Gerson

I used to be a hero myself, back in the old days. Gerson, the Hammer of Justice.

Gerson, when asked about Undyne

Gerson (JP: ガーソン) (/ˈgɜːrsən/) is a vendor found in Waterfall. His shop is located in a small cave east of the houses of Napstablook, Mettaton and Undyne, and north of the river where the River Person is located.

Profile

Appearance

Gerson is an elderly-looking olive green tortoise-like monster. He wears archeologist attire, with a large magnifying glass and a tan pith helmet. His teeth are crooked and yellow, he sports a pointed beard, and his shell is a dark brown color with a pale cream rim. He also seems to be unable to open his right eye.

Personality

Gerson tends to be scatterbrained and testy. He has trouble recalling information such as the location of Temmie Village or why Asgore was nicknamed "Fluffybuns", goes on a brief tangent if the protagonist asks him whether Asgore is a goat and refuses to repeat himself if asked about the Delta Rune's prophecy a second time. However, he still freely shares his wares and vast knowledge with the protagonist otherwise, advises them to be careful before they exit his shop and ultimately warms up to them, congratulating them on their success if his shop is visited in the True Pacifist Route's epilogue.

Gerson appears to possess a sense of humility, as he does not consider himself a hero in spite of his reputation as "The Hammer of Justice". Owing to his age, he is remarkably unperturbed by the protagonist and their threats on the Genocide Route.

Etymology

Gerson's name is a reference to a well-known Super Smash Bros. match between two players: Gerson and SuPeRbOoMfAn. The match lasted over 50 minutes due to "turtling" from both players.

Main story

Neutral Route

Gerson fought in The War of Humans and Monsters. In his youth, he was known for his heroic exploits, which led to him being nicknamed the "Hammer of Justice". He did not resist the sealing of monsterkind behind the barrier following the humans' victory, and claims to have been acquainted with one of the human magicians responsible for the sealing.

Gerson has lived for a very long time, his lifespan far exceeding that of humans. He remembers the time when Toriel and Asgore ruled the underground together, and has mixed feelings regarding their separation. Through his life and due to his studies, Gerson gained many insights about the history of monsters in the underground, including the Delta Rune's prophecy.

Genocide Route

On the Genocide Route, while still opening his shop to the protagonist, Gerson is colder to them, being shocked that they want to talk to him and hoping that "a hero" will "strike [the protagonist] down". He is pessimistic about monsterkind's prospects of freedom from the underground, believing humans would kill them if they escaped, and admits he felt betrayed when Asgore grew to disagree with this stance. Nonetheless, he does hope to save the lives of some monsters by buying time while the protagonist talks to him.

Dialogue

Neutral Route and True Pacifist Route epilogue

Buy

• What are you lookin for? [While purchasing]
• Thanks! Wa ha ha. [On purchase]
  • You're a bit short on cash. [Not enough G]
  • You're carrying too much! [Full inventory]
• Careful with that. [Refuse buy]

Sell

• Ha! I'm tryin' to get RID of my junk, not get more of it!
• Though, I've heard if you want to sell stuff, the Temmie Village is your best bet.
• Where is it?
• ...
• I don't remember.
• [Trying to sell again]
  • For the last time, I'm not taking it!
  • I hear people will pay for ANYTHING nowadays. [Unused]

Talk

• Anything you wanna know?

Exit

• Be careful out there, kid!

Neutral Route

• Woah there! I've got some neat junk for sale. [Upon entrance]
• Don't be shy now. [Upon exiting a menu]

