* As stated in the speculations, Selph is speculated to have mirror thematics and look similar to NiGHTS, later, [[NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams]] would feature a mirror thematic level ([[Crystal Castle]]) and a turtle like third level nightmaren also with mirror thematics who can shapeshift into NiGHTS called [[Murtles|Murtle]].
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* As stated in the speculations, Selph is speculated to have mirror thematics and look similar to NiGHTS, curiously, [[NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams]] would feature a [[Crystal Castle|mirror thematic level]] and a turtle like third level nightmaren with mirror thematics who can shapeshift into NiGHTS called [[Murtles|Murtle]].
* According to Jung, the Self archetype appears in dreams as royal figures, divine beings, mandalas and holy items.
* According to Jung, the Self archetype appears in dreams as royal figures, divine beings, mandalas and holy items.
* The archetype of Wise Old Man could be considered to be one of symbols of the Self, meaning [[Wizeman]] was probably related to Selph.
* The archetype of Wise Old Man could be considered to be one of symbols of the Self, meaning [[Wizeman]] was probably related to Selph.
Revision as of 15:21, 2 June 2020
Selph (also known as Self) is a deleted character who was originally going appear in NiGHTS into Dreams and is one of the most speculated topics about the NiGHTS series by the community.
In an interview made by fans, Takashi Iizuka, who was surprised when he found out that fans knew about the character's existence, said that Selph was intended to be a boss in the game, but they got deleted because Iizuka believed the game's story was already perfect, [1] implying that Selph would impact the game's story. Yuji Naka said in an interview that Selph was based on the self archetype from Carl Jung's theory and described them as "Myself I could never be exceeded".[2]
Files and Data discovered
Even through Selph was deleted, some of their data was found in the files by a hacker. Their name was found in a list nicknaming all of the game's bosses, being the seventh boss listed, after "M6:MONSTER-FISH" (Gulpo) and before "#M8:WIZED-MAN" (Wizeman). [3] Selph also already had a boss battle theme called "Know Thyself", which bears an interesting resemblance to "Dreams, Dreams", leading many fans to believe that Selph has a strong connection to NiGHTS or that they may resemble NiGHTS. (No data related to their physical design exists though, making it pure speculation). Another hacker also found parts of what appears to be a mirror staff which is speculated to be a weapon they would use. [4]
Speculations
NOTE: The following topics are just pure fan speculations and theories and nothing can be confirmed official unless the game's developers say so.
Selph was going to be Claris final boss: In the game's files, Twin Seeds is named "#P7:ELIOT'S-CITY" and there is a deleted level called "#P8:SPIRAL-CLARIS" (Spiral Claris), [5] making it safe to assume Twin Seeds was originally going to be an Elliot's exclusive level and Claris was intended to have her own unique final level, the deleted levelis speculated to be where Selph would be featured as it's boss, as Selph is the only deleted boss in the game and Spiral Claris is the only deleted level, consequently making them the final boss of Claris' story.
Assuming the speculation above is true, that would mean Selph could potentially have a connection with Claris or they could represent something about her, as stated above, Yuji Naka described Selph as "Myself I could never be exceeded", so it's possible that Selph would possibly represent what Claris wishes she could be, but she don't think she ever will, that would also mean Wizeman, who would consequently be an Elliot's exclusive boss, was originally designed to represent something about or be more connected to Elliot.
Once again, assuming the speculation above is true, that would also mean Selph would most likely be a really powerful character, considering they would be a final boss along with Wizeman, who is the God of all Nightmare. They would most likely be more important to the story than the other bosses, including even Reala.
There are fans who contradict this theory, claiming that Selph was not Spiral Claris' boss (nor Claris' story final boss) but rather a hidden/secret boss, however, there are currently no sources confirming that statement.
"Selph" might not be the character's actual name: Selph's name was found in a list from the files which was nicknaming all of the game's bosses, with Gillwing being nicknamed "#M1:FROGED-DRAGON", Puffy being "#M2:MRS.FATTY", Clawz being "#M3:FIRE-CAT'S", Jackle being "#M5:MANTLE-MAN", Gulpo being "M6:MONSTER-FISH" and Wizeman being "#M8:WIZED-MAN", [5] Selph is simply called "#M7:SELPH" meaning the name "Selph" could actually be a nickname or a provisional name for the character, the list was most likely made at the very beggining of the game's development, back when none of the characters had an official name and these nicknames were simply how they were addressed, by the time the characters got their official names, Selph was most likely already scrapped.
