diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp
index cfccb53c36..d5bf6158fd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/windowmanager.hpp
@@ -241,13 +241,12 @@ namespace MWBase
             /** No guarantee of actually closing the window **/
             virtual void exitCurrentGuiMode() = 0;
 
-            virtual void messageBox (const std::string& message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode = MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_IfPossible) = 0;
+            virtual void messageBox(std::string_view message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode = MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_IfPossible) = 0;
             /// Puts message into a queue to show on the next update. Thread safe alternative for messageBox.
             virtual void scheduleMessageBox(std::string message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode = MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_IfPossible) = 0;
-            virtual void staticMessageBox(const std::string& message) = 0;
+            virtual void staticMessageBox(std::string_view message) = 0;
             virtual void removeStaticMessageBox() = 0;
-            virtual void interactiveMessageBox (const std::string& message,
-                                                const std::vector<std::string>& buttons = std::vector<std::string>(), bool block=false) = 0;
+            virtual void interactiveMessageBox(std::string_view message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons = {}, bool block = false) = 0;
 
             /// returns the index of the pressed button or -1 if no button was pressed (->MessageBoxmanager->InteractiveMessageBox)
             virtual int readPressedButton() = 0;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp
index f3df6d37e4..0eb4ff3e59 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.cpp
@@ -283,18 +283,18 @@ namespace MWClass
             return ref->mBase->mData.mArmor * armorSkill / static_cast<float>(iBaseArmorSkill);
     }
 
-    std::pair<int, std::string> Armor::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
+    std::pair<int, std::string_view> Armor::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const
     {
         const MWWorld::InventoryStore& invStore = npc.getClass().getInventoryStore(npc);
 
         if (getItemHealth(ptr) == 0)
-            return std::make_pair(0, "#{sInventoryMessage1}");
+            return {0, "#{sInventoryMessage1}"};
 
         // slots that this item can be equipped in
         std::pair<std::vector<int>, bool> slots_ = getEquipmentSlots(ptr);
 
         if (slots_.first.empty())
-            return std::make_pair(0, "");
+            return {0, {}};
 
         if (npc.getClass().isNpc())
         {
@@ -309,9 +309,9 @@ namespace MWClass
                 for(std::vector<ESM::PartReference>::iterator itr = parts.begin(); itr != parts.end(); ++itr)
                 {
                     if((*itr).mPart == ESM::PRT_Head)
-                        return std::make_pair(0, "#{sNotifyMessage13}");
+                        return {0, "#{sNotifyMessage13}"};
                     if((*itr).mPart == ESM::PRT_LFoot || (*itr).mPart == ESM::PRT_RFoot)
-                        return std::make_pair(0, "#{sNotifyMessage14}");
+                        return {0, "#{sNotifyMessage14}"};
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -327,13 +327,13 @@ namespace MWClass
                 {
                     const MWWorld::LiveCellRef<ESM::Weapon> *ref = weapon->get<ESM::Weapon>();
                     if (MWMechanics::getWeaponType(ref->mBase->mData.mType)->mFlags & ESM::WeaponType::TwoHanded)
-                        return std::make_pair(3,"");
+                        return {3, {}};
                 }
 
-                return std::make_pair(1,"");
+                return {1, {}};
             }
         }
-        return std::make_pair(1,"");
+        return {1, {}};
     }
 
     std::unique_ptr<MWWorld::Action> Armor::use (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, bool force) const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.hpp
index 8906a22e52..5c9732f2ca 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/armor.hpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ namespace MWClass
             const std::string& applyEnchantment(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string& enchId, int enchCharge, const std::string& newName) const override;
             ///< Creates a new record using \a ptr as template, with the given name and the given enchantment applied to it.
 
