Love him or hate him, Solas is one of the most interesting characters of the Dragon Age series. He is cunning, and managed to trick the entire Inquisition to get his orb back from Corypheus. By the end of Trespasser, it is revealed that Solas is the Dread Wolf. Not just that, but he has some world-destroying plans that are obviously going to come about in Dragon Age 4.
There is still a lot of unknowns when it comes to Solas, but there are interesting facts about this character that many fans do not know if they haven't read the books or seen interviews with the writers. Here are ten facts about Solas that most fans do not know.
10 He Was Not Always A Romance Option
In the original plans for Dragon Age: Inquisition, Solas was not going to be available as a romance option. According to Mike Laidlaw, the Bioware team changed his role as a love interest once they extended the game's development for a year.
Solas was not the only one added due to the extension, but Cullen was as wells. This may partly explain why Cullen and Solas have much more race and gender-locked romances with Solas only romancing female elves and Cullen only romancing female humans and elves.
9 His Dislike Of Tea Reflects Writer Patrick Weekes's Hatred Of Tea
Solas's dislike of tea is a fact nearly all Inquisition players know. It is even later revealed in the book, Tevinter Nights, that most of the characters in Skyhold know about his hatred of tea and like to joke about it.
However, not everyone knows that his hatred of tea was actually inspired by one of his writers' hate for tea. Patrick Weekes shared this information in an interview with Nerd Appropriate.
8 He Was Hot-Blooded And Cocky As A Young Man
Despite Solas's usually calm demeanor, it is hinted in various banters and context clues that he was not always that way. In an instance of banter with Blackwall, he actually mentions that he used to be cocky and hot-blooded when he was younger.
For big fans, this fact should not come as a surprise. After all, Solas must have been cocky and hot-blooded to defy authority figures such as elven gods like the Dread Wolf.
7 Cole Was Always Aware Of Who Solas Was
This fact is both frustrating and funny. Due to being a spirit of compassion, Cole can sense being's thoughts and emotions. With that kind of power, he knows all of their secrets. This is even true for Solas and was revealed by the writer, Patrick Weekes, in an interview.
As to why Cole did not share the information with the rest of the Inquisition, that is anyone's guess. Cole can be a little bit unpredictable since he is a spirit. He also never revealed Blackwall's true identity.
6 He Can Speak In Iambic Pentameter, But Only Sometimes
Editor Cori May shared that about half of Solas's lines are in rhythmic iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter is speaking with words in an order that sounds sort of like a heartbeat and is a technique poets use, of whom William Shakespeare is the most notable. It is instinctively pleasing to the ear. That is why both Solas's fans and some NPCs enjoy hearing Solas talk. It was written to be pleasing to the ear.
Even more interestingly, Solas approves when the Inquisitor speaks in iambic pentameter back at him.
5 A Quest For Solas Was Cut From The Final Game
It was revealed that, originally, there was going to be a quest to go after Solas once he disappears after Corypheus is defeated. There were versions where the Inquisitor was going to witness the interaction between Solas and Mythal. However, that was all cut.
Instead, players got to reunited with Solas in the Trespasser DLC.
4 His Regret Summoned A Demon In Skyhold, Post-Inquisition
This is a fact only those that read the Dragon Age books would know. In Tevinter Nights, there is a chapter were some Inquisition scouts return to Skyhold after the events of Trespasser. When they return, they find a demon in what used to be Solas's office. The demon is made out of the fresco that Solas slowly painted on the walls and attacks the Inquisition scouts.
It calls itself Regret and claims that it came to be because of Solas. The demon is defeated by the end of the chapter.
3 If Romanced, He Almost Abandons His Quest
Solas does not invite Lavellan out on a date just to break up with her. The break up is as sudden for him as it is for the player, and his writer, Patricks Weekes, has said it is because Solas panicked.
For a moment, he is ready to give everything up and just be Solas. Losing his resolve for a moment frightens him, so he decides to break up with Lavellan in order to keep himself on his world-destroying path.
2 Varric Gives Him The Same Nickname As Sarcastic Hawke
Despite being a celebrated writer, Varric is not always the most creative man. He gives nicknames to people. For Solas, it was Chuckles. It was made to be ironic since he is typically stoic and serious.
However, players of Dragon Age 2's DLC noticed that Chuckles was used before. If Varric is brought along in the Mark of the Assassin DLC, he will give Hawke a nickname when Hawke calls him out on the fact that he never gave them one. If that Hawke is sarcastic, their nickname becomes Chuckles. In Hawke's case, though, it isn't out of irony.
1 Solas Is Very Different Depending On How You Treat Him
Unless you watched videos of other playthroughs or have done multiple playthroughs with different decisions yourself, then you would not know that how you treat Solas deeply changes how he sees the world. If you are friends, he has a lot of inner struggle to find resolve for his quest. If you are unfriendly to him, he becomes more sure of himself.
In Trespasser, he shows this in how he treats the Inquisitor. If befriended, he will gently take their arm and cast his spell to take away the anchor. If the Inquisitor and he do not get along, he will give them far rougher treatment.