diff --git a/apps/esmtool/record.cpp b/apps/esmtool/record.cpp
index 73c75d6d87..9cc8fb1ea4 100644
--- a/apps/esmtool/record.cpp
+++ b/apps/esmtool/record.cpp
@@ -1342,7 +1342,7 @@ namespace EsmTool
     template <>
     std::string Record<ESM::Cell>::getId() const
     {
-        return mData.mName.getRefIdString();
+        return mData.mName;
     }
 
     template <>
diff --git a/apps/essimporter/converter.cpp b/apps/essimporter/converter.cpp
index 5b118edeab..0da74d3251 100644
--- a/apps/essimporter/converter.cpp
+++ b/apps/essimporter/converter.cpp
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ namespace ESSImport
         }
 
         // note if the player is in a nameless exterior cell, we will assign the cellId later based on player position
-        if (cell.mName == ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mContext->mPlayerCellName))
+        if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(cell.mName, mContext->mPlayerCellName))
         {
             mContext->mPlayer.mCellId = cell.getCellId();
         }
diff --git a/apps/essimporter/converter.hpp b/apps/essimporter/converter.hpp
index f9f9c19ce6..c8b4b7d779 100644
--- a/apps/essimporter/converter.hpp
+++ b/apps/essimporter/converter.hpp
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ namespace ESSImport
             std::vector<unsigned int> mFogOfWar;
         };
 
-        std::map<ESM::RefId, Cell> mIntCells;
+        std::map<std::string, Cell, Misc::StringUtils::CiComp> mIntCells;
         std::map<std::pair<int, int>, Cell> mExtCells;
 
         std::vector<ESM::CustomMarker> mMarkers;
diff --git a/apps/essimporter/convertplayer.cpp b/apps/essimporter/convertplayer.cpp
index b7da036e01..5bb9897487 100644
--- a/apps/essimporter/convertplayer.cpp
+++ b/apps/essimporter/convertplayer.cpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ namespace ESSImport
             // TODO: Figure out a better way to detect interiors. (0, 0) is a valid exterior cell.
             if (mark.mCellX == 0 && mark.mCellY == 0)
             {
-                cell.mWorldspace = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(pcdt.mMNAM);
+                cell.mWorldspace = pcdt.mMNAM;
                 cell.mPaged = false;
             }
 
diff --git a/apps/launcher/utils/cellnameloader.cpp b/apps/launcher/utils/cellnameloader.cpp
index 1c0521bdc8..57c009046d 100644
--- a/apps/launcher/utils/cellnameloader.cpp
+++ b/apps/launcher/utils/cellnameloader.cpp
@@ -49,5 +49,5 @@ QString CellNameLoader::getCellName(ESM::ESMReader& esmReader)
     bool isDeleted = false;
     cell.loadNameAndData(esmReader, isDeleted);
 
-    return QString::fromStdString(cell.mName.getRefIdString());
+    return QString::fromStdString(cell.mName);
 }
diff --git a/apps/navmeshtool/worldspacedata.cpp b/apps/navmeshtool/worldspacedata.cpp
index 6f27bef93d..768fed6d61 100644
--- a/apps/navmeshtool/worldspacedata.cpp
+++ b/apps/navmeshtool/worldspacedata.cpp
@@ -265,14 +265,16 @@ namespace NavMeshTool
             const osg::Vec2i cellPosition(cell.mData.mX, cell.mData.mY);
             const std::size_t cellObjectsBegin = data.mObjects.size();
             WorldspaceNavMeshInput& navMeshInput = [&]() -> WorldspaceNavMeshInput& {
-                auto it = navMeshInputs.find(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace);
+                auto it = navMeshInputs.find(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace));
                 if (it == navMeshInputs.end())
                 {
                     it = navMeshInputs
-                             .emplace(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace,
-                                 std::make_unique<WorldspaceNavMeshInput>(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace, settings.mRecast))
+                             .emplace(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace),
+                                 std::make_unique<WorldspaceNavMeshInput>(
+                                     ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace), settings.mRecast))
                              .first;
-                    it->second->mTileCachedRecastMeshManager.setWorldspace(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace, nullptr);
+                    it->second->mTileCachedRecastMeshManager.setWorldspace(
+                        ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell.mCellId.mWorldspace), nullptr);
                 }
                 return *it->second;
             }();
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp
index 562dbc9ba7..cf6d0b3a4d 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/referencecheck.cpp
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ void CSMTools::ReferenceCheckStage::perform(int stage, CSMDoc::Messages& message
     }
 
     if (!cellRef.mDestCell.empty() && mCells.searchId(cellRef.mDestCell) == -1)
-        messages.add(id, "Destination cell '" + cellRef.mDestCell.getRefIdString() + "' does not exist", "",
-            CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Error);
+        messages.add(
+            id, "Destination cell '" + cellRef.mDestCell + "' does not exist", "", CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Error);
 
     if (cellRef.mScale < 0)
         messages.add(id, "Negative scale", "", CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Error);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp
index 7524f79017..39d1262f26 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ int CSMTools::TopicInfoCheckStage::setup()
         if (regionRecord.isDeleted())
             continue;
 
-        mCellNames.insert(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(regionRecord.get().mName));
+        mCellNames.insert(regionRecord.get().mName);
     }
     // Default cell name
     int index = mGameSettings.searchId("sDefaultCellname");
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ int CSMTools::TopicInfoCheckStage::setup()
 
         if (!gmstRecord.isDeleted() && gmstRecord.get().mValue.getType() == ESM::VT_String)
         {
-            mCellNames.insert(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(gmstRecord.get().mValue.getString()));
+            mCellNames.insert(gmstRecord.get().mValue.getString());
         }
     }
 
