Among all the various companions from Inquisition, the return of Solas has caught many people's attention. Dragon Age: The Veilguard's launch trailer shows him fighting against his old companions, rather than alongside them, bringing many dangerous monsters into the physical world. For many long-time fans, this comes as a shock, while any newcomers to the franchise who haven't played previous Dragon Age games before Veilguard might feel curious as to who exactly this elven mage is.
Solas' Character In Dragon Age: Inquisition, Explained
A Beloved Companion With Useful Knowledge And Many Magic Spells
In the story leading up to The Veilguard, at the start of Inquisition, Solas presents himself as a simple mage with an immense interest in a frightening realm known as the Fade - which is explained as a place that is full of ancient primeval matter. He offers his services in investigating the recent tear in the Veil, which in turn leads to him coming across the player character. Upon saving the player's life, he becomes a powerful companion who is willing to help the Inquisition, and can even become a potential romance option for certain characters.
During the player's journey throughout the game, it becomes revealed that the game's main villain, Corypheus, is in possession of a powerful elven artifact called the Orb of Destruction. Solas expresses immense concern about what harm said artifact could have on the elven people, given the fact that the orb utilizes the immensely strong magic of the elven pantheon, thereby allowing the wielder to breach the Veil and enter the Fade. At the end of the final battle, the player character ends up destroying the orb, which upsets Solas to the point where he leaves the group without further elaboration.
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Solas' true identity is later revealed in an end credits scene, where he is revealed to be the trickster god Fen'Harel. As Fen'Harel, he was responsible for the creation of the Veil that sealed away the corrupt elven pantheon known as the Evanuris after they murdered the god Mythal. This ended up causing the original elven civilization to collapse, as the separation of the Fade from the physical world led to the disappearance of magic and the elves' immortality.
Why Solas Is So Important In Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Solas Sets Veilguard's Events Into Motion
Solas expresses immense regret for his role in the downfall of the elves. He seeks to restore the elves back to their former glory from a millennia ago. To do that, however, he would need to destroy the very same Veil that he created, which would have disastrous consequences for the physical world as it would allow the Fade to merge with it, unleashing countless malevolent spirits and demons onto the helpless citizens.
Despite this, Solas clearly seems determined on fulfilling his goal in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Early gameplay showcases revealed Solas attacking former allies like Varric as they attempt to stop his ritual. It is clear that he has turned from an ally of the protagonist, to a very dangerous antagonist whose actions must be stopped at all costs, lest it lead to the destruction of Thedas despite his attempts to minimize the damage.
Despite initial assumptions, Solas is not the main villain of Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Instead, they are the elven gods Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain.
What's Next For Solas?
Solas' Story Still Has Much Potential
What comes next for Solas entirely depends on if he manages to survive the events of Veilguard, but should he manage to stay alive, then there are a lot of possibilities for where his story could go. He could seek out an alternative way to achieve his goals alongside the player character, restoring the elves to their former glory as he wished, or he could simply wish to atone for his actions in Veilguard and prefer solace in the wilderness. Either way, only time will tell what is next for Solas' character after Veilgaurd's story concludes.
Ultimately, Solas is a very intriguing character who has admirable aspirations, but is going about them in a very dangerous and destructive way. His knowledge and magical prowess make him both a powerful ally and a dangerous foe, and it is incredibly exciting to see where his story will go from here. Ultimately, players will undoubtedly enjoy their time exploring the continuation of Solas' story as they play through Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
Source: Dragon Age/YouTube
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is the fourth entry in the Dragon Age franchise and a sequel to 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition. A classic character, Solas, will return as the new game's antagonist. The game will retain many of the series' staples, such as multiple dialogue options, party choices, romantic options, and more. Dreadwolf will act as the first direct sequel in the Dragon Age franchise.
Released October 31, 2024
Developer(s) BioWare
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Engine Frostbite
ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
English (US) ·