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, depict a more overtly vengeful and god-like Solas than the character presented in the final game.
Thornborrow, who contributed to The Veilguard's development by creating a visual novel prototype to explore story ideas, shared over 100 sketches. Many mirror scenes from the released game, but others reveal significant differences in Solas's portrayal.
While Solas's role in Dragon Age: Inquisition and its Trespasser DLC established his treacherous plan to destroy the Veil, The Veilguard ultimately portrays him primarily in a dream-like advisory capacity to the protagonist, Rook. However, Thornborrow's concept art suggests a more active, sinister role for Solas, possibly even showcasing him as a colossal, shadowy figure. The ambiguity surrounding these scenes leaves open the question of whether they represent Rook's dreams or actual events.
The discrepancies between concept art and the final game highlight the significant evolution of The Veilguard's narrative during development. The name change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and the near decade-long gap between series entries further emphasize the extensive changes undergone during production. Thornborrow's contribution provides valuable context and a fascinating behind-the-scenes perspective on the game's creative process. The contrast between the initial vengeful god concept and the final advisory role offers intriguing speculation on the game's narrative choices and the potential for a more overtly antagonistic Solas in future installments.