Talk

• [About yourself]
  • I've been around a long time. Maybe too long.
  • Studying history sure is easy when you've lived through so much of it yourself! Wa ha ha!
• [That emblem]
  • Eh? You don't know what that is?
  • What are they teaching you kids in school nowadays...? Wa ha ha!
  • That's the Delta Rune, the emblem of our kingdom. The Kingdom...
  • ... of Monsters.
  • Wahaha! Great name, huh? It's as I always say...
  • Ol' King Fluffybuns can't name for beans!
• [Emblem's meaning (NEW)]
  • That emblem actually predates written history. The original meaning has been lost to time...
  • All we know is that the triangles symbolize us monsters below, and the winged circle above symbolizes...
  • Somethin' else.
  • Most people say it's the 'angel,' from the prophecy...
• [The prophecy (NEW)]
  • Oh yeah... The prophecy.
  • Legend has it, an 'angel' who has seen the surface will descend from above and bring us freedom.
  • Lately, the people have been taking a bleaker outlook...
  • Callin' that winged circle the 'Angel of Death.'
  • A harbinger of destruction, waitin' to 'free' us from this mortal realm...
  • In my opinion, when I see that little circle...
  • I jus' think it looks neat! Wahaha!
• [The prophecy]
  • What's that? You want me to repeat myself?
  • Heck no! Your eyes still work... Go read a book or something! Wahaha!
• [The King]
  • King Fluffybuns? He's a friendly, happy-go-lucky kind of guy...
  • If you keep walking around long enough, you'll probably meet him. He loves to walk around and talk to people.
  • Eh? Why do I call Dreemurr 'Fluffybuns?' Oh, that's a great story!
  • ...
  • I don't remember it.
  • But if you come back much later, I'm sure I'll have remembered by then.
• [About Undyne]
  • Undyne? Yeah, she's a local hero around here.
  • Through grit and determination alone, she fought her way to the top of the Royal Guard.
  • Actually, she just came through here asking about someone who looked just like you...
  • I'd watch your back, kid. And buy some items... It might just save your hide! Wa ha ha!

True Pacifist Route epilogue

• Wah ha ha! I knew you could do it! [Upon entrance]

Talk

• [Fluffybuns Why?]
  • OK, OK! I remember it clearly now.
  • It was the monthly address at the castle, and the queen was giving her part on current events.
  • After finishing her update, she moved to pass the microphone to the king.
  • However, she didn't realize the microphone was still in her hands when she said:
  • "Your turn, Fluffybuns."
  • The audience burst into laughter.
  • Realizing what she had said, she started laughing too.
  • After a few moments, the king held up his arms. The crowd grew silent.
  • He leaned towards the microphone, expression... Stern.
  • "Dear citizens." "Thank you for coming here today."
  • "I... King Fluffybuns..."
  • And the rest is history.
• [Is ASGORE a goat]
  • Eh? Goat?
  • Actually, that reminds me. Toriel once wore a flower-patterned muu-muu...
  • Folks kept saying "nice muu-muu" to her, but she kept thinking they were calling her a cow.
  • So she never wore it again.
  • What was the question again?
  • Oh. Right. ASGORE.
  • He's a real interesting type of monster. The strongest type of all.
  • We call 'em Boss Monsters.
  • When they have an offspring, the SOUL power of the parents flows into the child...
  • Causing the child to grow as the parents age.
  • But ASGORE doesn't have a child. So he's been stuck at the same age... And probably will be forever.
  • Huh? What if the child is a human...? What?
  • Nah. That wouldn't work. So if ASGORE's your father, he'll definitely outlive you.
• [ASGORE and TORIEL]
  • Oh yeah! Of course. Toriel was queen, and Asgore was the king.
  • It was tragic when she left.
  • Since everyone knew she was really the brains behind the throne...
  • But it was also just a teensy, teensy bit relieving, you know?
  • Those two were really insufferable together... Nuzzling noses, bein' all cute n' cuddly in public... Embarrassing their children...
  • They were so sweet it made me SICK. Thank god those days are over!
• [Undyne]
  • Undyne. She's really come a long way since she was a little urchin.
  • I used to be a hero myself, back in the old days. Gerson, the Hammer of Justice.
  • When she was younger, Undyne would follow me around, to watch me beat up bad guys...
  • Sometimes she'd even try to help!
  • Though, most of the time the folks she attacked weren't bad guys. It'd be the mailman or something like that.
  • Anyhoo, I appreciated it! Wah ha ha ha!!!

Genocide Route

• Wa ha ha... So you came here. What a treat! [Upon entrance]

Buy

• Don't expect a discount. [While purchasing]
• Here we are. [On purchase]
• ... [Refuse buy]
• Eh? You can't afford it? [Not enough G for purchase]
• Don't you have enough? [Full inventory]

Sell

• I wouldn't buy your chitzy garbage at knifepoint.

Talk

• Really? YOU wanna chat?
• [Fate]
  • Long ago, ASGORE and I agreed that escaping would be pointless...
  • Since once we left, humans would just kill us.
  • I felt a little betrayed when he eventually changed his mind.
  • But now, I think... Maybe he was right to.
  • 'Cause after all, even though we never escaped...
  • A human's killing us anyway, ain't that right?
• [Threat]
  • I've lived too long to be afraid of something like you.
  • Try it, kiddo!
  • ... I know you can't here.
  • Wah ha... Knowledge like that is the only reason I've survived so long.
• [Fight]
  • Eh? Fight you?
  • Nah... I'm not a hero. Never was.
  • And b'sides... These old bones aren't fit for fighting anyhoo.
  • One attack from you, and then I'd... well...
  • At least by talking to you, I've bought enough time for some of them to escape.
• [Hero]
  • I'm not a hero.
  • But I know there's someone out there.
  • Someone who'll never give up trying to do the right thing, no matter what.
  • There's no prophecy or legend 'bout anyone like that.
  • It's just something I know is true.
  • That someone like that will strike you down.

