***Background***

William Reeve was born in May 1572 in the city of Liverpool. His father was the far-less-than-successful wool merchant Thomas Reeve from Liverpool and his mother Mary (nee Murphy) came from Wicklow, Ireland. Thomas Reeve was far better at trusting in other people's grand schemes than at his trade, so the family became increasingly destitute over the years, and when Mary Reeve died from pneumonia when William Reeve left home  in 1583 at the age of 11 and joined a merchant ship as a ship's boy.

During the next decade or so William sailed the seas on various English and Dutch merchant ships both in European waters and in more exotic locales like West Africa and the Americas. Being an intelligent and likeable man he was often promoted and gained a reputation as a good navigator and cartographer.

In the early 1590s William found himself drifting towards mercenary work. His skills were put to the test on the muddy battlefields in Flanders, France and Holland and he gained the attention of prominent figures, so in 1595 he found himself as a member of the (First) Dutch Expedition to Nusantara. The goal was to end the Portugese Empire's monopoly on the spice trade and for two years he saw the wonders of the Far East. When the expedition returned to the Dutch Republic he had gained the favor of the expedition's leader, Cornelis de Houtman, and lived the sweet life of the nouveau rich in Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

But fate can be cruel and fortunes come and go and in 1598 he saw it prudent to leave the Dutch Republic and return to England. Partly because his fortune was gone and now he was facing money-lenders of the worst sort. Partly because of the slighted husbands of William's female acquaintances.

Once he returned to England he settled in London where the mathematician John Dee and Sir Francis Walsingham saw use of his skills as cryptographer and cartographer. On their recommendation he was recruited into the Underguard and it is as yet undecided if the organisations wants him to fill the role of a Hunter or a Keeper.

***Personality***

William Reeve does not see himself as a leader even if he has often seen himself placed in that position. He is a thoughtful man that spends his money too quickly on women and gambling, yet beneath his bravado, his apparent cynicism and at times superficial lifestyle, there beats a heart of gold. He try and hide it well and at times even hide it from himself because it is his conscience that often cause him problems and make him end up in dangerous situations.

He believe in free will and man's right to determine his own fate and as such has grown to be a staunch opponent of the Vatican. People often find him charming and attractive and to those he trust and call friends he is most loyal and devoted.

***Appearance***

William Reeve is a man in his late 20s with brown curly hair and a convincing look in his brown eyes. His voice is calm and deep. His body carry the scars of war and a hard life at sea yet his old injuries does not hinder him and he is quite nimble.

He dress as stylish as he can afford when need be because he knows it make people of higher social status listen to him yet he feels more comfortable in ordinary rugged clothes. He carries his trusted rapier at his side and around his neck he carries a strange necklace with a round pendant made out of copper with lather straps through a square hole in the center of the pendant. He claims it comes from far-away China and that it grants him luck.

***Noteworthy Skills***

William Reeve is known best for his skills as a navigator and cartographer but also noted for being a polyglot. Rumor has it he is also a cryptographer but it is not something he speaks about.