You don’t know when to give up, do you? That’s good. Don’t hand it to me. I’ve had everything handed to me... on a goddamn silver platter. Everything except this! I earned this. All of it.
Rafe Adler
Template:Infobox Character Rafe Adler is an American businessman and treasure hunter who serves as the main antagonist of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.
A former associate of brothers Nathan and Sam Drake, Rafe initially allied himself with them to search for Henry Avery's lost treasure , later competing with the two after he lost trust and patience with both the brothers and wanting to claim it for himself. He also hired the services of PMC Shoreline, led by Nadine Ross.
He was voiced and motion captured by Warren Kole.
History
Background
Initially groomed to take over his family's business empire, Rafe Adler spent much of his youth consorting with the thieves, smugglers, and criminals in the black market antiquities trade. Now a respected businessman, he still makes time to seek out treasures for his collection. Thanks in no small part to the flexibility and power his wealth affords him, he usually gets what he wants. Cunning, cold, and quick to anger, he is not an opponent to take lightly.
Official Uncharted 4: A Thief's End bio.
Born into a wealthy American family, Rafe was a selfish treasure hunter who was desperate to make his own fortune in an attempt to be known for something other than his inheritance.
Events of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Dealings in Panama
Guys, let's just pretend I skipped all of Sunday school.
Rafe to Nate and Sam after they retrieve the Saint Dismas cross.
At some point before the events of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Rafe teamed with novice thieves Samuel and Nathan Drake in order to uncover the location of Henry Avery's lost treasure. The trio used Rafe's wealth to buy their way into a Panamanian prison, as it was the easiest way to gain access to an old Spanish fort that housed convicted pirates who were to be hanged. The fort's highest cell held Avery's first mate Burnes, and the last remaining lead to the treasure itself.
Here, Nathan uncovered a small cross of Saint Dismas and hid it from Vargas, the corrupt warden Rafe bribed. The trio worked out that the cross led to a Saint Dismas cathedral in Scotland. After murdering Vargas after he discovered the cross and attempted to get a share of the profits, Rafe escaped from the prison with Nathan, while Samuel was shot and presumed dead. Afterwards, Rafe purchased the land around Saint Dismas Cathedral and Nate worked with him for a time, but eventually left after Rafe grew increasingly agitated in proportion to Nate's grieving. Nathan turned to a life of treasure hunting while Rafe continued to relentlessly search for the lost treasure. At some point, Rafe's parents either died or retired, and he took over their business.
Auction at the Rossi Estate
It's amazing. All these years gone by, here we are — we're still haggling over dead people's junk.
Rafe and Sully reunite at the auction.
Rafe is next seen at an auction at the Rossi Estate, where he is trying to buy a second, intact Saint Dismas cross. While in a conversation with Victor Sullivan, Rafe reveals that he has partnered with Nadine Ross, a South African woman who is the leader of the PMC Shoreline. Rafe, suspicious of Sully's presence at the auction, threatens him to stay well away from the cross. Nate, Sam, and Sully come away with the artifact after deceiving Rafe.
Saint Dismas Dormitories
Template:Dialogue3 The story then proceeds to Scotland, where Rafe is using Shoreline's resources to tear down the Saint Dismas cathedral. Sam and Nate make their way to a chamber designed by Avery to reveal the treasure's true location. It is here Nate realizes that the treasure wasn't just Avery's, but instead the culmination of renowned pirate captains' plunder accrued throughout the years, all kept in one central location, known as Libertalia. In the end, Nate and Sam find that the next clue is in King's Bay, Madagascar.
Pro Deus Quod Licentia
Look, Nate. I'm gonna make you a one-time offer here... You drop everything... go home, live your life... and I'm willing to forgive and forget. For old time's sake.
Rafe to Nate in his call.
Rafe and Shoreline continue the hunt in Madagascar, tearing down every watch tower in the hopes of finding more clues. Nate, Sam, and Sully continue to stay a step ahead however, and locate the correct tower. Rafe then hacks their phones to gain access to their sent photos and messages, subsequently learning of Libertalia's existence. He then calls Nate to offer one last chance to step away from the hunt and leave the treasure for him. Nate refuses, and Shoreline attacks Sam as a result.
Arrival in Libertalia
He spent the last two years tracking down the second St. Dismas Cross. And you know what? He did it all with me.
Rafe reveals Sam's lie.
They then continue to track the Drakes all the way to Libertalia, where they quickly gain the upper hand in the search due to their sheer manpower. After a brief confrontation with Nadine, Rafe holds the brothers at gun point, and unknowingly forces Sam to reveal the truth behind his prison escape. Deeming Nate no longer useful, he attempts to kill him, but Sam takes the bullet while accidentally pushing Nate off the cliff - which leads the group to believe he is dead. Rafe then uses Sam as a pawn for his hunt, exploiting his knowledge of Avery, and as a result, they quickly find the whereabouts to Avery's treasure.
Final showdown with the Drakes
You know, for all your greatness, Nate. You have nothing. You are nothing. And I warned you, to get out of my way.
Rafe to Nate during the battle.
Though they eventually find Avery's ship and take millions of dollars worth of treasure, Rafe is adamant in keeping Sam away from the rest. Nadine refuses to go with him, as most of her men are dead and they have plenty enough treasure already. Rafe claims what they have is a pittance compared to what's left on the ship. When Nadine reasons that if Sam can escape the booby-trapped ship alive then he's earned it, more than Rafe has, Rafe strikes her.
