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

Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals a More Vengeful Solas

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 ideas, shared over 100 sketches. While many scenes closely resemble their in-game counterparts, Solas's portrayal differs significantly in several key instances. The concept art depicts him less as a subtle manipulator and more as a powerful, shadowy figure, almost a vengeful deity.

The contrast between the concept art and the final game is striking. While Solas's attempt to shatter the Veil remains largely consistent, other scenes present him as a colossal, ominous being shrouded in darkness. The ambiguity surrounding these scenes leaves open the question of whether they represent events within Rook's dreams or actual manifestations of Fen'Harel's power in the real world.

This disparity highlights the significant evolution The Veilguard's narrative underwent during development. The name change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and the nearly ten-year gap between installments already hinted at substantial alterations. Thornborrow's concept art provides valuable context, bridging the gap between initial vision and final product, offering a deeper understanding of Solas's intended arc and the creative process behind the game. The sketches, primarily black and white with strategically placed color accents (such as The Veilguard's lyrium dagger), effectively emphasize the dramatic shift in Solas's presentation.