Solas' Early Design Exposed: 'Dragon Age' Unveils Concept Art

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

Early concept sketches for Dragon Age: The Veilguard offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Solas, revealing a significantly more vengeful and overtly powerful persona than the character ultimately presented in the final game. These sketches, shared by former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow, shed light on the creative process and the significant changes the story underwent during development.

Thornborrow, who departed BioWare in April 2022, played a key role in The Veilguard's development. He created a visual novel prototype, complete with branching narratives, to help convey story ideas to the development team. Over 100 sketches from this prototype have recently been released, showcasing various characters and scenes. While many elements closely resemble the final game, Solas's portrayal differs dramatically in the early concepts.

In the released game, Solas largely serves as an advisor, interacting with the protagonist, Rook, primarily through dreams. However, the concept art paints a far more menacing picture. Solas is depicted as a colossal, shadowy figure, his vengeful god-like nature far more pronounced. While the initial scene of him attempting to rend the Veil remains largely consistent, other scenes are markedly different, leaving ambiguity as to whether these represent events within Rook's dreams or manifestations of Fen'Harel's power in the real world.

The stark contrast between the initial concepts and the finished product highlights the significant story revisions The Veilguard underwent. The game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf shortly before release further emphasizes the extensive changes during development. Thornborrow's contribution provides fans with a unique behind-the-scenes perspective, bridging the gap between the initial vision and the final game, offering a richer understanding of Solas's character arc.