Hao stands 5'10" in height and weighs 185lb. His physique that of a slightly deteriorated warrior, muscular yet lacking some of the firmness that a seasoned military man should. His skin is tanned from working in the sun. His hair is a brown so dark one would think it black, slightly wavy, and flows down to hover just above his shoulders. Due to the fact that he ties it back loosely and wears a short, thickly growing beard, his appearance is similar to that of a lion. This is only accentuated by his deep brown eyes and stern, almost somber features. He dresses plainly, a light tan robe over a shirt and pants crudely converted earth nation army uniform and his sandals are light and tightly bound to his feet. On his back he wears a full size single bladed axe. An experienced individual could read both the pain and the peace his face betrays.

Hao grew up living with his parents and younger brother in a small village outside the walls of Ba Sing Se. His village was a prosperous one, and his family thrived within it. His father and uncle were respected men, the father being a successful farm owner and his uncle a respected military man the locals fondly called "the colonel." His childhood years were very happy and he spent them completely oblivious of the war. He and his brother spent their time playing games of their own creation with the Pai Sho tiles found in the tea house that was run by his mother and sat where their land bordered the village.

In his adolescence he began to learn of the war and when it became clear that it was unavoidable his father told him that he may one day have to face the fire nation. His training started young, his days of plowing or working in the kitchen ended, and at the age of 13 he began spending 6 hours a day between combat training with his uncle and earthbending with his mother. Several years later, when his uncle left to lead troops into battle to keep General Iroh's forces from getting any nearer to Ba Sing Se he demanded to go with them but was not allowed. From that point forward he spent every day looking for news of the war. Just over a year later he overheard a tea shop customer telling another that "the colonel" would be coming home the next morning. But Hao's innocence and heart were shattered when his uncle returned the next day. In a box.

Burning with the rage and impulsiveness of any 18 year old, he saddled one of his father's ostrich horses and rode out to enlist. His training made him a top recruit, and his assigned unit was a specialized one. Over the next few years he provided heavy resistance against the fire nation, quickly gaining the rank of sergeant. After some while Hao became aware that news from his village had stopped coming, and as the fire nation had presence all throughout the region, he asked his commander's permission to make a trip home. Upon arrival his fears were confirmed. Where his small but prosperous village once stood there was now nothing but smoldering wreckage. Sifting through the wreckage he found many bodies, including his parents, and spent days bitterly digging graves. When his work was done he began to tally up the dead, only then realizing his brother was not among them but assumed him either dead elsewhere or beyond rescue.

Before he left he dug up some small trinkets as well as his father's axe. However, as he rode back to the front lines a thought crossed his mind. "Why?" Everything he had fought for was gone. Everyone he'd ever loved was dead at the hands of the fire nation. General Iroh was gaining ground every day. There was no reason for him to die too.

Knowing that his desertion would mean he would either be considered dead or an outlaw and thus he no longer had the military between him and the fire nation forces. Taking only his trusted ostrich horse he went deep into the forest, where he until just recently resided, living in a small shelter he earth bended and living off the land. He spends his days training, meditating, gathering food and other supplies, and playing his flute like instrument. Upon hearing about the return of the Avatar from a wounded earth nation traveler his hope was renewed and he now plans to reenter the civilized world and continue working toward ridding his homeland of the fire nation.

Though once fierce and angry, years in the forest has made Hao a nature lover. The peace of the forest has created peace within him and he has learned to forgive and let go of his hate. He's the kind of guy who loves the simple things in life and treats all living creatures with respect, even the ones he kills. He is not above nursing a fire nation soldier back to health, or helping a lost traveler cornered by a platypus bear. Despite his largely solitary lifestyle he is very out going and enjoys telling stories to and cooking for people he may meet. His behavior could sometimes be considered silly, though years of hard living have taught him never to be foolish. Though his light heartedness only covers what his is like when his anger is actually aroused.