> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cifer.gitbook.io/cifer-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cifer.gitbook.io/cifer-docs/ghost-economy/character-genetics-and-traits.md).

# Character genetics and traits

Every character is defined by a machine-readable genome before its final art asset is bound. The genome—not an AI image—is the canonical source for stage, lineage, traits, and provenance.

### Founders

The founder collection is fixed at 500 Alpha and 500 Omega.

* Every founder has a unique image and immutable genome.
* Alpha and Omega have equal Premium utility and economic power.
* Visual rarity never changes utility, reproductive speed, or economic rights.
* Founders have no parent IDs; their metadata identifies them as generation zero.

### Six anatomy slots

Each character has six visible anatomy slots:

1. **Crown**
2. **Ears**
3. **Back**
4. **Tail**
5. **Eyes**
6. **Mouth**

Each slot stores a trait ID, human-readable trait name, rarity information, and its recorded origin.

### Surface traits

Surface traits are recorded separately from anatomy:

* **Material**
* **Palette**
* **Pattern**

They control the character's finish and color treatment but do not replace the six anatomy slots. Their origin and rarity are recorded using the same provenance rules.

### Stage seals

Stage seals are fixed identity marks. They are not inherited rarity traits and do not participate in trait scoring.

| Stage  | Fixed seal                                         |
| ------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Alpha  | Two gold chevrons                                  |
| Omega  | Silver open ring with gold droplet                 |
| Wisp   | Silver open ring with two gold chevrons            |
| Fantom | Proposed silver open ring with three gold chevrons |

### Wisp inheritance

A Wisp is the biological child of one Alpha and one Omega.

* Its genome records both parent token IDs.
* Its anatomy and surface traits are selected under the published inheritance rules.
* Every inherited trait records whether it originated from the Alpha, the Omega, or an approved evolutionary variation derived from parental inputs.
* A valid Wisp must contain recorded contribution from both parents.
* The two Wisps from one completed Attic pairing are siblings.
* Siblings share the same parents but receive separately finalized trait combinations, so they can look different.

![Ten Wisp sibling concept board](/files/TUabgIbUeJwBy5Lb1Izx)

*Concept art: ten related Wisp variations demonstrating how a family can share visual DNA without producing identical children.*

### Fantom convergence genetics

A Fantom is created from ten specific unconsumed Wisps.

* All ten contributor token IDs are recorded permanently.
* The six visible anatomy slots are evolved combinations derived from the contributor set.
* Surface material, palette, and pattern are evolved under the same recorded rules.
* The result must read as one coherent evolved character—not ten characters pasted together.
* Each resulting trait records its contributor origin or evolution path.
* Burning the ten Wisps permanently closes their independent lineage while preserving their contribution inside the Fantom record.

### Required token metadata

Each token's canonical JSON should record:

* Token ID and stage.
* Parent IDs for Wisps.
* Ten contributor IDs for Fantoms.
* Trait IDs and trait names.
* Origin of every inherited or evolved trait.
* Trait rarity.
* Overall provisional rarity.
* Genome hash.
* Image hash.
* Art revision.
* Generation and QA status.

The genome should be canonicalized before hashing so independent systems can reproduce the same commitment from the same data.

### Rarity

Trait rarity and overall rarity are collection analytics. Overall rarity remains provisional until the relevant reveal cohort is complete and the calculation method is published.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Rarity is collectible visual scarcity—not stronger Premium utility, faster reproduction, shorter cooldowns, priority access, or higher financial value.
{% endhint %}

### Rules still to publish

Before dynamic creation is activated, Cifer must publish the inheritance weighting, permitted evolutionary variation, randomness method, rarity calculation, metadata schema, and deterministic rendering specification.


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