Mule

From: The Gaiapedia, the community encyclopedia about Gaia Online

Mule accounts are additional subsidiary usernames used by existing members of Gaia Online or any other Internet community. Subsidary accounts allows members to pose as a completely different user.

The original usage of a mule has changed over time. Previously functioning as a type of 'bank account' for items, mules allowed a safe haven for gold and items for those who wanted to either resist the temptation to spend gold or sell items. Another purpose was to lessen the damage of a hacking if one occurred; by having one's items spread over multiple accounts one could prevent serious loss of gold and items.

Currently, the primary use of a mule is to post "anonymously" without having to be identified as their primary username, especially under the Life Issues forum when one posts personal events one wishes advice on. Other forums such as the Extended Discussion, General Discussion, and other forums on Gaia may have certain users use mules to make one's true identity in an argument or debate unidentifiable. Also if there is a million page guild users may use mules along with there primary accounts to post faster, this is due to the 2 minute wait time in between posts.

Another use of a mule can be exploring opposite gender avatars, either male or female, since there are items that are manufactured specifically only for one gender.

Mules can also be used for gaining gold or transporting "stolen items" but it is against the Gaia Terms of Service and can get both your primary accounts and subsidary mule accounts banned from Gaia.

Often mules are also used for setting up breedables shops, so as to give several users acess to them without compromising account security. This can be seen in most shops with joint ownership.

Gaia has a loose policy on mules and as long as the TOS are obeyed will not ban them. Usually Gaia can find out which primary account a mule belongs to if the mule has traded items and gold over to the mule.

Some users also use mule accounts to get more holliday/event/quest items, because sometimes gaia only allows you to win a certain amount of event items.