Names. Endings. Prophecy. Power. | “Deltarune Theory”

[@snarlinger]

Hey friends. Tried something different with this one. Let me know what you think -- tell me what worked and what didn't. Big thanks to my friends Bobby and Leon for making the raccoon rantsonas!! Bobby made the terrifying bara raccoon and Leon made the little runt. They don't have any socials to share so you will just have to celebrate their amazing art in this comments section. Also, I'd like to flag that the research I did for this video was pretty shallow. Imagine a Wikipedia rabbit hole with extra steps. I tried my best to verify that each source was accurate, but there is undeniably a lack of diverse perspectives in this video. All that is to say: if something I talked about interests you, please do your own research :)

[@snarlinger]

Also, check out Doom64Hunter's writeup on Deltarune and the Book of Revelation, it's a great read: www.reddit.com/r/Deltarune/comments/uq3ivp/deltarunes_story_is_strongly_tied_to_the_book_of/

[@harrylynch4224]

A huge problem with this video is how much time is spent talking on things that aren't Deltarune. Like, it felt more like philosophy rant than an actual theory video

[@snarlinger]

@@harrylynch4224 Noted, thank you :)

[@saturnsandjupiters358]

@@harrylynch4224Firm disagree on that. I think the philosophical discussions were highly relevant and also just genuinely interesting? It wouldn't be the same video or theory if that was removed

[@snarlinger]

@@saturnsandjupiters358 Also noted :) Om nom nom feedback...

[@thevioletskull8158]

The two raccoons arguing if things should end is the moral confilt of Sonic and the black knight

[@hotcoco2413]

thats exactly what it reminded me of . [ Sun 12:27pm 9/29/2024 ]

[@danielle5160]

that game is so good...

[@lidiaviolinha]

i love that he says "im trying to create a theory not a story" while making one of the best piecies of storytelling as video essay i've ever come upon. amazing work, keep up with the videos please

[@snarlinger]

Aww, thank you so much :)

[@Dorked]

Thanks for the shoutout to my true lab entries video! One thing I will say about that whole discourse is that it kinda proved that some people get really defensive when an alternative take is brought into the discussion. You definitely see that with knight discourse, too. I think one thing I've noticed with theorycrafting for Deltarune in particular is this deep desire to "solve" Deltarune. To create the most foolproof, concrete theory for where the story could go, when we're working with an incomplete puzzle box. We only have a small scattering of pieces and must by necessity fill in the missing space with our own ideas. I write fanfiction, so I do think this tension between fanfic and theorycrafting kinda stems from the sort of... stigma, I think? That some fan circles have toward fics. You see it with people not wanting to label their fanworks as "AU" but as "AT" instead, when the term was popularized in the Undertale fandom by a creator who spook with disdain toward AUs and didn't want her creation (Glitchtale) to carry that stigma. There are people who love "What if?" videos but deride fanfiction. When I made the Alphys entries video, it was mostly out of a frustration that people were coming into my initial Alphys analysis and were telling me I was wrong because of that other video. Sock Muppet worked very hard in his video with, as you said, really solid presentation, but then others acted on his behalf, acted as sort of white knights, and it was ironic because he actually liked my take on the topic and was very respectful. In general, I think there's a difference between constructive discourse and destructive discourse, and because people are so passionate about these games, these names, it gets really heated at times. What can help is to step back and remember that we are not Toby Fox, and especially with an incomplete game like Deltarune, the best we can do is have fun, try to put it together, but with the understanding that Chapters 3 and 4 could come out any time now and totally change the discussion entirely. It's less about being "right," I think, but I think there's this deep desire to be right. To be the one who figures it all out. Maybe that's also why people get so bent outta shape over Jaru's theories when they come across more as stories Jaru is telling. They may not always be "logical," but that's not to say they've no right to exist or be enjoyed.

[@snarlinger]

No worries, it was a great vid :) I totally agree with all of that. There's this craving to be comprehensive, impenetrable, eternally true. I think that's fun, but like you say, it's really not sustainable. We'll see other theories that conflict with ours. We'll get new chapters and they'll throw everything up in the air. Even when the game is finished, we'll look back at it years later and realise we were wrong about some things... That's all fun too. That's art. But accepting that requires a little more humility, a little more tolerance of other people's perspectives. Which are famously hard virtues to cultivate lol.

[@kmiller2160]

I just watched “Alphys Wrote ALL the True Lab Entries” before finding this video. I went into it with the Sock Muppet video being the last thing I recalled on the matter, but Mettaton’s journal was kind of a ‘duh’ moment. It’s kind of funny that a video reaffirming the default assumption everyone had when they first played the game got so much hate, I would’ve never guessed. People ain’t right sometimes, it was a good video.

[@astuffedalpaca5365]

One thing that stuck out to me about your first video was the segment very frankly discussing the state and attitudes of the theorizing community, switching between that and the rest of the theory is hard to pull off. So I love how there’s even more of that kind of commentary here and it’s tied into the video wonderfully. Love the sona too. Awesome stuff!

[@snarlinger]

Aw thank you so much, that means a lot.

[@phaineinTV]

idk that i've ever seen someone collapse so utterly and so confidently into a style this fresh, well-realized and communicative before, especially not this fast lol. the 'someone else' section was genuinely otherworldly. i love your deltarune takes so far but i really hope you also branch out into other games (as and if you have things to discuss!) because you have such thoughtful, well-articulated and just plain fun to listen to takes on stories.

[@snarlinger]

Wow, thank you so much for the kind words :) But -- talk about something other than Deltarune for 5 seconds?? Preposterous...

[@eden8301]

this ^^^^^

[@kissiemew2]

TRUUUEEEE ​@@snarlinger LOVE U DARK PRINCE NEVER STOP THINKING AB DELTARUNE

[@Kyumifun]

This is so well made, I love the "side story" thing you did with having your characters (the racoons) talking about their ideas of what theories are and stuff. You're a good actor with a great voice!

[@Ongle_Spongle]

