M'aiq the Liar is a Khajiit. He can be encountered in most PvE zones (except for Bleakrock Isle and Stros M'Kai, and any of the later expansion zones aside from Northern Elsweyr). Talking to him at least once in each zone is tied to an Exploration Achievement. There are several locations in each zone where he may be, but there is only a small chance of finding him at any location, so you may have to come back several times. When you meet him, he will tell you three things each time, from the list below, after which he will tell you, "Come back later. We can talk some more!"

Zone Quote Notes

Khenarthi's Roost "Wood Elves aren't made of wood. Sea Elves aren't made of water. M'aiq still wonders about High Elves." Possibly a reference to drugs.

Khenarthi's Roost "Khajiit tell M'aiq he is unlike most Khajiit. M'aiq tells Khajiit he is most like M'aiq. Then, we eat moon-sugar." A nod to how M'aiq can be found in many places throughout multiple games, an odd characteristic that no other Khajiit has, yet always carried moon sugar on him in Skyrim.

Bangkorai "M'aiq speaks the truth, except for when he doesn't. With you, always the truth."

Bal Foyen "M'aiq wonders why no guards stand watch on the mushrooms. They are taller than towers and far more comfortable."

Reaper's March, Auridon "A bartender told M'aiq he must wait outside until the tavern was clean. It was only a short time, so M'aiq did not mind." Possibly a reference to the regular maintenance an MMORPG must undergo to keep it running efficiently.

Stonefalls "M'aiq learned the Brothers of Strife are either volcanoes or Elves. If one of each, their mother could have some explaining." A reference to the supposed confusion of the term "Brothers of Strife" being used to refer to both Balreth and Sadal and Ash Mountain and the Tormented Spire, although the location of that name is actually a Daedric ruin; the two volcanoes in Stonefalls are never referred to as such.

Bal Foyen, Deshaan "M'aiq would rather travel in rain than fix holes in the roof after a storm. M'aiq hates patching holes." A possible explanation for why one can see it raining even underneath overhanging roofs or canopies. Also possibly a reference to the need, in an MMO, for constant maintenance to patch bugs and security holes.

Betnikh "M'aiq has never seen so many Orcs in one place. Even their forges have forges." A reference to the fact that Betnikh is almost entirely populated by Orcs, who are known in-universe as skilled smiths.

Glenumbra "M'aiq heard there are caves full of spiders and whispers. He prefers the spiders." A reference to Spindleclutch.

(?) "M'aiq has seen the future in his dreams.

Adventurers will one day scale mountains the likes M'aiq has never seen! He does not know how, but these adventurers are determined to get to their destination." A reference to players mountain climbing in Skyrim, which takes place two eras in the future.

(?) "M'aiq wonders, how can there be kings for other kings." A reference to the structure of the Daggerfall Covenant, where all three races are led by kings, though King Emeric leads the faction.

Stormhaven "M'aiq doesn't care if the tunnels under Wayrest are a feat of engineering. The smell is horrific!" A reference to the Wayrest Sewers.

Stonefalls "M'aiq can't tell Spider Cultists apart from the usual riffraff. Perhaps they need matching uniforms." A reference to the Fungal Grotto.

Grahtwood "M'aiq once climbed the Elden Tree. Then he learned of the stairs inside. Good thing, for his claws began to hurt." A reference to the trope of cats climbing trees, and the height of the Elden Tree preventing him reaching the top.

Grahtwood "M'aiq wonders. Are the skeletons in minotaur graveyards half-Man or half-bull?" A reference to Elden Hollow, which is described as a graveyard for centaurs and minotaurs.

Grahtwood "M'aiq wants nothing to do with Daedra. He hears they can make trees burn forever. How can they do that?" Possibly in reference to The Elder Scrols IV: Oblivion where burnt trees near Oblivion Gates continued to burn even after the gate had been destroyed and the Oblivion Crisis was over.

Deshaan "M'aiq used to travel alone, but he has grown accustomed to joining his friends." A recurring theme from M'aiq across the games is his criticism of the concept of a multiplayer mode. As The Elder Scrolls Online is a massively multiplayer online game, this version of M'aiq shows acceptance towards a multiplayer version of The Elder Scrolls.

(?) "It is good to have friends, yes?

M'aiq sometimes gets lonely traveling the roads alone. Lucky for you, that is not a problem!" A reference to the concept of a multiplayer mode.