Exit

• Good riddance.

Outside of Undertale

UNDERTALE 10th Anniversary Stream

Gerson's overworld sprite, as seen in the 10th Anniversary Stream.

During the 10th Anniversary Stream, Gerson appears at Home in the epilogue, facing towards the bookshelf in the building the Toy Knife is found in. He has new dialogue exclusive to the build of the game used for the stream, where he reminisces about the war, its muddled conflicts, and its effects on monster history.

• [First interaction]
  • Hey there. Thought I'd take one last gander at this place.
  • There were some old books I forgot... geh-heh.
  • ...
  • ... Y'know, it wasn't all written down quite right.
  • ... Our history.
  • The pages changed, things got sanded down...
  • ... and important things were forgotten.
  • ... maybe on purpose.
  • ...
  • I never hated humans.
  • Some of my best war buddies were humans...
  • 'course, all of them are gone now. Long gone.
  • When they sealed us away, I didn't resist, much.
  • ... the other side sacrificed a lot to get us down here.
  • Rumor has it, it even used up all their magic.
  • ... not sure though.
  • I wasn't there. Geheheh.
• [Second interaction]
  • Humans and Monsters weren't always all enemies.
  • No one really wanted to fight in that war...
  • ... and the sides weren't really all that clear cut.
  • When the barrier was made...
  • Old friendships were broken.
  • Old business partners, lost.
  • ... Even some married couples, were...
  • I even knew one of the people doing the sealing. Heheh.
  • Seein' them in that beautiful magician outfit, for the first time...
  • For the last time, and at such a moment...
  • ... it felt strange, I tell ya. Geheheheh...
• [Third interaction]
  • But now, we're going back.
  • ... Even if humans accept us...
  • Ya can't say everything will go smoothly.
  • Asgore probably didn't believe that, either...
  • ... until he met you.
  • ... G'job, sprout.
  • Geheheheheh!

Deltarune

Main article: Gerson

In Deltarune, Gerson is lauded as a historian, author and teacher in Hometown. He has a family of his own, whom he decided to become a writer for, leading to the creation of the award-winning Lord of the Hammer book series. He has passed away years prior to the events of Deltarune.

In Chapter 4, Gerson becomes a major supporting character when his dust-covered hammer facilitates his resurrection as a Darkner. He sells items, provides guidance to the party, and mentors Susie throughout the Chapter, ultimately assisting in the fight with the Chapter's final boss.

His appearance in battle seemingly represents what his Undertale counterpart might have looked like as the Hammer of Justice. His armor, pink flowing ponytail, and fighting style involving the green SOUL are heavily reminiscent of Undyne's.

Relationships

Undyne

Undyne looked up to Gerson when she was a small child, often following him around, and still respects him as an adult. Before she assumes her Undying form on the Genocide Route, she uses the same language as Gerson does if "Hero" is selected as a topic for conversation in his shop, declaring that she will "strike [the protagonist] down". One of the tracks associated with Undyne, Spear of Justice, echoes Gerson's nickname. Gerson seems to have appreciated Undyne's enthusiasm in kind.

Reinforcing the connection between the two, Gerson's Deltarune counterpart primarily uses Spear of Justice's first leitmotif, and the battle with him uses the same SOUL mode as Undyne's.

Gallery

• 
  Gerson's official tarot card as Major Arcana IX, "The Hermit".
• 
  Gerson's shop.

Trivia

• Gerson's status as a veteran of the war places him among the oldest characters in the game alongside Toriel and Asgore, and makes him the oldest character biologically, as Asgore and Toriel do not age.
  • Gerson is modeled after a tortoise. In the real world, tortoises are known for their longevity, sometimes living for over 200 years.
• If the player attempts to name the fallen human "Gerson", the narration reads"Wah ha ha! Why not?" and the game allows the name to be used.
• Gerson does not have a unique sound bite in Undertale, using the generic text sound effect instead. In Deltarune, however, he has his own unique sound bite.