Arakkoa The arakkoa are an ancient race of bird - like humanoid s native to Draenor . They have brightly feathered bodies in a veritable rainbow of colors , hooked beaks , clawed hands , taloned feet , and an erectile crest of feathers on their heads . They wear ragged cloaks about their bodies . Arakkoa appear to also have " sage " ( with ornate shoulder and head ornaments ) and " warrior " ( with a metal helm and mail epaulets ) classes . Hazzik mentions they have a caste system . They have great magical power over the arcane , and are also as " smart as any gnome you ever met " , according to Gremni Longbeard in the Hellfire Peninsula . Most are aggressive to both Alliance and Horde , although there are friendly members of the arakkoa to be found . Arakkoa breed a species of owl called " Kaliri " , which have valuable feathers . They also use several types of ravens and owls as guards . History . There is evidence of the arakkoa existing for many years before known life in Draenor , the proof being ancient , long forgotten relics left behind by the Apexis long ago . Most non - arakkoa only know the stories of a hero named Terokk , told by exiles to the adventurers who travel from the world of Azeroth . Terokk is said to have built the city of Skettis with his own claws , and ruled as one of its most powerful kings for centuries before he disappeared without a trace , leaving behind his relics : his spear , his mask and his writings . During his reign , members of the lowest caste of the arakkoa people were sacrificed by his talonpriests to the dark powers they worshipped . Even today , his minions work in his name to commit evils throughout Terokkar Forest . At Veil Shienor and Veil Reskk , the Eyes of Skettis allow Terokk to spy on those areas . At Veil Skith , the arakkoa use the Darkstone of Terokk as an altar of worship . At Veil Rhaze , Terokk raises the spirits of the dead arakkoa killed in the Auchindoun explosion . At Veil Lithic , his minions corrupt the avians into his service . At Veil Shalas , the closest colony to Skettis , the arakkoa sages conduct wars against the Light . When Terokk disappeared , the talonpriests began actively seeking to return him to their world . The arakkoa continued a nomadic existence on Draenor for thousands of years , though they suffered terribly during the Horde ' s first wars across Draenor . The resulting grudge against the orc race encouraged an arakkoa , Grizzik , to serve as a tracker and guide for Danath Trollbane ' s forces during the Alliance ' s expedition to Draenor . This arakkoa , seemingly alone , led Trollbane ' s soldiers to Auchindoun , and aided in the battle . Recently , however , some have broken away from Skettis - some to free themselves from Terokk ' s evil , and others deluded by power . The Skettis Exiles , taken in by the naaru A ' dal , reside in the Lower City of Shattrath , where they battle against Terokk ' s forces . The Sethekk are also breakaways from Skettis , but for a different reason . When Auchindoun exploded , an arakkoa named Ikiss believed that this was the second coming of the mysterious master of the arakkoa , and with a group of followers set out for Auchindoun - where they set up in what became known as the Sethekk Halls . Ikiss believes himself Terokk reborn , and believes he and his followers are the true followers of their master and true leaders of the arakkoa . But deep inside Skettis , the arakkoa continue their battles against all who oppose them . The Sha ' tari Skyguard , a group of Sha ' tari flyers , have a base at Blackwind Landing , just outside of the Blackwind Valley where Skettis is located . On an island in the middle of Blackwind Lake , Terokk awaits the proper alignment of the stars to herald his return . . . Warlords of Draenor . The winged arakkoa are the proud descendants of the once - grand Apexis civilization , a glorious empire of the sun that ruled vast territories alongside the ogre empire centuries ago . While many of the great works of their forebears remain a mystery , the arrakoa of this era – proud , hateful , and defiant – have mastered their own distinct magical arts to channel and control the power of Draenor ’ s sun . Although they ’ ve been reduced to a shade of their former power and driven high to the peaks of Arak , the Arakkoa still look down on the ground - dwellers below . Approach winged arakkoa with caution , as they are known to attack ground - dwellers on - sight . Discipline is harsh for any arakkoa who conflicts with the sages ruling the capital of Skyreach . Those found guilty of breaking the law , dabbling in shadow magic , or worshipping gods other than Rukhmar are hurled from the spires and into the cursed pools of Sethekk Hollow , where their wings shrivel and their bodies contort . No longer able to fly , and forever cut off from their sun god , these outcasts have formed their own communities in the shadows of the spires , particularly in the refuge city of Skettis . The outcasts are a tight - knit group and deeply distrustful , but they share common enemies with adventurers from Azeroth , and it may be possible to forge a relationship with them if one knows who to speak with . Colonies . Their capital is the hidden city of Skettis , located in the southeastern corner of Terokkar Forest . They have established various colonies across Terokkar Forest , known as veils : Veil Shienor and Veil Reskk in the north of Terokkar near the border with Hellfire Peninsula , and several along the Bone Wastes - Veil Skith , where the Darkstone of Terokk is located , Veil Rhaze , destroyed by the Auchindoun disaster , Veil Lithic , where the arakkoa corrupt avians into Terokk ' s service , and Veil Shalas , their greatest colony at the base of Skettis itself , where Terokk ' s sages wage war against the Light . They also have established presences at Veil Ruuan , Veil Lashh , Veil Vekh and Grishnath in Blade ' s Edge Mountains and the Den of Haal ' esh in Hellfire Peninsula . There are also two areas where arakkoa appear to have settled in Shadowmoon Valley , but all that remain of their settlements are ruins . . . and the ghosts of the inhabitants . Faith . Most arakkoa worship the god Rukhmar , and relatedly Terokk . The Sethekk worship Talon King Ikiss ( who thinks himself Terokk returned ) in the stead of Rukhmar . However , the small tribe of Skettis exiles worship the Light . Time - Lost Figurine . Players can use a trinket obtained off of Terokk , called Time - Lost Figurine , to turn their player character into an arakkoa for five minutes . While in this form , going into combat does not change the player back , making this a fun and near must - have for many player s . The difficulty , length , and rareness of obtaining the item , however , make it so players with it are scarce . Inspiration . There are several possible inspirations for their design :