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ void CSMTools::TopicInfoCheckStage::perform(int stage, CSMDoc::Messages& message
 
     if (!topicInfo.mCell.empty())
     {
-        verifyCell(topicInfo.mCell, id, messages);
+        verifyCell(topicInfo.mCell.getRefIdString(), id, messages);
     }
 
     if (!topicInfo.mFaction.empty() && !topicInfo.mFactionLess)
@@ -211,11 +211,11 @@ bool CSMTools::TopicInfoCheckStage::verifyActor(
 }
 
 bool CSMTools::TopicInfoCheckStage::verifyCell(
-    const ESM::RefId& cell, const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Messages& messages)
+    const std::string& cell, const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Messages& messages)
 {
     if (mCellNames.find(cell) == mCellNames.end())
     {
-        messages.add(id, "Cell '" + cell.getRefIdString() + "' does not exist", "", CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Error);
+        messages.add(id, "Cell '" + cell + "' does not exist", "", CSMDoc::Message::Severity_Error);
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ bool CSMTools::TopicInfoCheckStage::verifySelectStruct(
         return false;
     }
     else if (infoCondition.getFunctionName() == CSMWorld::ConstInfoSelectWrapper::Function_NotCell
-        && !verifyCell(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(infoCondition.getVariableName()), id, messages))
+        && !verifyCell(infoCondition.getVariableName(), id, messages))
     {
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.hpp
index 8fbf84a59e..1bb2fc61dc 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/tools/topicinfocheck.hpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <apps/opencs/model/world/universalid.hpp>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadinfo.hpp>
+#include <components/misc/algorithm.hpp>
 
 #include "../world/idcollection.hpp"
 
@@ -72,13 +73,13 @@ namespace CSMTools
         const CSMWorld::RefIdData& mReferencables;
         const CSMWorld::Resources& mSoundFiles;
 
-        std::set<ESM::RefId> mCellNames;
+        std::set<std::string, Misc::StringUtils::CiComp> mCellNames;
 
         bool mIgnoreBaseRecords;
 
         // These return false when not successful and write an error
         bool verifyActor(const ESM::RefId& name, const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Messages& messages);
-        bool verifyCell(const ESM::RefId& name, const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Messages& messages);
+        bool verifyCell(const std::string& cell, const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Messages& messages);
         bool verifyFactionRank(
             const ESM::RefId& name, int rank, const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Messages& messages);
         bool verifyItem(const ESM::RefId& name, const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Messages& messages);
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/cell.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/cell.cpp
index 80995776da..f4b0084ef4 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/cell.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/cell.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ void CSMWorld::Cell::load(ESM::ESMReader& esm, bool& isDeleted)
 {
     ESM::Cell::load(esm, isDeleted, false);
 
-    mId = mName;
+    mId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mName);
     if (isExterior())
     {
         std::ostringstream stream;
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/columnimp.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/columnimp.hpp
index f85715a098..baaf249231 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/columnimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/columnimp.hpp
@@ -344,14 +344,14 @@ namespace CSMWorld
 
         QVariant get(const Record<CSMWorld::Cell>& record) const override
         {
-            return QString::fromUtf8(record.get().mName.getRefIdString().c_str());
+            return QString::fromUtf8(record.get().mName.c_str());
         }
 
         void set(Record<CSMWorld::Cell>& record, const QVariant& data) override
         {
             CSMWorld::Cell record2 = record.get();
 
-            record2.mName = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(data.toString().toUtf8().constData());
+            record2.mName = data.toString().toUtf8().constData();
 
             record.setModified(record2);
         }
@@ -1147,14 +1147,14 @@ namespace CSMWorld
 
         QVariant get(const Record<ESXRecordT>& record) const override
         {
-            return QString::fromUtf8(record.get().mDestCell.getRefIdString().c_str());
+            return QString::fromUtf8(record.get().mDestCell.c_str());
         }
 
         void set(Record<ESXRecordT>& record, const QVariant& data) override
         {
             ESXRecordT record2 = record.get();
 
-            record2.mDestCell = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(data.toString().toUtf8().constData());
+            record2.mDestCell = data.toString().toUtf8().constData();
 
             record.setModified(record2);
         }
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp
index d3be51d552..c0da8e7fac 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/idtable.cpp
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ std::pair<CSMWorld::UniversalId, std::string> CSMWorld::IdTable::view(int row) c
         return std::make_pair(UniversalId::Type_None, "");
 
     if (id[0] == '#')
-        id = ESM::CellId::sDefaultWorldspace.getRefIdString();
+        id = ESM::CellId::sDefaultWorldspace;
 
     return std::make_pair(UniversalId(UniversalId::Type_Scene, id), hint);
 }
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/refidadapterimp.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/refidadapterimp.hpp
index 8854dfbf05..014952f7f6 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/refidadapterimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/refidadapterimp.hpp
@@ -1468,7 +1468,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
 
             ESM::Transport::Dest newRow;
             newRow.mPos = newPos;
-            newRow.mCellName = ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
+            newRow.mCellName.clear();
 
             if (position >= (int)list.size())
                 list.push_back(newRow);
@@ -1533,7 +1533,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
             switch (subColIndex)
             {
                 case 0:
-                    return QString::fromUtf8(content.mCellName.getRefIdString().c_str());
+                    return QString::fromUtf8(content.mCellName.c_str());
                 case 1:
                     return content.mPos.pos[0];
                 case 2:
@@ -1565,7 +1565,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
             switch (subColIndex)
             {
                 case 0:
-                    list.at(subRowIndex).mCellName = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(value.toString().toUtf8().constData());
+                    list.at(subRowIndex).mCellName = value.toString().toUtf8().constData();
                     break;
                 case 1:
                     list.at(subRowIndex).mPos.pos[0] = value.toFloat();
diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/regionmap.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/regionmap.hpp
index 32c205281c..3f62c7b61d 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/regionmap.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/regionmap.hpp
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         {
             bool mDeleted;
             ESM::RefId mRegion;
-            ESM::RefId mName;
+            std::string mName;
 
