Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals a Darker 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 advisory role he ultimately plays in the final game.
Thornborrow, who left BioWare in April 2022, contributed significantly to The Veilguard's development by creating a visual novel prototype to explore story possibilities. Over 100 sketches from this prototype depict various scenes and characters, many of which appear in the final game, albeit with significant alterations.
Solas, initially introduced in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a helpful companion, later revealed his treacherous intentions. The Veilguard builds upon this, portraying him as the architect of the Veil's destruction. However, the concept art presents a stark contrast. While some scenes, such as Solas's attempt to shatter the Veil, remain largely consistent, others depict him as a colossal, shadowy figure, far more menacing than his final in-game representation. The ambiguity surrounding these changes leaves open the question of whether these scenes occur in Rook's dreams or manifest in the real world.
The differences between the concept art and the final game highlight the significant evolution The Veilguard's narrative underwent during development. The name change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf shortly before release further underscores the extensive alterations. Thornborrow's shared sketches provide valuable insight into this creative process, bridging the gap between initial visions and the final product, and offering fans a deeper understanding of Solas's complex journey.
