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

Unveiling Solas: Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals a Darker Vision

Early concept sketches by former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow offer a fascinating 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 advisor role he ultimately plays in the final game.

Thornborrow, who contributed to The Veilguard's development by creating a visual novel prototype to explore story possibilities, shared over 100 sketches. Many depict scenes that made it into the finished game, but with significant visual differences. Solas's portrayal, in particular, shows a stark contrast between concept and final product.

Initially conceived as a far more imposing figure, often depicted as a colossal, shadowy entity, Solas's design in the final game is comparatively subdued. While the core plot point—his attempt to shatter the Veil—remains consistent, the visual representation of his actions and motivations is significantly toned down. Some sketches depict Solas dispensing with his sympathetic facade, showcasing a far more aggressive, vengeful god persona. The ambiguity surrounding these changes leaves open the question of whether these scenes represent events within Rook's dreams or manifestations of Fen'Harel's power in the real world.

This behind-the-scenes look highlights the significant creative shifts that occurred during The Veilguard's development. The game itself, originally titled Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, underwent substantial changes in the lead-up to its release. Thornborrow's sketches offer fans a unique opportunity to appreciate the creative process and understand the evolution of Solas's character arc from its initial, darker conception to its final, more nuanced portrayal.