35:45 “Prophecies must be fulfilled” Holy *fuck* I’m going insane. Maybe it’s just brainrot, or maybe I’ve just been thinking way too hard about this, but, I have my own thoughts about the prophecy that I *cannot* contain. In the prophecy, it states that: “if the balance were to shatter, then a terrible calamity would occur” - *“Only then,* shining with hope, three heroes appear at worlds edge.” - “Only they have the power to close the fountains, and banish the angels heaven.” *”Only then* will balance be restored, and the world saved from destruction.” On top of this, Ralsei specifically states that we’re supposed to “fulfill the ancient prophecy foretold by time and space” and that this is “a journey foretold *exactly* by the prophecy.” So, if I can give my interpretation to the prophecy, it sounds like it’s saying that it is *only* when the great calamity happens (the roaring) that we’re supposed to show up and close the *remaining* fountains (the ones the titans will come out of) and then banish the angels heaven, and only when *all of that* happens at that time, will balance be *truly* restored, and the world will be saved. That makes sense, right? So, from that, my question is this: “Why does Ralsei *not* want the roaring to happen?” Of course, this could just be a meta thing over *timing* and what happens in the rest of the chapters, but from everything else that I’ve noticed about how he talks about the roaring, it sounds like Ralsei doesn’t want it to happen *at all.* Which, is *very* strange to me, considering it sounds like the three of us (which includes Ralsei) were never supposed to prevent it from happening in the first place. The only thing the prophecy implies is “and with it, the balance of light and dark begins to shift” and *thats it.* it says nothing else about us having to stop the roaring from happening, the only person going around and saying any of that is *Ralsei.* *”Prophecies must be fulfilled.”* Not to mention how he has said that he “shouldn’t have rehearsed (the prophecy) so much”, which I think would mean that he knows the full text of the prophecy by heart, but then why would he go with the *wrong* consensus that the other darkners have come up with that *“the heroes are supposed to close our fountain to prevent darkness from spreading”* despite that not being what the prophecy is talking about? Is the whole “the prophecy has been translated over and over again” thing only applicable to the darkners? (Side note, how is it that lancer knows he’s ‘the teardrop headed kid from the prophecy’ that is only shown as a picture, but doesn’t know anything about the roaring?) Seam even says “One day soon, you too will realize the futility of your actions. At that time, feel free to come back here. I’ll make you tea, and we can toast, to the end of the world!” Which I think is them implying that what we’re currently doing, (closing the fountains in order to prevent the roaring) was never going to work in the first place, and that we (possibly just Kris Susie and us) will realize that we’ve essentially been doing all of this “for nothing”. (Also the whole can of worms that will come out of Susie realizing that Kris has been controlled by us and that Ralsei has known *the entire time*, but that’s for future me to freak out about.) So I think this might go into your thing about *endings* and Kris being the sacrificial lamb of sorts. In Ralsei’s sweepstakes page, it seems to reference baa baa black sheep and little bo peep: “he will make your boo boo’s go bye bye - he will also make your baa baa’s go bo bo!” Which is interesting because it puts him in the role of the shepherd and Kris and Susie as the black sheep, but if we know anything about little Bo peep, *she lost her sheep.* Now, regarding Ralsei’s loneliness and his perceived purpose of assisting us and “making the lightners happy”, I can see that if he were to become aware that he’s going to have to help the only friends he’s ever had sacrifice themselves in order to save the world, I can totally understand why he’s so keen on not wanting the inciting incident of the prophecy to happen, why he would give us our own rooms that we can go to “no matter what’s happening outside”, why he would even bother having us expand his kingdom despite knowing that ultimately we’re going to have to close his fountain as well, making his kingdom a “heaven” for us, just so that we won’t *want* to start the roaring. But that’s just in assuming that we’ll even die if we do what we’re supposed to, it may not even end up happening! Maybe that’s where the ‘shining with hope’ bit comes in? Like, we have to have hope that we’ll survive or even make a difference in the midst of the end of the world happening or something? Idk if this even makes sense, and I’m probably just rambling at this point lmao, but still! I think it’s a pretty good question! Anywho, I really like your videos, and I can’t wait for you to make more!

[@snarlinger]

Great analysis, that's very compelling :) It totally feels in-character for Ralsei to want to protect the lightners from the prophecy and the consequences it will have on their lives. Maybe that's what Ralsei has been telling Kris in those off-screen cutscenes this whole time? And this line -- "he will also make your baa baa’s go bo bo" -- awesome callout, had no idea he said that!

[@AlphaPizzadog]

By speaking the prophecy, it becomes locked into the canon, making it the truth. This is only possible because Deltarune is a story, and not real life. Stories have plot points. Shroedinger's guns. If something is in the game and you can find it, it should have some purpose for its existence. If Ralsei told you the full prophecy, there would be NO way to subvert it or change it. An unspoken prophecy is only a possibility. A spoken prophecy is the only possible outcome.

[@Ongle_Spongle]

@@snarlinger Ahhh!! Omg thank you so much 😭 💖 I’ve been mulling over this since chapter 2 came out, so it’s been pretty hard trying to not think that i’m over thinking things or just plain brainrotted when (as far as I know) *nobody else* sees the same thing I’m seeing (not to sound full of myself 😅) but then again, we still have 5 more chapters to go, so who knows *what* will happen! Thank you again for reading! 😊🙏

[@Ongle_Spongle]

@@snarlinger Oh! One more thing I forgot to add! (This one I’m pretty sure I’m just over thinking it, but idk!) During the part in chapter one where we say ‘we’ve already heard it’ when lancer comes in, and he realizes that we don’t know the prophecy and goes to tell us about it while ralsei tries to butt in and tell us himself, when lancer says that he should stay out of it, Ralsei *freaks out* and says: “No! I will protect the heroes with my life!” Which, I know is kind of played off as just a joke due to Susie dismissing him after that, but I think it’s very weird that he would say that *at all,* considering lancer was only going to tell us about the legend (despite his somewhat limited knowledge of it) and wasn’t even threatening us at that moment in the first place? Ralsei knows the legend/prophecy front to back, and unless he’s just simply unaware that not everyone knows it as well as he does (like how he assumed that Queen knew that she would be starting the roaring) why is it his gut reaction to think that our lives are being threatened just by lancer telling us about it?

[@snarlinger]

@@Ongle_Spongle Ooo that's very compelling. Maybe Ralsei's prophecy is false? He's protecting the lightners from a darker truth.

[@kriss0ul]

as a long time deltarune fan, this video is so refreshing. not only a good theory, but also an exploration of the deltarune fandom and our obsession with logic…. i’ve never seen the topic be put together this well. this is amazing

[@snarlinger]

Thanks heaps, I appreciate it :)

[@asherael]

Fascinated by the idea that Toby might have Deltarune permanently change Undertale. That Gaster and the player's actions could result in an update that changes a game we've all played forever.

[@snarlinger]

That would be sick as hell

[@asherael]

@@snarlinger I didn't think it's ever been done in any medium, I'd love to see it tho

[@32th]

Fortnite

[@lisatroiani6119]

@@32th you’re right but shut up

[@bladonski]

Didn't toby say that deltarune will not affect the story of undertale though? I vaguely remember him saying that when chapter 1 released

[@fastodash5751]

The part at the beginning with "stories say what they mean" and the part where the paper raccoon says "I say what I mean" while trying to say that his theories aren't stories is really interesting. Not sure if it's on purpose, but if so, very cool.

[@GameJam230]

Something I’ve always wondered about Gaster’s name is if windings are important to the reason for its choice. If you actually spell GASTER in Wingdings 2, 3 of the 6 letters are of particular note, a dark drop of water, a snowflake, and the sun. We know that dark and light are obvious major themes, and Noelle is obviously associated with snow, and the dark “fountains” as well as various sound effects and Onion’s (and Undertale’s river person’s) description of an old song from the sea referencing water. The other symbols are the most abstract, a hand with 1 finger, a hand with 2 fingers in the peace sign, and a hand pointing to the left. My interpretation of the pointing hand was similar to Kris’ position when performing ACT commands, which is always described as Kris “shining their soul onto” others, so it would be related to the plot line of control and commanding, but I have no idea what the “1, 2” hands are unless Toby is trying to say that Gaster is counting down to the moment when crap hits the fan, but eh.

[@Skyymon]

"Tra la la. Beware of the man who speaks in hands."

