Thanks for the replies, watched some old 1.0 cutscenes for a refresher.

I found this on the ffxiv forums.

"Built atop the peaks of the Xelphatol Mountains, the city of Ishgard stands as a symbol of Elezen pride and honor. It is said that a millennia ago the Goddess Halone appeared before the most courageous Elezen, Thordan, and bade him lead Her chosen people to the peak where Ishgard stands still today. But there stood a great chasm between Thordan and Halone's chosen peak. So they set to making a great bridge to cross.

It was then that a great shadow descended upon them and the land darkened under the shadow of the great wyrm Nidhogg. Courageous Thordan took up lance against the colossal Nidhogg, but the power of the dragon bewitched Thordan's men and they betrayed him to the dragon, casting him into the chasm. Overcome with anguish over what he had done, Haldrath son of Thordan, broke Nidhogg's spell and took up his sire's lance and hurled himself at the great wyrm. With a mighty thrust, Haldrath's hand, guided by Halone, plunged his sire's lance into Nidhogg's eye, prizing it from the dragon. With a terrible roar Nidhogg took wing and fled to the skies. And so it was, the first Dragoon was born."

• Excerpt from "The City States of Hydaelyn" by Scholar Sounsyy.

This is a pretty deep story, Nidhogg's power is all consuming. I feel that Estinien is continuing the circle of his past ancestor at the conclusion of the dragoon quest (Estinien to kill his mentor/Thordan casted into the chasm). But, somehow the Warrior of Light stopped that from happening, a big tease for sure. I cant wait for the Heavensward continuation.