Booty Bay

Booty Bay lay in Stranglethorn Vale, the southernmost region of the Eastern Kingdoms. Stranglethorn Vale was the territory of the jungle trolls. Trolls were one of Azeroth's most ancient races, with a history stretching back tens of thousands of years. Compared to them, humans, whose history spanned only a few thousand years, were practically newborns.

The trolls, however, had long since declined. Of the once-mighty Troll Empire, only the Zandalari Empire had preserved an unbroken line of succession. The other troll clans had gradually lost their heritage, and their civilizations had regressed.

Jungle trolls were one of the major troll races. They had once occupied almost the entire southern portion of the Eastern Kingdoms, but after their defeat at the hands of the Kingdom of Azeroth, only Stranglethorn Vale remained.

Yet Stranglethorn Vale still held countless jungle trolls. Divided into clans, they fought chaotic wars here, and not long ago, that fighting had even driven out a medium-sized jungle troll clan.

Booty Bay had not been built in one of Stranglethorn Vale's fine natural bays. Instead, timber and ships had been piled together to build this legendary city out over the sea on the other side of the mountains.

What made it legendary was that almost none of Booty Bay stood on land. It had been built over the ocean, supported by the mountains and floating ships-a city suspended above the sea.

Before transmigrating, Galen Trollbane had also been a World of Warcraft player, though only a casual one. In the game, Booty Bay had never made much of an impression on him. The places where he had truly spent much time were the racial capitals of the Alliance and the Horde.

Only after transmigrating and seeing Azeroth's architecture for himself had Galen Trollbane realized how different it felt in reality.

Stromgarde, which had occupied such a tiny area in the game, was actually a vast capital capable of housing hundreds of thousands of people.

Booty Bay in Stranglethorn Vale was equally breathtaking, a marvel of craftsmanship that demanded admiration. Perhaps only a race as full of ingenious ideas as the goblins could build a city like this out of nothing, amid sheer cliffs and above the sea.

"Esteemed Prince Galen Trollbane, mighty leader of the Kingdom of Stromgarde, I imagine that, having just defeated the Scourge, you must have come to Booty Bay to discuss a major deal." The Forerunner had only just reached Booty Bay's harbor, but the city's leader, the goblin Trade Prince Revilgaz, was already waiting at the docks with a group of people from various races to welcome Galen Trollbane.

Trade Prince Revilgaz wore a suit and polished shoes and performed the welcoming courtesies of a human noble. Yet the suit on the short goblin, combined with his gestures, looked utterly ridiculous, like some ill-fitting imitation of a clown. Add the brutish faces of the fellows behind him, and it really was...

As the leader of the Kingdom of Stromgarde, Galen Trollbane proudly straightened his chest and said to Trade Prince Revilgaz, "I've heard that as long as you have enough gold, you can buy anything you want from the goblins. I wonder-is that an exaggeration, or the truth?"

"Hahaha! It seems Prince Galen Trollbane understands our race very well. You're quite right. As long as you have enough gold, Booty Bay is willing to provide any service, including security, hired muscle, debt collection, and robbing other crooks. Those are our specialties." Although Booty Bay was the goblins' largest port in the Eastern Kingdoms, it was far more than a trading port. Its founder was Revilgaz, after all. Besides being Booty Bay's trade prince, he had another identity: leader of the notorious Blackwater Raiders.

When dealing with pirates, there was no telling when they might sell you out. Even goblins, who prized the sanctity of contracts, were no exception. Unlike that little goblin angel Gazlowe, Trade Prince Revilgaz was anything but a simple character. His hands were soaked in blood. Galen Trollbane therefore had no intention of establishing a lasting trade relationship with him. Instead, he had decided to fleece him.

Galen Trollbane maintained a practiced, false smile, as though thoroughly satisfied, and said to Trade Prince Revilgaz, "Trade Prince Revilgaz, perhaps we could find somewhere comfortable to discuss the details and let me sample Booty Bay's local delicacies. I imagine we might add a few more deals that way."

"Of course, Prince Galen Trollbane! Let's go to my cabin. It's the most comfortable place in all of Booty Bay!" Trade Prince Revilgaz was delighted. Even in decline, the Kingdom of Stromgarde was still one of the seven human kingdoms, with a formidable legacy. If Galen Trollbane had come in person, this was sure to be an enormous deal, far more lucrative than having the Blackwater Raiders rob a dozen merchant ships.

While Trade Prince Revilgaz and Galen Trollbane enjoyed their cordial exchange as host and guest, a figure concealed in the shadows stepped out of the Forerunner.

This rogue's mastery of stealth was extraordinary. Here in Booty Bay, a stronghold of pirates, thieves, and thugs, not a single person sensed his presence. It was as though he did not exist in this world.

Trade Prince Revilgaz's residence was a suspended warship, and the entire vessel served as his home. Perhaps, having started out as a pirate, he preferred life at sea to life on land. Even after establishing Booty Bay, he still lived aboard his old warship.

Guards constantly patrolled the warship. Although they looked like a motley rabble, Galen Trollbane could tell from their auras that not one of them was ordinary.

The guards were a varied bunch: goblins carrying guns, humans wearing noble robes, gnolls with gaping maws, hunched trolls, and even tauren from Kalimdor, a race with bovine heads and humanoid bodies.

Just as Trade Prince Revilgaz had claimed, his cabin-or rather, his residence-was undoubtedly the most comfortable place in all of Booty Bay.

Upon entering the cabin, Galen saw mammoth pelts from the fabled northern continent of Northrend covering the entire interior, elven chandeliers from the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, furs from the ancient continent of Kalimdor, dwarven-forged swords...

Galen Trollbane even felt that Trade Prince Revilgaz lived better than he did as a prince of the Kingdom of Stromgarde. After all, aside from the imperial treasury left by the Arathorian Empire beneath Stromgarde, the Trollbanes were a family of warriors with little taste for luxury.

Trade Prince Revilgaz brought out some of his treasured Sunwell Vintage from the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas and poured two glasses. After handing one to Galen Trollbane, he said with evident excitement, "Prince Galen Trollbane, now we can have a proper discussion about our deal, can't we?"

"Of course, Trade Prince Revilgaz. This deal is sure to leave you satisfied." Galen Trollbane chuckled softly, but a gleam flashed in his eyes.