Goblin ( playable ) Originally , the slaves of jungle trolls on the Isle of Kezan , the goblin race was forced to mine kaja ' mite ore out of the volcanic bowels of Mount Kajaro . The trolls used this potent mineral for their voodoo rituals , but it had an unexpected effect on the slaves who were in constant contact with it : kaja ' mite generated a startling new cunning and intelligence in the goblins . Crafting their own powerful artifacts of engineering and alchemy in secret , the goblins soon overthrew their oppressors and claimed Kezan for their homeland . The mines that had been their prison , their slave camp and the base of their rebellion now became the city of Undermine . Weaving through the heart of the island in a dizzying network of tunnels , vaults and lava tubes ; Undermine epitomizes the goblins ' unpredictable , complex mindset . To the goblins ’ great dismay , the effects of the kaja ’ mite began to wear off , and their intelligence waned . Even worse , the ore itself became harder and harder to find . Supplies dwindled . Desperation ensued . The goblins ’ once - brilliant inventions started to look haphazard and makeshift ( a look that has become synonymous with the term “ goblin - made ” ) , and Kezan ’ s native swindlers soon realized that they would need to find other ways to supplement their avarice . The goblins ' natural greed soon lifted them to prominence as masters of mercantilism . Trade prince s arose during the First War as the cleverest goblins learned to take advantage of the strife . Great fortunes were amassed , and the Isle of Kezan became a hub for fleets of goblin trading ships . One of the trade princes agreed to lend his faction ' s services to the Horde in the Second War . Following the Horde ' s defeat , the goblins learned from their colleague ' s failed example , and soon they realized that their profits could double if they weren ' t stuck in such a restrictive relationship . By the end of the Third War , goblins were providing weaponry , vehicles , and devious services to both the Horde and the Alliance . This wouldn ' t last forever . . . Recently , the goblins of Kezan have found a new enemy in the Alliance – unexpected and unprofitable encounters with this faction have driven certain trade princes from their comfortable neutrality . Reforging old pacts with their one - time allies , the goblins have been welcomed into the Horde with open arms . Induction to the Horde . The " Cataclysm " expansion introduced the goblin race to the Horde . Goblin players are able to choose between playing a death knight , hunter , mage , priest , rogue , shaman , warlock or warrior . Your character . When starting a Goblin character , the first six levels are played on the island of Kezan , where you ( a mid - level executive in the employ of Trade Prince Gallywix , who is on the verge of taking his place as trade prince ) go through the last days of the island before the Second Sundering . After escaping , the ship you are traveling on sinks , leaving you floating on a plank from the shipwreck to the Lost Isles . Near - death , a goblin sits next to you , not knowing you are the one that saved the goblins from death . Another goblin uses Goblin Jumper Cables and resurrects you . From then onwards , you come into contact with the Horde and begin the fight against the Alliance . Jokes . The following can be triggered with the / silly command . Roleplaying a goblin . Want to roleplay as a goblin ? Well , for the speech , think of this : Janis from the television show mixed with the stereotypical New Yorker . Think you can handle that ? As for the personality , most goblins are greedy by nature and don ' t concern themselves with environmental issues , as evidenced on Kezan , a once - tropical paradise full of lush plant life . Goblins aren ' t known for being the heroes in battle ; they would be the ones running off once a battle seems " dangerous " . Goblins ' high agility makes them excellent rogues , while their intelligence results in surprisingly good mages , presumably basing their studies in alchemy .