- Mina the Hollower Kear items are unique flower-handled keys used to open locked doors and high-value treasure chests.
- Kearnes in Ossex sells up to 10 Kears, though the price in Bones increases significantly with each purchase.
- Freeton the NPC acts as a tracker, telling you exactly how many Kears remain hidden in the overworld.
- Exploration is vital as most Kears are tucked away in caves, behind breakable walls, or rewarded after completing environmental puzzles.
Understanding the Mina the Hollower Kear System
The Mina the Hollower Kear serves as one of the most important collectible currencies in the game. Unlike standard keys that might open a single door in a dungeon, Kears are a universal resource. Finding a Kear allows you to bypass obstacles, reach new sub-areas, and obtain powerful Trinkets that are otherwise inaccessible. Visually, these items resemble a traditional key but feature a distinct flower-shaped handle, fitting the gothic-botanical aesthetic of the world.
Video Highlights:
- Learn how to navigate the Sifted Sands to reach difficult items.
- Discover the synergy between the Yellow Umbrella and Pit Preserver.
- Visual walkthrough for crossing the Wide Pit to reach hidden areas.
Before hunting for Kears in the Sifted Sands or Eastern Heath, ensure you have the Yellow Umbrella from the Oasis. It is essential for gliding across wide gaps that lead to secret Kear chests.
While many Kears are found through direct exploration, the game provides several methods to acquire them. You can find them in the environment, earn them from NPCs, or purchase them from specialized vendors.
| Acquisition Method | Primary Source | Currency/Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Exploration | Hidden caves and chests | Thorough searching |
| Purchasing | Kearnes in Ossex City | Bones (Increasing cost) |
| NPC Rewards | Resident in Ossex | Donating Bones to the needy |
| Puzzles | Ossex High Street | Telescope interaction |
How to Buy Kears in Ossex City Center
If you find yourself one or two keys short of a major upgrade, heading to the Ossex City Center is your best bet. Look for a building marked with a giant Kear sign—it is located directly next to the flower shop. This is the shop of Kearnes, a blue-colored character who specializes in these rare items.
Kearnes' Shop
- Stock: 10 Kears available.
- Cost: Increases with every purchase.
- Location: Ossex City Center (Giant Key Sign).
Freeton the Tracker
- Function: Tracks overworld completion.
- Benefit: Helps you reach 100% completion.
- Location: Standing near Kearnes.
The price for Kears at Kearnes' shop scales aggressively. It is highly recommended to find at least 20-30 Kears in the wild before spending your hard-earned Bones on his stock.
Purchasing Kears should be your last resort or a way to quickly bypass a gate if you are stuck. The "Kear Institute" within Ossex also tracks your progress, rewarding you for reaching specific milestones in your collection.
Regional Kear Locations: Loner's Landing & Ossex
The early game areas contain several "free" Kears that players should prioritize. These are often hidden behind minor combat encounters or simple platforming challenges.
Loner's Landing Locations
Loner's Landing serves as the introductory area where you will learn the basics of burrowing and jumping to reach collectibles.
| Location | Specific Spot | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Blighted Docks | Side cave | Located near the first locked gate |
| Boardwalk | South of Outskirts | Use puff shroom to jump across fire |
| Residence | Trooper encounter | Defeat enemies and circle clockwise |
Ossex City & High Street
Ossex is the central hub and contains the highest density of Kears, including several tied to unique NPC interactions.
Hollower's Guild
Burrow into the entrance in the City Center. Go behind the desk to find a chest on the right.
The Telescope Puzzle
On Ossex High Street, head north past the gate. Use the telescope to zoom in on the red planet. A comet will drop a Kear.
The Fireplace Secret
In the house west of the Trinket Store, burrow into the fireplace. Follow the long path through the Southern Outskirts to the end.
In the house on the far western side of Ossex High Street, speak to the woman by the fireplace. If she has seen you donating Bones to the poor on the street, she will give you a Kear for free!
Advanced Areas: Eastern Heath & Astral Orrery
As you progress into the mid-to-late game, Kear locations become significantly more complex, involving environmental traps and portal-based puzzles.
Eastern Heath Exploration
The Eastern Heath requires careful timing to navigate the saw traps. This area also houses a secret shop that offers more than just standard gear.
| Area | Feature | Acquisition Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Poppit Shop | Purple cavern | Buy from Poppit near the saw traps |
| Saw Traps | Vertical saws | Navigate south from Ossex bridge |
Astral Orrery Secrets
The Astral Orrery is a late-game zone that utilizes verticality and portals. You will need to master your burrowing and jumping mechanics to secure these.
| Item | Location | Puzzle Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Kear 1 | Astral Orrery | Breakable surface near laser turret |
| Kear 2 | Astral Orrery | Jump over purple portals to the west |
In the Astral Orrery, you can often use cubes to block laser turrets. This is frequently the key to reaching breakable walls that hide a Mina the Hollower Kear.
Kear Collection Checklist
To ensure you haven't missed any vital keys during your playthrough, use this checklist to track your progress through the main hubs.
Essential Kear Checklist:
- Collect the 3 Kears in Loner's Landing
- Purchase all 10 Kears from Kearnes in Ossex
- Complete the 10 Ossex Kear Institute challenges
- Trigger the Telescope Comet event on High Street
- Donate Bones to unlock the Fireplace Resident's Kear
- Find the Poppit Shop in the Eastern Heath
- Clear the breakable walls in the Astral Orrery
There are 50 Kears in total to find. Reaching this number is required for 100% game completion and unlocks the ultimate rewards within the Hollower's Guild.
Mina the Hollower Kear FAQ
Q: What is the primary use of a Mina the Hollower Kear?
Kears are special flower-handled keys used to open locked treasure chests and decorative doors found throughout the overworld and dungeons. They are a limited resource but can be found or bought.
Q: How many Kears can I buy from Kearnes?
Kearnes sells a total of 10 Kears in his Ossex City Center shop. Note that each subsequent Kear becomes more expensive, requiring more Bones to purchase.
Q: Is there a way to track how many Kears I have left to find?
Yes, you can speak to Freeton, an NPC located in the Ossex City Center near the Kear shop. He provides a count of how many Kears remain in the overworld for you to discover.
Q: Can I miss any Kears permanently?
No, Kears are tied to specific locations or NPC interactions that remain available throughout the game. Even if you miss one early on, you can return with late-game tools like the Yellow Umbrella to claim it.