Here's what the other spriter was able to do:
I'm wondering if you two could maybe work together. I asked him to read this topic, so you should get an answer very soon.
About the sprite: The claws don't have to be so precise. Feel free to make the entire arm smaller just like RTP style usually is. His claws don't have to be separated, you don't need transparent pixels inbetween. You could easily make it so there is one pixel line of a claw, then a dark line which is kinda the space. You can make his arm longer, BTW.
Also, his chest should be wider and the pauldrons smaller. Other than that I like the direction this is going to.
And that red thing coverind his legs is more of a coat instead of a toga. Feel free to change it that way.
Thanks, Caro (and you, too, sniper308)!