-            std::pair<int, std::string> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const override;
+            std::pair<int, std::string_view> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const override;
             ///< Return 0 if player cannot equip item. 1 if can equip. 2 if it's twohanded weapon. 3 if twohanded weapon conflicts with that. \n
             ///  Second item in the pair specifies the error message
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp
index a6f7c79713..8d74f18eab 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.cpp
@@ -195,13 +195,13 @@ namespace MWClass
         return record->mId;
     }
 
-    std::pair<int, std::string> Clothing::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
+    std::pair<int, std::string_view> Clothing::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const
     {
         // slots that this item can be equipped in
         std::pair<std::vector<int>, bool> slots_ = getEquipmentSlots(ptr);
 
         if (slots_.first.empty())
-            return std::make_pair(0, "");
+            return {0, {}};
 
         if (npc.getClass().isNpc())
         {
@@ -216,14 +216,14 @@ namespace MWClass
                 for(std::vector<ESM::PartReference>::iterator itr = parts.begin(); itr != parts.end(); ++itr)
                 {
                     if((*itr).mPart == ESM::PRT_Head)
-                        return std::make_pair(0, "#{sNotifyMessage13}");
+                        return {0, "#{sNotifyMessage13}"};
                     if((*itr).mPart == ESM::PRT_LFoot || (*itr).mPart == ESM::PRT_RFoot)
-                        return std::make_pair(0, "#{sNotifyMessage15}");
+                        return {0, "#{sNotifyMessage15}"};
                 }
             }
         }
 
-        return std::make_pair (1, "");
+        return {1, {}};
     }
 
     std::unique_ptr<MWWorld::Action> Clothing::use (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, bool force) const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.hpp
index 6b014a188d..beca02f77a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/clothing.hpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ namespace MWClass
             const std::string& applyEnchantment(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string& enchId, int enchCharge, const std::string& newName) const override;
             ///< Creates a new record using \a ptr as template, with the given name and the given enchantment applied to it.
 
-            std::pair<int, std::string> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const override;
+            std::pair<int, std::string_view> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const override;
             ///< Return 0 if player cannot equip item. 1 if can equip. 2 if it's twohanded weapon. 3 if twohanded weapon conflicts with that.
             ///  Second item in the pair specifies the error message
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp
index da96024ed0..e4cbd3838f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.cpp
@@ -224,16 +224,16 @@ namespace MWClass
         return ref->mBase->mData.mWeight;
     }
 
-    std::pair<int, std::string> Light::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
+    std::pair<int, std::string_view> Light::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const
     {
         const MWWorld::LiveCellRef<ESM::Light> *ref = ptr.get<ESM::Light>();
         if (!(ref->mBase->mData.mFlags & ESM::Light::Carry))
-            return std::make_pair(0,"");
+            return {0, {}};
 
-        return std::make_pair(1,"");
+        return {1, {}};
     }
 
-    std::string Light::getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const
+    std::string_view Light::getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const
     {
       return ptr.get<ESM::Light>()->mBase->mSound;
     }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.hpp
index 8fd2f24d70..f803b523a3 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/light.hpp
@@ -72,9 +72,9 @@ namespace MWClass
 
             bool canSell (const MWWorld::ConstPtr& item, int npcServices) const override;
 
-            std::pair<int, std::string> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const override;
+            std::pair<int, std::string_view> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const override;
 
-            std::string getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const override;
+            std::string_view getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const override;
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp
index e19b998f4c..cbe251ebcb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.cpp
@@ -137,14 +137,14 @@ namespace MWClass
         return MWWorld::Ptr(cell.insert(ref), &cell);
     }
 
-    std::pair<int, std::string> Lockpick::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
+    std::pair<int, std::string_view> Lockpick::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const
     {
         // Do not allow equip tools from inventory during attack
         if (MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->isAttackingOrSpell(npc)
             && MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->isGuiMode())
-            return std::make_pair(0, "#{sCantEquipWeapWarning}");
+            return {0, "#{sCantEquipWeapWarning}"};
 
-        return std::make_pair(1, "");
+        return {1, {}};
     }
 
     bool Lockpick::canSell (const MWWorld::ConstPtr& item, int npcServices) const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.hpp
index ff2d07a9fc..f34579c38d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/lockpick.hpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace MWClass
             const std::string& getInventoryIcon(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const override;
             ///< Return name of inventory icon.
 