             CellDescription();
 
diff --git a/apps/opencs/view/world/scenesubview.cpp b/apps/opencs/view/world/scenesubview.cpp
index a35c9caf84..ed2820c542 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/view/world/scenesubview.cpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/view/world/scenesubview.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ CSVWorld::SceneSubView::SceneSubView(const CSMWorld::UniversalId& id, CSMDoc::Do
     CSVRender::WorldspaceWidget* worldspaceWidget = nullptr;
     widgetType whatWidget;
 
-    if (ESM::RefId::stringRefId(id.getId()) == ESM::CellId::sDefaultWorldspace)
+    if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(id.getId(), ESM::CellId::sDefaultWorldspace))
     {
         whatWidget = widget_Paged;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
index 545137f6ec..f160e7025f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ void OMW::Engine::setResourceDir(const std::filesystem::path& parResDir)
 // Set start cell name
 void OMW::Engine::setCell(const std::string& cellName)
 {
-    mCellName = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cellName);
+    mCellName = cellName;
 }
 
 void OMW::Engine::addContentFile(const std::string& file)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.hpp b/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
index fe2aff174d..cf7169bf6d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ namespace OMW
         osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::AsyncScreenCaptureOperation> mScreenCaptureOperation;
         osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::SelectDepthFormatOperation> mSelectDepthFormatOperation;
         osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::Color::SelectColorFormatOperation> mSelectColorFormatOperation;
-        ESM::RefId mCellName;
+        std::string mCellName;
         std::vector<std::string> mContentFiles;
         std::vector<std::string> mGroundcoverFiles;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
index 46642a8d95..dc25b4f652 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ namespace MWBase
         virtual void setSimulationTimeScale(float scale) = 0;
 
         virtual void changeToInteriorCell(
-            const ESM::RefId& cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent = true)
+            std::string_view cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent = true)
             = 0;
         ///< Move to interior cell.
         ///< @param changeEvent If false, do not trigger cell change flag or detect worldspace changes
@@ -513,11 +513,11 @@ namespace MWBase
 
         /// Find default position inside exterior cell specified by name
         /// \return false if exterior with given name not exists, true otherwise
-        virtual bool findExteriorPosition(const ESM::RefId& name, ESM::Position& pos) = 0;
+        virtual bool findExteriorPosition(std::string_view name, ESM::Position& pos) = 0;
 
         /// Find default position inside interior cell specified by name
         /// \return false if interior with given name not exists, true otherwise
-        virtual bool findInteriorPosition(const ESM::RefId& name, ESM::Position& pos) = 0;
+        virtual bool findInteriorPosition(std::string_view name, ESM::Position& pos) = 0;
 
         /// Enables or disables use of teleport spell effects (recall, intervention, etc).
         virtual void enableTeleporting(bool enable) = 0;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
index cf2f19d681..075b2cffa8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ namespace MWClass
 
     std::string Door::getDestination(const MWWorld::LiveCellRef<ESM::Door>& door)
     {
-        std::string_view dest = door.mRef.getDestCell().getRefIdString();
+        std::string_view dest = door.mRef.getDestCell();
         if (dest.empty())
         {
             // door leads to exterior, use cell name (if any), otherwise translated region name
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/console.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/console.cpp
index 7bb0065ffa..ded51f139e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/console.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/console.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ namespace MWGui
                  it != store.get<ESM::Cell>().extEnd(); ++it)
             {
                 if (!it->mName.empty())
-                    mNames.push_back(it->mName.getRefIdString());
+                    mNames.push_back(it->mName);
             }
 
             // sort
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp
index df30363bbb..c79059d022 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             {
                 ESM::CellId cellId;
                 cellId.mPaged = !mInterior;
-                cellId.mWorldspace = (mInterior ? ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mPrefix) : ESM::CellId::sDefaultWorldspace);
+                cellId.mWorldspace = (mInterior ? mPrefix : ESM::CellId::sDefaultWorldspace);
                 cellId.mIndex.mX = mCurX + dX;
                 cellId.mIndex.mY = mCurY + dY;
 
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             for (MyGUI::Widget* widget : mExteriorDoorMarkerWidgets)
                 widget->setVisible(false);
 
-            MWWorld::CellStore* cell = worldModel->getInterior(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mPrefix));
+            MWWorld::CellStore* cell = worldModel->getInterior(mPrefix);
             world->getDoorMarkers(cell, doors);
         }
         else
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         ESM::Position markedPosition;
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayer().getMarkedPosition(markedCell, markedPosition);
         if (markedCell && markedCell->isExterior() == !mInterior
-            && (!mInterior || Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(markedCell->getCell()->mName.getRefIdString(), mPrefix)))
+            && (!mInterior || Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(markedCell->getCell()->mName, mPrefix)))
         {
             MarkerUserData markerPos(mLocalMapRender);
             MyGUI::ImageBox* markerWidget = mLocalMap->createWidget<MyGUI::ImageBox>("ImageBox",
@@ -888,7 +888,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         mEditingMarker.mCell.mPaged = !mInterior;
         if (mInterior)
-            mEditingMarker.mCell.mWorldspace = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(LocalMapBase::mPrefix);
+            mEditingMarker.mCell.mWorldspace = LocalMapBase::mPrefix;
         else
         {
             mEditingMarker.mCell.mWorldspace = ESM::CellId::sDefaultWorldspace;
@@ -1333,7 +1333,7 @@ namespace MWGui
                 const ESM::Cell* cell = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Cell>().search(
                     cellId.first, cellId.second);
                 if (cell && !cell->mName.empty())
-                    addVisitedLocation(cell->mName.getRefIdString(), cellId.first, cellId.second);
+                    addVisitedLocation(cell->mName, cellId.first, cellId.second);
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/travelwindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/travelwindow.cpp
index 3cfe3210ef..1c3af5d8cf 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/travelwindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/travelwindow.cpp
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         for (unsigned int i = 0; i < transport.size(); i++)
         {
-            std::string_view cellname = transport[i].mCellName.getRefIdString();
+            std::string_view cellname = transport[i].mCellName;
             bool interior = true;
             const osg::Vec2i cellIndex
                 = MWWorld::positionToCellIndex(transport[i].mPos.pos[0], transport[i].mPos.pos[1]);
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->fadeScreenOut(1);
         ESM::Position pos = *_sender->getUserData<ESM::Position>();
-        const ESM::RefId& cellname = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(_sender->getUserString("Destination"));
+        const std::string& cellname = _sender->getUserString("Destination");
         bool interior = _sender->getUserString("interior") == "y";
         if (mPtr.getCell()->isExterior())
         {
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->fadeScreenOut(1);
 
