Obscure Elder Scrolls Character #1: M'aiq the Liar

     The first Elder Scrolls game I've ever played was Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, back when I was just 7 years old in 2003, a year after it was released. Since then, the Elder Scrolls lore has become a second universe in which my fantasy dwells and as a child, my dreams were filled with the dusty dunes of Ald'ruhn, the confusing layout of Vivec and the calls of the Netches. It has been 12 years since I've started on the Elder Scrolls series and although my choice of favourite game, Oblivion, is a contentious subject, I hold all of the games with equal fondness.

     It was surprising to me, when I asked a friend of mine what his opinion of M'aiq the Liar was. He had no idea who this character was, he replied. To me, that was like a crime.

     However, it was then that it occurred to me that M'aiq the Liar had always been quite an obscure character in the Elder Scrolls and while his role has shifted from purely being a liar to an easter egg basket, he was never fleshed out like the main characters. In Oblivion and Skyrim, he was almost the voice of Bethesda themselves, especially when it came to the explanation of design choices and rivalry with the Fable franchise. Nonetheless, M'aiq the Liar is a frivolous character, whose very nature contrasts with the rest of the game, making him an extremely interesting character.

So, Who is M'aiq the Liar?

     M'aiq is a male Kahjiit, who is a reoccurring character in the Elder Scrolls games. His main purpose in the game is to make humorous and witty commentaries on the games and while he was first implemented in Morrowind as an impulsive liar, he began fitting more into the role of an easter egg character in later games. While he can be found at a fixed location in Morrowind, he becomes a roaming character in later games. In fact, in Skyrim, he is one of the many possible "random events", making it such that gamers who rarely travel around on horseback may actually never meet him.

Where Can You Find Him?

     In Morrowind, M'aiq the Liar is a Khajiit rogue who can be found on a small island southeast of Dagon Fel in the Sheogorad Region. His dialogue mostly refers to many request or anticipated features of Morrowind which were not included in the final release of the game. More often than not, when providing information about in-game quests, he blatantly lies, earning him the suffix "the Liar".

     In Oblivion, M'aiq the Liar is a Khajiit savant who gives the player opinions about the game. All his comments could be interpreted as serious responses to various issues in the game; however, the majority are dismissing people who point out issues in the game. Unlike his earlier appearance in Morrowind, he no longer makes farcical comments. He starts the game right outside of Anvil and thereafter, runs back and forth between Leyawiin and Anvil. To catch him, the best place to wait would be at the stables right outside the two cities. At noon, however, he would stop and look for calipers for about 5 hours. He is an essential character and usually cannot be caught in mid-run as his Speed and Athletics are both at 100.

     In Skyrim, M'aiq the Liar is a Khajiit warrior, and does not have a fixed location or route in the game. He is one of the many random events that can occur along the roads of Skyrim. The first of such an event point would be the road leading from Riverwood to Whiterun. However, the first of such a location at which M'aiq the Liar frequently spawns is near White River Watch, near Honningbrew Meadery. Each time a player encounters M'aiq, he only gives up to 3 responses after which he will say "M'aiq is tired now, go bother someone else."

Quotes of M'aiq

Oblivion

Skyrim