Tomas “Chop” Underbough
Tomas, known affectionately as “Chop,” is a wiry young elf in his early twenties, with restless brown eyes that miss nothing and a perpetual mop of unruly dark hair that falls over his forehead no matter how often he tries to tame it. Raised in the dense, wild forests on the outskirts of the kingdom, Tomas grew up learning how to survive off the land—tracking game, foraging for herbs, and sharpening his skills with a knife from a young age. This upbringing gave him remarkable dexterity and speed, earning him his nickname for the almost preternatural quickness and precision with which he wields his cleaver and paring knives.
Though he joined the kitchen staff only recently, Tomas quickly proved himself indispensable during large feasts and hectic meal preparations. His knack for improvising recipes using whatever ingredients are at hand has saved many a mealtime when supplies ran low or guests arrived unexpectedly. Despite his youth and relative inexperience with the more refined arts of courtly cuisine, Tomas possesses a natural curiosity and a hunger to learn, often staying late to practice delicate cuts or experiment with new flavor combinations.
His easygoing nature and quick wit make him well-liked among the kitchen crew, who appreciate his ability to lighten tense moments with a joke or a cheerful song. Tomas is also fiercely loyal, seeing the stronghold kitchen as his new family after years of wandering and hardship. Beneath his lighthearted exterior lies a quiet determination; he hopes one day to become a master chef and bring the flavors of the forest—and the stories they carry—to the grand tables of nobility.
Tomas dresses simply in practical linen and leather, often stained with flour, herbs, or soot from the kitchen fires. A worn leather cuff on his wrist, carved with symbols of the forest, serves as a reminder of his roots and the lessons he carries with him every day. Though far from the wild woods he once called home, Tomas carries their spirit in his heart—and in the fresh, vibrant dishes he creates.
Though he joined the kitchen staff only recently, Tomas quickly proved himself indispensable during large feasts and hectic meal preparations. His knack for improvising recipes using whatever ingredients are at hand has saved many a mealtime when supplies ran low or guests arrived unexpectedly. Despite his youth and relative inexperience with the more refined arts of courtly cuisine, Tomas possesses a natural curiosity and a hunger to learn, often staying late to practice delicate cuts or experiment with new flavor combinations.
His easygoing nature and quick wit make him well-liked among the kitchen crew, who appreciate his ability to lighten tense moments with a joke or a cheerful song. Tomas is also fiercely loyal, seeing the stronghold kitchen as his new family after years of wandering and hardship. Beneath his lighthearted exterior lies a quiet determination; he hopes one day to become a master chef and bring the flavors of the forest—and the stories they carry—to the grand tables of nobility.
Tomas dresses simply in practical linen and leather, often stained with flour, herbs, or soot from the kitchen fires. A worn leather cuff on his wrist, carved with symbols of the forest, serves as a reminder of his roots and the lessons he carries with him every day. Though far from the wild woods he once called home, Tomas carries their spirit in his heart—and in the fresh, vibrant dishes he creates.
Children