         // Teleports any followers, too.
-        MWWorld::ActionTeleport action(interior ? cellname : ESM::RefId::sEmpty, pos, true);
+        MWWorld::ActionTeleport action(interior ? cellname : "", pos, true);
         action.execute(player);
 
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->fadeScreenOut(0);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
index e717fa1b3e..6b4e7a58c3 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -966,8 +966,8 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
         else
         {
-            mMap->setCellPrefix(cell->getCell()->mName.getRefIdString());
-            mHud->setCellPrefix(cell->getCell()->mName.getRefIdString());
+            mMap->setCellPrefix(cell->getCell()->mName);
+            mHud->setCellPrefix(cell->getCell()->mName);
 
             osg::Vec3f worldPos;
             if (!MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->findInteriorPositionInWorldSpace(cell, worldPos))
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwlua/cellbindings.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwlua/cellbindings.cpp
index dff4af1afd..bb98a45b46 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwlua/cellbindings.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwlua/cellbindings.cpp
@@ -38,8 +38,7 @@ namespace MWLua
             return res.str();
         };
 
-        cellT["name"]
-            = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->mName.getRefIdString(); });
+        cellT["name"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->mName; });
         cellT["region"]
             = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->mRegion.getRefIdString(); });
         cellT["gridX"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->getGridX(); });
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.cpp
index bf4cec09b0..9d59fe9705 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwlua/luabindings.cpp
@@ -78,9 +78,8 @@ namespace MWLua
         sol::table api(context.mLua->sol(), sol::create);
         WorldView* worldView = context.mWorldView;
         addTimeBindings(api, context, true);
-        api["getCellByName"] = [](std::string_view name) {
-            return GCell{ MWBase::Environment::get().getWorldModel()->getCell(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(name)) };
-        };
+        api["getCellByName"]
+            = [](std::string_view name) { return GCell{ MWBase::Environment::get().getWorldModel()->getCell(name) }; };
         api["getExteriorCell"]
             = [](int x, int y) { return GCell{ MWBase::Environment::get().getWorldModel()->getExterior(x, y) }; };
         api["activeActors"] = GObjectList{ worldView->getActorsInScene() };
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwlua/objectbindings.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwlua/objectbindings.cpp
index 977aa9569c..8be7c6ff3f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwlua/objectbindings.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwlua/objectbindings.cpp
@@ -51,11 +51,11 @@ namespace MWLua
         class TeleportAction final : public LuaManager::Action
         {
         public:
-            TeleportAction(LuaUtil::LuaState* state, ObjectId object, ESM::RefId cell, const osg::Vec3f& pos,
+            TeleportAction(LuaUtil::LuaState* state, ObjectId object, std::string_view cell, const osg::Vec3f& pos,
                 const osg::Vec3f& rot)
                 : Action(state)
                 , mObject(object)
-                , mCell(std::move(cell))
+                , mCell(std::string(cell))
                 , mPos(pos)
                 , mRot(rot)
             {
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ namespace MWLua
 
         private:
             ObjectId mObject;
-            ESM::RefId mCell;
+            std::string mCell;
             osg::Vec3f mPos;
             osg::Vec3f mRot;
         };
@@ -247,8 +247,7 @@ namespace MWLua
                                           const sol::optional<osg::Vec3f>& optRot) {
                     MWWorld::Ptr ptr = object.ptr();
                     osg::Vec3f rot = optRot ? *optRot : ptr.getRefData().getPosition().asRotationVec3();
-                    auto action = std::make_unique<TeleportAction>(
-                        context.mLua, object.id(), ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell), pos, rot);
+                    auto action = std::make_unique<TeleportAction>(context.mLua, object.id(), cell, pos, rot);
                     if (ptr == MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr())
                         context.mLuaManager->addTeleportPlayerAction(std::move(action));
                     else
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.cpp
index 5338c55cee..7bf593b6da 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
     }
 
     AiEscort::AiEscort(
-        const ESM::RefId& actorId, const ESM::RefId& cellId, int duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat)
+        const ESM::RefId& actorId, std::string_view cellId, int duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat)
         : TypedAiPackage<AiEscort>(repeat)
         , mCellId(cellId)
         , mX(x)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.hpp
index ee5cfddbde..e22752446d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiescort.hpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         /** The Actor will escort the specified actor to the cell position x, y, z until they reach their position, or
            they run out of time \implement AiEscortCell **/
         AiEscort(
-            const ESM::RefId& actorId, const ESM::RefId& cellId, int duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat);
+            const ESM::RefId& actorId, std::string_view cellId, int duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat);
 
         AiEscort(const ESM::AiSequence::AiEscort* escort);
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         osg::Vec3f getDestination() const override { return osg::Vec3f(mX, mY, mZ); }
 
     private:
-        const ESM::RefId mCellId;
+        const std::string mCellId;
         const float mX;
         const float mY;
         const float mZ;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp
index 99e72e78d2..091b5ef0c6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 #include <components/esm3/aisequence.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadcell.hpp>
+#include <components/misc/algorithm.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/mechanicsmanager.hpp"
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         , mX(x)
         , mY(y)
         , mZ(z)
-        , mCellId(ESM::RefId::sEmpty)
+        , mCellId("")
         , mActive(false)
         , mFollowIndex(mFollowIndexCounter++)
     {
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
     }
 
