= Introduction =

Hello there! It's me, DonKorge. I am a self-taught artist and a beginner spriter. This post will provide a general description of the project that I started back in August 2024. A lot has changed since then. Today, my friend and I are working on this project.

His name is Varash. He is a co-writer, the author of some design solutions for the project, as well as one of the main feedbackgivers.

As the project's founder, I will allow myself to tell you all about the result of our work over the past six months

= About the project =

This project is a fan story that expands the lore of Undertale. We want the key characteristics of the project to be the depth and tragedy of the plot, mysticism, and a balance of seriousness and humor. In the process of writing and revealing the plot, we strive to show the social side of monsters' lives, namely how they overcome various difficulties, how they evaluate certain events, how they see the future, etc. Note that:

- this story is a monster-centric soul prequel. This means that monsters' stories will be central to the project, including the Bront's story, with whom most of the plot will be connected, but the human's story will also be important;

- the project is not devoid of subjectivity. This means that we will interpret canonical history in such a way that, on the one hand, we do not go far beyond the canon proper, and, on the other hand, we present an alternative view of certain things;

- the project is not a game. At the current stage, we see the implementation of the story in the form of an animated sprite comic / series, but this is not the final solution;

- the story may contain scenes of cruelty, so this project is aimed at an audience corresponding to the TEEN category according to the Game Jolt classification;

- the project is not a prequel, part of, or sequel to any prequel (including Undertale Yellow), sequel, or other AU/AT, but we are not against collaborations;

- the project is being developed by non-professionals. This means that content creation will take a long time.

The project will be represented by thematic logs that do not necessarily follow each other. Nevertheless, we have planned the following:

• Log 1: Plot writing

• Log 2: Character spriting

• Log 3: Textbox spriting

• Log 4: Battle and UI spriting

• Log 5: Tileset spriting

• Log 6: Story panels spriting

• Logs X+: Animated stories

• Extras

= Bront's biography =

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Issue 1. Canonicity

First of all, we want this story to fit into the lore of Undertale, into the game mechanics, general principles and rules. One way or another, it is impossible to achieve absolute conformity, so we will try to comment on all possible deviations from the canon as much as possible. If you have any questions, please ask them. Only together can we make this story better.

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Bront has an ancient origin. His distant ancestor distinguished himself in the war between humans and monsters, and at the dawn of the formation of the Royal Guard he became one of its first members. The martial art in the Bront’s family was passed down from generation to generation, but the key feature was that all the famous ancestors of the boy had their own unique ability: elemental magic, great strength, invisibility, incredible speed, hypnosis… Bront's childhood and youth took place during the era of military reforms: after several disasters caused by fallen people, the king organized the strengthening of the main routes to the castle, including the construction of strongholds and the expansion of the Royal Guard. Being a descendant of warriors, from an early age Bront learned from his father how to handle different types of weapons and the use of various combat techniques. The boy's parents were waiting with great trepidation for what kind of magic their son would be able to show, until on a very ordinary day they discovered how the child, with one movement of his hand, twisted the fallen leaves of trees into small tornadoes. Quite often he could be found next to these strange trees, as if something unknown attracted Bront to them.

Since childhood, he had known that the fate of monsters was determined by the prophecy of the seven souls. Humans have committed a crime by killing monsters, but why would monsters want to repeat this by destroying the barrier? Even if the prophecy can't be reversed, why can't they just show the humans their friendliness? Thoughts not worthy of a warrior. "If you meet a human, Bront, be ready to fight them and take their soul," his father often told him about this. "I will ask them to give their soul to the king. I'll make them do it," Bront replied. "Duty above all. It is our duty to take away a human's soul. Don't beg. Don't ask. Don't force it. Take it at any cost." Bront could not fully accept these words.

In his spare time, the boy was fond of painting. His father considered this an unworthy occupation and forbade Bront to even touch brushes and paints. Seeing the child's tears, the mother tried to convince her husband to give Bront creative freedom, to which he replied that it weakens the fighting spirit, which should be tempered by mental strength and strict discipline. Unable to come to an agreement with him, she often secretly brought Bront canvases and tools so that he could do what he loved. After reaching the right age, Bront enrolled in the training of the legendary Gerson.

