AN INTRODUCTION TO GOBLINS:

Borthwicke Tinpistons Introduction to Goblinity: An Essential Guide for Gnomekind

Borthwicke Tinpistons guide remains the least biased source available for hire on Goblins from the Great Librarys section of salvaged and freshly published Gnomish literature. As a scholar, geographer, and cartographer with a keen interest in Azeroths peoples, his guides have proved useful to many a traveller of near every race- but this one in particular earned him the disfavour of his colleagues. To Borthwicke is owed much of this guides information.

The author wishes to express his utmost sympathies with Tinpiston for his temporary exclusion from the Alliance of Gnomish Academics, and would like the reader to join in his hope that he enjoys his time under the employ of Explorers League Geographic.

This is what Borthwicke Tinpiston has to say on the subject of Goblins:

A goblin is typically short, green, and big-eared. Their faces are dramatic- with noses large and chins and cheekbones sharp. Their teeth are pointed. Their long arms end in hands with nails jagged enough to be named as claws. Alas, the Goblin is a fearsome beast to most and only by ensuring that oneself is well-versed in the enigma of the Goblin being can the adventurer endure their company or traipse the tunnels of Undermine without being either completely boggled or rendered entirely penniless.

The goblin is a number of things- complex, unpredictable, and cunning. The goblin will display each and every one of these traits in their dangerous march towards feeding what seems to be an insatiable greed...

A HISTORY OF GOBLINKIND:

(*A colossal, colossal, COLOSSAL, thanks, gratitude and congratulations need to go to Zeeky H-Bomb who made the full guide in all its detail and glory. I have put it into a concise and straightforward bullet point form. I have also attempted to remove non-canon lore. Here is the link:http://wow-tng.org/showthread.php?20555-RP-Race-Primer-GOBLINThe first few bullet points are quite detailed.)

- Titans arrive on Azeroth, decide theyre going to do some ordering about and start a war with the Old Gods, which, after some massive world-changing battles, they finally win. They banish the Old Gods. They seal away the elementals in pocket-dimensions. They make the five Dragon Aspects. They try to kill the Old Gods completely and then stop, realising theyre tied to the life on Azeroth in some way. They seal up the Old Gods better this time and leave Deathwing with the keys, along with some other Titans. The Old Gods start to whisper irritably into Deathwings ears.

- Goblins appear somewhere between the Titans sealing the Elementals away and Deathwings first evil plan- the Goblins serve as Artficers for him, and various sources suggest that they fixed the FIRST metal plates to him, long before the adamantine or elementium ones. Lost Ones encountered during the goblin starting experience recall the creation of the Goblins.

- Goblins settle Kezan.

- The empire of Trolls expands and colonizes Kezan, enslaving the Goblins. Found there is Kajamite, a mineral native to Kezan and mined from the volcanoes there (and some of the surrounding islands) for their voodoo rituals. It grants the Goblins vast and powerful intellect.

- Goblin intellect begins to waver with the depletion of available Kaja'mite. The goblins seek new avenues to sate their natural greed- leading them to the path of mercantilism. Their remaining intellect allows them to become the most proficient traders on Azeroth.

MERCHANTS AND THE FIRST GREAT WAR:

- Goblins act as profiteers during the First War, expanding and capitalizing on the conflict and strife. They sell to both the Alliance and Horde as their trade empire extends over the globe. The Orcs arrive on Azeroth and sack Stormwind.

- Prior to end of the First War and the fall of Stormwind serious negotiations with the Goblins begin. Envoys, sent by Guldan, negotiate with the Trade Princes.

- The Steamwheedle Goblins sign a deal with the Orcs to join them in their conquest. The Orcs, at this point, are still under the effects of Kil'jaeden's blood curse.