Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Solas: Early Concepts Reveal a Darker God
Early concept sketches for Dragon Age: The Veilguard offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Solas, revealing a more vengeful and overtly godlike persona than seen in the final game. Former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow, whose visual novel prototype helped shape the game's narrative, recently shared over 100 sketches showcasing this alternative vision.
Solas, initially introduced in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a helpful companion, later revealed his treacherous plot to shatter the Veil. This plan carries over into The Veilguard, forming the game's central conflict. While Thornborrow's contributions predate the game's release (he left BioWare in 2022), his sketches illuminate significant narrative shifts.
The contrast between concept art and the final game is striking. While Solas's initial Veil-shattering attempt remains largely consistent, other scenes depict a drastically different character. In the released game, Solas primarily interacts with the protagonist, Rook, through dreams, playing a largely advisory role. However, the sketches portray a far more sinister Solas, often depicted as a colossal, shadowy figure, actively wielding his power. The ambiguity remains whether these scenes represent Rook's dreams or actual events.
These discrepancies highlight the significant story evolution during The Veilguard's development. The game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf further underscores the substantial alterations. Thornborrow's behind-the-scenes look allows fans to better understand the creative process and the divergence between initial concepts and the final product. The released game presents a more nuanced Solas, but the early sketches undeniably reveal a potentially far darker, more powerful, and less ambiguous version of the character.
