Quests in Bastok
In Final Fantasy XI quests are done in order to obtain Fame. When you have higher rank of fame, prices in shops will be reduced, new quests will be activated, and some of these quests will help you acquire very expensive items that you wouldn't be able to acquire otherwise.
Minesweeper
Fame: Bastok Fame quest.
NPC: Gerbaum(F-8)-Bastok Mines
Reward: 150 gil
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: 3 Pinches of Zeruhn Soot
Repeatable: Yes
All you need to do is to speak with Gerbaum to begin the quest, and then keep fighting any enemies you find in Zeruhn Mines until you have at least 3 pinches. Bring these back for your gil, and a little bit of fame!
Shady Buisness
Fame: Norg Fame quest.
NPC: Talib(F-6)-Port Bastok, Warehouse 2
Reward: 350 gil
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: 4 Chunks of Zinc Ore
Repeatable: Yes
Talib is in the trading buisness, and will trade you 350 gil per 4 chunks of Zinc Ore you find. They can be dropped off the Tunnel Worms in North and South Gustaberg.
Buckets of Gold
NPC: Foss (F-7)-Bastok Markets
Reward: 300 gil per 5 Rusty Buckets
Requirments: Ability to Fish
Item(s) Needed: Fishing Rod, 5 Rusty Buckets
Repeatable: Yes
Speak with Foss to being the quest. He will ask you to do a task for him if you have fished before. He needs 5 Rusty Buckets and will in turn give you 300 gil. Fish in H-11 at Zeruh Mines to get the buckets.
Gourmet
NPC: Salimah (L-8)-Bastok Markets
Reward: Between 200-350gil per item
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: 1 Sleepshroom, 1 Treant Bulb, or 1 Wild Onion
Repeatable: Yes
Salimah needs certain ingredients for his meals. However, he only needs each item at a particular time of day, or else he will only pay you 100 gil. The sleepshrooms can be dropped from Funguars in Jungar Forest and are needed between 18:00 and 5:59 for 200 gil. The Treant Bulbs can be dropped from Walking Saplings in North and South Gustaberg and are needed between 6:00 and 11:59 for 200 gil. The Wild Onions can be dropped from Goblins in North and South Gustaberg and are needed between 12:00 and 17:59 for 350 gil.
A Flash in the Pan
NPC: Aquillina (K-9)-Bastok Markets
Reward: 100 gil
Requirments: None
Item(s) Needed: 4 Flint Stones
Repeatable: Yes
Aquillina is having trouble lighting her stove. She needs flint stones to do do. Your task is to bring her 4 Flint Stones. These can be dropped from Tunnel Worms and Stone Eaters just outside Bastok city.
The Darksmith
NPC: Mighty Fist (G-9)-Metalworks
Reward: 8000 gil
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: 2 chunks of Darksteel Ore
Repeatable: Yes
Mighty Fists needs darksteel ore, and asks you to bring him some, 2 at a time. You can find them by using pickaxes in Zeruhn Mines and Gusgen Mines. This quest takes some patience as Darksteel Ore is rare. It is also recommended to be of a higher level, both mines have agressive enemies.
Stardust
NPC: Baldric (G-9)-Metalworks
Reward: 400 gil
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: Valkrum Sunsand
Repeatable: Yes
Baldric needs some Valkrum Sunsand for his experiments. Go to (H-9) in the dunes where there is a half sunken boat. You can only get the Sunsand during dust storms, but he will pay you every time you bring some back to him.
The Sirens Tear
NPC: Wahid (I-8)-Bastok Mines
Reward: 150 gil
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: Sirens Tear
Repeatable: Yes
The best way to do this quest is if most of the enemies in North Gustaberg are Too Weak to be Worthwhile. When you speak with Wahid he will tell you that he wants a Sirens Tear, but it can only be given to those who are pure. Travel to (J-8,9) without any equipment on. Target the ??? to retrieve the Sirens Tear.
Past Perfect
NPC: Evi(I-6)-Port Bastok
Reward: Scale Mail
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: Mission Orders
Repeatable: No
Evi used to be a knight, but never completed his missions. The orders fell somewhere in Konschtat Highlands (G-8). Retrieve the orders and bring it back to him for a suit of Scail Mail.
The Wisdom of Elders
NPC: Benita(J-6)-Port Bastok
Reward: Traveler's Hat
Requirements: None
Item(s) Needed: 1 Bomb Ash
Repeatable: No
Benita needs to clean out her chimney, but isn't too sure how. She thinks that Bomb Ash will help out, so its up to you to get some, which is dropped by Bombs, Balloons and Grenades in Gustaberg. When you find 1, she will give you a Traveler's Hat in return.