Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals Early Plans for Solas

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 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 characters and scenes, many of which appear in the final game, albeit with significant alterations.

The contrast between the concept art and the released game is particularly striking in depictions of Solas. While his initial attempt to shatter the Veil remains largely consistent, other scenes portray him as a colossal, shadowy figure, far more menacing than his in-game portrayal. The ambiguity surrounding these scenes leaves open the question of whether they represent dreams or actual events within the game's narrative.

The differences highlight the substantial evolution of The Veilguard's story throughout its development. The name change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and the nearly ten-year gap between installments already suggested significant alterations. Thornborrow's concept art provides a valuable window into these changes, allowing fans to better understand the creative process behind the game's final form. The sketches, primarily black and white with selective color accents (such as The Veilguard's lyrium dagger), effectively underscore the shift in Solas's presentation, from a sympathetic advisor to a more imposing, vengeful deity.