[@user-jg5vf8xm1d]

Maybe the reason why the true snarlinger wanted to give up his name was so he wouldn’t have to be constrained by it. If that’s true “you having fun” takes on a new meaning 💀

[@UrsaSekou]

jevil also found "freedom" by being imprisoned

[@_mosscat]

It only got a quick mention but all the in game references to Gaster being dangling pointers to an object that's been deleted but not yet overwritten in memory is living in my head rent free now

[@shadowofroserade]

Having had a couple of days to ponder this video, I think I finally know exactly what I wanted to say about it and why it's stuck with me. I'm sure you've already heard a million variations of "the presentation and style of this video is astounding" so I won't harp on that too much. I just want to cut through to the core of what I feel the most important part of this video was for me. You see, though I may be known by some as a deltarune youtuber or video essayist or what have you, I do not consider myself primarily as either of these things. I am a fanfiction author first and foremost. I look at Undertale, or Deltarune or Omori or what have you, and I see stories. Stories whose characters fascinate me and excite me. Stories whose themes and messages resonate in some profound way or another. Thus, they inspire me to think and ask "What if?" "What about?" "Wouldn't it be interesting?" So I write my answers to these questions, bur more impoertantly, I write these expressions of my interest, I let my love and focus flow into my writing like a river, until the story I tell is as much me as it is UTDR. Arguably much more. I have never understood the diridement fanfics and some fanworks receive, much less how being considered a fanfic writer can be seen as an insult when one is a "theorist". Like you rightly pointed out, fanfic and theory come from the exact same source. Passion, love, and a profound desire for more. What one could perhaps call "a perverted sense of sentimentality", but that's an analysis for another time. A theory is not uniquely born from deductive reasoning or science, at least the vast majority are not. They are born from the same questions, "What if?" "What about?" "Wouldn't it be interesting?" And far from making these theories less valuable, this emotional core strengthens them. I do not care whether your theory holds no contradiction or answers any and all questions if it does not incite in me a deep love for the story you have crafted before me. Because that is what you have done. By creating a theory, what you have done is just a form of story telling, while the presentation of information differs from that of a traditional fanfic or fancomic or what have you, the end product is the same. You start off where the questions begin, and thread together a narrative that you believe is sensible and impactful. If the theory you have constructed has no emotional value, no emotional impact, does not illustrate a worthwhile theme, then why have you done it? What is the point? Besides, what is the worth of a simple guess when, inevitably, time will march onwards and the answer will be shown? But a story, even if eventually replaced and outdated, will survive, one way or another. Papertrail was incorrect on several accounts, and yet... You remember it, don't you? What will you do when deltarune is over? Will you beg for more, grasp at the complete puzzle in panic as you see that there is no more puzzle to solve? Attempt to tear it apart and put it back together so you can believe that its sharp edges still need solving? Or will you bask, bask at this complete mural before smiling, shaking your head, grabbing a piece of paper and saying... "I can make something like that." In that sense, the puzzle will live on, despite the ending. But it will not continue, instead it will light your way. A light, shining through the dark. Leading you onto something new, but forever glowing in your SOUL. . . . Anyway good video, I need to get to the writer society's fanfiction night, BUH BYE!

[@mrstickmantas]

Do u know names have letters in them

[@snarlinger]

Damn I didn't think of that... One sec I'll redo the video

[@elijahseymour9271]

NO FUCKING WAY🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@sirexilon49]

Just wait until he hears about syllables

[@literallywhy6162]

Huge if true

[@fafuo]

No fucking way

[@tigerbear5845]

My mind's genuinely blow with Noelle's watch literally being stuck on 12:25

[@snarlinger]

It's pretty sick right? I learned about it from this Reddit post but forgot to credit it... www.reddit.com/r/Deltarune/comments/1d9s4xx/noelles_watch_is_stuck_at_1225/ For some context, you need to use save file editing to get it into your light world items. I suppose there's plausible deniability for its relevance given that it's 'unused'. But given how these games treat other 'unused' items... It seems like more evidence for December's absence trapping Noelle within a certain time period, or perhaps December herself being trapped in the past.

[@anagramme4889]

A "fanfiction" is a story written by a girl. Meanwhile, a "theory" is what a boy calls his One Piece fanfiction because he doesn't want to label it as fanfiction.

[@thekiwiflare]

why put gender in this..?

[@cinnamonbunny301]

@@thekiwiflare Because misoginy exists, its not made up for internet discourse, and it greatly affects people's perception of certain things, it is true that people, specially men, dislike the idea of partaking in fanfiction cause thats what young girls do for fun, and they don't wanna do young girl stuff, as simple as that

[@thekiwiflare]

@@cinnamonbunny301 that is a stereotype, which is spread by putting gender in things like this - so again, why put gender in this

[@YouCanCallMeIz]

@@cinnamonbunny301 What?????????????????????????? No, seriously, what? Guys write fanfiction, and girls can write theories. This misogyny you speak of doesn't exist, because both do both. Fanfiction has a bad rep because a lot of it is smut, but writing fanfiction isn't inherently a social taboo even in a lot of male circles- and it definitely isn't just because it's associated with women. It's insane how quick people are to victimize themselves over something as simple as "guys think fanfiction is icky sometimes".

[@thekiwiflare]

@@YouCanCallMeIz people need to stop generalizing everything and putting the blame on groups of people who've done nothing wrong just because it feels better to do

[@TheRealSathyaSoma]

Snarlinger, if that is your real name, this is a complete one-up of your previous video. Seriously, these aren't just theories, they're beautiful stories.

[@Determ1nat1on]

After all... "There's something more important than reaching the end" Banger video

[@herosshade2247]

Toby also really likes to use anagrams. He is repurposing names, changing the meaning of them, but keeping the same elements, just in different places.

[@Crush_Bandicute]

rip snarlinger, you would've loved the never ending story

[@marsgreekgod]

for some reason this reminds me of that statment from xkcd what if "“Hi, I’m Mxyztplk” is a grammatically valid sentence if your name happens to be Mxyztplk. (Come to think of it, it’s just as grammatically valid if you’re lying.) "

[@nm6246]

This video is soo good, I’ve never thought about how “finding” Dess would be avoiding grief! So many interesting points! Keep it up!

[@Loom_Haunteir]

It seems as if "Snarlinger" or what seems to be a changeling or similar concept that took their name is unable to find the exit because they refuse the concept of ending. If they find the exit, the story, or the video, ends. And so the ending or "exit" finds them instead.

[@twisted_autumn]

that ending puts to light a whole nother less wholesome angle for the "despite everything its still you" message that im not so sure i like

[@largerthanaveragedragon4145]

Your style is fascinating! The narrative you have set up about selling away the sense of self to fit in or not appear "too weird" isn't lost on me, the way the fey(?) name thief speaks reminds me of a version of myself from a few years ago when I was still under the effects of chronic irony poisoning.

[@me_is_zo]

I know some people will disagree, but I loved that you talked about more than just deltarune, about philosophy and the fear of the end. I really want to know what else you can do, I hope you don't get stuck in some kind of "deltarune bubble".

[@Cloudeefella]

Interesting to think that Noelle will shout that Kris is reborn, sort of acting as a messenger to Kris's will. And what do we see in the Snowgrave route? Noelle acting as a messenger of Kris's message (which is to freeze Darkners and eventually Birdly), almost acting out the words of God. Creepy stuff I read from what you had to say. Overall, great video, I absolutely adore this style, please keep up the discussion

[@snarlinger]

Hey, great point. That's deeply unnerving...