The great warrior taught many of his ancestors, but it was Bront who proved to be the most difficult student among them. The problem wasn't laziness or lack of ability. Every time the battle with the dummy came to the point of delivering the final blow, Bront refused to do so. "The enemy will take advantage of your weakness of spirit and strike a blow that you might not expect. Finish off the enemy, that's the purpose of the battle. You have to win," Gerson said. "I am ready for any human action. A word cuts harder than the sharpest sword – I can convince them to surrender," replied Bront. "People are treacherous and cruel. By showing you false submission, none of them will miss the opportunity to stab you in the back." Gerson was extremely categorical, and Bront never agreed with him, but nevertheless completed the tasks to the end, overcoming his own resistance.

Freed from his father's control, Bront returned to painting. It is worth noting that his paintings turned out to be quite good for a self-taught artist. Gerson was well aware of this. In regular letters to Bront's father, he wrote that the boy was studying diligently and no other activities were hindering his studies. He had no reason to distrust Gerson. Bront's creative mindset, his attentiveness, stubbornness, and his use of non-standard techniques in painting were masterfully used by Gerson to improve the skills of the young monster. He wanted to instill sharpness and unpredictability in Bront's style. "If you ever have to fight a human, then I want you to be ready to fend off their most insidious blows and fight back with dignity," Gerson said. The only unresolved problem was Bront's unwillingness to kill a human. The teacher tried to use a variety of arguments in arguments with the student, but it was all in vain. However, as time passed, Gerson had fewer doubts every day that Bront was ready to become a member of the Royal Guard and swear allegiance to the king. However, a few days before the ceremony, when everything was ready, Bront disappeared. Gerson guessed what the reason might be, but he fully believed that Bront would return on the appointed day.

It wasn't meant to be.

Having secretly made his way to his parents' house, Bront packed up some belongings and set off on his way. He had been wandering around different places for a long time, trying to find a solution that could determine his fate. Become a member of the Royal Guard and one terrible day kill a human? To give up the title, to discredit the honor of the family and disappoint Gerson? To spare a human and break his oath to the king and the monsters? How can you be yourself and not destroy anyone's hopes? He could not find an answer to this question and considered his own disappearance the best solution. Yes, it will be hard for everyone to realize this, but over time, the emotional wounds will heal and everyone will forget about it. They'll forget, right?

After long wanderings, Bront found a cozy cave in the Waterfall, hidden from prying eyes. After his disappearance, the king organized a search for him, and Bront considered it dangerous to show himself to anyone. The knowledge and skills gained from his father and Gerson helped Bront build a home in this place and find sources of food and water. He continued to hone his fighting skills and went deep into the art. Here, far from responsibility, Bront became himself, but the long absence of communication inexorably left its mark on his personality. Having lost track of time, the monster finally withdrew into himself.

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= "CHECK" =

Place of birth: New Home

Age: adult

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Issue 2. Bront's age

The main story unfolds before the Frisk's fall. Since it is impossible to reliably determine the time intervals between the falls of each of the souls in the Underground, we cannot give an accurate definition of the Bront's age. If he were human, he would be about 35-40 years old.

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Monster type: long-lived monster

Role models: story boss, companion (ally), opponent

Special acquaintances: Gerson Boom (teacher, mentor), Asgore Dreemurr (King)

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Issue 3. Who can't Bront know

Bront's childhood and youth were spent in certain conditions, which can be called semi-closed. This means that he could not know the characters of the original Undertale and any prequels and sequels, with the exception of Gerson and Asgore. The events take place after the split of the royal family, so Bront can only know about Toriel from the stories of those who once knew her. We assume that he may know about some members of the Royal Guard (for example, about 'Dogs', if this is a family of hereditary guards).

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Character traits: anxiety, straightforwardness, mercy and compassion, can sometimes be arrogant

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Issue 4. Determination

Bront does not know what determination is, but he knows from history that the human soul is stronger than the soul of a monster. However, he is able to sense that a human has ever been violent. His relationship with them will depend on it.

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Special knowledge: martial arts, monster history, crop production, mechanics

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= Main event scenarios =

Due to incredible events, a human finds the Bront's cave. Bypassing the warnings left by him, they approach the house. Further events depend on the chosen path.

