ×10
Drop Rate Guaranteed Guaranteed

Notes[]

  • Physical defenses: Regular 108, Slash 108, Strike 108, Pierce 108 (Raw entity data, for comparison only)
  • Elemental defenses: Magic 256, Fire 208, Lightning 240 (Raw entity data, for comparison only)
  • Status defenses: Poison 999, Toxic 999, Bleed 999 (Raw entity data, for comparison only)

Trivia[]

  • Manus may be named for Mannus, the father of mankind in Germanic mythology. According to the Roman writer Tacitus, the Germanic tribes believed a god Tuisto sprang from the ground and had a son, Mannus, from whom all humans were descended. Manus is also the Latin word for “hand”, alluding to Manus’s massive left hand.

References[]

  1. Soul of Manus description.
  2. Soul of Manus description.
  3. Manus Catalyst description.
  4. Pursuers description.
  5. Broken Pendant description.
  6. Dusk of Oolacile dialogue: I still think on that creature from the Abyss that preyed on me. My faculties were far from lucid, but I quite clearly sensed certain emotions. A wrenching nostalgia, a lost joy, an object of obsession, and a sincere hope to reclaim it... Could these thoughts belong to the beast from the Abyss? But if that were true, then perhaps it is no beast after all? Oh, please forgive my ramblings. It's just that, I wish to know the truth. And no one, not even loving Elizabeth, will tell me."
  7. https://darksouls.fandom.com/wiki/File:Manus_Grave.png
  8. Manus, Father of the Abyss#Location
  9. Marvelous Chester dialogue: "Believe it or not, Oolacile has brought the Abyss upon itself. Fooled by that toothy serpent, they upturned the grave of primeval man, and incited his ornery wrath. What could they have been thinking? But to you and I, it's all ancient history. You have to ask yourself. Does it really matter? Heh heh heh..."
  10. Hawkeye Gough dialogue: "I suspect thou hast taken a gander at it, but the Dark of the Abyss, which swallowed poor Artorias, threatens to devour our entire land of Oolacile. It seems that this dire fate is unavoidable. But, seduced by a Dark serpent or no, they awoke that thing themselves, and drove it mad... One's demise is always one's own making."
  11. Darkstalker Kaathe dialogue: "They failed me, every last one of them. They were strong, but saw not the truth... I am certain that you will prove different."
  12. Dark Hand description.
  13. Key to the Seal description.
  14. Greatsword of Artorias and Greatsword of Artorias (Cursed) descriptions imply that Artorias fought the Darkwraiths before coming to Oolacile meaning that the events related to the Four Kings happened before those of Manus.
  15. Broken Pendant#Availability and Broken Pendant description.
  16. Dusk of Oolacile dialogue:"I still think on that creature from the Abyss that preyed on me. My faculties were far from lucid, but I quite clearly sensed certain emotions. A wrenching nostalgia, a lost joy, an object of obsession, and a sincere hope to reclaim it... Could these thoughts belong to the beast from the Abyss? But if that were true, then perhaps it is no beast after all? Oh, please forgive my ramblings. It's just that, I wish to know the truth. And no one, not even loving Elizabeth, will tell me."
  17. Soul of Manus description.
  18. Hawkeye Gough dialogue: ""I suspect thou hast taken a gander at it, but the Dark of the Abyss, which swallowed poor Artorias, threatens to devour our entire land of Oolacile. It seems that this dire fate is unavoidable. But, seduced by a Dark serpent or no, they awoke that thing themselves, and drove it mad... One's demise is always one's own making." and "If thine wish is to succeed poor Artorias, and challenge the spread of the Dark, then thou must face Manus, Father of the Abyss. The Dark emanates from Manus himself. Even if this land shall expire, thou may be able to prevent further corrosion... But even so, one day the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain. And even a legend such as thineself can do nothing to stop that."
  19. Bloated Sorcerer Head description.
  20. Dark Orb and Dark Bead description.
  21. 21.0 21.1 Elizabeth dialogue: "Thou shalt see further on. An abyss was begat of the ancient beast, and threatens to swallow the whole of Oolacile. Knight Artorias came to stop this, but such a hero has nary a murmur of Dark. Without doubt, he will be swallowed by the Abyss, overcome by its utter blackness...Indeed, the Abyss may be unstoppable...Still I have faith, that Princess Dusk may be rescued yet..." and Hawkeye Gough dialogue: "If thine wish is to succeed poor Artorias, and challenge the spread of the Dark, then thou must face Manus, Father of the Abyss. The Dark emanates from Manus himself. Even if this land shall expire, thou may be able to prevent further corrosion... But even so, one day the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain. And even a legend such as thineself can do nothing to stop that."
  22. Greatsword of Artorias and Greatsword of Artorias (Cursed) description.
  23. Silver Pendant description.
  24. Cleansing Greatshield description.
  25. Soul of Artorias description.
