This historian, with his long white beard and kindly face, devoted his life to preserving the remnants of human history. He would wander daily among the collections he oversaw: endless corridors housing thousands of artifacts and relics from ages past. Despite his advanced age, he still maintained the thirst for knowledge and curiosity of his earliest days, fascinated by everything that had ever been created and shaped throughout the world. He firmly believed that if humanity hoped to remain whole, it had to remember its history and traditions. It was the only way for people to forge their identity and, by extension, adhere to a united, supportive, and incredibly resilient society.

Born in 226 AC during the reign of Cecere Arundhani, Leo was a whimsical child, constantly asking countless questions, much to the amusement or exasperation of his parents. Deeply interested in philosophy, history, and any kind of intellectual exercise, it was only natural that he gravitated toward an academic life. He studied the great Asgarthan theorists, from Aurica to Fenn, including the writings of El-Amin. His sharp mind helped open to him the doors of the Monolith, and he spent many years working within the Sanctum, absorbing all the knowledge tucked away on the dusty shelves of the Ordis Library.

But academic life was only one side of his pursuits; he dedicated the other half of his existence to major archaeological projects, tirelessly exploring the Asgarthan Peninsula well into his later years, pushing his aging body to its limits. Whether it was exploring ruins or excavating forgotten relics, he took on numerous responsibilities, supervising large teams of diggers, experts, surveyors, and translators. Many discoveries now bear his name. Yet, even though he still thrilled at those fantastic expeditions, after a lifetime of traveling from place to place, he knew his declining health would soon prevent him from embarking on such grueling journeys again.

However, by nature an optimist, he already saw a new path forward that excited him just as much: passing on his knowledge to new generations. He devoted the final third of his life to teaching, sharing his expertise, shaping the minds of those who would follow in his footsteps — like a whetstone sharpening knives. This too embodied the ideal of the Ordis, to which he steadfastly adhered: the passing of torches from one generation to the next, ultimately leading to the creation of a utopia built on justice and equality, capable of withstanding the tests and trials of time.

It’s almost strange that Leocardius became better known as the rector of the Sanctum than for his earlier exploits… but in hindsight, his reemergence as an Eidolon made perfect sense. He left his mark on countless generations through the knowledge he held and cultivated, but above all through his inspiring teaching. This is what prompted Odran ruun-Hereen to make him one of the main characters in his Dialogues, after having been his attentive student for many years. It’s also what convinced Nagi de Santis to sculpt a piece in his likeness — The Night Watcher, which can be admired in the Emir Garfagnini Pavilions — because he had been the only one to support her when everyone else turned their backs on her…

And like them, countless other figures — among them Basilei Geirr Aveskamp and Caetano Acciai — traveled personally to pay their respects when he passed away peacefully in his bed in 322 AC. The only regret he confessed before closing his eyes forever was that he hadn’t been able to take one last journey, to excavate new relics and secrets, to learn more about the world… But now, as the Oneiros he has become, he finally has the chance to set out again.

And this is precisely the gift Waru wishes to give him. Throughout his youth, the Alterer had been passionate about Leo’s writings and discoveries: the Treatise on the Vestigial World, the Atlas Mundum Absconditum… so much so that his own academic path began to align with these archaeological subjects. He fully intends to rely on the Eidolon’s presence at his side to thoroughly examine the relics they found in Caer Oorun, which are at least 277 years old. What secrets and forgotten memories might they unearth as well from the City of Scholars? And of course, those will only be appetizers compared to what they will discover deeper within the Terra Incognita.