Goblins of the Multiverse: Kamigawa

Most planes of the multiverse are in some way defined by their conflict. Ravnica is about the uneasy peace of man’s nature in society with men with different natures. Innistrad is exemplified by man fighting against monsters that were once men, but who have lost their humanity. Zendikar was one of man against the wilds of nature at first, but soon twisted into a fight against the overwhelming unknowable. Dominaria, for all the weapons of death and destruction, for all the monsters brought in, was always about man against man, and more than that, brother against brother (or sister) as Mishra fought Urza, Volrath against Gerrard, and Kamahl against Jeska. Kamigawa, ultimately, is about the struggle between man and god.





Patron of the Akki by Jim Nelson

Most of what we’ve seen of Kamigawa was during the Kami War, wherein the spirits unilaterally attacked all mortal races. Unlike on Zendikar, Kamigawa’s armies did not become fully unified, and while many of the local goblins fought against the spirits, very few did so alongside other humanoid races. These goblins, called akki, had no understanding of the cause of the Kami War, though they rightly assumed that humans were to blame. Akki thus spent the Kami War in a state of constant battle against everyone and everything. They continued to fight against humans, they were forced to fight against the Kami, and they weren’t exactly friendly toward other akki, either. Akki have the following characteristics:





Akki Underminer by Thomas M. Baxa

Reptilian: Despite general similarities, Akki are unlike other goblins to the point that there is no relevant genetic similarity. While the goblins of every other known plane are mammals, Kamigawa’s goblin population appears to be reptilian instead. Akki have scales, never have hair, and have no need for clothing. While akki do give live birth, this is not unheard of among reptiles. Certain subspecies of lizard give live birth, especially ones that live in high altitudes like akki. Of these, akki share a significant number of physical traits with horned lizards.







Kiki-Jiki, Mirrorbreaker by Pete Venters

Spikes and Shells: Like horned lizards, akki have horns atop their heads and many spikes going down their backs. In addition, while they have what appears to be a thick carapace upon their backs, this shell doesn’t actually go all the way around their torso. Their shells are actually the harder and stronger scales of their back, another similarity to horned lizards. Unlike horned lizards, however, akki scales are intensely fire resistant, such that akki can withstand temperatures upwards and over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.







Akki Underling by Franz Vohwinkel

Society: Akki live in the Sokenzan mountains, a line of tall, snowy peaks with significant volcanic activity. Viciously territorial, akki attack anyone who near their homes that they can’t absolutely identify as a friend, including other akki. Akki live in small family units, banding together to fight outsiders but rarely to encourage interacting with each other. On occasion, a disgraced human will flee to the Sokenzan, and if he can prove his worth the akki will accept him as one of their own. Even among friends, though, akki are notorious pranksters and their idea of a joke is often fatal for the recipient. Due to the difficulty in maintaining peaceful relations with the akki, much about them remains unknown.





Akki Coalflinger by Nottsuo

Shamans: Akki have a strong magical tradition and often have innate magical powers. Though their elemental specializations vary between earth, fire, and ice, akki magic is invariably used for aggressive and destructive purposes. Akki magic also has a tendency to cause significant collateral damage, destroying nearby terrain such that nobody can gain advantage of it.





Akki Drillmaster by Alan Pollack

Akki represent a strange snapshot of improper taxonomy. They act like goblins, live in similar habitats to goblins, resemble goblins in a few ways, but, ultimately, are no more related to other goblins than seahorse is to a horse. Goblins are mammals that appear more reptilian due to thick, green skin and little hair. Akki are actual reptiles, closely related to the horned lizard. Still, as taxonomy has always been an imperfect science, this error in identification doesn’t do any harm.

