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

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Solas: Early Concepts Reveal a Darker God

Early concept sketches for Dragon Age: The Veilguard offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Solas, revealing a more vengeful and overtly godlike persona than his final in-game portrayal. Former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow, whose visual novel prototype significantly shaped the game's narrative, recently shared over 100 sketches from this process.

These sketches, primarily black and white with selective color accents, highlight key differences between initial concepts and the finished product. While Solas's role in initiating the Veil's destruction remains largely consistent, other scenes depict a dramatic shift in his presentation. The final game largely confines Solas to a dream-based advisory role for protagonist Rook. However, the concept art portrays him far more directly as a malevolent, imposing figure, often depicted as a colossal, shadowy entity. The ambiguity surrounding these changes leaves open the question of whether these scenes represent Rook's dreams or manifestations of Fen'Harel's power in the real world.

Solas's journey, from helpful companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition to the game's central antagonist, has been a long one. His betrayal, revealed in Inquisition's Trespasser DLC, sets the stage for The Veilguard. The concept art's divergence from the final game underscores the significant narrative evolution The Veilguard underwent during development. This is further evidenced by the game's late title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf.

Thornborrow's contribution, including his visual novel, provides valuable insight into the creative process. By showcasing these early sketches, he bridges the gap between initial creative visions and the final game, offering fans a richer understanding of Solas's complex character arc. The contrast between the sympathetic advisor of the final game and the vengeful god hinted at in the early concepts emphasizes the significant narrative refinements that shaped The Veilguard's final story.