     AiFollow::AiFollow(
-        const ESM::RefId& actorId, const ESM::RefId& cellId, float duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat)
+        const ESM::RefId& actorId, std::string_view cellId, float duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat)
         : TypedAiPackage<AiFollow>(repeat)
         , mAlwaysFollow(false)
         , mDuration(duration)
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         , mX(0)
         , mY(0)
         , mZ(0)
-        , mCellId(ESM::RefId::sEmpty)
+        , mCellId("")
         , mActive(false)
         , mFollowIndex(mFollowIndexCounter++)
     {
@@ -169,13 +170,13 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             {
                 if (actor.getCell()->isExterior()) // Outside?
                 {
-                    if (mCellId == ESM::RefId::sEmpty) // No cell to travel to
+                    if (mCellId == "") // No cell to travel to
                     {
                         mRemainingDuration = mDuration;
                         return true;
                     }
                 }
-                else if (mCellId == actor.getCell()->getCell()->mName) // Cell to travel to
+                else if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(mCellId, actor.getCell()->getCell()->mName)) // Cell to travel to
                 {
                     mRemainingDuration = mDuration;
                     return true;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.hpp
index 50143338f6..21b98c4a8c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.hpp
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         /// Follow Actor for duration or until you arrive at a world position
         AiFollow(const ESM::RefId& actorId, float duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat);
         /// Follow Actor for duration or until you arrive at a position in a cell
-        AiFollow(const ESM::RefId& actorId, const ESM::RefId& cellId, float duration, float x, float y, float z,
-            bool repeat);
+        AiFollow(
+            const ESM::RefId& actorId, std::string_view cellId, float duration, float x, float y, float z, bool repeat);
         /// Follow Actor indefinitively
         AiFollow(const MWWorld::Ptr& actor, bool commanded = false);
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         const float mX;
         const float mY;
         const float mZ;
-        const ESM::RefId mCellId;
+        const std::string mCellId;
         bool mActive; // have we spotted the target?
         const int mFollowIndex;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp
index 1fed81d91f..317bfc2be9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                     world->getPlayer().getMarkedPosition(markedCell, markedPosition);
                     if (markedCell)
                     {
-                        ESM::RefId dest;
+                        std::string_view dest;
                         if (!markedCell->isExterior())
                             dest = markedCell->getCell()->mName;
                         MWWorld::ActionTeleport action(dest, markedPosition, false);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/aiextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/aiextensions.cpp
index 722bc45e5b..421ce5866f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/aiextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/aiextensions.cpp
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                 ESM::RefId actorID = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
                 runtime.pop();
 
-                ESM::RefId cellID = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
+                std::string_view cellID = runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger);
                 runtime.pop();
 
                 Interpreter::Type_Float duration = runtime[0].mFloat;
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                 ESM::RefId actorID = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
                 runtime.pop();
 
-                ESM::RefId cellID = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
+                std::string_view cellID = runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger);
                 runtime.pop();
 
                 Interpreter::Type_Float duration = runtime[0].mFloat;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/cellextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/cellextensions.cpp
index 21437f0da1..b5a540fd81 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/cellextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/cellextensions.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ namespace MWScript
         public:
             void execute(Interpreter::Runtime& runtime) override
             {
-                const ESM::RefId cell = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
+                std::string_view cell = runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger);
                 runtime.pop();
 
                 ESM::Position pos;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/guiextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/guiextensions.cpp
index 4266399bd9..8f09500bde 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/guiextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/guiextensions.cpp
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ namespace MWScript
 
                 for (auto it = cells.extBegin(); it != cells.extEnd(); ++it)
                 {
-                    const auto& cellName = it->mName.getRefIdString();
+                    const auto& cellName = it->mName;
                     if (Misc::StringUtils::ciStartsWith(cellName, cell))
                         winMgr->addVisitedLocation(cellName, it->getGridX(), it->getGridY());
                 }
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ namespace MWScript
 
                 for (auto it = cells.extBegin(); it != cells.extEnd(); ++it)
                 {
-                    const std::string& name = it->mName.getRefIdString();
+                    const std::string& name = it->mName;
                     if (!name.empty())
                         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->addVisitedLocation(
                             name, it->getGridX(), it->getGridY());
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp
index f5ba056338..83a3c0ef0c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/transformationextensions.cpp
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                 runtime.pop();
                 Interpreter::Type_Float zRot = runtime[0].mFloat;
                 runtime.pop();
-                const ESM::RefId cellID = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
+                std::string_view cellID = runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger);
                 runtime.pop();
 
                 if (ptr.getContainerStore())
@@ -405,8 +405,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                 {
                     // cell not found, move to exterior instead if moving the player (vanilla PositionCell
                     // compatibility)
-                    std::string error
-                        = "Warning: PositionCell: unknown interior cell (" + cellID.getRefIdString() + ")";
+                    std::string error = "Warning: PositionCell: unknown interior cell (" + std::string(cellID) + ")";
                     if (isPlayer)
                         error += ", moving to exterior instead";
                     runtime.getContext().report(error);
@@ -500,7 +499,7 @@ namespace MWScript
             {
                 const ESM::RefId itemID = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
                 runtime.pop();
-                auto cellID = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger));
+                std::string_view cellName = runtime.getStringLiteral(runtime[0].mInteger);
                 runtime.pop();
 