[@PandorasCradle]

Great video. Gave me alot to think about and the presentation was just pure joy. Love the way that you made fun of Socrates for his socratic dialogue not giving you a perfect conclusion on his beliefs...in the middle of your own socratic dialogue that doesn't neatly wrap up everything. The paralel you draw between the True lab "controversy" and Kris knight theory is really interesting to me, especialyl because I see it but draw it in the opposite direction. To me, reading the story of Undertale at the basic level its clear you are expected to read it, the reasonable conclusion is "Oh, these are entries about the secret Alphys is keeping." In much the same way I see the Fountain scene at the end of chapter 2 as being "supposed" to be read as "Kris seems to be the Knight". (Though even if this is the intended reading ot that scene, its still possible for it to be subverted in a twist later, which is honestly my expectation.) Naming as granting power is *fascinating*. The fact that in much the same was the player named Chara, who was then "imposed" onto the playble Human/Frisk, we were named upon Kris is really interesting. So is the Vessel as a Changeling, though I find it notable to note that Kris is generally described as often acting "weird" in away you may expect a Changeling to be percived as? Something something Kris took the role of Chara in the Dreemur Household and is thus a Changeling that took their place? Is that something? Either way, great stuff, love it a ton.

[@snarlinger]

Thank you so much :) Great point re: Kris Knight / true lab entries. Kris Knight is arguably the more natural reading, whereas "Gaster wrote the uppercase entries" is the less natural one. I suppose I'm so deeply submerged in the sauce that Kris Knight is just one of many possibilities for me... Awesome idea that Kris is already a changeling. That's fun. There's still so much we don't know about Kris before Chapter 1.

[@wildfire9280]

What’s the meaning of Chara just surrendering their name like that? Are they stupid?

[@Xenomorthian]

Ooh so in other words the character you create at the beginning and name is the actual chara deltarune who has been switched with changeling kris since we name them as we named chara in undertale

[@dogferret]

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD VIDEO :D everything from beginning to end had really refreshing takes and i could tell how much research went into everything! i really like the section about how roles like the angel can be something that you can become and it isnt as simple as "one character is this", the series is dynamic! everything ties together really nicely and it brings a new perspective to the games, im very hopeful that this will get more views c:

[@snarlinger]

Aww thank you, I appreciate it. "dogferret" -- two of the best animals.

[@koghs]

>Open video >Philosophy mentioned >Close the video

[@auki919]

this fandom has so many talented people, awesome video!!!!

[@mel0dymak3r]

i honestly really love the realistic raccoon avatar, its so cute lol you're also one of the few deltarune/undertale creators that i've seen be specific enough to name that deltarune has abrahamic/christian imagery as opposed to just saying that it has "religious" imagery/themes and i really appreciate that (i'd also never even thought about how undertale was somewhat based off of irish/celtic folklore before this, woah.)

[@MiloWildfire]

You are NOT implying that Berdly has some power over Dess

[@snarlinger]

Berdly is the key to freeing December Holiday... The Dark Truth...

[@sayclown8260]

I'm on the exact opposite end of the spectrum with Kris Knight. While I think it's neat and fun to do an endless speculation/whodunnit scenario and math out all the suspects and how they could've opened up the portals, I find Kris as The Knight to be the most interesting and satisfying for the story as of right now. Rather than worrying about who did it for years, we get more room to dive into why they did it, which has much more potential to be cool in my eyes.

[@Clickificationist]

okay this was peak. 3rd entity theorists winning with potential trinity parallels

[@snarlinger]

Wait true...

[@TweedleDeem]

its so wack how a theory about gaster writing a few entries has suddenly become tied into like, people not liking Alphys because misogyny? Love the video! great stuff 🙂

[@aaronokemaysim7310]

A very meta theory video that's based on a very meta game. Sounds incredibly difficult to pull off, but somehow, you did it. Seriously, this is one of the most engaging theory videos I've seen on Deltarune so far. Cannot wait to see where you go next :)

[@snarlinger]

Aw thank you, I appreciate it :)

[@ecowo57]

lil bro just started existing and already has an existential crisis

[@sussydata]

Commenting for the algorithm so that hopefully this blows up more! This was a surprisingly good watch and the biblical name theory is really fresh among the other "typical" Deltarune theories.

[@JayQuilson]

As I am both very hotly anticipating the newest chapters of deltarune and also deeply mentally ill I've been binging a lot of deltarune theory content recently. I think this video you have made is incredibly refreshing both in what you have to say (I hadn't thought about the antichrist thing before), and that you are aware and acknowledging the fact that you are simply interpreting a work of art. Undertale and Deltarune feel like extremely personal projects and holds many disparate parts inside of it. I feel like a "talking to myself" socratic dialogue is an incredibly fitting lens of interpreting the work in a thought-provoking way. Looking forward to whatever you release next, if you do. I think you accomplished what you were going for here. Good work.

[@snarlinger]

Hugely appreciate the feedback, thank you :)

[@sonilan4164]

Hey uh, I scrolled down the comments for a bit, and I saw that you seem to read them all? So I just wanted to leave a small message to say that your videos are EXTREMELY charming, along with Molly Stars you have a sense of style both in writing and visuals, and just in expression and personality overall. Your content is really unique and you look like someone unique too, so do not rely too much on the criticisms please, where you’re at is already great and you should not lose that. Anyway looking forward for the next content, and I just want to share some love with you so there, 🫴 you can take it if you want Have a wonderful day!

[@snarlinger]

Hugely appreciate that, glad you enjoyed :)

[@sparksaturn1731]

You are very sweet : )

[@sonilan4164]

@@sparksaturn1731 thank you :)

[@WhiteCresentKnight]

The issue with the fanfic idea is that when you make fanfiction it’s generally agreed upon that it’s a creative space where nothing is cannon and freedoms reigns. The theory label is useful because it helps organize the observed facts of a thing that people can then use to spice up their own creative endeavors. By dressing up your fanfic as “theory” your imposing the idea that your story is actually the be all end all. That there is nothing else that be changed. When people refute Jaru’s fanfic his fans get very angry and attacks people who disagreed, putting shackles on what is supposed to be a free space. Anyone is free to make fanfiction, or any creative endeavor but don’t be surprised when people call it when it is. So if you just wanna tell a story just call it what it is, and people will just go with it because that’s what was agreed. But if you/ or your fans want to push the idea that your story is the only true that’s upper annoying and elitist.

[@snarlinger]

Thanks heaps for the feedback :)

[@CalamitasCalliope]

