The aarakocra originated from the Plane of Air and were pulled into Kne’Urth during two times when magic was in such a chaotic state, that portals to various planes opened – the first was during the time the elf Porlen Hollowroot (see Broken Lands lore) in an attempt to once and for all finally rid the world of orcs – had gone so far as to tap into magics he could not control – opening various portals, calling on forces from beyond. One of those portals had been to the Plane of Air, and many aarakocra were unwillingly pulled from their home Plane. A second, similar event, happened when numerous portals were opened during a war between an ancient Storm Giant and an ancient Red Dragon (see Shadow Island for more). The aarakocra are extremely reclusive by nature and rarely seen among cities in Kne’Urth.

From below, aarakocra look like large birds and thus are sometimes called birdfolk. Only when they roost on a branch or walk across the ground is their Humanoid nature clear. Standing upright, aarakocra are typically about 5 feet tall, and they have long, narrow legs that taper to sharp talons. Feathers cover their bodies—usually red, orange, yellow, brown, or gray. Their heads are also avian, often resembling those of parrots or eagles.