Akivasha

“I am Akivasha! I am the woman who never died, who never grew old! Who fools say was lifted from the earth by the gods, in the full bloom of her youth and beauty, to queen it forever in some celestial clime! Nay, it is in the shadows that mortals find immortality! Ten thousand years ago I died to live for ever! Give me your lips, strong man!”

~Robert E. Howard, “The Hour of the Dragon”

Akivasha’s past is surrounded in mystery. Its believed that many centuries ago she was Stygian princess that was renowned for her stunning beauty. As such, she could not bear the thought of growing old and shriveled with age, so she sought the favor of the dark gods to gain immortality. With that, Akivasha remained beautiful but would have to consume the blood of the living to perpetuate her youth.

She met Conan during the events of “Hour of the Dragon” when he came to the Temple of Set searching for the Heart of Ahriman. She offered to lead him to the sorcerer Thutothemes, who held the Heart. However, within her chambers, as she sought to seduce him, he found the empty sarcophagous of Akivasha and he realized her true nature. Nonetheless, she entranced him with her tale and sought to make her companion. As she was about to bite him in the neck, Conan overcame her control and escaped the chamber, leaving the vampiress behind laughing maniacally.

Other Media

Akivasha appeared in the movie Kull the Conqueror as the main antagonist played by Tia Carrere. She is portrayed drastically different than her original depiction, being a long dead demon-witch who once ruled over mankind that is brought back to life by Valusian noblemen as part of a conspiracy to kill the recently crowned King Kull. Akivasha in the movie doesn’t seem to be a vampire in nature, but she displays many magical powers such as being able to easily entrance Kull into marrying her and by the movie’s climax, she can turn into a demonic creature.