| “ | “When the time is right, the Betrayer will become... the betrayed.” | „ |
| ~ Akama's catchphrase, prepare to fight Illidan in order to free the Outland and his people from his tyranny. |
Akama is an ancient Broken Draenei from the Warcraft series, first introduced in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. He is purported to be wise, but his initial introduction shows him near defeat at the hands of the Burning Legion, and despite being rescued by Illidan, he ultimately seeks to murder his benefactor. He is a failed leader and a traitorous opportunist.
Akama was once a peaceful priest of the Draenei at the Temple of Karabor, where he lived in happiness with his wife. Unfortunately, the Orcish Horde assaulted the temple and slaughtered most of its inhabitants, including Akama's wife. Eventually, Akama succumbed to a disease, mutating him into a foul creature. Akama did not lose his sanity, however, and attempted to lead his diseased people against the demonic forced which now ruled his homeland. After a gruesome defeat in battle against the demons, Akama was forced to find allies.
Illidan Stormrage, a demon/elf hybrid who had fled to outland, was also at war the the demons. Illidan recognised the plight of the Broken, who were on the cusp of being wiped out. Illidan risked his life and strategic position to rescue the beseiged Draenei. From then on Akama supported Illidan in the war against the demonic Burning Legion, and eventually fought the Pit Lord, Magtheridon. In the final battle, Akama, Illidan, Kael'thas, and Lady Vashj defeated Magtheridon and imprisoned him below the Hellfire Citadel. Akama then became a high-ranking member of the Illidari, an army of Broken, Demons, Orcs, Naga, and Blood Elves.
It was not till it was too late when Akama learned of Illidan's true agenda. The Farseer believed that Illidan sought to bring down the tyranny that Magtheridon held over the Outlands, but rather he sought to take it as his own. Illidan had saved Akama's people, the Broken. In return he expected them to work for the Naga and Illidari, demons loyal to him. Further, Illidan recognised Akama's cunning and deceitful nature. As protection against Akama's potential future machinations he withdrew Akama's soul from his own body and trapped it within the Black Temple. This method would allow Illidan to control Akama should he attempt to betray the Illidari. Time would prove Illidan's suspicions regarding Akama's loyalty correct, but Akama would have outside help to fee him from Illidan's plan...
Years later, when the demon lord Kazzak reopened the Dark Portal, thus opening a gateway to the Outlands, the armies of the Alliance and Horde allied themselves the the Sha'tar, a group of beings made of pure light called Naaru. Led by the Naaru of the Sha'tar, the Alliance and Horde fought against Illidan's forces in the Outlands.
Illidan had made a key strategic mistake: despite not trusting Akama, he was charged by his master to watch over the Warden's Cage. There Illidan kept his former jailor, Maiev Shadowsong, behind bars. The heroes found Akama in the prison, and learned of his true agenda - to betray Illidan and wrest control of the shattered realm of Outlands from him. Despite being rescued from certain death by Illidan and his allies, Akama showed his true nature: a traitor, willing to help murder the elf who saved him in order to seize autonomy for his people. By invoking "freedom" as his cause, Akama could betray the person who saved his life and retain the moral superiority necessary to justify himself in his own twisted mind.
Akama, Maiev, and the heroes forged an alliance, and in time took down Illidan chief lieutenants - Kael'thas, Lady Vashj, and Kargath Bladefist. Akama then blew a hole in the side of the Black Temple, allowing the heroes to invade without being noticed. After the small army of adventurers took out the Naga of the Temple's sewers and the Fel Orcs of the courtyard, they took out the Shade of Akama - the essence of Akama's soul that Illidan would destroy should Akama ever try to overthrow him. Akama trapped his soul in a Phylactery which the heroes found on the body of the lich Rage Winterchill. The heroes then battled the remainder of Illidan's armies, and eventually fought the Tyrant of Outland himself. It a long, climatic battle, the heroes brought an end to Illidan, and Akama succeeded him as master of the Black Temple.
Ultimately Akama gained everything he had sought: power and freedom. But to do so, he participated in the murder of the person who saved his life, and showed himself to be naught but a self-serving traitor, no better than the Betrayer who came before him. His high-minded pontification prior to, and after, the battle with Illidan, serve to highlight his self-aggrandising hypocrisy and need to justify his own dubious actions on a moral level.
 Heroes
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Adventurers The Alliance The Horde Old Horde Knights of the Ebon Blade Illidan's followers Pandaria The Light
Shadowlands Dragonflights Wild Gods Arathi Empire Others Hearthstone | ||