# Step 2: Create Your AI Companion

## 🧠 What is a Companion?

In Alterim AI, a **Companion** is your on-chain AI partner.\
It is not just a random character — it is a fully minted NFT on Berachain, representing both your ownership and the AI's evolving identity inside the Alterim ecosystem.

## 🛠️ How Companion Minting Works

When you mint a Companion, you choose one of the following as the **foundation**:

* Your **Alterim SBT** (soulbound token) if you don't hold any NFTs. -> mint on sbt.alterim.ai
* Any supported Berachain NFT (e.g. Jungle Party, SteadyTeddys, YEETS, BULLAS, etc.)

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Based on your choice, the Companion NFT is created **on-chain** with a unique structure.

> **Note:**\
> Companion minting through custom image uploads is planned for future updates.\
> During the CBT phase, only default options (SBT or supported partner NFTs) are available.

#### 💰 **Minting Fee**

**Closed Beta Phase (Ended on June 6th, 2025):**

* Companion minting required a payment of **12 $BERA**
* Only supported Berachain NFTs and Alterim SBTs could be used as a base
* Users who minted during this phase are eligible for:
  * **Alterim Genesis NFT**
  * **Bonus multipliers on $ATRM point farming** (1.5x or 2x based on mint type)

**Public Beta Phase (Live):**

* **Minting is now free** for all users
* Each user receives a **limited daily quota** for free minting
* Once the quota is used, additional minting will require **quota recharge**, to be introduced in mid-June
* All Berachain NFTs and SBTs remain supported as base assets

> Note: Future phases may introduce new monetization models (e.g., $ATRM-based minting, premium persona upgrades, or paid features)

## 📦 What the Companion NFT Includes

Every minted Companion NFT is permanently linked to:

* **The original foundation asset's image info** (your SBT or partner NFT)
* **A unique Companion ID** assigned at the time of minting

### 🗃️ What’s Stored Off-Chain (Alterim AI Backend)

* **Persona Data**: The personality traits assigned to your Companion within Alterim AI
* **Custom Name**: The personalized name you give your Companion
* **Interaction History**: Your engagement records, affinity scores, and interaction patterns

This data is securely stored and managed by Alterim AI.&#x20;

### 🔑 The Role of the Companion NFT

Your Companion NFT acts as the **key** to access all associated data on the Alterim platform.\
When you interact with your Companion, the system links your NFT’s unique ID to retrieve the correct persona, name, and gameplay history from our backend.

## Why This Matters

* Your Companion’s growth, memories, and evolution are preserved and tied to your NFT ownership.
* In the future Companion Marketplace, the persona and history of your AI could influence its value — while the NFT remains the access point to everything.
