Wil grew up the eldest son of market stall owners at the Combe Gate in Bree. He showed no desire to follow in his parents' footsteps however, and was allowed to spend most of his time fishing in the wilds around Bree, bringing back juicy fish to sell on the stall.

He was content enough with this life, but still he desired more adventure. He made up stories on his lonely expeditions about terrible beasts and vicious bandits stalking the Bree-lands, to take back to his younger siblings as true stories. His parents soon got tired of this behaviour and demanded that it end. Wil however persisted with his stories and lies.

At 16, he was on his way to one of his favourite fishing spots when he happened upon a group of bandits near the Chetwood. He hid in a nearby field, too afraid to run, as he overheard conversation of an imminent attack on Archet.

Terrified, he attempted to make a run for it, but found himself face to face with a bandit. Wil had no time to think before he whipped out his fish knife  and warded the bandit off.

Barely escaping with his life, he made it back to Bree but of course no one believed him about the attack. He had said one too many lies in his life. When the attack did happen a few days later, the guilt of not being able to warn others was more than he could bear. He committed to tell no more lies and to speak to somebody, anybody, that would allow him to help in the fight against the Blackwolds. He convinced one of his friends in the Bree Town Guard to allow him to use a training sword and dummy at night. If no one would listen, then at least he could fight.