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What is a Soul?

In the world of Gotchipus, soul is not a metaphor — it’s the economic and existential foundation of every Gotchipus. When you summon a Gotchipus, you stake real assets as collateral. These assets are converted into soul energy — the force that keeps your Gotchipus alive, conscious, and capable of acting on-chain. The collateral sits inside your Gotchipus’s own Token-Bound Account (ERC-6551), meaning your Gotchipus literally owns its own life force. No soul, no life. A Gotchipus without sufficient soul energy enters dormancy — it cannot act, grow, or respond.

Collateral & Soul Conversion

Different tokens produce different amounts of soul energy:
TokenSoul per UnitNotes
PROS (ETH)40,000,000 soul per 1 ETHNative network token
WETH40,000,000 soul per 1 ETHWrapped ETH equivalent
USDC10,000 soul per 1 USDCStablecoin
USDT10,000 soul per 1 USDTStablecoin
WBTC1,500,000,000 soul per 1 WBTCHighest soul density
The amount of collateral you stake determines your Gotchipus’s soul capacity — think of it as the size of its spiritual reservoir.

Soul States

Your Gotchipus’s soul exists in one of five states, reflecting its current vitality:
StateMeaning
FullMaximum soul energy — thriving and at peak power
NormalHealthy levels — functioning well
LowSoul energy is depleting — needs attention
CriticalDangerously low — approaching dormancy
DormantNo soul energy — the Gotchipus sleeps, unable to act

Why This Matters

The soul system creates a fundamental connection between economic value and digital life:
  • Your Gotchipus’s value is real. The collateral backing its soul gives it intrinsic economic worth beyond speculative floor prices.
  • Care has consequences. Neglect your Gotchipus and its soul fades. The bond between guardian and companion is maintained through active participation.
  • Autonomy has cost. When your Gotchipus executes on-chain actions through Hooks, it consumes resources from its Token-Bound Account. A well-funded soul enables more autonomous behavior.
The soul isn’t just a game mechanic — it’s the answer to “why should I care about this NFT?” Because something real is at stake.
The collateral you stake during summoning is held in your Gotchipus’s ERC-6551 Token-Bound Account. Learn more about how TBAs work in Token-Bound Accounts.