Nidhogg (Final Fantasy XIV)



Nidhogg is a great wyrm in Final Fantasy XIV, one of the First Brood.

Profile
Nidhogg is one of the seven wyrms born of Midgardsormr.

He is said to have terrorized Coerthas since Ishgard's founding, spreading death and destruction for the past thousand years.

History speaks notably of his clash with King Thordan I. Though the battle cost the lives of the king and many of his men, Nidhogg would not escape unscathed. The hero Haldrath plucked from his skull a trophy - a treasure simply known as "the Eye."

This relic of unimaginative power remains sealed deep within the vaults of Ishgard.

Powers and Abilities
Being a Great Wyrm, Nidhogg is capable of rallying the entire Dravanian Horde using Dragonsong to engage military campaigns - usually against his arch-enemy, the Holy See of Ishgard. This Dragonsong was even capable of awakening his father's spirit within the Keeper of the Lake, who remained had dormant since the Battle of Silvertear Skies.

His abilities seem to be far beyond that of ordinary dragons, and Ser Alberic Bale implied he has some measure of psychic influence on mortals. Even then, removal of "the Eye" from Haldrath a millenium ago greatly weakened him; it is said that if he ever were regain it, then no magical wards would be able to save Ishgard from his fury.

A Realm Reborn
Nidhogg is first mentioned in the Dragoon job quests, as it pertains to the backstory of the Azure Dragoon. It is implied that he was beginning to awaken again, and the red light seen in the final dragoon quest was his influence empowering Estinien.

In Patch 2.5, Before the Fall, Nidhogg awakens and rallies the Dravanian Horde for another assault on Ishgard. This time, due to subterfuge by Ysayle, the outermost ward of Daniffen's Collar is disabled, giving the Horde a significant edge in the battle. Nidhogg's champion, Vishap, is ultimately slain by the Warrior of Light at the Steps of Faith as it tried to dismantle the rest of the wards. The Great Wyrm himself, however, did not join the assault.