A concept drawing of the character Hallow for a roughly-designed story that may or may not ever live. Maybe someday I can do something cool with it, but not now. :P

He is a Noveta, or an immortal, shape-shifting creature that feeds on the life force, or aura, of humans. Novetas (based off the Latin words "novus", meaning new and "vita", meaning life) are created when one of these creatures transfers some of their aura to a dying human. The poisonous aura then kills the human, but in a few days, he or she transforms into a new Noveta.
The color of a Noveta's eyes indicate their hunger. Silver eyes mean that it has just fed, and the color changes to gold, then to amber, then to bronze, then to maroon as it becomes hungrier. When the Noveta is in danger of starving to death, its eyes are bright red and the Noveta can no longer control its urge to feed. It will stop at nothing to get the human aura it craves.

Hallow was born in what we know as ancient Egypt. He was one of the Pharaoh's most trusted servants, but he contracted tuberculosis and was not expected to live. The Pharaoh, secretly a Noveta, 'turned' him. Hallow is now considered the oldest Noveta still alive to the present day. He is the clan leader of a group of eight Novetas, who are the focus of the story. Maybe I'll get around to drawing all eight in time. Novetas are super fun to draw. ;)

All Novetas appear with a human head and torso, animal-like rear, and six wings. Hallow is based off a sphinx and has a lioness's body. His human form is at the upper right. The only visible distinction that he is a Noveta is the color of his eyes.

Photoshop cs2 - 1.5 hours :]