Glenumbra "M'aiq's father was Qia'm, from a long line of Qia'ms. But M'aiq does not believe this. His father was a known liar." Referencing M'aiq in the previous three games, as well as the Skyrim line about M'aiq's father. Qia'm is M'aiq spelled backwards. Given the engraved flute (see notes below), it is likely the M'aiq here who is lying, instead.

Bangkorai "M'aiq was one of the Six Companions, but was asked to leave. Another was jealous of his whiskers." A reference to the Five Companions.

(?) "M'aiq finds Dark Elves to be quite pleasant. One offered him a matching set of bracelets, but he declined." Referencing slavery among Dunmer in Morrowind. The "bracelets" are cuffs.

Glenumbra "M'aiq cares little for politics. Truly, he thinks everyone is his ally." Referencing the three Alliances in ESO.

Khenarthi's Roost, Auridon "Some enjoy bringing grief to others. They remind M'aiq of mudcrabs—horrible creatures, with no redeeming qualities." A carry-on from Skyrim, referencing the criticisms many people had for Oblivion's NPCs talking about Mud Crabs often. Also likely a reference to the nature of some players to intentionally harass, or "grief", others in multiplayer environments.

Bal Foyen "M'aiq always travels forward. This way he is certain of his direction." This references the lack of a minimap in Elder Scrolls Online.

(?) "M'aiq wonders why some people in Tamriel seem more prominent than others."

(?) "M'aiq asked a Nord what she sought. "Wuuthrad," she said. So M'aiq offered his kerchief." Wuuthrad is the legendary axe of Ysgramor and an important relic for the Nords of Skyrim. M'aiq offers his kerchief because he thought the Nord sneezed.

(?) "Some have urged M'aiq to get married. Married!

Why would M'aiq ever wish to do this? There would be no more traveling. No more exotic foods and fishy sticks.

M'aiq suggests you not ever get married."

Bal Foyen "M'aiq wonders, who wants to live on a bleak rock? Why not a pleasant rock?" A pun on the name the Ebonheart Pact zone Bleakrock Isle.

Khenarthi's Roost ""Come no closer" said the ghost, so M'aiq did not. But she kept saying it, wherever he went." A reference to the Legacy of Baelborne Rock quest during the Beta test, which would shout this constantly. Alternatively, this could be a reference to the quest Dark Knowledge; walking around Khenarthi's Roost without beginning the quest, the ghost Cartirinque will spawn in multiple locations while shouting this.

Auridon "The Elves here have so many titles, all of them fancy. M'aiq prefers a simple one." A reference to the titles granted from achievements, and his own title "the liar".

Shadowfen "M'aiq had a horrible dream last night. Mudcrabs, flying through the air. Horrible!"

(?) "It is no fun to live in a house.

Is much better to wander the roads. See the world! M'aiq likes this life." A reference to how Player Housing was initially not a feature at launch, like it was in previous games.

Malabal Tor, Reaper's March "M'aiq wonders why merchants boast of spacious bags, but never how much weight they carry." A nod to the fact that your inventory is now limited by the number of types of items you can carry, rather than their weight or quantity, unlike previous games.

Malabal Tor "M'aiq thinks some places defy explanation. They have little to do with magic, and everything to do with the weather." A reference to Tempest Island.

Alik'r Desert, Bangkorai "Sometimes people disappear in front of M'aiq. Are invisibility potions so affordable?" A reference to players disappearing when they log out, or to how NPCs may disappear in relation to certain quests.

Khenarthi's Roost "M'aiq speaks with many in his travels. After a time, they seem to repeat themselves. Strange." Referencing the limited amount of voice-acted dialogue in the games.

Bangkorai "M'aiq thinks those with the most wine can never truly be pleased. This is why he drinks water." A reference to being able to collect water for use in Alchemy and also its availability as a beverage, which is typically not found in some of the previous games.

(?) "M'aiq wonders, why does he find Imperial armies everywhere but Cyrodiil?"

(?) "M'aiq has heard others say that Tamriel is not a funny place. This makes M'aiq laugh."

Stonefalls "M'aiq heard an old-timer speak of lost mittens. Keep looking, says M'aiq. Mittens will turn up somewhere." A reference to a quest removed during closed beta. In Ebonheart, Teroni Serelnim could task the player to find her lost cat, Mittens Q. Deathclaw III. Mittens could appear in one of several locations around the city, and collecting him without scaring him off was tricky. The quest was eventually taken out after players continued to find it frustrating. Mittens still appears in the game, but on his front porch, where he belongs.

