#diving gear

The very last picture I drew on PC before switching to my iPad and the Apple Pencil.

Silas Kakejaya, the main protagonist of my fantasy novel „Sonnentanz und Mondgesang” („Solar Dance and Lunar Song“). After the silent Elena Kakejaya found him four years ago in the forest on a snowy winter night, unconscious and struck by amnesia, he became the adoptive child of her parents Fugo and Maria, who have a roadhouse in northern Yamatai. Silas was born in the year 1040 of the Lylgameš-Era, now being 16 years old. Being a konbu-fisher, he’s a good swimmer and diver, preferring tight clothes made of a material called arboreal tears, improving his hydrodynamics. Contrary to the rest of the group of protagonists, who are mainly soldiers, he has no noteworthy fighting skills and he shows no will to learn some. As a Yamataijin, who belong to the race of Shemren, he is rather short (about 160 cm) and slim, and he has a high intellect, but low body strength. When it comes to food, he’s anything but picky, but he loves sweet stuff. Also, after being witness to a number of brutal killings, he stops eating meat.
Silas’ Journey begins with royal elite troop captain Seru Garuta arriving at his adoptive parents inn. The captain and his soldiers have the mission to take Silas to the capital Miyako so he can serve the ruler of Yamatai, Shokuyoku-daimyō, in his castle. However, it early becomes clear that this service is not being a butler to the royal family, as one could guess judging by Silas growing up in a roadhouse. The royal magician, Aburai Aruval, keeps sending Silas to various places plagued by paranormal activities, always ending in a fight against and banishing of a demon, in which Silas appears to develop a natural talent. Not long and Silas and his friends experience persecution, not only by the revengeful devils, but also by power hungry monarchs wanting to get their hands on Silas’ hidden powers, over ambitious ninjas trying to restore the honour of their clan by killing him, and even the fanatic high priest of the church that doesn’t accept another party as protectors against the demonic realm. And then there are also those recurring nightmares, partly prophetic, partly bringing back memories of Silas’ life before his amnesia…