                 Interpreter::Type_Float x = runtime[0].mFloat;
@@ -515,12 +514,12 @@ namespace MWScript
                 MWWorld::CellStore* store = nullptr;
                 try
                 {
-                    store = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorldModel()->getCell(cellID);
+                    store = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorldModel()->getCell(cellName);
                 }
                 catch (std::exception&)
                 {
-                    runtime.getContext().report("unknown cell (" + cellID.getRefIdString() + ")");
-                    Log(Debug::Error) << "Error: unknown cell (" << cellID << ")";
+                    runtime.getContext().report("unknown cell (" + std::string(cellName) + ")");
+                    Log(Debug::Error) << "Error: unknown cell (" << cellName << ")";
                 }
                 if (store)
                 {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.cpp
index 29e2687aa4..195eaff43d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 namespace MWWorld
 {
-    ActionTeleport::ActionTeleport(const ESM::RefId& cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool teleportFollowers)
+    ActionTeleport::ActionTeleport(std::string_view cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool teleportFollowers)
         : Action(true)
         , mCellName(cellName)
         , mPosition(position)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.hpp
index ba15e77725..cbdd59cc87 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/actionteleport.hpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 {
     class ActionTeleport : public Action
     {
-        ESM::RefId mCellName;
+        std::string mCellName;
         ESM::Position mPosition;
         bool mTeleportFollowers;
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
     public:
         /// If cellName is empty, an exterior cell is assumed.
         /// @param teleportFollowers Whether to teleport any following actors of the target actor as well.
-        ActionTeleport(const ESM::RefId& cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool teleportFollowers);
+        ActionTeleport(std::string_view cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool teleportFollowers);
 
         /// @param includeHostiles If true, include hostile followers (which won't actually be teleported) in the
         /// output,
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellref.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellref.hpp
index 13db1daa66..e0b589c408 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellref.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellref.hpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         const ESM::Position& getDoorDest() const { return mCellRef.mDoorDest; }
 
         // Destination cell for doors (optional)
-        const ESM::RefId& getDestCell() const { return mCellRef.mDestCell; }
+        const std::string& getDestCell() const { return mCellRef.mDestCell; }
 
         // Scale applied to mesh
         float getScale() const { return mCellRef.mScale; }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
index 38ec5112a2..5b008f10bf 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
@@ -541,7 +541,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
 
         mNavigator.setWorldspace(
-            mWorld.getWorldModel().getExterior(playerCellX, playerCellY)->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace,
+            ESM::RefId::stringRefId(
+                mWorld.getWorldModel().getExterior(playerCellX, playerCellY)->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace),
             navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
         mNavigator.updateBounds(pos, navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
 
@@ -663,7 +664,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 "Testing exterior cells (" + std::to_string(i) + "/" + std::to_string(cells.getExtSize()) + ")...");
 
             CellStore* cell = mWorld.getWorldModel().getExterior(it->mData.mX, it->mData.mY);
-            mNavigator.setWorldspace(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace, navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
+            mNavigator.setWorldspace(
+                ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
             const osg::Vec3f position
                 = osg::Vec3f(it->mData.mX + 0.5f, it->mData.mY + 0.5f, 0) * Constants::CellSizeInUnits;
             mNavigator.updateBounds(position, navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
@@ -720,7 +722,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 "Testing interior cells (" + std::to_string(i) + "/" + std::to_string(cells.getIntSize()) + ")...");
 
             CellStore* cell = mWorld.getWorldModel().getInterior(it->mName);
-            mNavigator.setWorldspace(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace, navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
+            mNavigator.setWorldspace(
+                ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
             ESM::Position position;
             mWorld.findInteriorPosition(it->mName, position);
             mNavigator.updateBounds(position.asVec3(), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
@@ -839,7 +842,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
     }
 
     void Scene::changeToInteriorCell(
-        const ESM::RefId& cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent)
+        std::string_view cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent)
     {
         CellStore* cell = mWorld.getWorldModel().getInterior(cellName);
         bool useFading = (mCurrentCell != nullptr);
@@ -876,7 +879,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         loadingListener->setProgressRange(cell->count());
 
-        mNavigator.setWorldspace(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace, navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
+        mNavigator.setWorldspace(
+            ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
         mNavigator.updateBounds(position.asVec3(), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
 
         // Load cell.
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
index 6e6607840a..d43842fbba 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         void resetCellLoaded() { mCellLoaded = false; }
 
         void changeToInteriorCell(
-            const ESM::RefId& cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent = true);
+            std::string_view cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent = true);
         ///< Move to interior cell.
         /// @param changeEvent Set cellChanged flag?
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.cpp
index bf8d656ecd..5a1e508cb1 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.cpp
@@ -513,15 +513,16 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         esm.restoreContext(ctx);
     }
-    const ESM::Cell* Store<ESM::Cell>::search(const ESM::RefId& id) const
+    const ESM::Cell* Store<ESM::Cell>::search(std::string_view name) const
     {
-        DynamicInt::const_iterator it = mInt.find(id);
+        const std::string nameString = std::string(name);
+        DynamicInt::const_iterator it = mInt.find(nameString);
         if (it != mInt.end())
         {
             return &(it->second);
         }
 
-        DynamicInt::const_iterator dit = mDynamicInt.find(id);
+        DynamicInt::const_iterator dit = mDynamicInt.find(nameString);
         if (dit != mDynamicInt.end())
         {
             return &dit->second;
@@ -574,12 +575,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         return &mExt.insert(std::make_pair(key, newCell)).first->second;
     }
-    const ESM::Cell* Store<ESM::Cell>::find(const ESM::RefId& id) const
+    const ESM::Cell* Store<ESM::Cell>::find(std::string_view id) const
     {
         const ESM::Cell* ptr = search(id);
         if (ptr == nullptr)
         {
-            const std::string msg = "Cell '" + id.getRefIdString() + "' not found";
+            const std::string msg = "Cell '" + std::string(id) + "' not found";
             throw std::runtime_error(msg);
         }
         return ptr;
@@ -709,7 +710,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             }
         }
 
