Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals a More Vengeful 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 potentially darker and more overtly vengeful portrayal of the enigmatic elf than what ultimately appeared in the final game.
Thornborrow, who contributed to The Veilguard's development by creating a visual novel prototype to explore story possibilities, shared over 100 sketches. While many scenes closely resemble the final product, Solas's depiction shows significant divergence. Initial concepts portray him as a far more imposing and actively malevolent figure, a vengeful god rather than the largely advisory role he plays in the released game.
Solas, initially introduced in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a helpful companion, later revealed his treacherous plans to shatter the Veil. The Veilguard builds upon this, but the concept art suggests a more direct and sinister manifestation of those plans. Some sketches depict Solas as a colossal, shadowy being, raising questions about the distinction between his dream appearances and potential real-world actions.
The differences between the concept art and the final game highlight the significant narrative shifts that occurred during The Veilguard's development. These changes, coupled with the game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, underscore the extensive evolution the story underwent. Thornborrow's contribution provides valuable insight into this process, allowing fans to better understand the creative journey behind the final product. The stark contrast between the initial, more overtly vengeful Solas and his final, more subdued portrayal offers a compelling look at the creative choices that shaped the game's narrative.
