Rafael was born to a wealthy merchant and his maid in Los Campos Podridos in 2241. Despite already having a son from his deceased wife, Carlos would keep Rafael. Rafael would be treated like an equal son by his father and a brother by his sibling, and despite being a bastard, would face little ill will in his conservative community. While only praising the knights for killing predators, many in the Vatican took it as something more. The knights also took the comment as an invitation, and offered to build a chapterhouse if Rafael would get the Baron's permission.