William James Moriarty is a slender young man with fair skin and medium-length blond hair, styled with distinctive side bangs. His most notable feature is his vivid scarlet eyes, a striking color that Sherlock Holmes once likened to fresh blood, an unsettling detail that leaves a lasting impression. Despite his sharp presence, William is often described as handsome, with refined features that give him the air of a cultured gentleman.

He typically wears a brown three-piece suit paired with a red tie and a golden pocket watch. In his role as the “Lord of Crime,” his appearance shifts to a more mysterious silhouette, often seen wearing a top hat, a long black hooded coat, and carrying a cane. The cane doubles as a concealed weapon, able to be unsheathed and used as a sword.

After the events of the fall, William sustains a lasting injury that blinds his left eye, which also appears to lose some of its original color. He now wears a black eyepatch over the damaged eye. His wardrobe changes to reflect a darker tone, consisting of a black three-piece suit and a black tie in place of his previous brown attire.

During his time at the orphanage, William wore modest clothing, including a worn maroon-purple scarf, beige trousers, and a white dress shirt under a light brown coat. After being adopted by Albert Moriarty, he was dressed like a noble child in public, though he refrained from such appearances in private.

William James Moriarty is a refined and intelligent man, known for his calm presence, sharp intellect, and deep sense of justice. From a young age, he exhibited extraordinary academic talent, particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics. He often spent time in libraries sometimes without permission absorbing knowledge that impressed both his peers and adults. Even as a child, William preached ideas of equality and opposed the corruption of the nobility, laying the foundation for his later ideology.

As an adult, William grew into a charismatic and eloquent figure, maintaining the appearance of a perfect nobleman. Beneath that exterior, however, he orchestrated intricate crimes as the “Lord of Crime,” demonstrating an unmatched ability to plan and execute complex schemes with precision. Despite his involvement in murder and manipulation, he remains deeply compassionate and selfless, showing kindness to others and often helping those in need without being asked.

William’s devotion to creating a just society is so strong that he is willing to sacrifice his own life to achieve it. Though he shares close bonds with his brothers and allies, he chooses to bear the burden of their collective mission alone. During the events of the Final Problem, the emotional toll of his actions becomes increasingly visible he grows more withdrawn and struggles with guilt, unable to forgive himself for the lives lost.

He finds his true equal in Sherlock Holmes, the only person capable of fully understanding his ideals and inner conflict. William even briefly considers abandoning his plans for the sake of friendship with Sherlock. Ultimately, it is Sherlock who prevents his death and helps him understand that atonement doesn’t require self-destruction. This moment becomes a turning point, leading William to embrace the idea of continuing to live and struggle toward redemption.

After this revelation, William becomes more open and emotionally expressive. Three years later, those close to him note that he has regained the warmth and spirit he had in his youth. Despite everything, he remains committed to seeking redemption until the end of his life.

William James Moriarty is inspired by Professor James Moriarty, the infamous antagonist from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. In the original novels, Moriarty is portrayed as a criminal mastermind and the intellectual equal of Sherlock Holmes. Though he only appears directly in The Final Problem, his presence looms over the series as Holmes’ most formidable adversary. The character in Moriarty the Patriot reimagines this iconic figure as a complex anti-hero, exploring his motivations, background, and ideological clash with Holmes in greater depth.

Sherlock Holmes: Sherlock Holmes is William’s former arch-nemesis and the only individual portrayed as his intellectual equal. While the two initially stand on opposite sides William as the “Lord of Crime” and Sherlock as the detective determined to catch him their personal interactions reveal a deep, mutual understanding. From the beginning, Sherlock expresses a desire for William to be the elusive criminal he seeks, intrigued by his mind. In turn, William always expected Sherlock to uncover his identity, viewing their conflict as a necessary clash between ideologies. Over time, their rivalry evolves into a complex bond marked by respect, empathy, and a shared sense of isolation

Louis James Moriarty: Louis is William’s younger biological brother and the person he holds dearest. Since childhood, William has been protective of Louis, especially during times when Louis suffered from poor health. He consistently reassured Louis of his worth and worked to make him feel seen and valued. As adults, William tried to shield Louis from becoming involved in their revolutionary plans, believing it would preserve his innocence. However, after recognizing that his decision left Louis feeling isolated, William accepted his brother’s desire to stand beside him as an equal. Their bond remains one of the most emotionally significant in the series.

Albert James Moriarty: Albert is William’s adoptive older brother and the person responsible for bringing William and Louis into his home. From the start, Albert offered William the resources and freedom to pursue his vision of societal reform. Their relationship is built on trust and mutual respect, with Albert serving as one of William’s strongest pillars of support. William, in turn, confides in Albert more than anyone else, occasionally revealing the weight of his burdens. Their shared vow to transform the world becomes a driving force behind William’s resolve. He considers becoming Albert’s younger brother one of the greatest honors of his life.

Sebastian Moran: Sebastian Moran is William’s loyal right-hand man and one of his closest confidants. Known for his strength and reliability, Moran carries out many of William’s operations with unwavering loyalty. William places considerable trust in Moran’s abilities, and their relationship is one of mutual respect and camaraderie.

Fred Porlock: Fred is another close ally and friend within William’s inner circle. Although little is known about how they first met, Fred deeply admires William and believes in his mission. Initially hesitant to voice his personal concerns such as the use of children in their schemes Fred is comforted when William reassures him that his values matter. William promises to support him as long as he continues to oppose evil, strengthening the trust between them.