Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals a Darker Solas
Early concept sketches by former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow offer a 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 have been released, highlighting significant differences between initial concepts and the final product.
While Solas's initial act of tearing the Veil remains largely consistent, other scenes show a dramatic shift. Concept art depicts Solas as a colossal, shadowy figure, far more menacing than his in-game portrayal. The ambiguity surrounding these scenes—whether they represent Rook's dreams or real-world events—adds to the intrigue.
The contrast between the concept art and the finished game underscores the significant story changes The Veilguard underwent during development. This is further evidenced by the game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf shortly before release. Thornborrow's behind-the-scenes look provides valuable insight into this evolution, bridging the gap between initial vision and final execution. The released sketches, primarily black and white with selective color accents (such as The Veilguard's lyrium dagger), offer a compelling alternative interpretation of Solas's hidden agenda and his role in the game's narrative.
