Dragon Age: Solas Sketches Unveil Early Vision

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 advisor role he ultimately plays in the final game.

Thornborrow's contribution to The Veilguard's development included a visual novel prototype used to explore plot points. Over 100 sketches from this prototype depict various characters and scenes, some of which underwent significant changes before the game's release.

While Solas's initial attempt to tear the Veil remains largely consistent between concept and final product, other scenes show a stark contrast. Concept art portrays Solas as a colossal, shadowy figure, hinting at a more direct and sinister involvement than his dream-based advisory role in the released game. 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.

The divergence between concept art and the final game underscores the significant evolution The Veilguard's narrative underwent during development. This is further highlighted by the game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf shortly before release. Thornborrow's shared sketches provide valuable insight into this creative process, bridging the gap between initial vision and final product for fans. The contrast between the vengeful god depicted in early concepts and the more nuanced portrayal in the game itself offers a fascinating perspective on Solas's character arc.