Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Solas: From Vengeful God to Dream Advisor – A Look at Early Concept Art

Early concept sketches for Dragon Age: The Veilguard reveal a significantly different portrayal of Solas, hinting at a more overtly vengeful god-like persona than his final in-game depiction. Former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow, whose visual novel prototype helped shape the game's narrative, recently shared over 100 sketches illustrating this evolution.

Solas, initially introduced in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a helpful companion, later revealed his treacherous plot to shatter the Veil. This betrayal forms the core of The Veilguard's story. However, Thornborrow's art showcases a starker contrast between the initial concept and the final game.

While Solas largely acts as a dream-advisor in The Veilguard, guiding the protagonist Rook, the concept art paints a far more sinister picture. Many sketches depict Solas as a colossal, shadowy figure, directly wielding his power, a far cry from his more subtle in-game role. The Veil's destruction, a pivotal event in the game, appears largely consistent between concept and final product. However, other scenes differ significantly, leaving ambiguity as to whether these more dramatic depictions represent events within Rook's dreams or actual occurrences in the real world.

The divergence between concept art and the finished game isn't surprising, considering the nearly ten-year gap between Inquisition and The Veilguard, along with the game's late title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. Thornborrow's release offers fans a fascinating glimpse into the game's development, bridging the gap between initial creative vision and the final product. The stark differences in Solas's portrayal highlight the significant narrative shifts that occurred during The Veilguard's production.