Journeyman jewelcrafting designs

For the portion of his soul bound to Illidan, see Shade of Akama.

Akama
Gender	Male
Race(s)	Broken/Lost One (Humanoid)
Level	70 Elite (73 Elite in Black Temple)
Class	Elder sage, Shaman, formerly Priest
Affiliation(s)	Illidan's forces Ashtongue Deathsworn Sha'tar (secretly)
Occupation	Leader of the Ashtongue tribe and Ashtongue Deathsworn, Jailor of Maiev Shadowsong
Location	Warden's Cage, Shadowmoon Valley or Black Temple, Shadowmoon Valley
Status	Alive
Companion(s)	Maiev Shadowsong

The elder sage Akama is the leader of both the Ashtongue tribe and the elite of said tribe, Ashtongue Deathsworn, a faction of Broken draenei supposedly in the service of Illidan Stormrage. Offered a chance at revenge against the orcs who decimated his people, Akama allied himself with the night elf/demon hybrid and aided in the overthrow of Magtheridon, only to later find that Illidan was no better than the pit lord. To all outward appearances, Akama remained a loyal servant of Illidan and led his Ashtongue Deathsworn in his service — but away from his prying eyes, Akama sought to end Illidan's reign.

Allying with Maiev Shadowsong, whom he had been charged with keeping imprisoned, Akama rallied a group of adventurers to enter the Black Temple, leading up to the final battle with Illidan himself — the battle that ended the Betrayer's life. With Illidan gone, Akama hopes that the Holy Light will fill the dismal halls of the Temple once more...

Biography

Akama is a kind but hardened Broken draenei who was once the guardian of the Temple of Karabor. When the orcs enslaved by the Burning Legion descended upon the Temple, Akama took charge of evacuating as many civilians as possible and then went into hiding with the remnants of the draenei. In the short story Unbroken, he fled from the Temple to Shattrath City before going into hiding, where he was the most exposed of the refugees to the fel energies that caused some draenei to mutate. After the cataclysm and the shattering of Draenor, Akama, now an elder sage of the Broken draenei survivors, was forced into the open where he fought a losing battle against the pit lord Magtheridon and his army of demons and fel orcs.

Akama found himself aided by Kael'thas Sunstrider and Lady Vashj, a blood elf and naga who had come from Azeroth to escape the clutches of human captors. Hoping to gain allies in the fight against Magtheridon, Kael'thas and Vashj destroyed the base of the fel orc who had been raiding Akama's makeshift outpost. Akama pledged his loyalty to Illidan and aided them by attacking a larger orcish base, keeping the enemy occupied and away from Kael'thas and Illidan as the two closed the dimensional gateways — which were supplying constant reinforcements to Magtheridon. After that battle, the time had come to lay siege to Magtheridon's Black Citadel itself.

Akama pledged allegiance to Illidan, craving vengeance on the orcs and demons who had corrupted and slaughtered his race, however, since this moment he begun planning his inevitable conflict with Illidan. Using his [Stealth] abilities, Akama and a band of his followers snuck into Black Temple and destroyed the magical energy generators which sustained the defenses of the citadel, and then aided Illidan, Kael, and Vashj in the final attack against Magtheridon himself.

When Kil'jaeden appeared and ordered Illidan to destroy the Frozen Throne, Illidan, Kael, and Vashj went as ordered, while Akama remained in Outland to guard their holdings.

Akama in World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

"Take this as my promise to you that when the time comes and you face Illidan, I will be on your side."

Akama is a level 70 Broken draenei located in front of Maiev Shadowsong's cell in the Warden's Cage in Shadowmoon Valley. In order to reach him, you must enter into the underground portion of the Warden's Cage and look to your right at what appears to be just a pool of water. Swim into and under the pool and you will reach Maiev's cell where Akama is standing guard.

After an introductory quest chain, in which players have to prove that they are not allied with Illidan, they are sent to speak with Akama. He explains that it is best for his people to continue to appear to serve Illidan until certain omens are fulfilled. He then gives a quest to speak with Sage Udalo who is being held prisoner in the Arcatraz, a satellite of Tempest Keep. Udalo is dead, but has left a clue behind for the next quest.

On returning from the Arcatraz, Akama gives a quest to retrieve the [Heart of Fury], one of the shards of the  [Ata'mal Crystal], from the Ata'mal Terrace in Shadowmoon Valley. When this is completed, Akama sends the party to meet the naaru A'dal in Shattrath City.

The Shade of Akama, the portion of Akama's soul tied to Illidan's will, is a boss in Black Temple. During the final confrontation with Illidan, Akama himself will assist you in battle, although he cannot be killed. Akama leaves the battle during the first phase and is not seen again for the remainder of the battle; however, Maiev Shadowsong arrives for the final phase and remains until Illidan's death. Akama had freed Maiev from her prison cell and led her into the Temple with the aid of players seeking to obtain the [Medallion of Karabor] that allows entry into the Temple. After Illidan is defeated, Akama swears to fill the halls of the Black Temple with Light once again.

Akama wielding the Staff of the Ashtongue Deathsworn.

He gives the following quests:

•  [70] Seer Udalo (Dungeon)
•  [70] The Ata'mal Terrace (Group)
•  [70] Akama's Promise
•  [70] Ruse of the Ashtongue (Raid)
•  [70] An Artifact From the Past (Raid)
•  [70] The Hostage Soul

See List of Shadowmoon Valley NPCs.

Akama "Plays Along"

Akama in World of Warcraft.

After completing the quest entitled Akama, a small scripted event between Akama and the dreadlord Vagath — one of Illidan's demon lieutenants — occurs. Vagath arrives with two demonic minions and yells out:

• Vagath: Mortals, here? What is the meaning of this, pathetic Broken!
• Akama whispers to the player: Have no fear, <race>. Just play along.