  26. Cleansing Greatshield description.
  27. Soul of Artorias appearance and description.
  28. Set of Artorias description.
  29. Knight Artorias#Location
  30. https://darksouls.fandom.com/wiki/File:Dusk_Post-Manus.png
  31. Dusk of Oolacile dialogue: "I still think on that creature from the Abyss that preyed on me. My faculties were far from lucid, but I quite clearly sensed certain emotions. A wrenching nostalgia, a lost joy, an object of obsession, and a sincere hope to reclaim it... Could these thoughts belong to the beast from the Abyss? But if that were true, then perhaps it is no beast after all? Oh, please forgive my ramblings. It's just that, I wish to know the truth. And no one, not even loving Elizabeth, will tell me."
  32. Broken Pendant#General information
  33. Broken Pendant#General information
  34. Hawkeye Gough dialogue: "If thine wish is to succeed poor Artorias, and challenge the spread of the Dark, then thou must face Manus, Father of the Abyss. The Dark emanates from Manus himself. Even if this land shall expire, thou may be able to prevent further corrosion... But even so, one day the flames will fade, and only Dark will remain. And even a legend such as thineself can do nothing to stop that."
  35. Broken Pendant#Availability
  36. Elizabeth dialogue: Well, look at this one. From what far-away age has thou come? Thy scent is very human, indeed...But, not intolerable...Ah, Princess Dusk's saviour. Thine aura is precisely as she described. I thank thee deeply, for rescuing Her Highness. But Princess Dusk is here no longer...snatched away by that horrifying primeval human. And so I must ask...Couldst thou once more play the saviour?
  37. Dusk of Oolacile dialogue: "For a very long time, I was trapped within the Crystal Golem. From my home I was taken, and banish'd to a plane of distortion. It was there, that thou came to my rescue. Long after I had relinquished all hope. So gleeful was I, my faith reneweth." and "...This may strike thine ear as somewhat peculiar, but...Long ago, in my homeland of Oolacile, I was beset by a creature from the Abyss. I would have perished then, were it not for the great knight Artorias. In truth, I saw little of what transpired, for mine senses were already fled! But even still, there was something about Artorias... A certain balance of the humours...That quite perfectly fits your semblance. Heavens, could it be that... ... Oh, dear me. That was Oolacile, many centuries ago. Please excuse my fanciful musings."
  38. Soul of Artorias description.
  39. Elizabeth dialogue: "I will remember thee, but I will keep thy story to myself. This is the best way, for thou art come from a time far ahead. No-one will sing thy praises, but yet thy greatness shall live on. For it shall be my purpose, to remember all thou hast done for us."
  40. Scythe of Want and description.
  41. Alsanna, Silent Oracle dialogue: "You've granted my one wish... Now, I have no regrets. I was born amidst the Dark. Long ago, in the depths of the Abyss, my Father perished. The Dark shattered into tiny pieces, one of which was me. How frightened I was. A frail thing, born from but a splinter of Dark. I felt that I might simply disappear.""I am, in fact, the incarnation of my Father's fears. I sought an anchor, and I saw that a King of this land was strong. I sought him only to sustain myself, to smother my fears... Now, I realize that he may have known all along. I was born of fear, and my Lord provided comfort. And so here I remain, heiress to my Lord's wishes, watching over Chaos... until the end of time."
  42. Scythe of Want and Wrathful Axe description.
  43. Alsanna, Silent Oracle dialogue: "You've granted my one wish... Now, I have no regrets. I was born amidst the Dark. Long ago, in the depths of the Abyss, my Father perished. The Dark shattered into tiny pieces, one of which was me. How frightened I was. A frail thing, born from but a splinter of Dark. I felt that I might simply disappear.""I am, in fact, the incarnation of my Father's fears. I sought an anchor, and I saw that a King of this land was strong. I sought him only to sustain myself, to smother my fears... Now, I realize that he may have known all along. I was born of fear, and my Lord provided comfort. And so here I remain, heiress to my Lord's wishes, watching over Chaos... until the end of time."
  44. Soul of Elana, Squalid Queen description.
  45. Soul of Alsanna, Silent Oracle description.
  46. Soul of Nadalia, Bride of Ash description.
  47. Soul of Nashandra and Chime of Want description.
  48. Recollection description.
  49. Wrathful Axe and Bow of Want description.
  50. Alsanna, Silent Oracle dialogue: "The beings born from the shards of Dark... I am not the only one. Even Dark seeks solace, and more so, souls. Magnificent souls... like your own... One day, you may encounter another. Another being, born of Dark."
  51. Bow of Want description.

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Manus_Intro

Manus Intro

Manus' boss intro

Music[]

DARK_SOULS_OST_-_Manus,_Father_of_the_Abyss

DARK SOULS OST - Manus, Father of the Abyss

Advertisement