Yao

Crazy Yao was Wan's friend and one of the first firebenders in the Avatar World. Along with the other impoverished citizens from his city, Yao ventured into the Spirit Wilds to start a new life and escape the tyranny of the Chou family.

History
Crazy Yao and his friends lived on top of a lion turtle who could bestow the ability to bend fire, in a treehouse on the outskirts of the city. Like Jaya, he was originally resigned to his fate as a commoner, depending entirely on food that Wan stole in order to survive. He warned Wan to be wary of his actions so as to avoid banishment into the Spirit Wilds, recalling how a spirit once possessed him and caused his disfigurement.

After a raid on the Chou estate which led to Wan's detainment, Yao and Jaya witnessed Wan's banishment into the Spirit Wilds, and lamented over his fate, under the belief that he would die within a day. When an expedition of hunters returned and confirmed that Wan had been living among the spirits and protecting the Spirit Oasis, Yao resolved to venture into the wilds as well, believing himself capable of surviving if Wan had done the same.

In the time he spent in the wilds, Yao engaged in several conflicts against hostile spirits, one of which led to his death.

Trivia

 * Yao is the first known human to have been possessed by a spirit.