The genesis of The Saving of the Sanslorian was a question by a reader in response to Range Patrol #4, which documented the destruction of the Sanslorian by the Cartel: Surely Eidolon is going to do something about this, isn't he? I certainly would have thought he would, and I had also had the idea of a surviving remnant of Sanslorian on the Northwestern continent, which would include Bimf's daughter, hiding out from the Sk'lan. From there it wasn't hard to put together this story, though the addition of Ky'lara and Darthex were a last-minute inspirations.

This story also permitted me to flesh out some discussion points with an expert consult on what Eidolon did when he wasn't busy fighting evil. We may expect that what we see with his job in the Kerros City Library is typical: He looks for something obscure to work at, and takes the role of inidivual counselor. (I also expanded further on how Eidolon lives everyday life in his History.) We also got to see an example of how Eidolon often finds it necessary to abruptly end relationships so that he can pursue more critical service. Range Patrol #6 will also add some background about the one time he did not end a relationship with the fairer sex -- and how it haunts him to this day. Eidolon's rejection of Serena has more to it than it seems: His ancient beloved, Abigail, remains in his mind; and yet, he continues to forge friendships with the ladies, taking the associated risks of something deeper being offered him. A sad life for our prophet indeed. (By the way, the "confidant" he mentions will appear at the end of RP #6... and a word in your ear....it's another case of a platonic relationship with a member of the opposite sex that he tries to keep at arm's length.)

A hint for something to come: Eidolon assumes that no one can use the power of the wind seraph to fly unless they are immortal (and thus, unable to be unharmed by the energies coursing through them). In Shrike Team #7, he'll find out how wrong he is on that. No points for guessing who will figure it out.

As for Sheila's premonition on page 6, we'll find out what that's all about in the Crucible of Time mini-series. Kind of funny to think, though, that Eidolon was partly responsible for her getting Beamer and Bimf in as part of the crew! That's also where we'll learn more about why Eidolon is so hesitant to attack Darthex.

The question was raised: Do Sanslorian sleep? I have said in various RP stories that they do not require it; but we can assume that just because they don't need it does not mean they can't do it. Admittedly I did forget about my stricture when I did this page...but I believe I worded the original rule (that they do not require sleep) in such a way as to allow that they could. (I mean, it does get boring staying up all the time, doesn't it?)

There's a connection between Darthex's escape pod, the missile that hit the Range Patrol station in RP #2, and something to come in the Crucible of Time mini-series....'nuff said. Readers of this comic are smart enough to go from there.

One of these days we may have another bonus tale with Eidolon....but the next one up with feature RP member Snowdrop.