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Issue 5. Paths

pacifist path – before and after meeting Bront in the cave, a human did not kill any monsters or commit acts that could make the path neutral

aborted pacifist path – after meeting Bront on the pacifist path, a human succumbed to the triggers of the neutral path and began killing monsters

neutral path – before or after meeting Bront in the cave, a human has killed at least one monster or committed acts that can make the path neutral, but the degree of their cruelty does not allow the path to be genocidal

path of Overcoming (Bront's storyline) – before meeting Bront, a human passed a neutral path, but after Bront told them something special, they decided to accept their true destiny

genocide path - before and after meeting Bront in the cave, a human killed all the monsters they met and did not commit acts that could make the path neutral

aborted genocide path – after meeting Bront on the genocide path, a human succumbed to the triggers of the neutral path and began to spare monsters

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Pacifist path

To the human's surprise, Bront appears right in front of them, emerging from a dense stream of dust. He sincerely asks them to leave. If the person agrees, then at the exit from the cave, Bront will block the way and say that he has a unique chance to correct mistakes, and therefore he cannot just let the person go. If the human refuses to leave and steps forward, then the battle with Bront will begin. It is impossible to leave the cave without fighting with him.

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Issue 6. Trust and anxiety

The outcome of the battle with Bront depends on how well the person manages to calm him down or increase his anxiety. This influence is absolute, because this meeting has an existential meaning for Bront. None of the monsters could make him change his mind about people. A human's actions directly affect his life path, as this is the last chance for Bront to finally determine his fate, ceasing to doubt the rightness of his choice.

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The human feels that Bront is extremely worried, and understands that the best solution would be to calm him down. They directly show him that they don't want to fight, skip moves, intentionally miss when making an attack. Using MERCY is not enough, because Bront does not believe in the sincerity of their intentions. To gain his trust, a person needs to calm him down and survive a series of attacks. Seeing their passivity, Bront will allow them to use MERCY, after which the battle will be over. Bront will apologize to the person and invite them to visit him. The human will not be able to refuse.

If a human prefers FIGHT, then Bront will show understanding and patience and try to convince the person to do otherwise. If MERCY is used, the battle will be over. The pacifist path will not be interrupted if, after a series of attacks, a human chooses to FLEE. If the person continues to attack, Bront will stop the battle himself and due to the triggering of certain events, the path will become neutral.

Bront will tell the human that the only way to the surface is through a barrier protected by the Royal Guard and personally by the king. Concerned for the safety of the person, Bront suggests that they go there together. During battles, he will prompt a human to bypass attacks, apply acceleration to the movement of the heart, and block some of the damage received.

One of the main opponents on their way will be Lacuria. As the Head of the Royal Guard, she, who is sincerely devoted to the king, will do everything possible to lead a human astray from their intended path. The traps set by her will become a serious obstacle, but Bront will help a person avoid them. By showing his good nature and showing mercy, a human will be able to convince Bront of the rightness of his choice.

After Bront's mercy, the pacifist path can be aborted if a human purposefully uses FIGHT against other monsters.

Genocide path

Pointing his staff at a human, Bront will say that he expected to see a carrier of a purer soul. Without letting him finish, the human will join the battle and immediately strike the first blow. Bront will defend himself fiercely to the end. He will not give up trying to convince the person to stop. After surviving a series of complex attacks, they will be able to cause fear in Bront, after which he will flee and hide in his house. It is impossible to get inside, so a human will have to leave the cave without receiving LOVE.

The cruelty of the human will force Bront to rethink his views. Realizing that they would not stop, he would leave the house for the first time in many years and follow the human. Bront will try to save the monsters, but the lack of time and the disbelief of some monsters in his words will still allow a human to increase their LV. By the time they reach the Hotland, most of the monsters living in the capital will have been evacuated, and all but one approach to the castle will be blocked. Bront will be waiting patiently for the human at the entrance to the castle. He will say that he regrets his cowardice, but admits that he was able to realize the fallacy of his hopes for people.

∗ Is there really no mercy in the depths of the soul of even such a cruel monster? Which one of us is the monster here if not you?... *sigh* Maybe I won't be an obstacle for you this time, but I have to stop you, even if it was worth it before. You can't get through Asgore. Ease your suffering and give me your soul. Believe me, it will be better for everyone.

The genocide path can only be aborted after the battle with Bront, provided that the human intentionally spares the monsters or commits actions that make the path neutral. 

