Early concept art for Dragon Age: The Veilguard reveals a more vengeful, god-like Solas than the character seen in the final game. Former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow, who contributed a visual novel prototype to aid in the game's development, recently shared over 100 sketches from this prototype.
These sketches, primarily black and white with selective color accents, depict Solas in a far more overt and sinister light than his advisory role in the released game. While some scenes, such as his initial attempt to shatter the Veil, remain largely unchanged, others show a dramatic shift. Concept art portrays Solas as a colossal, shadowy figure, raising questions about the extent of his influence in Rook's dreams versus the real world.
The contrast between the concept art and the final product highlights significant story alterations during The Veilguard's development. This is unsurprising given the nearly ten-year gap between series entries and the late name change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. Thornborrow's contribution provides valuable insight into these developmental shifts, offering fans a glimpse into a potentially darker, more powerful version of Solas's hidden agenda. The lyrium dagger, a key item in the game, is also prominently featured in the sketches.