After she retaliates and pulls her gun on him, her men turn on her. Rafe recovers, revealing he's used his financial advantage to turn her mercenaries onto his side. They venture to the ship with Nadine captive. Once onboard, Sam intentionally triggers the traps set by Avery, causing bombs to detonate around the ship, with a fallen wooden beam trapping Sam. When Nate arrives, he surrenders the treasure to Rafe, imploring him to let Nate rescue his brother. Rafe doesn't allow him to, and orders Nadine to take his gun.
After she does, she turns on Rafe and disarms him too. Before leaving them locked in the ship's hold, she points out the skeletons of Avery and Thomas Tew and states that anyone obsessed with treasure gets what it deserves. Nate begs Rafe to help him save Sam, but Rafe, fed up with the Drake and wishing the treasure for him, ignores him and takes Tew's machete, challenging Nate to a duel, Nate. Originally he tries to avoid the fight, but he realizes that he can not reason with Rafe to avoid the fight, Nate grabs the sword of Every and he wins the fight. Nate fights with him until he offers him the opportunity to die on the boat as a useless, but Rafe denies the offer and continues the fight until he takes it off guard and cuts the rope that holds a treasure bag on top, something ironic.
Single-player skins and variants
- Prison Rafe
- Auction Rafe
- Scotland Rafe
- Island Rafe
- Island End Rafe
Multiplayer
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016)
Rafe is a playable villain in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End multiplayer. He is available at the beginning, and doesn't need to be unlocked.
Skins and variants
- Skins
- Rafe Adler
- Suited Rafe
- Scotland Rafe
- Crazy Rafe
- Prison Rafe
- Military Rafe
- Apocalypse Rafe
- Pirate Rafe
- Biker Rafe
- Western Rafe
- Savage Starlight Rafe
- Swimmer Rafe
- Warrior Rafe
- Pre-Set Outfits
- Radical Rafe
- Reptilian Rafe
- Rapture Rafe
- Regulator Rafe
- Rowdy Rafe
- Raucous Rafe
Character Design
Personality
I have sacrificed everything to find Avery. And I'm not gonna let a couple of two-bit thieves... a senile con man... and a washed up journalist take that away from me!
Rafe to Nate during their battle.
Rafe was a selfish, arrogant, demanding, ruthless, and ill-tempered treasure hunter; someone who has never allowed bygones to be bygones. He wanted to be known for something other than his inheritance, and had hated the fact that he'd been given everything on a silver platter his whole life.
After spending a majority of his life searching for Avery's treasure, he believed himself to have earned it above anyone else. When Nadine says Sam's earned the treasure more than Rafe has, he strikes her in fury. He became utterly obsessed with the one thing in his entire life that he's had to fight for, and was desperate and unhinged enough to fight Nathan to the death just to keep it.
Rafe had shown himself to be exceedingly violent on numerous occasions, and, evidenced by his nonchalance, he saw murder and physical confrontation as an everyday resolution to obstacles and not worthy of further discussion. This is shown throughout the story, but specifically when he had killed Vargas after he attempted to blackmail Rafe, or his willingness to kill off Nadine if she were to disregard his commands. He also, whether aware of it or not, falsely claimed that he didn't betray his partners.
Rafe was bitter and jealous of Nathan's fame, and angry that he had not taken the glory for all of his adventures (El Dorado, Shambhala, and Atlantis of the Sands).
In addition, Rafe was quite patient, seeking Avery's fortune for years. He was quick to become agitated, shown when he threatened Sullivan at the auction in Italy. Rafe didn't often dirty his own hands, preferring instead to use others to gain information he couldn't obtain himself. Rafe saw others as pawns, using them for his own gain. He used Nadine Ross and Shoreline for muscle, and the Drake brothers for Avery's treasure.
Vicious and calculating, his emotions tended to overwhelm his common sense — trapped on Avery's ship, instead of doing the reasonable thing and working with Nathan and Sam to escape, he chose to attack them instead. His death was caused by his own pride and need for self-gain.
Skills
What you got, asshole?
Rafe when fighting Gustavo's henchmen.
Rafe appeared to be a skilled climber, brawler, and fencer. As shown in chapter 2, he held his own when he, Nate, and Sam were attacked by Gustavo and his men; he also had no difficulty traversing the prison's walls and high buildings. He seemingly had a near limitless amount of wealth, using Shoreline to look for Avery's treasure. Though not knowledgeable in history like the Drake brothers, Adler was cunning and suave, using it for his personal needs.
Weapons
Rafe's personal sidearm was a nickel plated and heavily engraved Template:W with pearl grips.
Appearances
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
- Chapter 2 - Infernal Place
- Chapter 6 - Once a Thief...
- Chapter 9 - Those Who Prove Worthy
- Chapter 11 - Hidden in Plain Sight
- Chapter 15 - The Thieves of Libertalia
- Chapter 18 - New Devon
- Chapter 21 - Brother's Keeper
- Chapter 22 - A Thief's End
- Multiplayer
Trivia
- The name Rafe is of English, Scandinavian, and German origin meaning "counsel of the wolf" or "wise wolf." [1]
- The surname Adler is of German origin meaning "eagle." [2]
- Rafe's surname is only ever spoken twice in the entire game.
- Out of all the main antagonists, Rafe possibly came the closest to killing Nate. He managed to overpower him in a physical fight, had him at his mercy, and could have killed him had he not started monologuing, giving Nate enough time to find a way to defeat him.
- Based on an article clipping in Nate's journal calling Rafe a "Big Box Scion", it's possible his parents' business was focused on chain stores.
- Taking into account what his official bio says, this is likely a front.
- When an official render of Rafe is viewed in a neutral environment — without the constantly shifting lighting of the game environments — Rafe's eyes are a mix of brown and blue. This is indicative of Template:W, meaning there are two different colors in the same iris.
Gallery
Models
.jpg "Rafe (End).jpg (382 KB)")
Stills
References
Template:Reflist