-            std::pair<int, std::string> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const override;
+            std::pair<int, std::string_view> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const override;
 
             std::unique_ptr<MWWorld::Action> use (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, bool force=false) const override;
             ///< Generate action for using via inventory menu
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
index f188c672a2..9f44555c5a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
                 for (std::vector<ESM::PartReference>::const_iterator it = parts.begin(); it != parts.end(); ++it)
                 {
-                    std::string partname = female ? it->mFemale : it->mMale;
+                    std::string_view partname = female ? it->mFemale : it->mMale;
                     if (partname.empty())
                         partname = female ? it->mMale : it->mFemale;
                     const ESM::BodyPart* part = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::BodyPart>().search(partname);
@@ -1400,7 +1400,7 @@ namespace MWClass
         return ref->mBase->mNpdt.mGold;
     }
 
-    bool Npc::isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string &className) const
+    bool Npc::isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, std::string_view className) const
     {
         return Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(ptr.get<ESM::NPC>()->mBase->mClass, className);
     }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.hpp
index cb1b146faf..ebe9b03318 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.hpp
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
             int getBaseGold(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const override;
 
-            bool isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string &className) const override;
+            bool isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, std::string_view className) const override;
 
             bool canSwim (const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr) const override;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp
index 105ee7e937..0383027f58 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.cpp
@@ -137,14 +137,14 @@ namespace MWClass
         return MWWorld::Ptr(cell.insert(ref), &cell);
     }
 
-    std::pair<int, std::string> Probe::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
+    std::pair<int, std::string_view> Probe::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const
     {
         // Do not allow equip tools from inventory during attack
         if (MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->isAttackingOrSpell(npc)
             && MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->isGuiMode())
-            return std::make_pair(0, "#{sCantEquipWeapWarning}");
+            return {0, "#{sCantEquipWeapWarning}"};
 
-        return std::make_pair(1, "");
+        return {1, {}};
     }
 
     bool Probe::canSell (const MWWorld::ConstPtr& item, int npcServices) const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.hpp
index d45a870f97..1583887960 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/probe.hpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace MWClass
             const std::string& getInventoryIcon(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const override;
             ///< Return name of inventory icon.
 
-            std::pair<int, std::string> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const override;
+            std::pair<int, std::string_view> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const override;
 
             std::unique_ptr<MWWorld::Action> use (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, bool force=false) const override;
             ///< Generate action for using via inventory menu
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
index 7f2347a988..fd57b5df6b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.cpp
@@ -271,28 +271,28 @@ namespace MWClass
         return record->mId;
     }
 
-    std::pair<int, std::string> Weapon::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
+    std::pair<int, std::string_view> Weapon::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const
     {
         if (hasItemHealth(ptr) && getItemHealth(ptr) == 0)
-            return std::make_pair(0, "#{sInventoryMessage1}");
+            return {0, "#{sInventoryMessage1}"};
 
         // Do not allow equip weapons from inventory during attack
         if (MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->isAttackingOrSpell(npc)
             && MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->isGuiMode())
-            return std::make_pair(0, "#{sCantEquipWeapWarning}");
+            return {0, "#{sCantEquipWeapWarning}"};
 
         std::pair<std::vector<int>, bool> slots_ = getEquipmentSlots(ptr);
 
         if (slots_.first.empty())
-            return std::make_pair (0, "");
+            return {0, {}};
 
         int type = ptr.get<ESM::Weapon>()->mBase->mData.mType;
         if(MWMechanics::getWeaponType(type)->mFlags & ESM::WeaponType::TwoHanded)
         {
-            return std::make_pair (2, "");
+            return {2, {}};
         }
 
-        return std::make_pair(1, "");
+        return {1, {}};
     }
 
     std::unique_ptr<MWWorld::Action> Weapon::use (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, bool force) const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.hpp
index deef3ef5e0..ec0d63a65e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/weapon.hpp
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ namespace MWClass
             const std::string& applyEnchantment(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string& enchId, int enchCharge, const std::string& newName) const override;
             ///< Creates a new record using \a ptr as template, with the given name and the given enchantment applied to it.
 