@WhiteCresentKnight I would disagree, actually. I think fanfiction and theory crafting are extremely similar, and are often the same thing viewed through different lenses. For example, both theory crafting and fanfic get their ideas from the same line of thinking. It is very common in Deltarune fics to go past the events of chapter 2. They create new Dark Worlds, they write their own story beats, they usually have to decide on who the knight is. These ideas aren't purely born from the imagination of the author. They can't be. Since the first two chapters are set in stone, anything that follows it has to be consistent. If you want to explore the next five chapters of Deltarune in a fanfic, you need to analyze what the first two chapters had to come up with what could come next. That's just theory crafting. I'm willing to bet that by the time the knight's whole deal is revealed, there will have already been a fic written that not only guessed the correct person, but also correctly guessed their motive and how they did it. And even on a smaller level, I'm sure there are multiple fanfics that have a future dark world that is spot on with what we're going to get, not even including chapter three. And theory crafters write their own fanfic in their theories! Yes, pointing to Jaru is the obvious example, but even the more respected theories are steeped in a focus on telling a narrative. WandyDoodles' Oblivion Theory is well researched and has a lot of evidence, but it's also telling a narrative about the Demon constantly creating media for you to consume until there's absolutely nothing left. The Device Theory is a painstakingly throughout breakdown of every single meta element of chapters 1&2, and then it's capped off with Molly detailing a compelling story of how Gaster is pushing back against the creator of the story to try and give these characters the ending he thinks they deserve. Any theory that tries to make a guess on what future chapters may hold is, in some part, fanfiction. Is there a fundamental difference between someone saying in a KZbin video "I think chapter six's Dark World will be in the bunker" and someone writing that exact same thing in a fanfic. Sure, some videos have no connection to fanfic, Andrew Cunningham's Gaster theory video and Nighthawk's character analysis series films to mind, but those videos aren't really seen as theories either. They're purely analytical, they don't make claims about the future they're purely focused on what is available now. If you make a guess about the future, even if it's supported by facts, you are telling a narrative. You are writing fanfiction. And whatever you think of as a theory, there is someone doing that exact same thing on Ao3, and their work is just as plausible. Also sorry if this is incomprehensible. It's late, but I had to reply now otherwise I'd risk not remembering to reply 😭

[@WhiteCresentKnight]

@@CalamitasCalliope it’s good, it’s pretty comprehensive to me. And a good point, but let’s not be surprised when people call something what it is and push back on it’s pretending to be. I love the device idea because its a cool story telling idea, but only half is it is really theory crafting. It’s more like a presenting of a theory, an idea, and a cool media narrative made using the idea.

[@candy9264]

the random homestuck gif scared me so bad

[@jani11]

The Beginner's Guide imagery with Herobrine is so nostalgic. Luv it.

[@idkwatthehec]

I think that even though this is a video that is essentially centered around Deltarune, you gave us an interesting take on the power of names in ALL stories, not just Deltarune and Undertale. This kind of thinking about prophesied names and the power of keeping or rejecting a name lends to a different way of analyzing the true names of characters and the names that signify them as well. The first two examples I can think of are the character of Rand Al'Thor from The Wheel of Time and Steve Rogers from anything related to Captain America. Rand is forced into a prophecy by his so called true name, because he is the reincarnation of Lews Therin, 'The Dragon,' and thus becomes, 'The Dragon Reborn.' We can see as the story progresses that he loses more and more of the person he was before as 'Rand,' the sweet, innocent farm boy, and turns more into 'The Dragon Reborn/Lews Therin,' eventually completing his part in the prophecy, but losing who he was in the first place for this more 'true' name. The opposite is kinda what happens in the case of MCU Captain America. While in the beginning he definitely loses his self of Steve Rogers in the propaganda tool of Captain America, we can see in later movies how he gives up this name that signifies (ie dropping the shield in Civil War) for his true name, Steve (by choosing to protect his friend, Bucky, the last person who could know the 'true' Steve Rogers)(Bucky is definitely another character that I could get into about true and signifying names). Anyways I kinda went on a little bit of a ramble there, lol. I just wanted to show how much your video inspired me to look deeper into the significance of names and titles in some of my favorite characters!!!

[@snarlinger]

Great thoughts. I totally agree. I think a big reason it's so common is because it fits neatly into a hero's journey structure. The protagonist has a name (a role) that they resist at first, but must fulfill in order to restore harmony. There's all sorts of loss, grief, transformation that's wrapped up in that too, which are evergreen themes to play with.

[@ShadowSkryba]

I... I somehow never considered the implications of "Your name is" after seperating us and the Vessel. That's actually a lot of food for thought. Unless the last part is a future foreshadow... Edit: AND THE NATURE OF CHRIST COMES IN WITH THE METAL CHAIR

[@ShadowSkryba]

WELL THAT WAS A LOT OF EXISTENTIAL DREAD (Effing amazing acting, btw)

[@hyperlinkblocked5659]

This video was great! I’m honestly surprised to hear a bunch of original and thought-provoking ideas about the first 2 chapters this late into the game. Kinda thought the well was dry until the next release. The Knight being “un-nameable” definitely fits, considering something silences Spamton when he attempts to talk about them. In fact, the whole [Hyperlink Blocked] gimmick that I named my account after works well with the idea of words and names giving power and control (hence why the powerless puppet is censored). I’m also glad you brought the Kris=Christ reddit post to more people’s attention. Not sure how it never occurred to me, when they literally get called “Krismas” in game. Real talk: I hope the new “Snarlinger” can get more comfortable presenting his ideas, they’re really interesting! Even if they don’t fit his rigid definition of a “theory.”

[@snarlinger]

Huge thanks for the feedback. Awesome point re: hyperlink blocked!

[@catarinamadeiro]

Going to give my two cents as an inveterate catholic nerd and say that, yeah, naming things really is a form of exerting power over them, but also of changing their nature. When Adam names all the animals on earth it signifies how all of creation is subjugated to humanity, when he names Eve as she goes from Woman to Mother, when God changes the names of Abram, Sarai, Jacob, to Abraham, Sarah, Israel... even Moses apparently changed his name too (moses comes from mses with just means "son of" so he was probably named after some river divinity but got rid of that part of his name after he stopped living as an egyptian prince). When we are baptized, we are marked as eternally belonging to God, and one of the most important parts of the baptism is the fact that in it we gain a name, a name by which God recognizes us (after all, we are baptized in His name!). Also yeah Revelations is an incredibly difficult book to interpret. I cant help but think how the mark of the beast, 666, is very heavily associated with gaster. None pf this makes sense, its past midnight and i have no coherent thesis, i just wanted to blurt out some knowledge

[@snarlinger]

Lovely, thank you so much for the insight :) Names changing nature is super super compelling.

[@TEBArceus]

I would like to make a point about the true name of the fallen human. While it's true that inscribing their name as "Chara" doesn't grant us any more physical control over them, I do believe that NAMING them "Chara" does give us power. When you name the fallen human, particularly when you name them after yourself, you are linking your "creation", the name you choose, to the fallen human. Your decision in that name links you to them. But when you learn of a True Name? In your mind, it solidifies the fallen human as something established, something true. With this confirmation, you can view "Chara" as something that isn't you, something that isn't tied to you, even if their actions and purpose are. In this way, we hold power over the fallen human, BECAUSE we know to name them "Chara".

[@snarlinger]

Ooo, I like that a lot, thanks for that insight :)

[@rmt3589]

34:43 We don't really know if there's only 3 wise men. This is an assumption many Christians make, and matches the image of 3 titans not necessarily being evidence of only 3 titans.

[@cammyboig]

Incredible video!! Especially because I'm someone with a video in the works with constant disclaimers stating "this video really isn't a theory as much as it is a fanfiction," I have to say the discussion between the two rantsonas really moved me. This is an incredibly inspiring sophomore effort from you, can't wait for more 😁

[@snarlinger]

Aww thanks man, very glad it was inspiring for you :)

[@axelperez2917]

If I had a nickle for every time I've watched a compelling narrative about the nature of change, transformation, endings and eternity, I would have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. Great video! I'm excited to see you future works! (... Have you played the game "Slay the Princess" by any chance?)

[@snarlinger]

I haven't, but it looks alright, I'm tempted :)

[@axelperez2917]

@@snarlinger the creators are alright with piracy. But I would wait for an update coming this month first that's going to expand on the game by about 33%. (And it will be completely free!) It's going to make your first experience better.

