Runner 3 is a game developed by Choice Provisions and coming to the Switch this year, and the developer has updated fans on the game's website about the Hero Quests, giving a bit more details about them.
"Just like its predecessors, Runner 3 is going to be a fast-paced romp through a whimsical world," the post explains. "This is something we never want to disrupt or get in the way of. As such, Hero Quests are a wholly optional element of the game, and they'll never appear on the "main" path of any level. Of course, we highly suggest doing these quests, but the choice is entirely yours."
"When you approach a quest giver in the game, a conversation will trigger. You'll be assigned a quest—such as gathering ingredients to make a stargazy pie—and be sent on your merry way. Should you choose to complete this quest, you'll be rewarded generously. We could just flat-out tell you what the rewards will be, but it feels more fun to leave it a mystery. It's no fun if we tell you everything."
We're also provided with a picture of one of the quest givers in the game as well, called Sir Strömming, which we've included below. Doesn't he look... lovely?