Solas' Origin Unveiled: Dragon Age Concept Art Unveiled

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Solas: From Vengeful God to Dream Advisor – Early Concept Art Reveals a Darker Vision

Early concept sketches by former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow unveil a drastically different portrayal of Solas in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, hinting at a more overtly vengeful and powerful god-like figure than the advisor role he ultimately plays in the final game. These sketches, showcased on Thornborrow's website, offer a glimpse into the game's evolving narrative.

Thornborrow, who departed BioWare in April 2022, played a key role in The Veilguard's development. He created a visual novel to help shape the game's storyline, and the over 100 sketches released recently are likely derived from this project. While many scenes closely resemble their in-game counterparts, Solas's depiction shows significant divergence.

Solas, initially introduced in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a helpful companion, later reveals his treacherous plan to shatter the Veil. The Veilguard builds upon this, but the concept art presents a stark contrast to his final in-game role. While the finished game portrays him largely as a dream-based advisor to Rook, the early sketches depict Solas as a far more imposing and menacing presence, often depicted as a colossal, shadowy figure directly wielding his power. The ambiguity remains whether these scenes represent events within Rook's dreams or actual occurrences in the real world.

The differences highlight the significant narrative shifts The Veilguard underwent during development. The change in the game's title from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf shortly before release further underscores the substantial evolution of the story. Thornborrow's concept art provides invaluable context, bridging the gap between the initial vision and the final product, offering fans a deeper understanding of Solas's character arc and the game's creative process. The stark contrast between the vengeful god of the concept art and the more subdued advisor of the final game leaves room for speculation on the narrative choices made and the potential darker elements that were ultimately refined or omitted.