-            std::pair<int, std::string> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const override;
+            std::pair<int, std::string_view> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const override;
             ///< Return 0 if player cannot equip item. 1 if can equip. 2 if it's twohanded weapon. 3 if twohanded weapon conflicts with that.
             ///  Second item in the pair specifies the error message
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
index c0174f3f73..157567c404 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/alchemywindow.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             if (count == 1)
                 winMgr->messageBox("#{sPotionSuccess}");
             else
-                winMgr->messageBox("#{sPotionSuccess} "+mNameEdit->getCaption()+" ("+std::to_string(count)+")");
+                winMgr->messageBox("#{sPotionSuccess} "+mNameEdit->getCaption().asUTF8()+" ("+std::to_string(count)+")");
             break;
         case MWMechanics::Alchemy::Result_NoEffects:
         case MWMechanics::Alchemy::Result_RandomFailure:
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp
index a359efae52..e7e30b76cf 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/inventorywindow.cpp
@@ -539,7 +539,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
             if (!force)
             {
-                std::pair<int, std::string> canEquip = ptr.getClass().canBeEquipped(ptr, player);
+                auto canEquip = ptr.getClass().canBeEquipped(ptr, player);
 
                 if (canEquip.first == 0)
                 {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp
index e52b1b24ba..f80b24cccd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/loadingscreen.cpp
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             // we may still want to show the label if the caller requested it
             if (mImportantLabel)
             {
-                MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox(mLoadingText->getCaption());
+                MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox(mLoadingText->getCaption().asUTF8());
                 mImportantLabel = false;
             }
         }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
index e9190ffceb..e1ea0a46b9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.cpp
@@ -89,11 +89,11 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
     }
 
-    void MessageBoxManager::createMessageBox (const std::string& message, bool stat)
+    void MessageBoxManager::createMessageBox(std::string_view message, bool stat)
     {
         MessageBox *box = new MessageBox(*this, message);
         box->mCurrentTime = 0;
-        std::string realMessage = MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags(message);
+        auto realMessage = MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags({message.data(), message.size()});
         box->mMaxTime = realMessage.length()*mMessageBoxSpeed;
 
         if(stat)
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         mStaticMessageBox = nullptr;
     }
 
-    bool MessageBoxManager::createInteractiveMessageBox (const std::string& message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons)
+    bool MessageBoxManager::createInteractiveMessageBox(std::string_view message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons)
     {
         if (mInterMessageBoxe != nullptr)
         {
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             mInterMessageBoxe = nullptr;
         }
 
-        mInterMessageBoxe = new InteractiveMessageBox(*this, message, buttons);
+        mInterMessageBoxe = new InteractiveMessageBox(*this, std::string{message}, buttons);
         mLastButtonPressed = -1;
 
         return true;
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             messageBox->setVisible(value);
     }
 
-    MessageBox::MessageBox(MessageBoxManager& parMessageBoxManager, const std::string& message)
+    MessageBox::MessageBox(MessageBoxManager& parMessageBoxManager, std::string_view message)
       : Layout("openmw_messagebox.layout")
       , mCurrentTime(0)
       , mMaxTime(0)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp
index 59118ce6c2..7552bb50d6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/messagebox.hpp
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ namespace MWGui
             MessageBoxManager (float timePerChar);
             ~MessageBoxManager ();
             void onFrame (float frameDuration);
-            void createMessageBox (const std::string& message, bool stat = false);
+            void createMessageBox(std::string_view message, bool stat = false);
             void removeStaticMessageBox ();
-            bool createInteractiveMessageBox (const std::string& message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons);
+            bool createInteractiveMessageBox(std::string_view message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons);
             bool isInteractiveMessageBox ();
 
             int getMessagesCount();
@@ -61,8 +61,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     class MessageBox : public Layout
     {
         public:
-            MessageBox (MessageBoxManager& parMessageBoxManager, const std::string& message);
-            void setMessage (const std::string& message);
+            MessageBox (MessageBoxManager& parMessageBoxManager, std::string_view message);
             const std::string& getMessage() { return mMessage; };
             int getHeight ();
             void update (int height);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp
index 9aa110adcb..d028c263b9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/quickkeysmenu.cpp
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
         else if (key->type == Type_Magic)
         {
-            std::string spellId = key->id;
+            const std::string& spellId = key->id;
 
