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Concept Art Unlocks Hidden Origins of Solas in Dragon Age

Author:Kristen Update:Feb 11,2025

Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals a More Vengeful Solas

Concept sketches from former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow offer a glimpse into the evolution of Solas's character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. These sketches, initially created for a visual novel used to brainstorm the game's narrative, depict a far more overtly antagonistic Solas than the one seen in the final game.

Solas, initially introduced in Dragon Age: Inquisition as a helpful companion, later revealed his treacherous plan to destroy the Veil. This plan forms the core of The Veilguard's plot. Thornborrow's art showcases a stark contrast between the game's final iteration and early conceptualizations.

The sketches, primarily black and white with selective color accents, portray Solas less as a manipulative advisor and more as a wrathful god. While some scenes, such as his initial attempt to shatter the Veil, remain largely consistent, others differ significantly. Many depict Solas as a colossal, shadowy figure, raising questions about the distinction between his dream appearances and actions in the real world.

The differences between concept art and the final product highlight the significant narrative shifts The Veilguard underwent during development. The game's title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf further underscores these substantial alterations. Thornborrow's contribution provides valuable insight into the creative process and allows fans to better understand the evolution of Solas's character arc. The shared images reveal a potentially darker, more powerful version of Solas's hidden agenda than what ultimately made it into the released game.

Image: Solas concept art Image: Solas concept art Image: Solas concept art Image: Solas concept art

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