[1.08] Unrecruitable champions?

What the Fallen!?

The very first hero I encountered in 1.08 is a "Champion" identified under his avatar in the 'card' summary as a 'Soldier - NPCs' whom is unrecruitable and can't be spoken to.  I have my Sov one tile away, and with my Sov selected, the "..." dialog has the red circle/slash to indicate I cannot talk to (if it were in a kingdom) nor recruit the character.  If I select the hero and go to actions, there's no "Recruit" button -- not one greyed out because I don't have the dough, but no recruit button at all!

Save file:

http://drop.io/chibiabos_elemental_001/asset/unrecruitable-champion-elesav

In the words of Timon the drag-dressing-and-hula-dancing meerkat:  WHAT'S GOING ON HERE!?