Jak never knew his birth parents. He never felt the warmth of his mother’s love or the guidance of who might be his father. For all he knew, they were somewhere in the Bastion. Or they provided soil for the worms in the ground to consume. Jak has never known whether or not his name is Jak. The whole truth is at a young age -- younger than most when they came into The Hand’s care -- Jak arrived on his doorstep. Among seven others, he was raised by this man, taught how to steal and keep his ears closeby, and most of all, when the time comes, he was taught how to fight by this man.
Now, to know why Jak carries himself like he does, first you must know about The Hand. His true name is unknown to those who see him as a father-like figure. Eight children he raised and eight of them became thieves of various makes. A few of them died over the years for not being careful. His band of would-be thieves are known as the Proletarian Pickpockets because while you might not see them, their quick fingers always ensure they’ll always see you. Whether its coin, rations, fruit or even weapons should the score be available to them, The Hand has taught them to be fast and efficient.
Out of eight that came to his doorstep, the only one that mastered every lesson that The Hand gave him. It got to the point where The Hand grew weak and Jak took the reigns of the Pickpockets. By the age of twenty, Jak was the one giving the lessons and training the young ones to be fast yet sturdy. He was the father figure to these kids who ranged from ten to five.
For a while there, Jak felt like his life finally had meaning and seeing how much these kids looked up to him gave him a new purpose. He could be what The Hand was to him all those years ago. Nearly for four years, it was working out the best that it could for him and his pickpockets, but everything changed when one he thought was ready for a big score but ended up costing them everything. The task was simple: steal a sword from a member of the Red Guard who was known for coming on their corner to release his southern efforts. This task showed quickness and a certain amount of courage in risky situations, but at the time of this happening, the Red Guard soldier saw him, Nyket and soon the Pickpockets were in danger.
Death was certain for Nyket, but there came a compromise. To ensure that this wouldn’t happen again and as a show of good faith, Jak offered himself up in Nyket’s stead. The punishment was worse than death: Jak was to serve for the Phoenix Order.
During his final moments with his kids, Nyket, the oldest of the remaining children, gave Jak a silver pendant necklace, the last remaining token Nyket had from his mother before she died. As he said his final goodbyes and took what he needed, Jak smiled as he made his final journey. Death came to Jak, the Pickpocket and life was flown into Quicksilver Jak of the Phoenix Order.