Summary
- Early concept sketches reveal a more vengeful, god-like persona for Solas, differing from his final in-game portrayal.
- A visual novel prototype, created by Nick Thornborrow, aided in shaping Dragon Age: The Veilguard's narrative.
- Comparisons between concept art and the final game suggest a potentially darker, more overt agenda for Solas was initially envisioned.
A former BioWare artist, Nick Thornborrow, has unveiled early concept sketches for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, offering intriguing insights into the evolution of Solas's character arc. While Solas plays a significant role in the final game, Thornborrow's sketches present a drastically different interpretation.
Solas debuted in 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition as a helpful companion, his true nature as a betrayer only revealed later. This betrayal, and his plan to shatter the Veil, forms the central premise of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Despite leaving BioWare in April 2022, Thornborrow contributed to The Veilguard's development by creating a visual novel prototype. This interactive narrative, featuring branching choices, served as a storytelling tool for the development team. Recently, he showcased over 100 sketches from this prototype, revealing significant deviations between initial concepts and the final game's depiction of Solas.
Artist Shares Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Solas Sketches
Predominantly rendered in black and white with strategically placed color accents (highlighting elements like The Veilguard's lyrium dagger), these sketches portray Solas as a far more menacing figure than the advisor seen in the released game. While scenes like his initial attempt to tear the Veil remain largely consistent, other depictions showcase Solas as a colossal, shadowy entity. The ambiguity surrounding these scenes leaves open the question of whether they represent events within Rook's dreams or manifestations of Fen'Harel's power in the real world.
Given the nearly ten-year gap between series installments and the game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf shortly before release, significant narrative shifts during development were anticipated. Thornborrow's behind-the-scenes glimpse offers valuable context, helping fans understand the evolution of Solas's character and the game's narrative.
