Geu-Puppies

Cloth pieces are sewed together in the rough shape of a dog and then soft stuffing is put inside.   There are no standard rules or systems for making Geu-Puppies. Some are stuffed with rags, some are stuffed with straw, some are stuffed with feathers. Almost any soft material can be used in their construction. A few have tiny symbols of the goddess Mera put into the stuffing for good luck since Mera is associated with the protection of children.  

The idea that a beloved toy can protect a child is an ancient and enduring one.   Mera is the goddess of families and the protector of children. It is also believed that she created the first dogs of Scarterra. Dogs are considered a holy symbol of Mera. Thus, keeping a dog icon near a child is considered good luck.   At some point, some gnomes decided rather than simply carve the image of a dog into the frame of a child's bed, why not give the child a dog icon that he or she can cuddle with?   These toys were called "Geurale Apepy" in the Gnomish language translated as "Facsimile Dogs" or "faux dogs." When these toys spread to human families, the name was shortened into Geu-pups or go-puppies because it is easier for humans, especially human children, to pronounce.   Much as real dogs will protect their families, some believe that geu-puppies will protect children. There are legends of these dog toys coming to life temporally to protect the children who love them. While few believe a stuffed toy can bite an attacker directly, there are somewhat more credible stories about Geu-puppies barking warnings to wake a child's parents just in time, or tales of night time prowlers coincidentally tripping over Geu-Puppies on the floor and knocking themselves unconscious after bumping their heads on the fall.   This is mostly superstition, but there is an element of truth in the superstition. Mera and her spirit minions can enact miracles and sometimes opt to use geu-puppies as an intermediary for said acts of divine intervention, these miracles are very rare. Most Geu-puppies are nothing more than rags sewn together, but you never know for sure.