Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals Early Plans for Solas

Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard concept art reveals a darker Solas

Early concept sketches by former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow offer a glimpse into the evolution of Solas's character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. These sketches, showcased on Thornborrow's website, reveal a more overtly vengeful and god-like Solas than the character ultimately presented in the final game.

Thornborrow, who contributed to The Veilguard's development by creating a visual novel prototype to explore plotlines, shared over 100 sketches. While many scenes closely resemble their in-game counterparts, Solas's portrayal differs significantly in some instances. The final game depicts Solas primarily as an advisor communicating through Rook's dreams. However, the concept art shows a more active, sinister Solas, sometimes depicted as a colossal, shadowy figure. The ambiguity surrounding these differences leaves open the question of whether these scenes represent Rook's dreams or actual events.

The shift in Solas's portrayal from concept to final product is noteworthy, especially considering the significant time elapsed between Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Veilguard. The game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf further highlights the substantial development alterations. Thornborrow's sketches provide valuable insight into these creative shifts, offering fans a richer understanding of the game's narrative evolution. The contrast between the vengeful god persona hinted at in the early sketches and the more subdued advisor role in the final game suggests a potentially significant alteration in Solas's hidden agenda.