Blizzcon 2009: All About the Goblins

The Goblins of Kezan are the newest addition to the Horde. The Steamwheedle Cartel remains neutral, but this specific faction of goblins have joined the Horde out of necessity. Their homeland has heavily affected by the Cataclysm, and Mount Kajaro has become a dangerous volcano.

The Goblins were originally enslaved by trolls to mine from the mountain of Kajaro in Kezan for the powerful kaja’mite ore that the trolls used in their rituals. The effects of the ore caused the goblins to grow cunning and develop skills in engineering and alchemy, and they overthrew the trolls and claimed the mines of Kajaro as their capital, the Undermine.

The goblins’ cunning quickly taught them that a profit could be made from their skills, and Trade Princes arose as the ruling caste of the goblins. They reached out to the Horde during the second war and served them at a high price with their technology. After the Horde lost the second war, the goblins realized they would be able to profit greatly by serving both sides during war, and did so during the third war.

Kezan became a busy port. However, the recent Cataclysm turned their island into a dangerous volcano, and they fled. The trade princes found it profitable to evacuate the panicked goblins, and many goblins lost their entire life savings to save their own lives. Many were sold into slavery to get the money to evacuate, and the trade princes flourished.

That is, until, they got caught in the Horde/Alliance crossfire. After a goblin fleet with a group of goblins called the Bilgewater was destroyed during a dogfight between Alliance and Horde ships, they washed up on the dangerous Lost Isles. They return to the Horde, as they find themselves at odds with the Alliance and easily rekindle old relations.

Goblins can play as Death Knights (probably starting in Ebon Hold like the others), hunters, mages, priest, rogues, shaman, warlocks, and warriors.

Goblin’s faction mount will be a roadster-like car. It looks like a go-kart. One of their racials is a rocket-belt that allows goblins to thrust forward, like Blink or a forward disengage.

Goblins start out in the Lost Isles and level to 15 there. They then move into Azshara, which is now a low level zone. The goblins have excavated the cliffs and claimed it for their own, building a town in the cliffs. They have also completely ravaged the Stonetalon Mountains.