Akama "kills" the player and reassures Vagath.

• Akama: A mere nuisance, I assure you! Tell the Master his prisoner will not escape while Akama and his Deathsworn watch over her.
• Vagath: You'd do well not to toy with me, Akama. Illidan has given me strict orders to keep watch on the Warden. If I find out you are hiding anything from me, I will crush you with my bare hands!

Vagath leaves and Akama "resurrects" the player.

• Akama: Forgive my harsh methods, but the Betrayer cannot learn of the truth. My secret must be kept at all costs!

In a cell behind Akama, Maiev Shadowsong speaks up.

• Maiev: If we truly desire the same thing, Akama, then release me! If Illidan is to die, it shall be by my hand!
• Akama: In due time, Maiev. I've spent years planning to make my move - I can't afford to put my plans in peril by tipping my hand too soon.
• Maiev: Curse you, Akama! I am not a pawn in your game...my will is my own. When I unleash my wrath upon Illidan it will have nothing to do with your foolish scheme!

Warcraft III phrases

• "I am Akama, Elder Sage of the draenei. Lord Illidan promised to rid us of our ancient enemies in exchange for our loyalty. These cursed orcs serve Magtheridon--a terrible lord whose Black Citadel lies to the west. Under his command, the orcs hunted us to the brink of extinction. But now, with Lord Illidan behind us, we will fight back and retake our ancestral lands."(Draenei Village)

• "We draenei have fought the orcs and their demon masters for generations. Now, at last, we will end their curse forever. We are yours to command, Lord Illidan." (Lord of Outland)

Gag phrases

• "I'm too old for this..."
• "At my age, you see death everywhere. DEATH!"
• "To battle! Hold my teeth."

Black Temple trailer

Akama before he mutated into a Broken draenei.

Akama is the narrator of the trailer for the Black Temple patch; this trailer shows his history from a guardian to his current state, and reveals his appearance prior to his mutation. At several points, it reveals events of lore: the orcs' attack on the Temple of Karabor and the draenei journey into hiding in Zangarmarsh; Gul'dan's raising of the volcano that bears his name; Ner'zhul opening his portals, leading to the creation of Outland; the arrival of Magtheridon and, later, of Illidan Stormrage; Akama, Kael'thas Sunstrider, and Lady Vashj aiding Illidan in sealing Magtheridon's portals before the final battle; and finally, Illidan claiming Black Temple.

His speech is transcribed below:

I remember the Temple as it used to be: a place of worship.

I prayed within its chambers and meditated among its gardens. I was happy then; at peace.

I remember, too, the day the orcs came.

That day marked by cries of war and torrents of blood where terrified women and children huddled in darkened corners.

I led many to safety, but many more paid the ultimate price.

That day my beloved sanctuary became the Black Temple.

There the orc warlocks practiced their twisted magic that corrupted the land and nearly destroyed us all.

Even after the Horde's reckless sorcery tore the planet apart, my people were unable to find a lasting sanctuary.

Akama in Warcraft III.

I remember the armies of demons that swept down on us like a plague.

During these dark times, the one called Magtheridon made the Temple his home.

Then came Illidan...

The one they called the Betrayer; the enemy of my enemy.

We helped him seal the portals of Outland and cut off the Legion's reinforcements.

We fought with renewed strength, and together we reclaimed our sacred ground.

I think part of me knew even then, that the Black Temple had only traded one evil master for another.

I prefer to remember the Temple as it used to be; not the abomination it has become.

My soul bears the burden of my misjudgment, but I have been patient; I have been waiting.

And when the time is right, the Betrayer will become... the betrayed.

Notes

Akama in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.

• His name is possibly a pun, as the draenei in Warcraft III fought with sickle-like weapons that may be called kamas, so he used a kama. In Warcraft III, he uses both the sickle-like weapon and another blade, and in World of Warcraft he uses two of the sickle-like weapons, making this likely. He still uses this type of weapon in World of Warcraft, and the same type of weapon can be seen on draenei banners.
• Some fans speculate that the draenei child featured in the Black Temple trailer is Akama's daughter, and that the child's mother, who was killed by an orc, was his wife.
• Akama used the original draenei model, now the Lost One model, in his Warcraft III appearance. It seems that his appearance has been retconned as opposed to multiple mutations. However his current model is a hybrid between Lost One and Broken features, he retains the mouth of a Lost One. Furthermore, like the untainted draenei, his feet are still cloven.
• When one sees Akama in World of Warcraft, it is clear he does not quite look like his fellow Broken draenei nor the Lost One draenei. Instead, he looks half way between a Broken draenei and Lost One as seen by his strange face and the basket he carries on his back which many Lost Ones also use. In the story "Unbroken", Akama was said to have taken in a larger amount of the fel energy that caused the draenei to mutate into the Broken draenei, which may explain his appearance.
• Akama can be spotted with his Warcraft III appearance in the backround of the art piece "Foes of Outland" by Wei Wang.
• His quote "At my age, you see death everywhere. DEATH!", is a reference to the Simpsons.
• As of Cataclysm Akama and Maiev will appear on the loading screen for Outland.
• Akama is the last surviving lieutenant of Illidan's Forces, although he is no longer a member of it.
• The time at which Akama met Illidan and his followers has also been retconned (or possibly just eluded the developers). In Gates of the Abyss, it is obvious that he met them after they had begun to close down Ner'zhul's dimensional gateways. In the Patch 2.1.0 trailer, he is instead seen together with them as they decide on closing them.

Gallery

• 

  Akama and Maiev Shadowsong Cataclysm.

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB

Preceded by: Illidan Stormrage

Position: Master of the Black Temple

Succeeded by: Incumbent

da:Akama