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 story possibilities, 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 a dream-advisor to the protagonist, Rook. However, the concept art portrays him as a far more imposing and sinister figure, sometimes depicted as a colossal, shadowy entity. This suggests a potentially more direct and malevolent role for Solas in earlier iterations of the game's narrative.

The discrepancy between concept and final product highlights the significant evolution The Veilguard's story underwent during development. While the core concept of Solas's attempt to tear down the Veil remains consistent, the execution and visual representation of his actions have undergone substantial changes. The ambiguity surrounding some scenes leaves room for speculation about whether these darker depictions represent events within Rook's dreams or actual occurrences in the game's world.

The release of these sketches offers fans a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the significant narrative shifts that occurred between the game's initial conception and its final release. This provides valuable context for understanding the nuances of Solas's character and his role in The Veilguard. The contrast between the initial vengeful god persona and the final, more subtly manipulative character underscores the considerable evolution of the game's narrative.