             // Make sure the player still has this spell
             MWMechanics::CreatureStats& stats = player.getClass().getCreatureStats(player);
@@ -534,8 +534,7 @@ namespace MWGui
                     break;
                 }
                 case Type_Magic:
-                    std::string spellId = button->getUserString("Spell");
-                    key.mId = spellId;
+                    key.mId = button->getUserString("Spell");
                     break;
             }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
index af95b49a88..2c1edbdd0c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         popGuiMode();
     }
 
-    void WindowManager::interactiveMessageBox(const std::string &message, const std::vector<std::string> &buttons, bool block)
+    void WindowManager::interactiveMessageBox(std::string_view message, const std::vector<std::string> &buttons, bool block)
     {
         mMessageBoxManager->createInteractiveMessageBox(message, buttons);
         updateVisible();
@@ -749,10 +749,10 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
     }
 
-    void WindowManager::messageBox (const std::string& message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode)
+    void WindowManager::messageBox(std::string_view message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode)
     {
         if (getMode() == GM_Dialogue && showInDialogueMode != MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_Never) {
-            mDialogueWindow->addMessageBox(MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags(message));
+            mDialogueWindow->addMessageBox(MyGUI::LanguageManager::getInstance().replaceTags({message.data(), message.size()}));
         } else if (showInDialogueMode != MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_Only) {
             mMessageBoxManager->createMessageBox(message);
         }
@@ -763,7 +763,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         mScheduledMessageBoxes.lock()->emplace_back(std::move(message), showInDialogueMode);
     }
 
-    void WindowManager::staticMessageBox(const std::string& message)
+    void WindowManager::staticMessageBox(std::string_view message)
     {
         mMessageBoxManager->createMessageBox(message, true);
     }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp
index 81ece9ee1f..4f97c1d07f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.hpp
@@ -272,12 +272,11 @@ namespace MWGui
     ///Gracefully attempts to exit the topmost GUI mode
     void exitCurrentGuiMode() override;
 
-    void messageBox (const std::string& message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode = MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_IfPossible) override;
+    void messageBox(std::string_view message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode = MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_IfPossible) override;
     void scheduleMessageBox (std::string message, enum MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode showInDialogueMode = MWGui::ShowInDialogueMode_IfPossible) override;
-    void staticMessageBox(const std::string& message) override;
+    void staticMessageBox(std::string_view message) override;
     void removeStaticMessageBox() override;
-    void interactiveMessageBox (const std::string& message,
-                                        const std::vector<std::string>& buttons = std::vector<std::string>(), bool block=false) override;
+    void interactiveMessageBox(std::string_view message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons = {}, bool block = false) override;
 
     int readPressedButton () override; ///< returns the index of the pressed button or -1 if no button was pressed (->MessageBoxmanager->InteractiveMessageBox)
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
index 2a80b6c20b..7aab3ec1d9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ namespace MWRender
 
     size_t Animation::detectBlendMask(const osg::Node* node) const
     {
-        static const char sBlendMaskRoots[sNumBlendMasks][32] = {
+        static const std::string_view sBlendMaskRoots[sNumBlendMasks] = {
             "", /* Lower body / character root */
             "Bip01 Spine1", /* Torso */
             "Bip01 L Clavicle", /* Left arm */
@@ -742,7 +742,7 @@ namespace MWRender
 
             for(auto iterKey = keys.begin(); iterKey != keys.end(); ++iterKey)
             {
-                if(iterKey->second.starts_with(textKey) == 0)
+                if(iterKey->second.starts_with(textKey))
                     return iterKey->first;
             }
         }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp
index 8c6758c85b..deb44c14d5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/npcanimation.cpp
@@ -816,10 +816,10 @@ bool NpcAnimation::addOrReplaceIndividualPart(ESM::PartReferenceType type, int g
         return false;
     }
 
