They happen when they happen.
I find the limited options can make it easy to get stuck on them.
Add On Edit: Would be really neat to include quests as part of Slim's job since the guy is honestly the most useless NPC I think. It would make sense in my opinion. Slim desperately needs a refresh update.
Let us take on quests (could have permanent and/or limited time ones that reset everyday/week), complete them for a Slim-specific currency (rocks? fish?? what do bears like lol), let us buy stuff like Bidoo's shop does. It gives NPCs more purpose if we have something to gain from interacting with them.
^ agreeing with this. A weekly quest generation could be a fun solution to that issue as well, especially since not all packs explore or breed and can end up with 3 quests they can't complete, and lose interest.
Quest rewards will probably also have to be altered, as battling 30 sun bears in jungle for a 10-50mush reward is not something I'd activley go out of my way to do (since a pack of 6 could take my explore team out lol.)
I think a this or that approach might be a good idea as an alternative option, for those very specific quest as long as they're of equal difficulty. Ie,
Find painted pottery shards OR pottery shards
Breed for a brindle OR leopard marking
Battle x bengal tigers OR x sun bears
Addiontally, quest for earning currency (bone shards, event currency, earning x amout of mush from explore or sales), explore encounters (scaring off the birdman or helping the bear cub in forest x times), crafting items, playing mini games (beat the beetle game x times), PvP/Alliance/Faction related ones or donating wishbones/hidden falls items etc would be nice. 🤠