Trade prince



Trade princes, also known as merchant princes, are the main leaders of the goblin race.

The title of trade prince is not necessarily equivalent to the leader of a goblin cartel. Although the Venture Company has been called a cartel, its president Razdunk is not a trade prince.

Active trade princes

 * Trade Prince Gazlowe — Owner of the Bilgewater Cartel. After Gallywix left, Thrall offered him the position of Trade Prince of the Bilgewater, which he gladly accepted.
 * Trade Prince Steamwheedle — May or may not run the Steamwheedle Cartel.

Former trade princes

 * Trade Prince Donais — Unknown holdings. Formerly located at the Gallywix Pleasure Palace and friendly towards the Horde, the cause of his death is unknown.
 * Trade Prince Jastor Gallywix — Former owner of the Bilgewater Cartel, Gallywix joined his cartel with the Horde after the Cataclysm. Following Sylvanas Windrunner's deposition as the warchief of the Horde, Gallywix left Orgrimmar along with the rest of Sylvanas' inner circle, leaving the Bilgewater Cartel leaderless.
 * Trade Prince Maldy — Former owner of the Bilgewater Cartel and the predecessor of Gallywix, who betrayed him and took his place. Maldy later died in an unfortunate "accident".
 * Trade Prince Klaxz Boompowder — Former owner of the Steamwheedle Cartel. Gave away all of his fortune and belongings after falling victim to the Uninvited Guest.
 * Trade Prince Rikter Hogsnozzle — Former owner of the Bilgewater Cartel. Deceased.
 * Trade Prince Leeko — Unknown holdings. Leeko lived one century ago thus he is presumed deceased.
 * "The first trade prince" — Nothing is known about him, other than that the image of his grinning face is stamped on galleons and tossaways.

Would-be trade princes

 * Mogul Razdunk — President and leader of the Venture Company. He doesn't hold the title "Trade Prince" but he is undoubtedly powerful enough and in the position to have it. Furthermore, the other trade princes are keeping an eye on his activities. In his crusade to become a trade prince, Razdunk took over the MOTHERLODE!!, being certain that becoming the world's foremost Azerite baron would bring him fame and fortune beyond his station, and stake his claim to the title of Trade Prince. He was ultimately defeated by adventurers before he could become one.

In the RPG
Trade princes are the five (more or less) rulers of the goblin world, each of whom run their own private army (or armies), hold lands around Azeroth, and collectively control the Trade Coalition.

While goblins answer to no king or other such titular head, a collection of trade princes rules their merchant empire, which is called the Trade Coalition. Officially, five trade princes exist, though there may be one or two more lurking about in the shadows. The goblins certainly don't elect their trade princes, nor are the positions hereditary; the trade princes killed, blackmailed and schemed their way to the top. Together, these five goblins make the mercantile machine run, organizing the extensive and complex Trade Fleets.

One trade prince thought the Horde was destined to win the war, and aligned with them. When the Horde lost, he left and went back to Kezan in dismay. From that point on, the goblins decided to remain completely neutral, if only to better exploit both sides.

A titan-made chalice held by the goblin trade princes in Undermine is one of the items Alexstrasza believes could have rejuvenated the Sunwell.

Subordinates
Their hands are the moguls. Barons serve as magistrates for their land and holdings. Slavers run the slavery trade. Captains can run a single ship, and some run entire Trade Fleets. Admirals run more than one fleet. Traders and merchants work for the moguls and barons.

At the bottom are civilians and workers, and finally slaves.

RPG notes

 * In World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game on page 377 Ratchet is described as "Ratchet, chaotic urban center of the empire of the Trade Princes."

Notes and trivia

 * "Trade barons" also exist, as evidenced by Silversnap. The non-canonical RPG mentions that goblin barons are allegedly there to serve as magistrate over the land and holdings owned by a trade prince. As such, Baron Revilgaz might be the trade baron of Booty Bay.
 * Although there are none in lore, the goblin starting zone reveals women are given the title of "Trade Princess" instead, if done as a female goblin.
 * Nazz Steamboil is the disowned son of a trade prince.

Speculation
Due to his high standing, Krix Wiklish could have been a trade prince.