-    if (!mSoundsDisabled)
+    if (!mSoundsDisabled && group == MWWorld::InventoryStore::Slot_CarriedLeft)
     {
         const MWWorld::InventoryStore& inv = mPtr.getClass().getInventoryStore(mPtr);
-        MWWorld::ConstContainerStoreIterator csi = inv.getSlot(group < 0 ? MWWorld::InventoryStore::Slot_Helmet : group);
+        MWWorld::ConstContainerStoreIterator csi = inv.getSlot(group);
         if (csi != inv.end())
         {
             const auto soundId = csi->getClass().getSound(*csi);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp
index 1c7497c395..9b0d1b389d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class TextureOverrideVisitor : public osg::NodeVisitor
             }
             traverse(node);
         }
-        std::string mTexture;
+        std::string_view mTexture;
         Resource::ResourceSystem* mResourcesystem;
 };
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp
index 6490d07d05..633bcf88a2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ namespace MWScript
         mLocals->mFloats.at (index) = value;
     }
 
-    void InterpreterContext::messageBox (const std::string& message,
+    void InterpreterContext::messageBox(std::string_view message,
         const std::vector<std::string>& buttons)
     {
         if (buttons.empty())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp
index c53dd88ab3..d36671a7d2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ namespace MWScript
 
             using Interpreter::Context::messageBox;
 
-            void messageBox (const std::string& message,
+            void messageBox(std::string_view message,
                 const std::vector<std::string>& buttons) override;
 
             void report (const std::string& message) override;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/soundextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/soundextensions.cpp
index 1e0ad12946..744f94b02a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/soundextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/soundextensions.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                     std::string file{runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger)};
                     runtime.pop();
 
-                    std::string text{runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger)};
+                    std::string_view text = runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger);
                     runtime.pop();
 
                     MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->say (ptr, file);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionequip.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionequip.cpp
index 8ce3a130ab..426f4dd7b8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionequip.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionequip.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         if (!mForce)
         {
-            std::pair <int, std::string> result = object.getClass().canBeEquipped (object, actor);
+            auto result = object.getClass().canBeEquipped (object, actor);
 
             // display error message if the player tried to equip something
             if (!result.second.empty() && actor == MWMechanics::getPlayer())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.cpp
index 7639b5d8b6..93009c26cb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.cpp
@@ -325,9 +325,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
         throw std::runtime_error ("class can't be enchanted");
     }
 
-    std::pair<int, std::string> Class::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const
+    std::pair<int, std::string_view> Class::canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const
     {
-        return std::make_pair (1, "");
+        return {1, {}};
     }
 
     void Class::adjustPosition(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, bool force) const
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         throw std::runtime_error("class does not support base gold");
     }
 
-    bool Class::isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string &className) const
+    bool Class::isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, std::string_view className) const
     {
         return false;
     }
@@ -478,9 +478,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return encumbrance / capacity;
     }
 
-    std::string Class::getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr&) const
+    std::string_view Class::getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr&) const
     {
-      return std::string();
+      return {};
     }
 
     int Class::getBaseFightRating(const ConstPtr &ptr) const
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp
index 4cc16ee7f2..1b1f1b4924 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/class.hpp
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             virtual const std::string& applyEnchantment(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string& enchId, int enchCharge, const std::string& newName) const;
             ///< Creates a new record using \a ptr as template, with the given name and the given enchantment applied to it.
 
