As the popularity of massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) has increased, so has interest in the shadowy world of gold buying. With it's lack of monthly fees and game play based on skill, Guild Wars has a thriving online market exchanging in-game gold and items for real world cash.

If you're a seasoned and accomplished player, this is great news. With familiarity with Guild Wars farming, it can be easy to quickly create and level up an efficient farming character who can soon be gathering gold and rare items. These virtual goods can fetch real money when sold to companies who specialist in virtual goods, and this can provide a satisfying income for just playing a game.

If you have managed to amass a lot of Guild Wars gold but are finding trading with other players a risky chore, there are websites with established online markets and auctions, where you can bid on or buy in-game items.

Whether spending real world money or Guild Wars gold, you'll need to give your character name, and then be logged on to complete the transaction. You will receive a message from the courier in game, usually to meet in one of the International Districts in Ascalon, by the Xunlai chests.

Not only does this give ready access for the courier to the items they are selling, but all Guild Wars characters can only carry 100,000 gold (100 platinum) at any time. If you are buying some gold, you will need to receive it in 100 platinum trades, and will need to immediately place it in storage so you can receive the next batch.

Many players want to reach the elite dungeons quickly, and will buy a power leveling service. You account details are handed over, and another gaming will play Guild Wars using your account, exploring the game and improving your character to the desired level, before handing the account back.

As you can imagine, this can be a pretty risky proposition, and many Guild Wars accounts have been lost this way. However for the bored or eager, using a combination of gold buying and power leveling, it is possible to have a very wealthy high level character within a matter of days.

With special PvP editions of Guild Wars available for those who want to jump straight in to tournaments, it's unclear whether or not such power leveling services really offer value for money. Either way, it's clear that there is a thriving online market for Guild Wars gold and virtual items.