[@calebdemosthene284]

12:11 asriel has a song called his theme that plays through out the game.gaster and flowey have a strange connections to the point where there roles almost swapped in deltarune

[@hannahwankier7459]

Just an added insight to the name thing since this isn’t super common knowledge. I’m ex Mormon, went through the temple and was given a new name there that is supposed to help me get into heaven like a password. Only my husband is allowed to know it but I’m not allowed to know his (even though he told it to me because we both left). We were told not to divulge the names or the signs under penalty of death (even though they were lifted straight from freemasonry and you can just google them now) Talk about CONTROL

[@snarlinger]

Wow, thank you so much for your insight. That's brutal. Names are so tied up with identity, so making death the penalty of you sharing that with other people... I'm glad you're out of there.

[@hannahwankier7459]

@@snarlinger yeah the death penalty thing has been mostly symbolic for most of mainstream Mormonism’s history and more recently they’ve changed the wording a few times to make it more palatable, especially now that people can look the ceremony up on KZbin, but it’s still there in the dna of the ceremony. It’s like this “wtf” moment that happens usually right before your wedding so you’re already in too deep then you just don’t talk about it. Brigham Young definitely wasn’t above actually killing apostates though back when Mormons were isolated in Utah.

[@boxbing]

Brilliant, loved the Raccoon story. Everything must have an end but not everything wants that end. Another nameless person in Deltarune would be Mayor Holiday, with all we know being that their name starts with the letter C from the "Asgore please stop giving out free flowers, it's not good business and I'm going to make you homeless again" letter. Although that lack of a name is probably due to her not being talked about in most conversations so far than the otherworldly situation that the 3 discussed in the video have, those being Gaste- ...probably shouldn't say that name but I could speak about The Knight briefly In JaruJaru's Lore Playthrough 5, during the hour he spent in Spamton's Shop, he discussed how Spamton's dialogue about the Knight could be interpreted differently. "SPEAKING OF [[Communion]] KRIS, DID YOU KNOW THAT THE KNIGHT... No, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to -- TOO MANY EXCESS VACATION DAYS?? TAKE A GOD DAMN VACATION STRAIGHT TO HELL" With the common interpretation being Spamton being punished or cut off for trying to speak about the Knight, but the other interpretation would be that the 3rd line is more of a quote from "The Knight". With line 4 being Spamton's own thoughts on the Knight Now this could imply that the Knight would be a more misunderstood person who didn't know what they were getting into, perhaps manipulated (such as Papyrus, or anyone else) but this video ((that has an ending, and yet, by commenting I'm extending the length of the video's story. Strange)) talks about how the Knight cannot be named with everyone not knowing who it is so I'll just leave this as deranged starving for more Chapters thinking. idk how to end this comment but I'm making an analysis on Deltarune Puzzle Signs which includes the Blocktree and the Eye Puzzle Sign you mentioned which will be done... eventually Anyways I liked how the video sort of changed course in the middle to show that there were 2 raccoons and how that was sort of hinted at by your Socrates Have a great day! Or night, whichever. How about have an amazing life that doesn't end soon due to a metal crusher

[@snarlinger]

That's a really fun interpretation of that line. I like that Spamton's dialogue can be interpreted in so many different ways. He's great theory fodder. Looking forward to your puzzle signs video :)

[@harperisintoomanyfandoms]

You would not believe the gasp I let out when I saw the Edith Finch background. (The old hyperfixation got me)

[@atiredcliche]

Why is Socrates carrying around a light? Thought that was Diogenes

[@snarlinger]

Great question..... (vanishes)

[@rupeescreamerjones8404]

Your narration and acting are excellent for keeping this video compelling, comprehensible, and easy to follow. Great work!

[@FC-ge6yk]

Wow! I almost didn’t click on this, because I assumed it’d just be a basic fandom-farm video that doesn’t really say anything. But, what the hell, I needed to put something on while I ate my salad, and I like Deltarune, and nothing else was on. (For context, I wasn’t familiar with your channel before now). I’m so glad I gave this vid a shot. Not only do you talk about actually interesting stuff, but the presentation of the video was really creative. I actually paused the video to type all this out; I’m about 2/3rds thru, but I realized my expectations as KZbin consumer have far been exceeded. So, I had to pause everything so I could leave this weird comment. Okay, imma bout to watch the rest of the vid now, and probably subscribe to your channel. Thanks for putting so much love into your craft, it makes my salad-time less boring.

[@snarlinger]

Aw thanks so much, I'm glad it helped you pass the time.

[@Cawziiku]

oh you are BEYOND underrated, subscribing instantaneously

[@randomwordjumble]

its a shamee this hasn't been picked up by the algorithm like your other vid. Its really good

[@tigerbear5845]

27:50 Lamo first Noelle’s Jesus now Kris is Christ. What’s next; is Ralsei going to be the messiah? All right, I finished the video, but on the part about “If Kris is supposed to be revealed as the Knight, then where’s the mystery.” Well, then, the mystery is why Kris is the Knight. (I’d point to an example from the show Invincible, but it’s like, major spoilers, so spoilers for the first episode of Invincible.) Alright, so, at the end of the first episode, Omni-Man brutally murders the guardians of the globe, but the mystery throughout the show is why he did that. If Kris is supposed to be revealed as the Knight early on, I see it being a similar thing.

[@snarlinger]

All shall be rendered "Christ" in the New World... That's a great point about Kris Knight. A whydunnit rather than a whodunnit. I love Invincible and I 100% agree that's an excellent hook. I'm still resistant to Kris Knight though -- I don't know why. There's something about it that feels unsatisfying. Doesn't really matter though, I'm fine with whatever outcome as long as it's well-written.

[@aegisxor]

@@snarlinger If you haven't seen @cammyboig 's Seven Days and Seven Knights video you might find that very, very interesting

[@doom64hunter]

Regarding your comment about Ralsei, the main characters are essentially pitted into two factions -- demons and angels. For Susie and Ralsei, their assigned titles are always of demonic nature, such as "Prince of the Dark" for Ralsei (where "Prince of Darkness" is one of the titles of Satan) or "Class Hellion" for Susie. Ralsei takes the form of a goat, while Susie takes the form of a dragon -- both of which are common representations for the devil. Noelle on the other hand is very clearly placed in the angelic faction, being directly referred to as "angel" and receiving items such as the "Ring of Thorns" -- evoking the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus. Her form as a deer ties into the more pop-culture, Santa-related Christmas aspects -- she's essentially a reindeer. Kris, the only human, being split between body and soul, character and player, fictional and real human being, is pitted within both factions simultaneously. They are a childhood friend of Noelle and share her heavenly naming scheme (Christ, Christmas), while at the same time, under the possession of the player, are referred to as "Lightbringer" by the King, which is yet another name for "Satan". The soul closes Dark Fountains, while Kris' body opens them. Body and soul clearly serve opposite goals. Christ and Anti-Christ. This separation into factions makes the team-up in the weird route all the more interesting. When Kris is together with Noelle, the party consists entirely of characters that are part of the angelic faction -- yet it is exactly this constellation that has the power to kill another Lightner. However, when teamed up with Susie and Ralsei, the party consists entirely of members of the demonic faction, and yet we are unable to kill anyone -- not even Darkners. It's as if the common interpretation of Heaven and Hell, Light and Dark, Good and Evil, was flipped on its head entirely.

