Neck Tatoo figured out The Curse of the Captured Crustacean and explained it to me.
I am upgrading the quest from 'sucky' to 'no big deal'.
I also solved my pteronodon vertebrae issue. It turns out all Isle of Dread chests contain one dinosaur bone ingredient, determined at random. In addition, all wilderness chests contain tyrannosaurus teeth. There is no specific chest containing pteronodon vertebrae. However, one of the saga rewards is 25 pteronodon vertebrae. Thus, saga rewards solved my problem finding that one ingredient.
Most sagas contain one problem quest such that I cannot complete the story arc and gain the end reward. This weekend I learned how to skip one quest for 5 astral shards. That could help my cause in a major way.
Things are goin okay.
Don't forget that the payout on "Cap Quests" i.e. lv 30+ is double for first time bonus.
Thank you, Mornyngstar. Unfortunately, I do not have a character strong enough to complete a legendary quest on Reaper Mode 1. I found a window of opportunity for level 20 and 21 quests.
you cannot give your hirelings equipment
I most certainly can! After Neck Tatoo killed the giant crab that was troubling the people of Dread Isle, I even paid for the big silver ring he shoved through his nose.