> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gotchipus.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Soul System

> The life force that makes your Gotchipus real

## 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:

| Token    | Soul per Unit           | Notes                  |
| -------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------- |
| **ETH**  | 4,000 soul per 1 ETH    | Native network token   |
| **WETH** | 4,000 soul per 1 ETH    | Wrapped ETH equivalent |
| **USDC** | 1 soul per 1 USDC       | Stablecoin             |
| **USDT** | 1 soul per 1 USDT       | Stablecoin             |
| **WBTC** | 150,000 soul per 1 WBTC | Highest 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:

| State        | Meaning                                              |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Full**     | Maximum soul energy — thriving and at peak power     |
| **Normal**   | Healthy levels — functioning well                    |
| **Low**      | Soul energy is depleting — needs attention           |
| **Critical** | Dangerously low — approaching dormancy               |
| **Dormant**  | No 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.

<Tip>
  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](/ai-and-autonomy/tba).
</Tip>