[@IcyDiamond]

@@snarlingerImo I think what makes Kris Knight so unsatisfying is the lack of a clear motive, unlike other theories like Alvin Knight, Mayor Holiday Knight, or Papyrus Knight where they’d have a clear motive Because without a clear motive it makes speculation way less fun That’s my takeaway at least

[@tobysinbad]

I loved all of this, and I even loved the framing device/ persona drama narrative thing, which I generally Dislike Strongly bc adhd means I get distracted by them and struggle to follow the main essay bit. Please do more videos like this! I hope at some point you make lots of money (I am sadly too poor to pay you) and have time and resources to continue to entertain both me and yourself with these without stress and frustration Also I want to hear more Fairy Gaster theories chiefly bc it’s my personal favourite slur to have shouted almost affectionately from car windows. If it is any encouragement, I am in England and have heard of most of these warnings and strategies for dealing with fae folk, though part of that is having several very witchy friends and part of that is a longtime obsession with almost all Terry Pratchett books

[@snarlinger]

Thanks so much for your feedback :) Fairy Gaster is the only representation I want in Deltarune

[@TheCosmicCloud]

Great video! I've long held the belief that calling the fallen human "Chara" kinda misses the point of their role in the game and removes weight from their interactions with Asriel and Frisk. However, I never considered how it objectifies them, as you put it. But it's true. The name of a *character* will naturally feel more artificial than our own name, since it is something the story is presenting to us rather than us giving a part of ourselves to the story. It's impersonal, unconfrontational, fictional. Deltarune in turn naming US--not just presenting a named character for us to control--but defining what the narration means when it uses the word "You" feels like a clever way to close the distance from the player, their actions, and the game's response. No matter the name of the character, you cannot divorce it from your own identity as the player of the game, because despite everything, it's *you.* I'm also a fan of the idea that multiple characters can fulfill the same "name" within the prophecy (or plot). The fact that we have contenders for both the Angel and the Knight as early as Chapter 2 definitely screams red herring to me, but it could just be that those things are not individuals, but ideas. Anyone could bring the Angel's Heaven or cause the Roaring, and thus *take* the name of Angel or Knight, rather than it being a role *given* to them. Similarly, I can't imagine that we will ever get a clear answer to who Gaster is, because Gaster is defined by being unknown. If he becomes *anything* concrete, the name Gaster will cease to apply. Very good food for thought, very creative presentation. Nice work!

[@snarlinger]

Huge thanks for your feedback :)

[@IcyDiamond]

I think the point of the name Chara is to further disconnect the player from Undertale’s world, showing them even the character you name isn’t real, they’re still just a CHARActer, this disconnect is further proven by having to rename the human after a true pacifist reset, you probably won’t give them your own name this time since it’s not you This disconnect is what allows you to do genocide, because at the end of the day you’re not part of this world and you never will be, so why should anything you do in it matter?

[@danmosenzon1477]

PhD in undertale studies.

[@vizard5130]

...damn. Good points, i'm not sure what to think now... But its insane that we still have so many interesting ideas to discuss after so many years

[@TheXell]

In the words of philosopher and pankration master Jonim Cenakis: "Knoweth thy role."

[@sean8190]

Wow. This is up there man. Top tier UT/DT video, wow.

[@PhysicsGamer]

I'm surprised the discussion of imprisonment and cages didn't result in a digression regarding Jevil and the statements he makes on the topic.

[@redgoose0]

Not only was this a great theory video, it made a great story! There has to be great talent behind being able to make someone question, reflect and feel through a video game essay🙏

[@kentonroush]

This is kind of a rambly tangent from the video, but I saw the Alphys/Gaster true lab theories mentioned here a while back, and it kinda got me thinking about the nature of fan theories and how people approach Undertale and Deltarune, and heck things like FNaF or Inscryption or a dozen others. I've always disliked a lot of the more complex theories like Jaru's or Sock Muppet's True Lab analysis (though to be clear, both have made very excellent, well researched videos) and had a hard time describing why exactly. I think I've figured it out: Without love it cannot be see- Wait no wrong arcane convoluted lore series. ...But actually, kinda. Those theories set out to 'solve' Undertale, to 'solve' Deltarune. To arrange all the puzzle pieces into the True Picture, the flawless perfectly designed masterpiece story with no spare pieces, no contradictions, nothing extra and nothing missing. They talk as if Toby isn't a human being writing a story, but a perfect being who created the world's most complex and subtle world for us to find 'the truth' of. And I think that rubs me the wrong way, because I don't think there IS such a 'truth'. I love theorizing, but when we theorize, we risk breaking the story down until it ceases to be a story, and simply becomes data stripped of all meaning. The theories set out to achieve a masterstroke that solves the puzzle, but in doing so, they presume every single thing is part of a puzzle in the first place, and come up with solutions that bear very little resemblance to the narrative's most basic surface level, defying and convoluting it instead of adding to and interpreting it. Is there value in an answer that is technically flawless, yet completely unsatisfying? That raises more questions than it answers, that implies extremely detailed and complicated timelines of entirely offscreen events, just to explain some small detail or two as having secretly been utterly essential to understanding the entire time? I think it's important for theorists to step back from their own work now and then, and ask themselves, does any of this actually make sense? Or does it just 'answer' questions that no one ever asked, Toby included? Cold logic, as this video says, isn't as compelling as a story, and when we theorize, we often get so lost in the weeds that we risk forgetting that.

[@snarlinger]

Love this, thanks for rambling :)

[@sahilhossain8204]

Lore of Names. Endings. Prophecy. Power. | “Deltarune Theory” momentum 100

[@TheTrueSkibidiMaster]

I love these please make more raccoon theorist

[@josequiles7430]

Your videos are such an experience. Didn't think this one would hit harder than the last one but it sure did

[@ThyVintage]

Little goblin ratcoon NOOO NOT LITTLE GOBLIN RATCOON

[@tornado4376]

I think I'm in love with the locked up raccoon

[@cupcakejack7375]

This video... I am obsessed with it. I feel like this is gonna become a comfort video of mine, though i will be kind of sad for making your rantsona face the end again and again. The idea of Asriel being the angel, even in Deltarune, begs the question; What of Ralsei? He whose name and appearance are, seemingly, a bastardization, or, at the very least, a corruption(as in changed version of) Asriel's. That is, assuming that narratively, Ralsei's resemblance to Asriel does have a purpose. And i do believe that it does, though im not certain what it is yet.

[@zeo4481]

New DR content in anticipation for Ch3-4 is always a win!

[@cyberpupplays]

I love that Socrates is your dog😂 Also, as many have said, excellent video!, but I'm also very invested in the little side story happening here with the rantsona and the Racoon png

[@Kriscrop]

Dude I'm not here for the theory to give me the definitive ending, i don't even care if the theory has a ending or not I'm just here for the journey

[@G-DORA]

I love this theory because its what I have been thinking this whole time. I think, as Toby stated, there will be one 'ending', but playing the game on a neutral and pacifist route will abruptly stop at some point. We will be ejected out of this story. The 'good' ending will happen without us. We can not be there to see the pay-off because it is not OUR pay-off to experience. I think this game is going to make it obvious (if its a choice before the game ends), or not (if the weird route is the way to go), to reject, or to destroy all that the character of this story have built just to SEE the end. (I mean, im not sure to what extent, perhaps we will refuse to leave Kris as a vessel, or maybe through the weird route, we will break the prohecy through breaking the game). It is similar to Undertale, but there is a difference. 'To what extent are we OWED an ending to a video game JUST BECAUSE we are "The Player"?' This is what I'm predicting.