However, there still is a possibility that their name might be indeed Selph, because Reala was not nicknamed in the list, instead, Reala was simply called "#M4:THE-REALA", additionally, both Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka refereed to Selph by that name and neither ever said "Selph" was simply a provisional name or a nickname for the character.
Selph may not be an actual nightmaren: Selph would be based on the Self archetype from Carl Jung's theory about dreams, which has traits that would be strange for a nightmaren, the archetype is said to appear in dreams in the form of royal figures/divine beings and is expressed with numinous aura around them.
Considering that Selph is speculated to be the final boss from Claris story, it would make sense for them to be very important or different from the other bosses, since they would be one of the two final bosses from the game, along with the God of the Nightmarens himself.
As stated above, the Self archetype appears in the dreams in the form royal figures or divine beings, so Selph might be indeed a character who could potentially match Wizeman's level of power.
Selph may look similar to NiGHTS: Even though there are no data related to their physical design nor hints about how Selph might look like, many people speculate and even assume they would look similar to NiGHTS, since they would be inspired on the Self and because their theme is called "Know Thyself." Additionally, their boss theme bears an interesting resemblance to "Dreams, Dreams." Another character whose boss theme resembles the same song in some bits is Reala, whom also looks similar to NiGHTS.
More NiGHTS icon.
"More NiGHTS" icon character is Selph: In the NiGHTS into Dreams official japanese website, there is an icon with a never seen before character's head and the message "More NiGHTS" displayed under the it, the unknown character is speculated by some fans to be Selph. They look similar to NiGHTS and Reala, but with different colors. Their head and hat shape are also unique in that they curve to the sides rather than the back.
The icon's head in a magazine ad.
A similar head appears in a NiGHTS into Dreams magazine ad, with NiGHTS already having their official and final design. This makes the chances of the character being Selph lower, because by the time this ad was made, the game was already nearly being launched and Selph was most definitely already scrapped.
Selph had mirror thematics: Selph having mirror thematics makes a lot of sense, considering they are based on the Self and the fact their boss theme was called "Know Thyself" and as stated above, a hacker found parts of what appears to be a mirror staff in the files which is speculated to be a weapon that Selph would use.
"SOOOORA" is a Selph sound file: There's an unused sound file that can be found in the game's data of a man saying something which sounds like "sooooora" which is speculated to be a Selph sound file. [4][6]
Gallery
A unused icon that supposed to appear in Level High score list. Looks like a side profile with a tear shaped head and a neck.
Supposed part of "Mirror Staff", but most likely to be a decoration
Trivia
As stated in the speculations, Selph is speculated to have mirror thematics and look similar to NiGHTS, curiously, NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams would feature a mirror thematic level and a turtle like third level nightmaren with mirror thematics who can shapeshift into NiGHTS called Murtle.
According to Jung, the Self archetype appears in dreams as royal figures, divine beings, mandalas and holy items.
The archetype of Wise Old Man could be considered to be one of symbols of the Self, meaning Wizeman was probably related to Selph.
A hacker found nearly all of tracks from NiGHTS into Dreams in the NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams files, including Know Thyself, however, considering all of the NiGHTS into Dreams boss themes were found as well, it's safe to assume Selph was not planned to appear in the game. [7]
Possession by the Self and mana personalities, that are lower expression of it (Great Mother and Wise old man) causes megalomania, aka delusion of grandeur which "Myself I could never be exceeded" probably meant.
Self still has 2 name plates in the game files. First one is supposed to be used in Dream Dairy and the second one was supposed to be in the ending, where are 3D renders of the characters are shown, it is possible Self appeared in the ending in earlier builds and had a 3D render.
Self is the most famous deleted/unused Nightmaren.
See Also
Unnamed Scrapped Nightmarens: List of other nightmarens who were scrapped or disconsidered during the game's development.
