Goblin

Biodata

Appearance

Goblins are short, green-skinned humanoids with pointed noses and disproportionately large heads. Their small, physically frail builds are repeatedly contrasted with their aptitude for commerce, engineering, and opportunism 15 34.

• Short stature; one merchant must stand on tiptoe atop cargo crates to address customers 16.
• Green skin and pointed noses 15.
• Large heads and large eyes 24 47.
• Often wear practical merchant, leather, or soldier's gear depending on their work 82.

Society and Commerce

Goblins are strongly driven by profit. Their merchants view customers primarily as sources of money regardless of age or race, and their dealings are framed through contracts and transactions rather than moral concerns 16 24.

• Goblin merchants may sell captured Gnolls and Kobolds as slaves, treating their captives as damaged merchandise whose value depends on condition and resale price 16 18.
• Their reputation for greed is severe: Alvin considers them willing to sell even their own kin into slavery or incite wars for profit 47.
• A merchant from Ratchet seeks to establish ties between Lordaeron and the Steamwheedle Cartel, hoping that royal backing will elevate him to the status of a Trade Prince 24.
• The Steamwheedle Cartel agrees to trade with Lordaeron and supplies high-explosive bombs as a gesture of goodwill 34.
• Goblins may work for multiple sides when profitable; Alvin expects merchants connected to Booty Bay to seek gains from both humans and Orcs 24.

Engineering and Warfare

Goblins and Gnomes are described as major innovators in engineering. Goblins who lack arcane talent may devote themselves to engineering, compensating for their race's physical weakness through technology 34.

Explosives

Steamwheedle-made high-explosive bombs are effective battlefield weapons.

• A full wagonload of bombs is supplied to Lordaeron through Fizzle's Cartel contact 34.
• The bombs inflict severe injuries on mid-tier-or-lower warriors and can injure even high-tier warriors at the center of an explosion 34.
• In Lordaeron's counter-ambush against the Mossflayer Trolls, Goblin explosives kill hundreds and wound many more, including Troll leader Kalekin 39.

Crossbows and Anti-Mage Weaponry

Goblins serving the Black Dragonflight use crossbows in coordinated ambushes.

• Goblin crossbowmen emerge from concealment to shoot Krasus during a spellcasting attempt 81.
• Their bolts are enhanced with Sharpness and Piercing specifically for use against mages 81.
• Gris Goldcup uses a loaded crossbow to keep Alleria at a distance while Alvin and Alleria are surrounded by Goblin warriors 82.

Notable Goblins

• Gallywix Goldcoin — A Ratchet-raised merchant who attempts to sell captured Alterac Gnolls in Andorhal for five silver coins each. He dreams of becoming a wealthy city-managing tycoon like Gazlowe 16.
• Fizzle / Fizzlebang — A merchant who survives being electrocuted by Logul, later contacts the Steamwheedle Cartel for Prince Alvin, and conducts explosives-related business with Lordaeron 18 24 34 47.
• Gris Goldcup — A Goblin rogue and leader serving Neltharion/Deathwing. He commands armed Goblins during the capture of Alvin and Alleria, later becomes Alvin's unwilling companion during the Blackrock escape and Shadowforge infiltration 82 84 89.
• Krog — A wounded Booty Bay mercenary who proposes an alliance with Alleria and Alvin after his Goblin squad suffers losses in the Wetlands. He possesses a detailed map of the region acquired before the mission 87.
• Mixi — Krog's fellow Goblin scout. He dreams of opening an inn but resents being abandoned in the Wetlands by Gris and forced into Deathwing's mission 85 87.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Andorhal slave market

A Goblin merchant's attempted sale of Gnoll slaves introduces Alvin to the Blackpaw Gnolls' plight. The merchant's abuse and threats help trigger Logul's rebellion, during which the Gnoll shaman electrocutes him 15 16 18.

Lordaeron–Steamwheedle trade

After Alvin saves the injured merchant, he uses the Goblin's commercial connections to approach the Steamwheedle Cartel. The resulting trade brings Goblin explosives and technicians into Lordaeron's preparations for war 24 34 47.

Black Dragonflight service

Gris Goldcup and dozens of armed Goblins assist Deathwing's faction in capturing Alvin and Alleria. Their crossbows successfully ambush Krasus, and Gris maintains control of the prisoners until Nefarian arrives 81 82.

Wetlands defection

After Deathwing leaves Gris's remaining mercenaries with the dangerous task of escorting Alvin and Alleria toward Grim Batol, the Goblins become reluctant and divided. Krog seeks cooperation with the prisoners rather than risking further clashes with Orc patrols 85 87.

Shadowforge infiltration

Gris later accompanies Alvin and Lorlor during an infiltration of Shadowforge City's prison area. Though cowardly, he warns Lorlor of danger and evades Stilgis's frost spell while the dwarf is killed by Deep Freeze 89.

Trivia

• Goblins use a profit-first worldview so consistently that Alvin remarks that even a demon of the Burning Legion could do business with them if it carried enough gold 16.
• Fizzle survives a shipwreck during his journey from Kalimdor to the Eastern Kingdoms, an experience that makes him value survival over potential profit 17.
• Goblin mercenaries recruited by Gris are abandoned when he leaves with Nefarian for Blackrock Mountain, leaving them to carry out Deathwing's orders in the Wetlands 85.