How an ancient war trapped monsters beneath Mount Ebott
In short: In the fantasy worlds of Undertale and Deltarune, a forgotten conflict defines the fate of species. After an ancient war left monsters trapped in the Underground, the struggle for survival and revenge shaped a kingdom. Now, these characters face new threats, from the mysterious Knight to the encroaching darkness.
The lore of Toby Fox's series is anchored in a historical conflict between humans and monsters. In Undertale, this ancient war resulted in monsters being trapped in the Underground, where they remained forgotten until a human child named Frisk fell into the cavern near Mount Ebott. This history fuels the motivations of key figures like Asgore, the former king of the Underground. Enraged by the death of his son Asriel—who was killed by humans while attempting to return to the surface—Asgore resolved to collect human souls to eventually break the barrier and take revenge on humanity.
The consequences of this history are deeply personal for the 'Boss Monsters,' a race that includes Toriel and Asgore. These beings possess a unique biological trait: they only continue to grow as long as they have children; they cease growing if their progeny dies. This biological reality adds weight to the tragedy of Asriel’s death, which left the royal family fractured. While Toriel chose a life of seclusion in the Ruins to avoid her ex-husband's obsession with war, the cycle of violence left lasting scars on the Underground's society.
The narrative shifts in the spiritual successor, Deltarune, where humans and monsters coexist in Hometown. However, the shadows of the past persist. The series introduces the 'Knight,' a mysterious figure who attempts to kidnap characters like Toriel and Asgore. In Chapter 3, the Knight failed to take Toriel while she slept, but succeeded in capturing Asgore in Chapter 5. As the world faces the potential of darkness overtaking reality, the legacy of past wars and the actions of characters like the Knight continue to threaten the stability of the Light World.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: List of Undertale and Deltarune characters
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/wars-list-of-undertale-and-deltarune-characters.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Knights & chivalry · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics
