Renzik "The Shiv"

For the submarine, see The Shiv.

Renzik "The Shiv"
Title	<SI:7 Operative>
Gender	Male
Race	Goblin (Humanoid)
Class	Rogue
Resource	Energy
Affiliation(s)	SI:7, Kingdom of Stormwind, Uncrowned
Former affiliation(s)	Krackslagger Cartel
Occupation	Spy, Second in command of SI:7
Location	Various
Status	Deceased

Renzik "The Shiv" (/ˈrɛn.zɪk/ REN-zik) was a goblin member of the SI:7 acting as Spymaster Mathias Shaw's second in command. Because most SI:7 agents are members of recognizably Alliance races, Renzik often served as the organization's spy in Orgrimmar and other Horde territories. He had connections both to the Hidden Circle in Ironforge as well as the rogues in Darnassus. Renzik didn't like interacting with others, but the pay was good and he appreciated the respect his position earned him, considering himself one of the only goblins who could honestly say they were respected rather than simply feared. He despised what goblins have become under Jastor Gallywix.

Renzik was killed by Nikki the Fixer during the Undermine(d) campaign, taking a sniper shot meant for Monte Gazlowe. His sacrifice turned him into a martyr, inspiring the goblins of Undermine to take up his ideals and rally together to revolt against Gallywix.

History

The Tipping Point

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

Renzik is originally from Undermine, the goblin capital located underground beneath Kezan. Following his parents' murders Renzik spent his youth stealing, begging, and worse, learning to give no mercy and expect none in return while starting to carry a shiv for protection. In time, his "activities" were spotted by a local captain, who recruited him after being impressed with his moxie. As Renzik went on increasingly dangerous errands, he ended up getting caught stealing from one of the trade princes and sent to work in the mines, the brutal conditions toughening him until he eventually joined the Krackslagger Cartel under the leadership of Trade Prince Mozzy Gloxscorn.

Renzik quickly rose through the ranks, earning Mozzy's personal attention, until the Trade Prince made him his head enforcer and right hand, with Renzik becoming the only goblin he trusted. He gained his nickname "The Shiv" both for his trademark improvised weaponry and his own ability to improvise. As a member of Mozzy's inner circle, Renzik became the "Bloody Fist" of the Krackslagger Cartel, carving out the Cartel's territory and advancing its interests, with Mozzy often claiming that Renzik had broken the nose of every goblin in the city at least once. Despite his brutal reputation, Renzik had a soft spot for the street kids of Undermine and looked out for them, often enlisting them as lookouts and rewarding them for any intelligence they brought him. Conversely, he felt contempt for his fellow inner circle members and secretly wondered if he should have chosen another path in life.

After Mathias Shaw and his agents, following a tip from his informants within Undermine, ambushed and robbed a Krackslagger caravan that was secretly delivering a Venture Company shipment of explosives, Trade Prince Gloxscorn called for a meeting of his inner circle and learned from the driver, Vivi Vendklaxxon, that humans were involved. Though uncertain whether it was pirates, a business rival, or the Alliance, Mozzy was quick to realize that he had a leak, and called upon Renzik to root out the snitch.

As Renzik looked for the leak, Shaw learned that his informants were at risk of exposure, and sought to liberate them from the city. Renzik's hunt brought him to Beezle and Seersa Gnarflux, who deceived him into thinking that Specs Clinkstack, the bookkeeper of the Krackslagger Cartel, was involved. However, while interrogating Specs in his office, Renzik saw photographs of the bookkeeper with various cartel higher-ups, in one of which he spotted Seersa in the background, learning that she was one of Specs' secretaries. Enraged at being deceived, Reznik returned to the Gnarflux residence only to find that Shaw had arrived to defend the couple, firing poison darts that Renzik dodged.

As the couple fled, Shaw and Renzik became locked in combat, with Shaw questioning how Renzik could stand working under Gloxcorn. However, Renzik defended himself by noting that down in the Undermine everyone looked out for themselves and that the trade princes brought order from the previous chaos. As they two continued clashing with one another, Shaw implored Renzik to see how the goblins could do better. While Renzik emerged victorious after having accidentally knocked Shaw out with his own poison, Shaw's words affected him. Renzik quickly caught up with the Gnarflux's and prepared to kill them, but opted to instead let them flee after learning that they had turned informant in exchange for medicine to save their young sick daughter.

Following this, he returned to the house and greeted the bound Shaw as he awoke. Though still intending to deliver him to Mozzy, Renzik admitted that Shaw was the first he knew to challenge how society in the Undermine worked. Having reached an understanding, Renzik let Shaw depart, while the human gave Renzik a coin, informing him that if he ever made his way to Stormwind, he should show the coin to the master of cheese. In the aftermath, Renzik reported to Mozzy that the culprits were found and would never make trouble for him again.

Following these events Renzik grew increasingly tired of being the boot that stepped on people's necks and eventually left the Undermine, leaving his friends and family within the city behind. He made his way to Stormwind and joined SI:7, rising through the organization's ranks until he became Shaw's second in command.

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

Renzik in Stormwind City.

Up-and-coming rogue adventurers who caught the attention of SI:7 were directed to meet with Renzik within the SI:7 headquarters in the Old Town of Stormwind City. He sent these recruits to Lucius in the Redridge Mountains for training, so that they wouldn't die while on missions for SI:7.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

During the War in Draenor, he occasionally could be found in the Town Hall of Lunarfall, where he asked the commander to kill various targets across alternate Draenor including the earth elemental Amethon, the orc Gor'thul, the rockworm Tremor, the water elemental Undertow, the ravager Hivelord Ik'rix, and the ogre Nullifier Darkoor.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, Renzik joined the Uncrowned and could be found in the Hall of Shadows.

When Stormwind was under lockdown because of the infiltration from the Veiled Hand, Renzik guarded the entrance into the SI:7 building. When the Uncrowned infiltrated the SI:7 headquarters in order to reveal Detheroc, Renzik was sapped.

He later journeyed to Deliverance Point on the Broken Shore and was seen rifling through boxes.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

After the deaths ordered by Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner at the Gathering, King Anduin Wrynn ordered that SI:7 watch the Horde at all times. Renzik was the leader of the spies in Orgrimmar, and the only one out in the open, disguised as a merchant near Grommash Hold.

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

During the Battle for Lordaeron, Renzik was part of the SI:7 forces attacking the Undercity. He and Mirabelle stole intel from the city but were caught by Royal Dreadguards under the lead of Varok Saurfang. They managed to escape via a smoke bomb while the Druids of the Claw fought off Horde forces.

In the aftermath of the Fourth War, Renzik reported that parts of the Ruins of Lordaeron appeared slightly less dangerous as if the blight was slowly fading.

The War Within

This section concerns content related to The War Within.

A few years later, Renzik investigated a concerning new goblin organization called Opportunity Acquisitions, which had begun mining operations in the Ringing Deeps. This had nothing to do with his job as SI:7, his intentions instead being looking out for goblin interests. Renzik, Monte Gazlowe, Orweyna, and the adventurer discovered that Opportunity Acquisitions worked for Jastor Gallywix, the former leader of Gazlowe's Bilgewater Cartel. Unlike Gazlowe, Renzik was not surprised by this revelation, telling Gazlowe that Gallywix had been making new deals while Bilgewater wasn't paying attention. The group split up to make preparations, with Renzik going to investigate the sounds of a rocket drill that Orweyna had heard. He advised Gazlowe not to forget about the goblins while he was busy working to save the world.

Undermined

In the Undermine.

After receiving word that the suspicious wall in the Ringing Deeps had been blown open, Renzik and his allies set off to investigate. Upon their arrival, they discovered that a tollbooth had been established. Seeking to fly under the radar as they investigated, Gazlowe paid their toll, while Renzik helped distract the manager so that the champion could uncover information. While Azeroth's champions caused a distraction by clashing against the Darkfuse Enforcement, Renzik, Gazlowe, and Orweyna made their way to the south mines to investigate. As the champion reunited with the group, they introduced them to Zirdo, who Renzik distrusted but felt they could gain useful information from. Zirdo subsequently led the group to Gutterville.

While exploring the town, they learned from "Conspiracy Theory" Binni that Gallywix had used the promise of rewards to turn the goblins against one another and how it had been Pamsy who blew the wall as a cry for help, for the sake of her crew and to deal with the Black Blood. However, upon hearing this, Zirdo blinded the group and ran off to inform the Darkfuse, in order to earn a reward. The group was quick to give chase only to discover that they were too late, Zirdo had not only shared what he had discovered, but that Gozzic Cogcrane slain members of Pamsy's crew to send a message. Reznik subsequently called upon the champion to deal with Gozzic and obtain any sign Zirdo got word to him. Following this, the Pump Station within the Writhing Fields was shut down through the use of chillburst canisters.

Arrival to Undermine.

Knowing that they needed the builder and leader type in Undermine, Renzik convinced the reluctant Gazlowe to accompany them. Upon their arrival, he admitted that he had a good feeling about Grimla Fizzlecrank, as Pamsy vouched for her. After learning about the current state of Undermine, the group made their way towards Tailgate Park, which they discovered had fallen under Darkfuse control. In light of learning of Laslo's death and dealing with the Darkfuse, Renzik noted that Gazlowe had a lot to process, but felt that he needed this reality check.

During this time, Renzik led a covert operation at the Waterworks to stop Darkfuse Enforcement and the Venture Company from flooding the Ringing Deeps after they drew on too much power to fuel Gallywix's schemes.

While heading towards the Venture Company holdings in the Venturewood, Renzik expressed how they needed to motivate the Cartels of Undermine to stand against Gallywix. Meanwhile the group discovered that Baron Revilgaz of the Blackwater Cartel was shipping the Black Blood around the city while being worried about ethereals. While Orweyna set off to inform Alleria about the ethereal involvement, Renzik and the others sent off to confront Revilgaz determined to have his questions answered. Before confronting the Blackwater trade prince, Gazlowe made it clear that Revilgaz wasn't a villain, just self-interested. An accurate description as Revilgaz admitted that he was merely trying to survive under Gallywix's tyranny and shared what he knew.

With Revilgaz's information, the trio set off to investigate the Black Blood depot within the Heaps, where they discovered that Zirdo had been placed in charge of the area. Seizing the opportunity, Renzik called upon champions to disrupt the Black Blood operation by taking care of the guards and smashing shipments, along with eliminating Zirdo. Following Zirdo's death, the group discovered that Marin Noggenfogger of the Steamwheedle Cartel was involved. While Gazlowe took this as another sign of how Undermine ruined everything and everyone, Renzik helped him realize that while some goblins worked for Gallywix by choice, others had the choice made for them. Thus Gazlowe deduced that Gallywix had some kind of leverage against Marin to force his head. As the trio left the Heaps, they were attacked by a void ethereal assassin. While Renzik wondered how the ethereals got involved with Undermine, Gazlowe hoped that Orweyna had reached Alleria by now.

After centering himself, Gazlowe led the others to Slam Central Station, where they dealt with the Customs Agents that were blocking Alleria from entering. With Alleria by their side, the group met with Marin at the Vatworks, which was crawling with Darkfuse. After distracting the Blackfuse guards, Marin informed the group that they would find answers at the Venture's kaja'mite mines. While Alleria stayed behind to help Marin, Renzik and the others investigated the venture holdings in the Heaps, where they discovered that they were being sent to the Kaja'Coast in Zuldazar. While securing punch card to visit a confidential work site like the Kaja'Coast, the group discovered that the lead foreman's weapon had been powered by the Black Blood, leaving Renzik surprised.

After making their way towards the Kaja'Coast, they discovered that the Darkfuse had taken over the area. Taking count of the amount of Darkfuse guarding the place, Renzik decided that they had to be thinned out the old-fashioned way. While he left this task to the champion, he and Gazlowe did some reconnaissance. Following this, he instructed champions to take out Venture Supervisors in the Lucky Break Mines, noting the fewer Venture Company loyal to Gallywix was for the better. After the champion set off, Gazlowe expressed relief at leaving Undermine, causing Renzik to question why he hated the city. He described it as a place where his work was constantly stolen or destroyed, and where corruption allowed the worst individuals to thrive. He explained that he couldn't live under such conditions anymore and pointed out that Renzik left as well. Renzik agreed, admitting that in such an environment, the "bad guys always won." When Gazlowe asked if Renzik left because he was tired of being oppressed, Renzik corrected him, revealing that he was actually tired of being the oppressor. In the aftermath, through the use of a Hotwired B.I.R.D., Renzik and the others discovered that kaja'mite contained and stabilized the Black Blood and that Gallywix had the Dark Heart. While Gazlowe returned to Undermine to inform Alleria, Renzik, and the champion dealt with the overseer.

By the time Renzik and the champion reunited with their allies at the Steamwheedle Laboratories, the place was under attack by the ethereals seemingly led by Phase-Thief Azir. Once the ethereals were dealt with, the group discovered that Gallywix had kidnapped Marin's wife to keep him in line, and that the Dark Heart was in the Undermine itself. However, Phase-Thief Azir then revealed himself as he promised that they would be retrieving the Dark Heart. While Alleria hunted down the Phase-Thief, Gazlowe, Renzik, and the champion set off to rescue the kidnapped hostages, while instructing Grimla Fizzlecrank and Marin to go to Bilgewater headquarters and to send word to Revilgaz. Upon their arrival at the warehouse holding the hostages, the group discovered that the ethereals had slain the Darkfuse in the area. The trio was quick to battle the ethereals and freed Sprinkle, Fleet Master Seahorn, and Hobart Grapplehammer, who informed them that Gallywix had retreated to a nearby cave with the Dark Heart.

As the trio confronted Gallywix, the Overboss of Undermine activated a barrier to keep them at bay. In the midst of Gallywix's gloating, they were surprised by the appearance of Phase-Thief Azir, who quickly obtained the Dark Heart for himself. In response, Gazlowe warned that whatever Xal'atath promised Gallywix wasn't worth it. However, Gallywix was unmoved, declaring that it was his town and that when he returned he would bury them underneath it. While Alleria departed to track the Dark Heart, the others regrouped at the Bilgewater Flats. Though Gazlowe was convinced that they could depart from the city, Renzik sought to convince him to remain and deal with Gallywix.

Renzik after being shot.

As Gazlowe and Renzik argued, Nikki the Fixer prepared to assassinate the Trade Prince on Gallywix's orders. Renzik saw her lining up her shot and pushed Gazlowe out of the way, taking the hit which reduced him to ash. His sacrifice inspired Gazlowe to take a stand and unite the cartels against Gallywix. After he sent his allies to dismantle Gallywix's Black Blood operations, Gazlowe stayed behind to mourn Renzik's death and collect his ashes, before joining the revolution.

Renzik quickly became a martyr as the citizens of Undermine rallied behind Gazlowe and marched on the Gallagio. They avenged Renzik by killing Nikki and forcing Gallywix to retreat into his fortress. Gallywix was ultimately killed within the Gallagio, fulfilling Renzik's quest to liberate Undermine from his control.

In the aftermath, Mathias Shaw came to the city to collect Renzik's remains. While Gazlowe initially thought Renzik should return to Stormwind City, Shaw believed that he would want to be back home in Undermine. They then scattered his ashes over Undermine, atop Bilgewater's headquarters.

Locations

Location	Level range	Reaction	Notes
SI:7, Stormwind City[81.4, 63.2]	1-80	Alliance Horde
Lunarfall	10-40 Elite	Alliance
Hall of Shadows[44.6, 50.0]	10-45 Elite	Alliance Horde
Old Town & SI:7, Stormwind City	10-45 Elite	Alliance Horde	During   [10-45] The Unseen Blade and   [45] The Imposter.
Deliverance Point, Broken Shore[41.8, 58.6]	45 Elite	Alliance Horde
Undercity[80.8, 44.8]	10-50 Elite	Horde	During  [10-50] The Battle for Lordaeron.
Ringing Deeps	80 Elite	Alliance Horde	During the Lingering Shadows questline.
Undermine	80 Elite	Alliance Horde	During the Undermine campaign.

Abilities

Broken Shore

•  Stealth — Puts the caster in stealth mode. Lasts until cancelled.

Undercity

•  Vanish

Quests

Lunarfall

•  [40G3 Daily] Death to Amethon!
•  [40G3 Daily] Death to Gor'thul!
•  [40G3 Daily] Death to Tremor!
•  [40G3] Death to Undertow!
•  [40G3 Daily] Death to Hivelord Ik'rix!
•  [40] Death to Nullifier Darkoor!

Ringing Deeps

•  [80] Built to Blast
•  [80] Haywired and Hostile
•  [80] Hey, What's Going On?

Undermine(d)

•  [80] When Opportunity Explodes
•  [80] Avenge Them
•  [80] Undermine's Long Shadow
•  [80] Down Undermine
•  [80] Black Blood Baton Pass
•  [80] Clearing Out the Depot
•  [80] Just a Hunch
•  [80] A Little Insurance
•  [80] Asset Management

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 4.0.3a but is present in Classic Era.

•   [16] SI:7
•   [16] Redridge Rendezvous
•   [16] Erion's Behest
•   [16] Kingly Shakedown

Notes and trivia

• At some point, Renzik infiltrated the Undercity and returned to SI:7 with sketches of the labyrinthine city, including the Royal Quarter.
  • Mathias then mentions that Sylvanas recently ascended to Warchief. Whether Renzik's trip refers to his Battle for Lordaeron appearance or to some prior event is unknown.
• Renzik is the first Alliance goblin, the second being Beezil Linkspanner.
• Renzik is old friends with Hulfdan Blackbeard and Gurgthock.
• Before Renzik's death, Mathias Shaw had hoped that he would some day take over SI:7.
• Renzik used to spend a lot of time at the Westfall Lighthouse with Shaw. He left some of his belongings there.
• Renzik refers to Forsaken as "deaders".
  • This is a possible reference to Hellraiser: Deader where a cult of Undead refers to themselves as such.
• In the Hall of Shadows, he is getting sapped.
• In Classic Renzik referred to himself in the third person, using "Renzik" instead of "I". He hasn't done this since then.
• In the Battle for Azeroth alpha, Renzik could be found aboard the Wind's Redemption docked at Boralus in Kul Tiras. He was also originally planned to be a champion/follower in the expansion.
• When accompanying the player during  [80] Price Hike, Renzik's mounts are a  [Mekgineer's Chopper] on the ground and  [Reins of the Ravenous Black Gryphon] while flying.
• Renzik does not have any voice acting in his appearances in The War Within. This may have been due to the SAG-AFTRA voice actors strike which occurred at the same time recording would have happened.

Gallery

• 

  Classic model.
• 

  Cataclysm model.

Patch changes

• Patch 11.0.7 (2024-12-17): Model updated.
  
• Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Model updated.
  

See also

• List of Stormwind NPCs

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB