The Steamwheedle Cartel | |
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Main leader | Trade prince Steamwheedle (implied) |
Secondary leaders | Chief Engineer Bilgewhizzle, Gazlowe, Baron Revilgaz, Fleet Master Seahorn |
Race(s) | Goblins |
Capital | Gadgetzan (By way of Undermine) |
Other major settlements | Ratchet, Booty Bay, Everlook, Mudsprocket, Steamwheedle Port |
Theater of operations | Azeroth |
Language(s) | Goblin |
The Steamwheedle Cartel is one of the largest and most successful of the Goblin Cartels in Undermine. It is a neutral organization that controls several cities and towns around the world, and has allied themselves with a number of other groups such as the Blackwater Raiders in Booty Bay. The Steamwheedle Cartel has made a great deal of profit from maintaining neutrality in the conflict between the Horde and the Alliance. Their services are always available to the highest bidder, employing anyone regardless of their affiliation if they can produce results.
During the Second War, a Horde ambassador met with a single trade prince and convinced him and his subordinates to join the Horde (while the rest of the goblin race stayed neutral).[1] This may have been Trade Prince Steamwheedle. Some Horde members have tried to improve relations with the Steamwheedle Cartel. Perhaps with enough persuasion, the goblins could be convinced to rejoin the Horde for the first time since the Second War.[2] This is unlikely to happen however, as the trade prince realized his mistake and left the Horde, and the goblin race remembers the mistake and remains neutral to this day.[3]
Insane in the Membrane
In patch 3.1.0, a new Feat of Strength has been added. Insane in The Membrane which when exalted with the four Steamwheedle Cartel cities, honored with Bloodsail Buccaneers, and exalted with Ravenholdt and Darkmoon Faire will give the player the title "<name> the Insane"
Callahan of Ysera has taken the time to write an extensive guide on how to do this achievement: Insane in the Membrane FoS Guide - By Callahan of Ysera-US
There is a section dedicated to reaching exalted with all of the Steamwheedle Cartel factions. It is recommended that you read this guide (in addition to this page) if you are serious about attempting to get "the Insane" title.
Places under their control
Towns run by the Steamwheedle Cartel
Town Name | Zone Name | Zone Level Range | Location Within Zone | Access | |
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Area 52 | Netherstorm | 67-70 | West of Cosmowrench | By foot or flight path. | |
Bogpaddle | Swamp of Sorrows | 52-54 | Northeast of Marshtide Watch | By foot or flight path. | |
Booty Bay | Cape of Stranglethorn | 30-35 | South of Hardwrench Hideaway | By foot or flight path. | |
Cosmowrench | Netherstorm | 67-70 | East of Area 52 | By foot or flight path. | |
Edj | Isle of Kezan | ??-?? | UNKNOWN | UNKNOWN | |
Everlook | Winterspring | 50-55 | Central | By foot or flight path. | |
Faldir's Cove | Arathi Highlands | 25-30 | Southeast of Stromgarde Keep | By foot. | |
Fuselight | Badlands | 45-48 | West of Fuselight-by-the-Sea | By foot or flight path. | |
Fuselight-by-the-Sea | Badlands | 45-48 | East of Fuselight | By teleporter. | |
Gadgetzan | Tanaris | 45-50 | West of Steamwheedle Port | By foot or flight path. | |
K3 | The Storm Peaks | 76-80 | Southeast of Frosthold | By foot of flight path. | |
Mudsprocket | Dustwallow Marsh | 35-40 | Southwest of Theramore Isle | By foot or flight path. | |
Ratchet | Northern Barrens | 10-20 | Southeast of the Crossroads | By foot or flight path. | |
Steamwheedle Port | Tanaris | 45-50 | East of Gadgetzan | By foot. |
They also control Smokywood Pastures.[4]
Arenas
The Steamwheedle Cartel also runs the Arena PvP System with the battlemasters all being goblins and the Arena Rewards vendors being in Area 52.
Cataclysm
Despite the Bilgewater Cartel - the new playable Goblin race in Cataclysm - joining the Horde, the Steamwheedle Cartel is expected to retain its neutrality.[5]
According to a line on the official site, they were dethroned as the most successful cartel in Undermine by the Bilgewater cartel.[citation needed]
They have a footbomb team called the Steamwheedle Sharks.[6] They later leave their cartel to join Gallywix.
Playable Goblin Death Knights appear to originally be part of the Steamwheedle Cartel, as evidenced by Gally Lumpstain in A Special Surprise, although they later join the Bilgewater Cartel.
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.
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Relationship with the Venture Company
The Steamwheedle Cartel runs Ratchet. The Venture Company has also been said to run Ratchet. The Venture Trading Company may be the cartel's parent company. If so, some fans speculate that the Steemwheedle Cartel has some members with internal conflicts of interest. Members of the Cartel sometimes give quests that go against some Venture Company's operations, and also are not as hostile as their parent company. However in the RPG the Venture Co is not as hostile as it is portrayed in the game, and is an independent group that has its hands in almost everything including a sizeable ownership of Ratchet, and Undermine. However, even in the RPG, it also has branches in various locations that are hostile to other groups (or rather other groups are hostile to it), usually in Horde lands
Naming
It was likely named after Trade Prince Steamwheedle (who may be the Goblin Tinker Ratso Steamwheedle, a neutral hero in Warcraft III).
Neutrality
It is interesting that both Trade Baron Silversnap and Marin Noggenfogger, rulers of Bogpaddle and Gadgetzan respectively, make a point to address the neutrality of the Steamwheedle Cartel. It is possible that this reinsurance of their neutrality could be due to the Bilgewater Cartel joining the Horde and that members of the Steamwheddle could be worried that their customers may incorrectly believe that all Goblins work on the same side.
See also
Mobs that affect reputation
Patch changes
- Patch 1.6.0 (2005-07-12): If you resurrect after being killed by goblin guards, they will no longer re-attack.
References
External links
- Steamwheedle Reputation Guide for steps and tips on getting to exalted.
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