[@G-DORA]

Also hi from Brissy

[@snarlinger]

I like that a lot :)

[@IcyDiamond]

This reminds me a ton of the ending of The Truman Show where Truman gets his happy ending but we don’t get to see it since it’s not our ending to see

[@JarroHood]

I haven't finished the video yet but I LOVE the unnamed section. It's a fun segway from the changeling topic into a kind frank discussion between the new/old racoons about endings, n the fact the old one is Just okay with them while the new isn't. Only for their positions to switch as the next segment gets started. Very Good. I love this SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!

[@prismaux5168]

what a phenomenal video! it's so well crafted, jam-packed with meaning, and effortlessly entertaining throughout- you draw so much depth from these games that was unseen to me beforehand. i really love the middle segment with the conversation between the two snarlingers. i love how you draw between all of these sources and fan theories, it makes the whole thing feel very total. Excellent editing chops as well. This is the ideal Undertale-Deltarune video to me.

[@snarlinger]

Wow, thank you, that's very flattering :)

[@tatltails3923]

This is the first of your videos I've seen, and I am genuinely blown away by how well you weave together storytelling and analysis. I was just as invested in your racoon-sonas and their arc as I was about the genuinely thought-provoking analysis you had to offer. Wonderful job here, I'm looking forward to seeing more from you!

[@snarlinger]

Hugely appreciate it, thank you :)

[@SurlyUJest]

1:14 BRING HIM BACK

[@SurlyUJest]

which is to say bring him back so your rantsona and scribblesona can make out

[@snarlinger]

The rantsona is queer but the scribblesona raccoon is woefully repressed... and also has rabies... So they can make out but it will be toxic yaoi

[@SurlyUJest]

@@snarlinger i only want it MORE NOW you understand?

[@rmt3589]

​@@snarlinger Gibe us more of the dapper racoon guy!!!

[@667link5]

Every time I feel close to understanding or having a grasp on the scope of these games, I always seem to be absolutely blindsided by an entirely unique video that melts my brain and recontextualizes the foundation of my reality. This has been happening for 8+ years, and I realize now that it probably won't stop happening for a while now. You provided that video today. This was an incredible compilation of your fresh, entertaining, and understandable ideas that leaves the future of Toby's storytelling incredibly exiting for me. I loved everything about this video. Thank you for taking the time to make it as well-crafted as it turned out. The only thing that I have to add is that I do actually believe that Gaster wrote the uppercase true lab entries, and I did not like Dorked's video on the subject. (I swear I do have reasons for this, I do not hate Alphys (she was (and still is) my favorite side character of the undertale cast), but that is really not here nor there. Something that I do not see anybody mentioning is the pacing of the video. I thought it was incredibly engaging and melded with the ambiance of your surroundings perfectly. I love how you created an entire world for your character to navigate through as they vocalize your thoughts, that is an incredibly unique spin that will make this video extremely memorable for me. You included just the right amount of humor in the video, and your edits were just perfect. I really cannot come up with any useful constructive critizism for you, I am just totally blown away. When the video started, I was trying to play a game with the video in the background, but something about it just made me stop playing the game and focus entirely on your words and presentation. This is truly a work of art.

[@snarlinger]

Very glad you enjoyed it :) Thanks for the feedback on the pacing and editing, that's super useful.

[@keaton5101]

I adore the editing style, it captured my attention immediately. The stone walls with quotes are very unique. The chewing at the start almost turned me away immediately. The narrative elements in here are also really interesting. They tied into the theory in a very... meaningful way. I'm very intrigued to see what other videos might be made on this channel in the future. (and i'm probably going to rewatch the one before this, since i remember liking it, but i don't remember the specifics) I got a bit of a "Homestuck theory" vibe from the language at the start, and I thought it might be a coincidence since Homestuck just happens to be obsessed with essence and signifiers, but the Andrew image only served to confirm my suspicions. To someone else who understands: God deltarune is SO obsessed with Void, right? Like, you can read Aspects into anything (and I do) but deltarune seems so determined to break down every single possible way that Void could be expressed. Inessentiality, false reality, irrelevant/discarded characters, datamining secrets, nonexistent characters, empty vessels, out of bounds exploration, "The Depths",... RALSEI, in his entirety, it's a lot, right? I don't know if there's a point there, I just... often wonder if it was intentional.

[@snarlinger]

Aw thank you :) Glad you stuck with it through the chewing noises lol. I never got super into Homestuck lore honestly, though I love the comic. Would love to see a breakdown comparing Homestuck and Deltarune someday

[@elikrieger1368]

this is one of the best deltarune videos i've ever watched

[@aegisxor]

Wow this was incredible. Your last video was good, and this one is great. As someone who is not particularly well-read, I really enjoy that you bring in philosophy in the ways you do.

[@woofie3917]

I really appreciate the subtitles you made, especially for a 40 minute video! auto generated subtitles bug me how wrong they are, so thank you so much! And amazing video, there was alot that I hadnt heard or thought of that you brought up

[@snarlinger]

No worries, subtitles are important to me too :)

[@FallenDaffodil]

Heheh, hearing you mention the Oblivion theory after I brought it up in the comments of the last video made me smile ☆_☆ Another amazing video! Names have SOOO much significance in these games. I remember getting chills seeing "Asgore Dreemurr" for the first time in that text box, in bold, red letters. The name itself invoked dread, anticipation and sense that there was something dangerous waiting out there. Funnily enogh, "Suzy" used to invoke that same feeling. Synchronicity....my neighbor has a daughter about your age! Even now, that line makes me so insane haha. Te fact certain characters ARENT named, is super interesting as well - the kids whose voices we hear in the Echo flower area for example. Empty vessels or hint to a storyline from a game not yet complete ? Ony time till tell

[@snarlinger]

Haha, I did give it another read after your comment :) Had much more success with the updated doc, it's a fun theory.

[@ebrdsht]

loved the presentation of this and the opening into a deeper conversation about theories being or not being fanfiction, and into the thoughts of forever. this has me needing to go back and watch the last video again

[@snarlinger]

Glad to hear it, thank you :)

[@nicolecrace366]

Love the video, also y’all’s voices are so satisfying to listen to, I could listen to it all day.

[@geonations6618]

You should make a theory video on the new psychological horror game Tsunagari Chess School!

[@snarlinger]

Hmmm, I smell a marketing campaign... Just FYI, I won't talk about it on this channel, but it looks like a fun game. Hope it performs well :)

[@badusername9903]

some of the best delta rune theorizing out there! the presentation, writing + narration, actual theory, and the interesting real life sources you connect it to, all incredible. inspires me to also look into those things for making a story

[@snarlinger]

Thanks so much, very glad it was inspiring :)

[@kuroblakka]

Your videos are great, literally one of the best Deltarune theory channels and one of my favorites. I can't believe you only have two thausand subs

[@snarlinger]

Thank you so much, I appreciate it :)

[@DakotaFiles]

that was a fantastic watch. the main content of the name analysis was great, and the effort put into the presentation and world building/narrative for your characters really made this video super engaging. i now want a pet socrates.

[@snarlinger]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it!