Ernagh's Exotic Edible Economic Experiment

GC XII: Unrestricted-Economy

 

This build features working LEGO Power Functions lights, with the Power Functions battery box contained within the house. The power switch is accessible through a removable rear wall panel that blends with the rest of the stonework. 100% LEGO.

 

The waning light of day was a welcome, albeit blinding, sight to the Professor's eyes. He stepped from the old tunnel entrance and looked about, taking in his surroundings. He was now deep in the mountains of Garheim, somewhere far to the north of the border. The ground ahead gave way into a rare lush valley of the sort that one would expect to see much farther south. Lenfald was known for this kind of terrain, though in certain pockets the cold frontiers of Garheim gave way to some foliage.

 

The Professor made his way down into the valley, following the ancient, moss-covered steps that were hewn from the rock of the mountainside. As dusk neared, he reached the valley floor, and for once, the professor was taken by surprise. Somewhere in the trees up ahead there shone a light. By its warm, yellowish glow, he knew it was lamplight. But for all of his travels and connections, the Professor did not have any idea who lived there.

 

He followed the path forward, intrigued, and the rough stones soon gave way to neatly laid, well-kept cobblestones. In the fading light, the Professor could just make out the silhouette of a strange-looking residence. As he approached, a deep voiced called out to him from the now-open doorway.

 

"Hey-oh, traveler! It's not so oft' as I get the pleasure o' having meself some company down in these parts. So you'll understand, I hope, if I'm a bit cautious."

 

The Professor smiled, for now he recognized the voice. "Ernagh, you old faun, since when do you isolate yourself all the way out here? Up to another one of your 'experiments' per chance?"

 

"Ho-ho! Sannary Oldenbarrow, as I do live and breathe! Why, yes, as a matter of fact, me good fellow, I am up to a sort of experiment at the moment," called the faun merrily, hurrying up the path to meet his friend.

 

"The name, Ernagh," winced the Professor. "I do try not to use it as much as possible."

 

"Well, yes, yes, in the normal country I get it. But out here -" Ernagh spread his arms wide -

"there isn't a soul around ta hear it."

 

"You have a point," returned Sannary, grasping the forearm of Ernagh in the satyr tradition.

 

"And besides, you called me a faun and you certainly know better," jested Ernagh. "I had to retaliate, of course."

 

"Well met, then, my friend," laughed Sannary. "So, what is it you are up to this time? Alchemy, perhaps? Or another flying machine?"

 

Enrage winced, his hand unconsciously going to the small of his back. "I won't be trying another of those for awhile, I think," he said. "No, this time, my friend, I have struck gold."

 

Sannary raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really now?"

 

"That's right," continued Ernagh excitedly. "You see, people everywhere are paying top dollar for these new fruits from your little Lenfel campout on that island or wherever."

 

"You mean the colony."

 

"Yeah, sure, whatever," said Ernagh, undeterred. "Anyway, I figured, why go all the way to the middle of the ocean when I could just grow that stuff right here?"

 

Sannary stared at Ernagh. "You mean, why couldn't you... grow tropical fruits... in the middle of icy Garheim?" he asked in disbelief.

 

"Yeah, why not?" said Ernagh. "Anyway, it's working, and I'm gonna be rich!"

 

"How in the world..." started Sannary. He shook his head. "Never mind. Just tell me what you're growing."

 

"Let's see," started Ernagh. "These weird little spiky fruits they call pinepears or palmapples or something -"

 

"Pineapples," interrupted Sannary.

 

"Yeah, those. Then there's some yellow thingies that grow in bunches. Pandanas," continued Ernagh.

 

"Bananas."

 

"Sure, yeah," said Ernagh. "Then I've got some big orangey things that grow in the dirt. They're kinda like big round carrots, but they taste like a potato." He raised an eyebrow. "What, not gonna correct me this time?"

 

"I have no idea what those things are," said Sannary.

 

"Well, that's a first," quipped Ernagh without missing a beat. "Oh, I've also got some big white melon-y things that grow in patches. Quite tasty. Maybe some other assorted stuff. Not really sure."

 

Sannary shook his head. "Well, how you manage to get those things growing up here baffles me, but then again, you never disappoint."

 

With that, the two old friends stepped inside.

Done