Undertale Deltarune Fanclub

[Gelquie]

It all started with Undertale, a game created by Toby Fox that came out in September 2015. Undertale is a game about humans and monsters, the war between them, and eventually the exile and magical sealing of monsters underground. Humans could venture to the monster's world through the climbing of Mt. Ebott, but those who do never return. You play a human child who just climbed the mountain and fell into the world of Monsters...

Which is way more lighthearted than you would think.
(And also full of awesome soundtracks.)

Years later, on Halloween 2018, Toby Fox put out a demo for another project--Deltarune. (And yes, that is an anagram. The game is adjacent to Undertale in that there are several repeat characters, and yet they seem to be distinct from their Undertale counterparts. Despite this distinction, the game prefers that you have played Undertale to the True Ending before playing Deltarune.
Regardless, you play another human child going to a normal school day. Until it's time to do a project with your class partner, and your first project together goes awry, as the two of you are suddenly thrust into a darker world...

...Where you meet several zany characters and an adorable knowledgeable floofy friend.

Originally, only Chapter 1 was released, with 7 chapters planned. Chapter 2 was released recently, on September 17th 2021. You can only play those two chapters at this point, but for now, Deltarune is free to play.


A general overall summary of both games is: Humans and Monsters in the same world, where you play a human in an RPG setting, you engage in zany interactions with monsters, quippy interactions with objects, bullet-style battles with random encounters, and a lot of feel-good moments.
Perhaps fewer feel-good moments if you decide not to spare the monsters.
...Oh yeah. Did I mention that the games can be entirely completed without killing anyone?


So that's the overview! This thread will be used to talk about the general game, and meta details about the games, and perhaps any theories about the game. (Especially Deltarune, which to this date is not complete.) Or basically just whatever comes to mind about the game or series. Remember to use well-labeled spoiler boxes where appropriate.

Have at it! Help yourself to some Butterscotch-Cinnamon Pie. (But please don't eat all of it. I want some too.)

[PFA]

I played Deltarune chapter 2 and loved it a lot, I love all the characters but [Hyperlink Blocked] is slowly taking over my brain

Some random chapter 2 related thoughts!

SPOILER: Click to show

I feel like there are a lot of things we don't understand about the Dark World. Like, the worlds seem to exist independently of the Fountains (as evidenced by things like Sweet Cap'n Cakes talking about Queen before "that Dark Fountain showed up," and also Spamton's entire backstory), so why does sealing the Fountains cause them to disappear? Also, if Darkners can't visit each other's worlds without being turned to stone, how do characters like King and Jevil know who Queen is? Also also, Kris gathers up "everything in the room" regardless of how many Darkners you spare, so what happens to the ones who don't stay in Castle Town? I HAVE MANY QUESTIONS and POSSIBLE FANFIC IDEAS

Also, I mentioned it on Discord, but I'm starting to get a real bad feeling about Seam, lol. Like, why do they want all our Shadow Crystals? What are they going to do with them? Seam for secret final boss??

[Gelquie]

I have Chapter 2 thoughts too! I'll address yours first.

SPOILER: Click to show

Yeah, I'm still uncertain about the nature of the dark world too. Perhaps the world is bigger than thought, or perhaps there's a way to communicate between them? Or maybe there's a central hub, and perhaps one besides Ralsei's Town? But I keep wondering if maybe the whole Dark World thing is an elaborate story thing between Kris and Asriel. Though if that's the case, clearly they've made it real, or I don't think they'd convince Susie that playing with an Ace of Spade is the same thing as making friends with Lancer. So there's likely some magic involved.
But if it is an elaborate story set-up, then it would explain why they have backstories despite the world immediately culminating into being, and how they still show up even after the world is closed.
...Of course, that's just one of my theories. I have no idea. xD It is supported by the fact that the Shadow Crystals can seem to see into the real world. Maybe it's unaffected by the magic.

And yeah, good question about Seam. I want to believe in him, but I am curious about what he wants with the Shadow Crystals. maybe it has something to do with the Lightner world, since the crystals are so connected to there? I don't know enough about him yet to say for sure.


Anyway, with the ties to the Dark World and the mysteries there, I can't think of that without thinking about the mysteries surrounding Kris, Asriel, and Ralsei.

By the way, I believe that Ralsei is still a good boy. That said, I'm starting to think he's hiding something.
First, I'll list the objective hints I have for this before launching into the theories.

-Ralsei knows way more about the Dark World and its connections than anyone else.
-Ralsei is the only source of information about the heroes prophecy and the Roaring.
-Despite the stoneification with other Darkners, Ralsei has no problem going between Dark Worlds.
-In order for the Darkners to reach Ralsei's town, Kris had to go to the Light World to pick up the items related to those Darkners. Ralsei did not seem to need this step.
-There is always a spacious closet in every Light room related to the Dark World.
-Noelle and Ralsei barely notice or interact with each other.
-When Ralsei drops to 0 hp, he disappears except for his clothes.
-If Noelle drinks Ralsei Tea, her comment is "There's nothing in here!" (It still heals her 50 hp.) (This is only discoverable with game editing.)
-(Undertale spoiler) The acid pit boat trip gives you several options to spurn Ralsei's attempt at bonding talk, in a similar way you can "..." at Alphys' help in Undertale.
-If you tell Ralsei "It's good that Ralsei is Ralsei," he comments that he wonders what being Ralsei-like is like.
-Kris will avoid any object or room description that touches on the subject of their brother. Be it immediately putting back a book, or looking into Asriel's room with their eyes closed.
-When the Queen monologues about and shows images of particular Lightners and Darkners, Ralsei is not included.
--(The following hints relate to the Bonus Boss of Chapter 2)--
-Ralsei is the least concerned with the boss and their fate, and is more willing to brush it off.
-While in the narrow hallway, when Susie goes to check in if Kris is okay, Ralsei casually steps aside to let her through... by stepping off the path into the void, which he casually walks across.

