The Brass Man

All righty then! Here we are, with what is undoubtedly the better of any of my Photoshopped images, which is nice to see that I'm improving. I still can't fathom how some people churn out some brilliant pieces of digital art in something like 6 hrs. Maybe I just have a terrible work ethic .

Anyway, the Brass Man is a bloke that I had already conjured up, but was motivated to illustrate him for a comp held by . He didn't turn out exactly as I pictured him, but then again does anyone get exactly what they wanted?
Below is his description for the comp, so if you've had your fill of exposition, I won't hold onto you any longer.
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BACKSTORY:

This little story begins decades before the time of the Kingdom of Milosia falling under the tyranny of a sinister sorceress. Some 178 years ago, an astute scholar discovered a disturbing decline in magical talent within certain demographics of society. After a time of intense study it was determined that should the people lacking magic (known as officially as the Vacant) continued to mingle with those who still possessed magic, the effects would eventually see an end to all the arcane arts.

In order to prevent this dilution, the current rulers at the time decreed that the Vacant were to be rounded up and shipped off to the frontier colonies were their condition could be safely controlled. Dispute several riots and a short civil war, the plan succeeded. Later the far flung colony would gain independence and create it's own fascinating culture and technologies. Tensions between the the Vacant and the Milosians eventually subsided, although interracial relations were strictly controlled.In regards to trade, Milosia would provide magical artefacts for the Vacant's to use to power their technology, while in return the Vacant would sell their industrial strength to create spectacular constructions for Milosian customers.

Back in the present day, the sorceress known as Desmena once trusted as an advisor has killed or imprisoned the royal family and cast a powerful spell to manipulate everyone on Milosia. Fortunately the Vacant are unaffected. Why? Basically magic can operate in one of two ways. A caster can use the magic to posses to create a physical manifestation, e.g. a fireball. Or they an directly affect the magic in someone else to manipulate them, e.g. mind control or creating visions. Since the Vacant lack magic, they cannot be controlled through magical means (although physical magic, like that fireball form earlier will sure as hell have an effect).

Enter our hero, the Brass Man. His past clouded in mystery (as all good hero's are), and with his armour is capable of super-human speed and agility. He managed to evade the Milosia patrols that deported all the other Vacant at the time of the sorceresses take over. Whilst attempting to survive in a hostile land he happens across the Princess Naobi, who escaped from the royal palace during Desmena's siege, taking with her the Crown of Milosia which protects her from the effects of the mind control spell that now dominates the land.

With contact outside Milosia impossible, trapped as it were behind a metaphorical Iron curtain. Naobi and the Brass Man band together against the odds, seeking to discover a means to overthrown the sorceress. Their plan so far is thus:
Desmena has access to the royal palace, which is unique for it's ability to magnify the magic of whomever hold power (a defence in which if the current ruler is killed, the steward of the kingdom may still use the palaces power to defend the realm). In addition to corrupted magicians feeding the Desmena with their power, she is practically invincible. Should the Brass Man be able to escort Naobi from the outskirts of civilisation, all the way to the capital where she may claim her rightful place on the throne. Than the palaces amplifier will defect back to serving those with royal blood, and give Naobi the chance to defeat Desmena once and for all.

But there is a catch which add a sense of grittiness to this tale of daring, courage and high adventure. Even though the Brass Man cannot be controlled by magic, the constant exposure to it over time can cause any number of problems with his body. The major one is that over exposure causes misfires in the brain and damages the delicate membranes in the body. If exposed to too much magic, for too long will eventually result in a catastrophic brain haemorrhage.

It is truly a race against time for our hero's, with the Brass Man's life, and Milosia future, hanging in the balance.
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Well that went longer than expected. Still, hopefully if you managed to put up with reading it all the way through it at least was entertaining.