A [multi] is an [alternate] to one's [main character] in a [role playing game]. Other names for this are [alt] and [a speshul char|alt char].

The act of playing several characters at once is called [multiing].

A multi may be used in order to [more the merrier|round out one's party] or [mule|help shoulder the load of treasure].

In the instance of tabletop gaming, it is pretty clear to all present who is using a multi and who is not.

Online is a different [kettle of fish].

Some [MMORPG|MMORPGs], such as [Kingdom of Loathing], have special rules governing the use of multis, in order to curb instances suspected cheating.

Banning of multis outright is rarely done and not easily enforced. As such, there are a few stipulations which may be enacted to make the game "more fair" with regard to the use of multis. Among them are: limiting the number of characters an individual player may have, forbidding an individual player from having characters in multiple clans or guilds, allowing only one character being logged in at a time, forbidding a player's characters from interacting or sharing resources amongst themselves. This last limit may even extend to [What do I do when I'm alone?|in-character dialogue].

In a [E2 is unfriendly to New Order|tolerant] playing environment, multiing can be a [more is more|fun] and [therapeutic] way to exercise the imagination. The determined individual can [thinking outloud|carry a multi-faceted conversation] between their main character and their [sock puppet|multis].

Such [creative play] would be encouraged in the case of a [MUD], [Multi User Shared Hallucination|MUSH] or [muse].

multi (thing)