Tuff’s less trollish appearance is a consequence of his family’s efforts to integrate into humanoid society, often mixing in human, halfling, or orcish influence into their grand bloodline. Though they managed to soften their harsh features and shade themselves more of a ruddy tone, they couldn’t get rid of their distinct tails, which was a certain point of ridicule among more xenophobic crowds. Sometime in his early life, Tuff steeled himself and had his tail amputated and cauterized in order to feel more “personly”. This had some unfortunate side effects, as a shire troll’s tail plays a role in their metabolism, and so Tuff gained a ravenous appetite, much to the dismay of whoever housed him ever since then.

Tuff is the youngest son of a large shire troll family, though that family was largely disconnected from each other aside from the necessary rituals, discussing food and culinary techniques they’ve discovered. Instead, the family he lived among was that of the many miners and labourers in the lower Underhaven, a rough bunch who treated him well (partly because he did much of the heavy lifting). 

Recently, Tuff got to see a real adventuring party clear out a gang of goblinoids that had taken over the mines, and was so inspired by their fighting that he has begun to range out of his home, the mines, looking to join adventurers on quests.