Jonas is rather reticent about his past, though it is plain that he is a man of considerable experience. Coral Thorin notices his back is covered in scars, and expresses amazement that he had even managed to survive such a flogging, but nothing is known of this particular incident other than Jonas' own claim that it happened in Garlan, a country distant to Mejis. It seems he may have had palaver with the Manni for he knows of traveling between worlds.