-        return RecordId(cell.mName, isDeleted);
+        return RecordId(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell.mName), isDeleted);
     }
     Store<ESM::Cell>::iterator Store<ESM::Cell>::intBegin() const
     {
@@ -727,12 +728,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
     {
         return iterator(mSharedExt.end());
     }
-    const ESM::Cell* Store<ESM::Cell>::searchExtByName(const ESM::RefId& id) const
+    const ESM::Cell* Store<ESM::Cell>::searchExtByName(std::string_view name) const
     {
         const ESM::Cell* cell = nullptr;
         for (const ESM::Cell* sharedCell : mSharedExt)
         {
-            if (sharedCell->mName == id)
+            if (sharedCell->mName == name)
             {
                 if (cell == nullptr || (sharedCell->mData.mX > cell->mData.mX)
                     || (sharedCell->mData.mX == cell->mData.mX && sharedCell->mData.mY > cell->mData.mY))
@@ -777,7 +778,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         for (const ESM::Cell* sharedCell : mSharedInt)
         {
-            list.push_back(sharedCell->mName);
+            list.push_back(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(sharedCell->mName));
         }
     }
     ESM::Cell* Store<ESM::Cell>::insert(const ESM::Cell& cell)
@@ -812,9 +813,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
         return erase(cell.mName);
     }
-    bool Store<ESM::Cell>::erase(const ESM::RefId& id)
+    bool Store<ESM::Cell>::erase(std::string_view name)
     {
-        DynamicInt::iterator it = mDynamicInt.find(id);
+        const std::string nameString = std::string(name);
+        auto it = mDynamicInt.find(nameString);
 
         if (it == mDynamicInt.end())
         {
@@ -875,7 +877,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
         // also an exterior cell with the coordinates of (0,0), so that doesn't help. Check whether mCell is an interior
         // cell. This isn't perfect, will break if a Region with the same name as an interior cell is created. A proper
         // fix should be made for future versions of the file format.
-        bool interior = pathgrid.mData.mX == 0 && pathgrid.mData.mY == 0 && mCells->search(pathgrid.mCell) != nullptr;
+        bool interior = pathgrid.mData.mX == 0 && pathgrid.mData.mY == 0
+            && mCells->search(pathgrid.mCell.getRefIdString()) != nullptr;
 
         // deal with mods that have empty pathgrid records (Issue #6209)
         // we assume that these records are empty on purpose (i.e. to remove old pathgrid on an updated cell)
@@ -928,7 +931,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
     }
     const ESM::Pathgrid* Store<ESM::Pathgrid>::search(const ESM::RefId& name) const
     {
-        Interior::const_iterator it = mInt.find(name);
+        Interior::const_iterator it = mInt.find(ESM::RefId(name));
         if (it != mInt.end())
             return &(it->second);
         return nullptr;
@@ -958,14 +961,14 @@ namespace MWWorld
         if (!(cell.mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::Interior))
             return search(cell.mData.mX, cell.mData.mY);
         else
-            return search(cell.mName);
+            return search(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell.mName));
     }
     const ESM::Pathgrid* Store<ESM::Pathgrid>::find(const ESM::Cell& cell) const
     {
         if (!(cell.mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::Interior))
             return find(cell.mData.mX, cell.mData.mY);
         else
-            return find(cell.mName);
+            return find(ESM::RefId::stringRefId(cell.mName));
     }
 
     // Skill
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp
index 6acfb6d41e..5da7722aab 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp
@@ -332,7 +332,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
             }
         };
 
-        typedef std::unordered_map<ESM::RefId, ESM::Cell> DynamicInt;
+        typedef std::unordered_map<std::string, ESM::Cell, Misc::StringUtils::CiHash> DynamicInt;
+
         typedef std::map<std::pair<int, int>, ESM::Cell, DynamicExtCmp> DynamicExt;
 
         DynamicInt mInt;
@@ -350,12 +351,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
     public:
         typedef SharedIterator<ESM::Cell> iterator;
 
-        const ESM::Cell* search(const ESM::RefId& id) const;
+        const ESM::Cell* search(std::string_view id) const;
         const ESM::Cell* search(int x, int y) const;
         const ESM::Cell* searchStatic(int x, int y) const;
         const ESM::Cell* searchOrCreate(int x, int y);
 
-        const ESM::Cell* find(const ESM::RefId& id) const;
+        const ESM::Cell* find(std::string_view id) const;
         const ESM::Cell* find(int x, int y) const;
 
         void clearDynamic() override;
@@ -369,7 +370,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         iterator extEnd() const;
 
         // Return the northernmost cell in the easternmost column.
-        const ESM::Cell* searchExtByName(const ESM::RefId& id) const;
+        const ESM::Cell* searchExtByName(std::string_view id) const;
 
         // Return the northernmost cell in the easternmost column.
         const ESM::Cell* searchExtByRegion(const ESM::RefId& id) const;
@@ -383,7 +384,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         ESM::Cell* insert(const ESM::Cell& cell);
 
         bool erase(const ESM::Cell& cell);
-        bool erase(const ESM::RefId& id);
+        bool erase(std::string_view id);
 
         bool erase(int x, int y);
     };
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index d5c785035a..8e7d1405ac 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
     World::World(osgViewer::Viewer* viewer, osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> rootNode, Resource::ResourceSystem* resourceSystem,
         SceneUtil::WorkQueue* workQueue, SceneUtil::UnrefQueue& unrefQueue, const Files::Collections& fileCollections,
         const std::vector<std::string>& contentFiles, const std::vector<std::string>& groundcoverFiles,
-        ToUTF8::Utf8Encoder* encoder, int activationDistanceOverride, const ESM::RefId& startCell,
+        ToUTF8::Utf8Encoder* encoder, int activationDistanceOverride, const std::string& startCell,
         const std::string& startupScript, const std::filesystem::path& resourcePath,
         const std::filesystem::path& userDataPath)
         : mResourceSystem(resourceSystem)
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         if (cell)
         {
             if (!cell->isExterior() || !cell->mName.empty())
-                return cell->mName.getRefIdString();
+                return cell->mName;
 
