The Goblins’ are a non-playable race with a large presence in many areas of the world. The main goblin faction is known as Steamwheedle Cartel, which controls a number of minor cities throughout Azeroth. The Steamwheedle Cartel is a collective of reputation-based organizations. Where each individual goblin city maintains a reputation track with the players, reputation gains and losses is subject to “spillover” to the Steamwheedle Cartel. Reputation is earned through the standard means – questing, tokens, and killing specific mobs. The goblins also maintain at least one isolated outpost in the Outlands, which does not have an associated reputation scale.

Some of the goblin cities are:

Booty Bay in Stranglethorn Vale.
Gadgetzan in Tanaris.
Everlook in Winterspring, with igloo/snowcovered buildings to match the terrain.
Ratchet in the the Barrens. There is a neutral ship that travels to and from Booty Bay.
Area 52 – An isolated outpost in Netherstorm in the Outlands.
All goblin cities are neutral to both Horde and Alliance. Players of either faction are welcome in any of the goblin cities (within reputation limits), and are free to utilize any resources. There is also a profession specialization which is exclusive to the goblin factions. Most of the goblin cities also host auction houses which are only linked with other auction houses; these are referred to as the “neutral” auction houses, where players may buy and sell items from players of opposing faction, something which is normally prohibited. World-wide banks and mailboxes are also provided.

As a neutral faction, the goblins maintain their own travel system in the world. Boats and zeppelins will carry players from one port to another. Horde and Alliance often have their own travel system located in the goblin cities. Players may take a boat from one city to another, but as with the rest of the faction-based travel system, players are not able to utilize the opposing factions travel system. Unlike faction-based transportation, the goblin transportation system is free of use.

While the goblins are neutral, their cities are not combat-free. NPC guards in each city will attack any aggressive players; players may also lose reputation with the goblin hierarchy, which may ultimately prevent players from entry into those cities.