How to Get Leaf Earrings in MapleStory Classic World

Leaf Earrings are the reward for Progress on Fossil Research, the sixth and last quest of the fossil chain that starts with Winston in the Rocky Mountains east of Perion at level 17. The catch: the final step takes a pair of Weighted Earrings and a Stump's Teardrop from you. It's the only recorded source of Leaf Earrings.

Quick answer: Level 17+. Recover Winston's fossils (Green Mushrooms and Axe Stumps), carry them to Dr. Betty in Ellinia, help with her research, then bring 20 Leaf, 15 Firewood, 1 Stump's Teardrop and 1 Weighted Earrings along with her Fossil Report to Winston. Reward: Leaf Earrings.

The earrings

Stat	Value
Required level	25
Class	All (no gender lock)
M.DEF	+24
Max MP	+5
Avoidability	+2
Upgrade slots	5
NPC sell price	3,750 mesos

Compared with the Weighted Earrings you hand in (level 20, +22 M.DEF, +1 avoid), it's a small upgrade, so this quest is more about the EXP trail and a slightly better earring than a big power spike.

The chain

#	Quest	NPC	What you do	Reward
1	Searching for Fossils	Winston, East Rocky Mountain II	Kill 25 Green Mushroom and 25 Axe Stump, bring 12 Plant Fossil and 12 Animal Fossil	15 Blue Potions
2	Delivering a Box of Fossils	Winston	Carry the Fossil Box and his recommendation to Dr. Betty in Ellinia	15 Eggs
3	Research on Plant Fossils	Betty	Bring 8 Plant Sample from the Ellinia woods	15 Blue Potions
4	Research on Animal Fossils	Betty	Find her daughter Anne near Henesys	15 Oranges
5	Transporting Drake's Skull	Anne, The Hill East of Henesys	Bring the Stuffed Drake Skull to Betty	5 Meat
6	Progress on Fossil Research	Betty, turn in to Winston	Fossil Report + 20 Leaf, 15 Firewood, 1 Stump's Teardrop, 1 Weighted Earrings	Leaf Earrings

Every step pays 982 EXP and 555 mesos: 5,892 EXP and 3,330 mesos for the chain, about 53% of a level at 17 (11,040 to level). Plant and Animal Fossils in step 1 aren't tied to a monster in the game data; the quest has you kill Green Mushrooms and Axe Stumps alongside, so those are the likely sources (unverified).

The two hard items

Weighted Earrings: the only quest source in the game data is Alex's Mother's Gold Watch at level 18, and it's a coin flip with Yellow Square. If you miss, trade for a pair (drop sources and shop stock aren't in the game data). See how to get Weighted Earrings.
Stump's Teardrop: the item text says it's very rarely found from a Dark Axe Stump (Lv. 23; densest at East Rocky Mountain V 25 and East Rocky Mountain IV 23, right by Winston). The drop rate isn't in the game data, and it's a quest item, so you can't buy it from other players: budget time.

Firewood comes from Axe Stumps, per its item text. The game data has no drop source for Leaf. Both are also crafting inputs; see where to get crafting materials.

Frequently asked questions

Do you lose your Weighted Earrings for Leaf Earrings?

Yes. The last quest takes one pair of Weighted Earrings as a requirement.

What level is the Leaf Earrings quest?

The chain starts at level 17; the earrings need level 25 to wear.

Where do I get Stump's Teardrop?

Its item description says it's very rarely found from Dark Axe Stumps. The drop rate isn't published.

Where is Winston in MapleStory Classic?

At East Rocky Mountain II, in the Rocky Mountains east of Perion.

Is the fossil quest worth it?

It's a cheap EXP chain that ends in a 5-slot earring, but it costs you a Weighted Earrings, so it's a small upgrade rather than a big one.

Sources: Game data v1.0.0 · MapleClassic Wiki [1]. Names and game content © Nexon, used for informational purposes. The explanations on this page are our own.