Profit is the new Prophet.
Section I: Society & Commerce
Goblin society is fractured into several rival Trade Cartels. While individual Goblins may pledge allegiance for profit, the major neutral hubs are the true heart of their economic empire.
Major Cartels & Capitals 🏙️
Goblin society is fractured into several rival Trade Cartels, each with its own philosophy.
- The Bilgewater Cartel (Playable): Led by the opulent and ruthless Trade Prince Gallywix. Having lost their neutrality in the shipwreck, they align with a major faction out of necessity. Their capital is the sprawling, industrial port of Bilgewater Harbor in Azshara.
- The Steamwheedle Cartel (Neutral): The largest and most established cartel, controlling cities like Gadgetzan, Booty Bay, Everlook, and Ratchet. They are the architects of true neutrality and the engine of the cross-faction economy.
The Neutral Trade Network 🌐
While individual Goblins pledge allegiance, the Steamwheedle Cartel remains strictly neutral. Cities like Gadgetzan and Booty Bay are expanded into true sanctuaries, offering unique services and housing the revolutionary Cross-Faction Bazaar.
Cross-Faction Bazaar Mechanics:
- Hosted only in Gadgetzan, run by the Steamwheedle Cartel.
- Only Goblin characters (of either faction) can post auctions and place buy orders.
- Characters of any race can purchase items, breaking economic barriers.
- The Cartel takes a hefty "convenience fee" (e.g., 20% cut) on all transactions, creating a massive gold sink to help regulate the server economy.
Section II: A Hostile Takeover
This section outlines the narrative foundation for integrating the Steamwheedle Cartel as a playable, neutral faction. The philosophy: create a compelling, lore-consistent experience centered on economic ambition, not just factional allegiance.
The Opportunity of Chaos
The Dark Portal's reopening isn't just a war; it's the greatest business opportunity in Azeroth's history. Outland is a lawless frontier ripe for exploitation, and the Steamwheedle Cartel is launching the "Undermine Protocol"—a full-scale corporate takeover. You're not a hero; you're a Freelance Contractor, here to get rich.
The Stormspire Rivalry
The market isn't empty. The ethereal Consortium is already here, dealing in secrets and rare artifacts. This isn't a war of good vs. evil; it's a clash of capitalist ideologies—the Goblins' high-volume industrial chaos versus the Ethereals' high-margin, surgical precision. Your goal is market domination.
Gadgetzan Exports
Your new home isn't a city; it's a mobile fortress-refinery-black-market called "Gadgetzan Exports" in Nagrand. It's a phased, evolving hub that grows with player progression, offering unique services like the Bounty Board and corporate headquarters for player-run Cartel Branches.
The Venture Co. Wildcard
The notoriously destructive Venture Company is also in Outland, acting as a hostile third party. They represent pure, unregulated capitalism, and their operations provide a constant source of PvE conflict as you sabotage their efforts to protect your own market share.
Section III: The Tools of the Trade
This section defines the mechanical identity of the Goblin player character, from their unique racial abilities to their class options and the pivotal choice that will define their career.
Goblin Racial Abilities
Permitted Professions (Classes)
The Contract Clause: Choose Your Allegiance
Around level 20, you'll be offered a one-time, irreversible choice. This is the most important business decision you'll ever make. Do you sign an exclusive contract with a major client, or do you brave the risks—and rewards—of a truly neutral contractor?
Sign with the Horde
Gain full access to Horde guilds, cities, and endgame content. Become permanently hostile to the Alliance.
Remain a Neutral Contractor
Forge your own path. Unlock the player-driven neutral endgame, but be flagged for PvP against both factions in contested zones.
Sign with the Alliance
Gain full access to Alliance guilds, cities, and endgame content. Become permanently hostile to the Horde.
Section IV: The Invisible Hand of War
This section details the dynamic, player-driven endgame designed exclusively for neutral Goblins. This is a world of corporate warfare, territorial control, and economic domination.
Section V: Black Markets & Back-Alley Deals
To complete the neutral Goblin experience, this suite of systems reinforces the core fantasy of being a free-market contractor, providing engaging content for players of all types.
The Bounty Board 🎯
Turn grudges into transactions. Any neutral player can place a gold bounty on any other neutral player. The system formalizes rivalries and creates a viable gameplay loop for solo bounty hunters.
Unstable Crafting 💣
Goblin-only schematics produce items of immense power... with a built-in chance of spectacular failure. High-risk, high-reward crafting defines the Goblin niche.
"Kaja'Cola" Elixir
Grants a massive stat boost, but has... side-effects.
The Consortium War 📈
A long-term reputation grind centered on the rivalry with the ethereal Consortium. Engage in industrial sabotage (PvE) and caravan raids (PvP) to earn unique rewards.