The Old Man's Back (Veins)

The gatherer with the sore back: Talk to the Wincing Old Man, Zabaroo, who picks the dark stones of Veins out of the ground field by field. His back is giving out. He tells you about the stones and sends you to Absar, an inventor who sits in the Tool Shop of Veins (or in the tavern). Keep some room in your bag; with a nearly full bag the old man only asks you to use Kafra Storage. Wincing Old Man · Veins Field 337/314

Absar's list: Find Absar in the Tool Shop. He is busy and rude at first, but he will build Zabaroo's tool if you bring him 5 Steel, 5 Maneater Roots and 2 Ice Hearts (Glacial Hearts). Absar · Inside Veins 169/310

The grabbing stick: Bring Absar the 5 Steel, 5 Maneater Roots and 2 Ice Hearts. He builds a long stick with a clamp, a 'Tactile Extendable Clamp-Release Mechanism', and sends a message with it: Zabaroo owes him nothing any more. The materials: 5 Steel, 5 Roots of Maneater, 2 Ice Hearts. Absar · Inside Veins 169/310

Back to the old man: Give Zabaroo the clamp and Absar's message. He is delighted, and asks you to take the stones he has gathered to the factory in Veins, near the airport. Wincing Old Man · Veins Field 337/314

The factory manager: At the factory in Veins, say you come on Zabaroo's behalf. The factory manager, Mirhen, will bend the rules this once and sends you to the worker Bahed. Only the staff may enter the factory floor; the guard sends everyone else back out to Veins, but with the errand you are let in. Mirhen · Inside Veins 37/28

Hand over the stones: Give the stones to Bahed and tell him Zabaroo is still in pain. He checks the old man's quota for the day. Ask him about 'Hetarium' if you are curious: the stones are valued by the higher-ups for reasons he does not understand. Bahed · Inside Veins 54/49

A handful of rocks: Go back to Zabaroo. He cannot pay much but gives you what he found while harvesting. Wincing Old Man · Veins Field 337/314 Reward: base EXP (30,000), 3 Elunium.