Betnikh, Bangkorai, Glenumbra, Alik'r Desert "M'aiq paid a merchant to ship his things to Stormhaven. Half went to Stormhold, the rest to Haven. Stupid merchant." A pun on the name of Stormhaven.

(?) "Why the need for embassies? M'aiq thinks all are ambassadors, wherever they go." A reference to the quest The Honor of the Queen.

Auridon "M'aiq tried to swim out to sea, but had to turn back. Slaughterfish. Always the slaughterfish." A reference to the use of slaughterfish as barriers to exploration.

Bal Foyen, Deshaan "M'aiq asked an Argonian if she could breathe underwater. She asked if he could see in the dark. M'aiq had no good answer." A reference to the racial abilities of Argonians and Khajiit in previous games.

Rivenspire "When young, M'aiq wished to attend an adventurer's school. But Tamriel has more crypts than schools." A reference to the Crypt of Hearts.

Rivenspire "Can vampires have families? How? Perhaps M'aiq does not wish to know." A reference to Skyrim's Dawnguard add-on, which involved a horrific family ritual to become vampires.

Eastmarch "The witches and witch hunters bicker so much. M'aiq wonders if they fancy each other." A reference to Direfrost Keep.

The Rift "It is so cold here, yet M'aiq sees Nords in sandals. Madness!" A reference to Nords' resistance to cold and magical frost.

Deshaan "M'aiq does not wish to join a guild. Also, M'aiq is mostly alone. Hmm. M'aiq must ponder this." A hint for players to consider joining a guild if they desire more social interaction.

The Rift "M'aiq could never fight for prizes. He has a weak chin." A reference to the Blessed Crucible in the Rift.

Alik'r Desert, Betnikh "When M'aiq enters a new place, he pictures it within himself and meditates for a short time." A reference to Loading Screens.

(?) "M'aiq takes no comfort from the lack of Imperials in abandoned forts. All too often, less savory things find their way inside."

Alik'r Desert "M'aiq fishes wherever there is water. He finds it is far less crowded." A reference to how fishing is only allowed at defined fishing holes.

Coldharbour "M'aiq could not find the Tower of Lies. Molag Bal plays a joke, yes?" A reference to the fact that the Tower of Lies is a deep pit, contrary to its name.

Coldharbour "M'aiq thinks the maddest thing about the Vaults of Madness is their location." A reference to the Vaults of Madness being located in the Fist of Stone region, which becomes accessible after completing Crossing the Chasm.

(?) "M'aiq believes that is better to have a set goal in life than to wander freely, unsure of what to do.

Just think of all the farmers who would attempt to "enhance" their crops with magic. M'aiq can only imagine what that would taste like." Refers to players who stay in one area, roleplaying as a blacksmith/alchemist/mage, rather than travelling all around the map as an adventurer.

Auridon "No ships depart for the Summerset Isles. M'aiq wonders if the High Elves made them up." A possible reference to the fact that Auridon was previously the only one of the Summerset Isles accessible in the game.

Coldharbour "Do not drink the water that glows. M'aiq learned this the hard way." A reference to the Azure Plasm.

Grahtwood "Why should M'aiq stay off the grass? He always steps lightly." A reference to the Green Pact, which states that the Bosmer are not allowed to eat or otherwise harm plants.

Eastmarch "M'aiq thinks more people should get to the point. Not you, of course." A possible reference to an early patch which allowed the player to skip an NPC's speech when a dialogue option was chosen.

Eastmarch "The people of Windhelm are strange. Wherever M'aiq went, they spoke of licking corn." A reference to the Konunleikar festival occurring in Windhelm.

Reaper's March "The Mane is chosen by scent. Had M'aiq known, he would have bathed." A reference to the title of Mane, held by the leading Khajiit. The Reaper's March questline allows the player to choose whether Shazah or Khali will become the next Mane.

Reaper's March "M'aiq hears of shapeshifters hiding in abandoned tombs and secret forests. Ha! M'aiq prefers to lurk in plain sight." A reference to Selene's Web.

Malabal Tor "M'aiq hates weddings. There are never enough sweetrolls." References to sweetrolls are a running gag in the Elder Scrolls series. This also references the wedding between the Silvenar and the Green Lady, which is the focus of the main quest in Malabal Tor.

(?) "Wood Orcs are Orcs who live in the woods, yes? If they were made of wood, M'aiq thinks they'd stop using torches."

Deshaan "M'aiq would gorge himself in a Kwama mine, if time allowed." A reference to Darkshade Caverns, which applies a time limit forcing players to leave if their group has disbanded or left.

