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-GOBLIN
The 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 pocketdimensions. 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.