Summary
- Early concept sketches reveal a different, vengeful god persona for Solas in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
- Nick Thornborrow's visual novel-style game was instrumental in conveying story ideas during the game's development.
- The evolution from concept art to the final game suggests a darker, more hidden agenda for Solas.
A former BioWare artist, Nick Thornborrow, has provided fans with a fascinating glimpse into the development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard by sharing early concept sketches. These sketches offer a unique perspective on Solas, a pivotal character in the Dragon Age series, showcasing him in a light that differs from what players may be familiar with.
Solas first appeared as a playable companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition in 2014, joining the Inquisitor early on and offering magical support as the only Rift Mage. Initially helpful, his true intentions were unveiled at the end of Inquisition and in the Trespasser DLC, where he was revealed as the mastermind behind the rift and harbored plans to destroy the Veil. This plot carries over into Dragon Age: The Veilguard, setting the stage for the game's narrative.
Although Thornborrow left BioWare in April 2022, before the release of The Veilguard, his contributions to its development were significant. He created a visual novel-style game with branching choices focused on The Veilguard's storyline, which served as a tool to convey narrative ideas to the development team. His official website recently showcased over 100 sketches from this visual novel, highlighting various characters and scenes that eventually appeared in the final game. However, some depictions of Solas have notably evolved from the initial concept art to the final product. In The Veilguard, Solas often serves as an advisory figure, appearing to Rook through dreams. Yet, earlier sketches suggest a much more overt and sinister portrayal of his hidden agenda.
Artist Shares Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Solas Sketches
The early sketches, mainly in black and white with strategic splashes of color, emphasize elements like The Veilguard's lyrium dagger. These images portray Solas not as the sympathetic advisor seen in the final game, but as a vengeful god. While certain scenes, such as his attempt to tear down the Veil, remain consistent from concept to completion, others depict Solas as a towering, shadowy figure. It's unclear whether these scenes occur within Rook's dreams or represent Fen'Harel unleashing his powers in the real world, given the changes made during the game's development.
With a near-decade gap between Dragon Age entries and notable shifts, like the game's name change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf to Dragon Age: The Veilguard just months before its release, it's evident that the storyline underwent significant transformations. Thornborrow's shared insights allow fans to better understand these changes and appreciate the evolution of Solas's character from concept to final game.