Neutral path

To the human's surprise, Bront appears right in front of them, emerging from a dense stream of dust. He will say that he feels the mark of evil on their soul and express confidence that the human is still able to overcome this pernicious influence. Bront will ask them not to tempt evil and choose the right path. He won't give them a chance to leave and will start the battle himself. Bront will play a leading role in it, trying to gain the trust of the person. He will sincerely tell them that he does not want to fight, but admits that he does not understand the truth of their intentions. Using MERCY will not bring the desired result.

The accumulated LV of a human will not allow them to perform enough ACTs to achieve the Bront's calmness. At the same time, a person's strength is not enough to break through his defenses or cause him fear. The uncertainty and ambiguity of a human's tactics, regardless of the outcome of the battle, leads to the fact that Bront will not allow a person to spare him. The human will continue the further path alone. However, Bront will not remain indifferent to them and will follow them unnoticed, and soon discovers that someone extremely unfriendly is building traps and encouraging monsters to harm human.

Sooner or later, Bront will find out that Lacuria is behind the machinations against human and is setting up events in such a way as to eventually force them to show cruelty towards monsters. She is sure that if a person starts killing monsters, then by stopping them and taking their soul, she will become a hero in the eyes of monsters. Bront understands that her actions are not only pushing human off the path of mercy and compassion, but also harming innocent monsters. He will do his best to stop Lacuria. During battles, Bront will imperceptibly prompt a human to bypass attacks, apply acceleration to the movement of the heart, and also block some of the damage received. Bront is genuinely outraged that Lacuria is willing to sacrifice the lives of innocent monsters to make herself look like a hero. This will give him motivation to help human, despite the neutrality of their chosen path. He will even try to warn the person about the threat, but it will not do any good. The key plot of the neutral path will be Bront's resistance to the Lacuria’s cunning machinations, which prevents a human from getting on the right path.

Path of Overcoming

∗ Time stood still a long time ago. I can no longer see the line between the past and the future, and in the present, even my own reflection tells me that I am unable to take at least one step towards my own destiny. Look. Who do you see in the reflection? I see a human who does not fully understand the true meaning of their path. Behind this human, I see a monster who made a choice many years ago that he still regrets.

∗ What is their future?... Alas, human, in both cases there is nothing good there. People got into the Underground, people passed through some part of it, people died. They all walked blindly forward, hoping for some miracle or thinking that the power of mercy or weapons in their hands would somehow help them get out.

∗ Seven human souls in exchange for the freedom of thousands of monster souls.

∗ I can't save you, no one can do it, and you can't resist the prophecy. But you know… You'll take a different look at your fate if you understand why you came here. The fate of the monsters and... my fate is in your hands, human. I want to show you that your sacrifice is not in vain. Are you ready to come with me?

= Introductory QnA =

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Issue 7. Everything can change

The concepts of the plot directions presented here are not final, but they are the most likely. The content, ending, and character roles in each of them can be changed if, for example, we find a better script or if serious mistakes and inconsistencies are found. To make this story more interesting, we need your opinion and your questions. We are always open to discussion, so QnA will also be open throughout the development period.

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1. What is the trait of the human soul?

At this stage of development, we do not have a clear idea of this, but we are inclined to believe that this is either Kindness or Perseverance.

2. What is the human's name?

This one will be revealed in one of the future logs.

3. Is the battle with the king the end of the story?

Potentially for all paths – yes, but events may unfold in such a way that the final test for a human will not always be associated with a meeting with Asgore.

4. "A human will die on each of the paths."

We would not say this so unequivocally in your place.

5. What is the uniqueness of the path of Overcoming?

Unlike other routes, the path of Overcoming develops in a non-standard direction. We assume that the characters will follow a special route, and the interaction between them both in battles and in exploring locations will follow a special approach that will be predetermined at the beginning of this path.

If you want to ask something, please do not forget about the well-known rules. We will not answer questions that violate them (). Questions that we find interesting will be added to the list

Special thanks:

bL1SsGD, leader of Undertale Fractured's development team - for help with spriting and for support long before this concept became a reality

Tomato, leader of Team Dark Legend, development team of Undertale: Brave Faith - for good advice on plot writing, for help with spriting, and for sincere support

= Conclusion =

Well, it seems that's all we wanted to tell you all. I hope you were interested

Thanks for reading this post!

coming soon >> Log 1-2: A human's journey through the Ruins, scenarios of events and possible endings, introductory QnA