Awakened

There are many spellcasters in the world, and one of the most common spells that many have access to is the ability to awaken animals (and plants) into sentient creatures on par with many of the existing races.

Such creatures are simply called the Awakened. Most serve the spellcasters that made them, or those who will take them, but some walk the world among the other sentient races as if they were never any different. A few have made it far enough to have small populations, one Awakened breeding with another and having families and small towns as they group together.

These days they are an uncommon sight, but not and unknown one, and they are welcomed in cities and towns just as any other race might be.

(This is a general catch-all for D&D races such as the harengon, owlin, and other animal races that are as sentient as humanoids to adjust them into this setting)