Dream Buddy

Paddlefoot has also been with me when I dream; he keeps me safe from the monsters - Child

Dream Buddy are charmed toys that Dream Seekers create to enable the protection of children while they enter The Dreaming in their sleep. Often taking the form of various creatures in the form of animals and fictional beings alike to become an anchor for that child while they wander in their Dreaming. This idea stems from the fact that children are more susceptible to the dangers that exist with it. While the child is awake, the buddy lies dormant until they fall asleep, where they will manifest with them while they are dreaming due to their bond. As Dream Seekers create them, they hold some power within the Dreaming to ensure that the child is protected and they do not stray too far into it. Making it all the more reason for them to be with young children as they often have yet to understand the dangers around them serious enough to mind their own safety.

History

An Unlikely Protector

From what tales have been told by Dream Seekers that are responsible for the creation of these defenders of children was said to have started during the Age of Shadows when all the world was being engulf by the power of The Gloom. This also affected the Dreaming as well with Nightmares being spread into its domain as many would fall victim to the infamous Dreamer's Grief unable to wake up from being trapped in their worst fears. However children were often the most targeted due to their nativity with it often being difficult to get them out due letting that fear overwhelm while being rescued. It is from that reason that the seekers came up an ingenious idea that ensured the safety of these children by creating the Dream Buddies, by being given a fragment of the Dreaming placed into them and intertwined with the child that they are connected to one another. Allowing the buddy to be given power to manifest into the Dreaming while their child was asleep.
Of much of this toys were made of wood or stone that were carved to take the shape of heroes and even parents with them originally being called Sleep Watchers. But as time progressed and the world had begun to return to a better state, they gradually changed to being made of cloth fabrics it simple designed figures of animals. It would not until the time of the Radiarchies of Embera that they became more complex and stood out. Many are now stuffed with cotton, wool, straw and other materials to make them look bigger and furs and others fabrics to feel softer. As well as being made to look lice animals and mythical creature with clothing to be distinguishable, allowing a child find safety and comfort with them being around. Their purpose never changing as they continued to watch over their wards until they were old enough to protect themselves when they became of age.

Significance

It is often a custom across Embera to for all children to receive them at a young age as a mean of protection while they sleep as their parents will be unable to do so in the Dreaming. While most people are able to dream while they are asleep, few are ever able to remember what they dream about when they finally wake. The same is not said for children as their minds are open to endless possibles and wonders that comes from their innocence being able to have a deeper connection to the Dreaming, this makes them all the more vulnerable to the darker influences that dwell most coming from Nightmares that can easily lure them away and trap them, require them to be protectors and as guiding light to ensure that they can be safe and wake up when it is time for them to leave. With them contiually doing so until the grow up to be strong enough to understand the inner workings of the Dreaming to avoid its many dangers.

Item type

Toy

Rarity

Common

Deeper Connection

by Jester%

Sir Wonkers is the greatest warrior in the world, nothing can beat him and when he needs a hand I'll be there to help him. - Courageous Child

The connection between a child and their dream buddy is something to behold as they are often together whenever the child sleeps. But it is often more than that as to bond with a buddy requires an emotional binding to that child's personality and imagination that is shared with it. allowing them to form their own consciousness while they are in the Dreaming and a strong connection in protecting their child. Even when the time comes for that child to let go of their buddy, it still remains and they will often journey off into the Dreaming to protect all that venture in it while they sleep. But it not always like this as many of them are passed down from parent to child to continue their charge and watch over the children of their linage and build upon their bonds as they dream peacefully.