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 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. While many scenes align closely with the final product, others depict a starkly different Solas. The concept art showcases him as a colossal, shadowy figure, far removed from the dream-bound advisor seen in the released game. This discrepancy raises questions about the extent to which these scenes reflect Rook's dreams or actual events in the game's narrative.
The contrast between concept and final game highlights the significant evolution of Solas's portrayal. His initial depiction as a vengeful god, contrasted with his more subdued role in the final game, suggests a potential shift in the narrative's focus or a deliberate choice to temper his overt power.
The differences are particularly striking considering the nearly ten-year gap between Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Veilguard, and the game's last-minute title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. Thornborrow's contribution provides valuable insight into the creative process and the significant changes the story underwent during development. These sketches offer fans a richer understanding of Solas's character arc and the creative decisions that shaped his final portrayal.