Deshaan "What if the ordinators are the Dark Elf gods, hiding among their people? M'aiq avoids them, just the same."

Deshaan, Eastmarch, The Rift, Shadowfen "Have you seen dragons? No? M'aiq thinks they must be hiding … for now." A reference to his comment on dragons in Morrowind, or to how the dragons are hiding as of this time and will return during the Tiber Wars and Alduin's return many centuries later.

Auridon "M'aiq was soul-trapped, once. A mad Elf tried to bind him to a stone!" A reference to his similar comment in Skyrim. Could also be a reference to the intro cinematic, where Mannimarco uses a soul gem to deliver the player's soul to Molag Bal.

Bangkorai "M'aiq once met Captain Blackheart and his raiders. M'aiq can think of a better word to describe them." A reference to Blackheart Haven.

Alik'r Desert "Volenfell is where the famous Dwarven hammer fell, yes? M'aiq wonders if "Where the Hammer Fell" is a better name." A reference to Volenfell, perhaps explaining why it's called that for those expecting Hammerfell.

Alik'r Desert "Redguards fear the undead, but why? The gnawing upon flesh? The stench of death? Hmm. Perhaps M'aiq understands."

Reaper's March "The Moon Priests have many strange rules and stories. But M'aiq thinks they make it up as they go along."

Shadowfen "M'aiq regrets few things. Failing to wear boots in a swamp is one of them." Possibly a reference to Swamp Boots, from the Oblivion game; which were in turn a reference to boots of the same name from the Ultima series. Could also be a reference to how beast races could not wear boots in Morrowind.

Rivenspire "M'aiq despises bats. Tiny, winged skeevers. Disgusting!" Possibly a reference to similar complaints about Mudcrabs by other NPCs.

Khenarthi's Roost, Auridon, Malabal Tor (any?) "Some like to buy the whole meal. Others want to pay for what is on their plate. M'aiq just prefers to eat." Possibly a reference to the different payment models (ESO Plus or DLC purchases) following the release of Tamriel Unlimited.

Deshaan "M'aiq learned too late that ash pits are home to Dark Elf ancestors. He … erm … hopes they don't mind the rain." A reference to domestic house cats using litter boxes.

Betnikh "M'aiq heard much of Headman Bhosek, but saw very little. For the best, M'aiq thinks." A reference to how many NPCs on Stros M'Kai mention Headman Bhosek, yet he briefly appears in just one quest.

Stormhaven "M'aiq was told to stay away from Oldgate. This confused him. M'aiq remembers when it was called "Gate."" Here M'aiq implies that he is very old, implying that he may be the same M'aiq as in Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim, rather than an ancestor.

Alik'r Desert "Step on sand and burn your feet. Bury feet in sand and grit gets under the claws. Poor choices for M'aiq."

Greenshade "Sea Elves? Do you see Elves, from the sea?" A reference to Maormer, more commonly known as Sea Elves.

(?) "M'aiq thought High King Emeric would have the tallest castle. Oh, well."

Northern Elsweyr "We've met? It must have been this one's brother, N'aiq the Fibber."

Northern Elsweyr "Some doors, when opened, cannot be shut again. This is why windows are better options." A reference to how some doors cannot be used again once the related quest or instance has been completed.

Northern Elsweyr "You've heard that the Khajiit love naps, yes? So does M'aiq. Though maybe M'aiq is napping now and this conversation is but a dream?" This phrase is repeated after the third conversation, in place of the original "Come back later. We can talk some more!" This may be a reference to CHIM.

Northern Elsweyr "It is best to never speak of Dragons lest they show up. This M'aiq has learned." A reference to his earlier comment where he postulates all the dragons are just hiding.

Northern Elsweyr "Necromancers focus on raising the dead. M'aiq wonders why not raise crops instead?"

Northern Elsweyr "If the necropolis for Rimmen is not in Rimmen, why is it called Rimmen Necropolis, hmmm?"

Northern Elsweyr "In Tamriel we grow moon-sugar. On the moon do they grow Tamriel sugar?" A reference to the journey to the Plane of Jode later on in the zone story.

Northern Elsweyr "The Argonians claim to be communing with the Hist, but M'aiq thinks they are just napping."

(?) "Upon further reflection, M'aiq still finds the idea of animated corpses frightening. Especially those of the Alfiq. Do not ask why."

(?) "This one thought he saw a Pahmar-raht yesterday. Turned out it was two Dagi-raht standing on each other's shoulders."