There are probably others I'm missing; just a general overview.


And now, my theories:

This is a scheme by Kris and possibly Asriel, largely spurred by assuaging their loneliness, or perhaps some other reason we have yet to learn. They're both using magic to create these worlds (which explains why if a new Dark Fountain just created a world, how they already have a story or are already being referenced, and how they still appear after their Fountain closed their world), and but it may have consequences if none of them are careful. Which is why Ralsei is insistent on following the storyline to prevent The Roaring.

Or alternatively, Kris is acting alone, and Ralsei is a projection of how they see Asriel. Somehow Kris is the one bringing Ralsei into the world, either because of the heart possession thing, or perhaps Ralsei is even just the Ball of Junk that reminds Kris of him.
(...Okay, so I just looked up info on the Ball of Junk, and apparently it represents the Dark World inventory. ...Well, Ralsei could be a part of it.)

Or... perhaps Ralsei is actually a Lightner, and is following the protagonists without being seen. Perhaps he's actually Asriel, be it him returning early to try to assuage Kris' issues (and hoping to help Susie), or perhaps finding a way to be in contact while far away... or perhaps he's dead and Kris is the only one who knows (which could explain why Kris doesn't want to think about him too much despite his obvious feelings), but some aspect of him remains and is still involved via Dark Magic.

Another far-out theory is: What if the heart possessing Kris is actually Ralsei?
All of Ralsei's outfits have a black heart on them. Is it perhaps where his heart should be? Is him as a Darkner merely what remains after you remove the soul of a Lightner? Perhaps this is Asriel with his soul gone? It would give him more power between the worlds, while also keeping him from interacting with the Light World, because technically he's not a part of it anymore.

Perhaps Ralsei is working with Kris on whatever scheme they have, or is being the antithesis to that scheme; insisting on closing the fountains while Kris (or maybe various Lightners) open them. And they're still on friendly terms because it's just a game or story-verse to them, and they're just happy to hang out. And Ralsei only got mad at the others trying to create another fountain because it would've made what they're trying to do too serious and dangerous.


Or maybe some of the things I pointed out are red herrings. Who knows?

Either way, my stance is: I think Ralsei is sus, but he may be benevolently so.

[PFA]

Some more chapter 2 thoughts! Specifically in response to Gelquie's comments.

SPOILER: Click to show

I feel like the Dark World is too big to just be a story between Kris and Asriel, especially since the Darkners talk about past interactions with other Lightners—like Queen being familiar with Noelle's internet searches, or Swatch helping Mettaton design a robot form. Maybe the Dark World is the collective imaginations of everyone in the Light World made real? I dunno.

That said, I definitely agree there's something sus about Ralsei. I'm partial to the idea that he doesn't "really" exist, but that he's the personification of... something. I'm not sure what yet, maybe something from Kris' mind, but I don't feel there's enough information yet to make any real conclusions.

And now for some chapter 3 speculation!

SPOILER: Click to show

It's extremely likely that Toriel's going to be in the Dark World with Kris and Susie, and—since she calls the police before falling asleep—there's a good chance that Undyne and/or Napstablook will be there, as well. It would be funny if their Dark World personas look exactly like their Undertale counterparts, but I could also see some new designs being made for them.

I'm very curious to see how Toriel will react to Ralsei, and to the Dark World in general. Given that the Fountain was created in her own living room, I imagine the Darkners there will be extremely familiar with her, which could make for some interesting character dynamics.

SPEAKING OF WHICH, it's basically confirmed that the next antagonist is going to be the TV. Given that the TV is straight up unplugged in chapter 1 (but has been plugged back in in chapter 2 for unknown reasons, I'm guessing by Kris), I could see the antagonist being very bitter toward Toriel and/or Kris for abandoning them. I could also see them being fond of Susie for being the first one to actually use the TV in a long time?

Similarly, I'm convinced that the next secret boss is going to be the remote. Like the TV, it was abandoned—Susie finds it literally wedged between the couch cushions, and comments that it's covered in dust. Plus, the entire point of a remote is to control the TV—the antagonist. This could imply that the remote is more powerful than the TV, and/or is the "man behind the curtain" so to speak.

I'm also wondering about what will happen after the Fountain is sealed. I was a little concerned with Kris taking everything from the computer lab, like, aren't people going to notice that? What if someone needs to use the computer(s)? ...But Kris taking everything from their own house will be EXTREMELY hard to ignore. Like, will Toriel even let them do that?

[PFA]

So the 15th was Undertale's 7th anniversary, and over the past few days, we've been getting some really cool Deltarune stuff! We got an devlog from Toby Fox on the progress for chapters 3-5, and then a few days later, a charity sweepstakes event featuring an ARG-like website with a bunch of cool secrets to be found. Can't link it here due to NSFNTWF language, but some highlights include:

SPOILER: Click to show

• Sneak peaks at some of the upcoming enemies: a shadowy saxophone-playing figure referred to as "Shadowman," and a pair of weather-themed enemies presumed to be minibosses.
• Confirmation that Mike is, in fact, a real character that Spamton has history with.
• According to one of the secret page URLs, apparently the TV enemy from chapter 3 is named "Tenna." It is unclear if he is the same character as Mike.
• Confirmation that Noelle's sister is named December and apparently plays guitar? Also the song that plays on the associated secret page is a remix of Lost Girl called "findher.ogg"
• Some fascinating blog posts from Noelle, talking about video game glitches and interactions with Kris.

There's also a livestream set to happen later today, which I'll need to watch to learn whether or not I won a banana (or some other, less important item) from the sweepstakes

UPDATE: I did not win a banana, this is so sad