Find the Crystal Thorn artifact

 is an optional side-mission featured in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha.

"A "crone"?.. No, that’s not it. "Crystal corn"?.. No, wrong again... Bugger! "Crystal Thorn", that’s it! So here’s the deal: I have an order for this artifact, "Crystal Thorn". Have you heard of it? They say that if you’ve got one, no creature will be able to mess with your brain. So what do you say?"

- Barkeep

Overview

 * The side missions in Lost Alpha are largely symbolic, reward the player far more frugally than in the base game, and detract from the game generally. Why would a player hunt down a reasonable artifact and off load it for a pittance? By LA standards, Barkeep pays fairly good money for easy work.
 * This is the second such mission of this type given by Barkeep and completion is required for progression to the other (more rewarding) missions.
 * The mission is repeatable.

Trivia

 * Barkeep will probably reissue the Find the Meat chunk artifact mission after completing this task, before issuing the subsequent mission.