Cartel

A cartel refers to a large group of traders in goblin and Broker society.

Goblins[]

After the goblins overthrew the Zandalari trolls, they celebrated their new found freedom by turning on each other, creating chaos as countless feuds were waged and alliances formed. Soon enough they were split into various different groups, with the most powerful of these known as the cartels. However, as the battles raged on and it became clear no one was actually winning, the cartels realized it was in their mutual interests to broker a truce. Despite this, the conflict would never really end, as the goblins now turned to trade, doing battle in the economic arena. For years to come the cartels were rivals, constantly outshining and outsmarting each other as they continued in their quest for wealth and power.^[1]

Goblin cartels often compete with other cartels, such as in the Trade Wars. These organizations are normally led by trade princes, but they don't have to be; for example, although the Venture Company is a cartel, its leader Mogul Razdunk is not a trade prince.^[2]

Known cartels

• Bilgewater Cartel
• Steamwheedle Cartel
• Venture Company^[3]
• Unnamed neutral cartel led by Trade Prince Donais^[4]

Brokers[]

This section is a lore stub.

The Brokers of the Shadowlands are organized into various cartels. Which cartel a Broker belongs to is indicated by the prefix used in their name; for example, Opulence Ba'hare belongs to Cartel Ba while Trader So'ran belongs to Cartel So.

Known cartels

• Cartel Al
• Cartel Au
• Cartel Ba
• Cartel By
• Cartel Fe
• Cartel Ko
• Cartel Ku
• Cartel So
• Cartel Ta
• Cartel Tu
• Cartel Ve
• Cartel Xy
• Cartel Zo

Notes[]

• The ethereal Consortium is also described as a cartel.
• Baron Revilgaz calls the Blackwater Raiders a goblin cartel,^[5] even though they are part of the Steamwheedle Cartel.
• On an occasion, Gryan Stoutmantle referred to the Defias Brotherhood as a cartel.^[6]
• Members of Schnottz's crew with the title of <Schnottz Cartel> were originally planned to appear in the updated Uldum in Battle for Azeroth.

Speculation[]

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

• The non-canon RPG, while having quite a bit of lore on goblin organizations, largely ignored the known cartels and never defined the term. Cataclysm and post-Cataclysm materials seem to imply that Cartels are each run by a Trade Prince (later shown to be false)^[2] and are the largest grouping of goblins within the Trade Coalition.^[7] The word was used by Chris Metzen as a synonym for a goblin faction and/or the private army of a Trade Prince.^[8]
• It is unknown what role Moguls play in Cartels (though they seem to have some clout), as Gallywix was not said to be one even as an entrepreneur seeking to overthrow the Trade Prince that he was under.^[9]

References[]