Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-5632187-20130209000209/@comment-16047389-20130911132429

I don't think the Abyss itself is enough to cause the distortions. Remember, Artorias was the Abysswalker long before the outbreak in Oolacile. I think the town of Oolacile was corrupted by Manus, not the Abyss itself, same for Artorias.