Heavensward is the critically-acclaimed first expansion of Final Fantasy XI, taking us to new locations and (literal) new heights.
Final Fantasy XIV is VERY story oriented, not only in its Main Scenario Quests (abbreviated as MSQ) but it has tons of side quests and other content that helps flesh out the world you're playing in. Capturing EVERYTHING is beyond the scope of this project, but I hope to at least conceptualize the MSQ, so that both non-players and players looking to refresh their memories can understand the story.
Dragons - In FFXIV, dragons can speak and communicate with the other races. Much of a dragon's power lies within its eyes.
The Dragonsung War - a war that broke out between the dragons and Ishgard. It has been raging for 1000 years.
The Holy See - Ishgard has long been a theocracy led by the Holy See. The current bishop is Thordan VII.
Temple Knights - Knights sworn to protect the Holy See.
Ishgard - a city-state located in the Coerthas region, ruled by Thordan VII. Ishgard is largely built of gray stone and the weather is harsh, so the city-state can feel cold and uninviting.
The Sea of Clouds - located in the region known as Abalathia's Spine, this is a series of landmasses floating in the sky. The landmasses are connected to each other by bridges.
Dravania - home to the dragons, and contains the subregions: Dravanian Forelands, Dravanian Hinterlands, and Churning Mists. The Mists are also home to a tribe of Moogles.
Idyllshire - Once a Sharlayan outpost and seat of learning that was abandoned by thosen knowledgeable folks, now overtaken by goblins and adventurers.
Azys Lla - Another floating series of landmasses, located in the Abalathia's Spine region.
Alphinaud Leveilleur - a young Elezen, twin to Alisaie, and Louisioux's grandson: he is finding his confidence again after the events of A Realm Reborn. Alphinaud is is a member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.
Estinien Wyrmblood - The Azure Dragoon who bears the Eye of Nidhogg, once plucked from the mighty dragon a milennia again. He was away from Coerthas for some time but has returned to fight in the war.
Ysayle Dangoulain - An Elezen woman and leader of the heretics--those who denounce the Holy See's teachings and align with the dragons. Also called Lady Iceheart. She means to put an end to the Dragonsung War.
Aymeric de Borel - Lord Commander of the Ishgardian Temple Knights, and friend to Estinien. Aymeric is not of noble birth, but has risen far in the ranks due to his countless accomplishments. He would do anything to protect his people.
Lucia Junius - Aymeric's second-in-command. Rather devoted to him.
Edmont de Fortemps - lord of one of the noble houses of Ishgard. He takes in the Warrior of Light's party as wards when they arrive in Ishgard.
Artoirel de Fortemps - Eldest son and heir to Edmont. Artoirel is determined and proud, yet friendly and capable. At first, he disagrees with taking the Warrior of Light's party as wards, but eventually comes around once he sees what they are capable of.
Emmanellain de Fortemps - Younger son of Edmont. Often followed by his young pageboy Honoroit, who is there less to serve Emmanellain and more to keep him somewhat responsible, as Emmanellain is rather carefree.
Haurchefant Greystone - Half-brother to Artoirel and Emmanellain. Haurchefant is a knight and oversees Camp Dragonhead. He is ever a friend to the Warrior of Light and the WoL's companions.
Thordan VII - the current bishop of the Holy See.
Midgardsormr - a dragon that travelled from afar, and sire to the seven dragons of the First Brood. (Only five are mentioned below; the other two are met in later expansions.)
Bahamut - The Dawn Wyrm, eldest of the first brood. Mate of his brood-sister Tiamat, and father of the Meracydian Horde. Bahamut was used by the Garleans to usher in the Seventh Umbral Calamity, and can be seen in the End of an Era video.
Tiamat - The Dusk Wyrm, brood-sister and mate to Bahamut, with whom she founded the Meracydian Horde.
Hraesvelgr - Founded the Dravanian Horde alongside Nidhogg and Ratatoskr. Fell in love with an Elezen woman, Shiva, bringing mortals and dragons together for a time of peace and prosperity. He lost faith in mankind after his sister Ratatoskr was slaughtered.
Nidhogg - Founded the Dravanian Horde alongside Hraesvelgr and Ratatoskr. While raised to succeed their father as the world's protector, Nidhogg held mortals in disdain and grew to hate them following Bahamut and Ratatoskr's deaths. The war Nidhogg and his horde raged against Ishgard would last for a thousand years.
Ratatoskr - Founded the Dravanian Horde alongside Nidhogg and Hraesvelgr. Acted as an emissary between the Elezens and dragons during the time of peace. More about her is a bit of a spoiler, so I won't go into it now.