-            virtual std::pair<int, std::string> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr &npc) const;
+            virtual std::pair<int, std::string_view> canBeEquipped(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& npc) const;
             ///< Return 0 if player cannot equip item. 1 if can equip. 2 if it's twohanded weapon. 3 if twohanded weapon conflicts with that.
             ///  Second item in the pair specifies the error message
 
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             virtual int getBaseGold(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const;
 
-            virtual bool isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, const std::string &className) const;
+            virtual bool isClass(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr, std::string_view className) const;
 
             virtual DoorState getDoorState (const MWWorld::ConstPtr &ptr) const;
             /// This does not actually cause the door to move. Use World::activateDoor instead.
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             virtual void respawn (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr) const {}
 
             /// Returns sound id
-            virtual std::string getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const;
+            virtual std::string_view getSound(const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const;
 
             virtual int getBaseFightRating (const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) const;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.cpp
index ec8314712e..3d5ca55690 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.cpp
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 namespace MWWorld
 {
-    FailedAction::FailedAction(const std::string &msg, const Ptr& target)
+    FailedAction::FailedAction(std::string_view msg, const Ptr& target)
       : Action(false, target), mMessage(msg)
     {   }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.hpp
index 2a201cdb3b..80fd53cc79 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/failedaction.hpp
@@ -8,12 +8,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
 {
     class FailedAction : public Action
     {
-        std::string mMessage;
+        std::string_view mMessage;
 
         void executeImp(const Ptr &actor) override;
 
     public:
-        FailedAction(const std::string &message = std::string(), const Ptr& target = Ptr());
+        FailedAction(std::string_view message = {}, const Ptr& target = Ptr());
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index 5864537c4b..18b33616cd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -2971,7 +2971,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
     {
         MWMechanics::CreatureStats& stats = actor.getClass().getCreatureStats(actor);
 
-        std::string message;
+        std::string_view message;
         MWWorld::SpellCastState result = MWWorld::SpellCastState::Success;
         bool isPlayer = (actor == getPlayerPtr());
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwscript/test_utils.hpp b/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwscript/test_utils.hpp
index 67173810ca..407572e961 100644
--- a/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwscript/test_utils.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwscript/test_utils.hpp
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ namespace
 
         void setLocalFloat(int index, float value) override { mLocals.setFloat(index, value); };
 
-        void messageBox(const std::string& message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons) override {};
+        void messageBox(std::string_view message, const std::vector<std::string>& buttons) override {};
 
         void report(const std::string& message) override {};
 
diff --git a/components/interpreter/context.hpp b/components/interpreter/context.hpp
index 7ff627be0a..c78b572353 100644
--- a/components/interpreter/context.hpp
+++ b/components/interpreter/context.hpp
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ namespace Interpreter
 
             virtual void setLocalFloat (int index, float value) = 0;
 
-            virtual void messageBox (const std::string& message,
+            virtual void messageBox(std::string_view message,
                 const std::vector<std::string>& buttons) = 0;
 
-            void messageBox (const std::string& message)
+            void messageBox(std::string_view message)
             {
                 std::vector<std::string> empty;
                 messageBox (message, empty);
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/util.cpp b/components/sceneutil/util.cpp
index 52b7be1798..b533d805e3 100644
--- a/components/sceneutil/util.cpp
+++ b/components/sceneutil/util.cpp
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ float makeOsgColorComponent(unsigned int value, unsigned int shift)
     return float((value >> shift) & 0xFFu) / 255.0f;
 }
 
-bool hasUserDescription(const osg::Node* node, const std::string& pattern)
+bool hasUserDescription(const osg::Node* node, std::string_view pattern)
 {
     if (node == nullptr)
         return false;
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/util.hpp b/components/sceneutil/util.hpp
index 18bf8c7728..5494198252 100644
--- a/components/sceneutil/util.hpp
+++ b/components/sceneutil/util.hpp
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ namespace SceneUtil
 
     float makeOsgColorComponent (unsigned int value, unsigned int shift);
 
-    bool hasUserDescription(const osg::Node* node, const std::string& pattern);
+    bool hasUserDescription(const osg::Node* node, std::string_view pattern);
 
     osg::ref_ptr<GlowUpdater> addEnchantedGlow(osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node, Resource::ResourceSystem* resourceSystem, const osg::Vec4f& glowColor, float glowDuration=-1);