People (I started quoting posts, but there were too many) seem to be associating chanting only with possession, thus forgetting that it's a skill also needed for rescuing muds. In the game universe, it appears that Abe knew how to use chanting to open bird portals from the beginning, but only learned how to possess sligs in the Monsaic Lines. That we are able to possess sligs is a bonus, but in my mind not canonical.
Here is my ideal structure of the plot of AO: the first level in Rupturegarms and the Stockyards Escape would simply be platforming and sneaking areas focussed on Abe's Escape (Stockyards Escape is already like that, if you ignore the secret areas). Whilst in Monsaic Lines, Abe learns how to chant and realises (via RF outposts/secret areas) that it can be used both to help muds escape and to possess sligs. Going on from that, in his travels Abe becomes aware of his destiny and thus he decides to return to Rupturefarms and save Muds.
I think this would be good both from a plot perspective and in terms of a gradual growth of gameplay and ability. The only thing that would need to be changed in the first few levels would be getting rid of the secret areas, as Abe doesn't actually need to free any of the Muds to escape. However, either the Return to Rupturefarms would need to be expanded or the number of Muds overall would need to be reduced. I'm fine either way.
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An example is why is Monsaic lines so close to RF? Wil gets annoyed when I pester him with that question.
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They're not close to each other. Bigface mystically teleported Abe. And don't mention the map; it's been proved incorrect often enough that we really can't count it as canon.