             if (const ESM::Region* region = mStore.get<ESM::Region>().search(cell->mRegion))
                 return region->mName;
@@ -928,7 +928,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
     }
 
     void World::changeToInteriorCell(
-        const ESM::RefId& cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent)
+        const std::string_view cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent)
     {
         mPhysics->clearQueuedMovement();
         mDiscardMovements = true;
@@ -1399,10 +1399,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
             esmPos.pos[0] = traced.x();
             esmPos.pos[1] = traced.y();
             esmPos.pos[2] = traced.z();
-            const ESM::RefId* cell = &ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
+            std::string_view cell = "";
             if (!actor.getCell()->isExterior())
-                cell = &actor.getCell()->getCell()->mName;
-            MWWorld::ActionTeleport(*cell, esmPos, false).execute(actor);
+                cell = actor.getCell()->getCell()->mName;
+            MWWorld::ActionTeleport(cell, esmPos, false).execute(actor);
         }
     }
 
@@ -2747,7 +2747,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             physicActor->enableCollisionBody(enable);
     }
 
-    bool World::findInteriorPosition(const ESM::RefId& name, ESM::Position& pos)
+    bool World::findInteriorPosition(std::string_view name, ESM::Position& pos)
     {
         pos.rot[0] = pos.rot[1] = pos.rot[2] = 0;
         pos.pos[0] = pos.pos[1] = pos.pos[2] = 0;
@@ -2819,10 +2819,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return false;
     }
 
-    bool World::findExteriorPosition(const ESM::RefId& nameId, ESM::Position& pos)
+    bool World::findExteriorPosition(std::string_view nameId, ESM::Position& pos)
     {
         pos.rot[0] = pos.rot[1] = pos.rot[2] = 0;
-        const std::string& name = nameId.getRefIdString();
 
         const ESM::Cell* ext = nullptr;
         try
@@ -2836,12 +2835,13 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
         if (!ext)
         {
-            size_t comma = name.find(',');
+            size_t comma = nameId.find(',');
             if (comma != std::string::npos)
             {
                 int x, y;
-                std::from_chars_result xResult = std::from_chars(name.data(), name.data() + comma, x);
-                std::from_chars_result yResult = std::from_chars(name.data() + comma + 1, name.data() + name.size(), y);
+                std::from_chars_result xResult = std::from_chars(nameId.data(), nameId.data() + comma, x);
+                std::from_chars_result yResult
+                    = std::from_chars(nameId.data() + comma + 1, nameId.data() + nameId.size(), y);
                 if (xResult.ec == std::errc::result_out_of_range || yResult.ec == std::errc::result_out_of_range)
                     throw std::runtime_error("Cell coordinates out of range.");
                 else if (xResult.ec == std::errc{} && yResult.ec == std::errc{})
@@ -3253,9 +3253,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         // Search for a 'nearest' exterior, counting each cell between the starting
         // cell and the exterior as a distance of 1.  Will fail for isolated interiors.
-        std::set<ESM::RefId> checkedCells;
-        std::set<ESM::RefId> currentCells;
-        std::set<ESM::RefId> nextCells;
+        std::set<std::string_view> checkedCells;
+        std::set<std::string_view> currentCells;
+        std::set<std::string_view> nextCells;
         nextCells.insert(cell->getCell()->mName);
 
         while (!nextCells.empty())
@@ -3282,7 +3282,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
                     }
                     else
                     {
-                        const ESM::RefId& dest = ref.mRef.getDestCell();
+                        const std::string_view dest = ref.mRef.getDestCell();
                         if (!checkedCells.count(dest) && !currentCells.count(dest))
                             nextCells.insert(dest);
                     }
@@ -3306,9 +3306,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
         // Search for a 'nearest' marker, counting each cell between the starting
         // cell and the exterior as a distance of 1.  If an exterior is found, jump
         // to the nearest exterior marker, without further interior searching.
-        std::set<ESM::RefId> checkedCells;
-        std::set<ESM::RefId> currentCells;
-        std::set<ESM::RefId> nextCells;
+        std::set<std::string_view> checkedCells;
+        std::set<std::string_view> currentCells;
+        std::set<std::string_view> nextCells;
         MWWorld::ConstPtr closestMarker;
 
         nextCells.insert(ptr.getCell()->getCell()->mName);
@@ -3404,11 +3404,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
             return;
         }
 
-        const ESM::RefId* cellName = &ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
+        std::string_view cellName = "";
         if (!closestMarker.mCell->isExterior())
-            cellName = &closestMarker.mCell->getCell()->mName;
+            cellName = closestMarker.mCell->getCell()->mName;
 
-        MWWorld::ActionTeleport action(*cellName, closestMarker.getRefData().getPosition(), false);
+        MWWorld::ActionTeleport action(cellName, closestMarker.getRefData().getPosition(), false);
         action.execute(ptr);
     }
 
@@ -3610,7 +3610,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             Log(Debug::Warning) << "Failed to confiscate items: no closest prison marker found.";
             return;
         }
-        const ESM::RefId& prisonName = prisonMarker.getCellRef().getDestCell();
+        std::string_view prisonName = prisonMarker.getCellRef().getDestCell();
         if (prisonName.empty())
         {
             Log(Debug::Warning) << "Failed to confiscate items: prison marker not linked to prison interior";
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
index 1aaefe20c7..df2ee69fbf 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         WorldModel mWorldModel;
         std::vector<int> mESMVersions; // the versions of esm files
 
-        ESM::RefId mCurrentWorldSpace;
+        std::string mCurrentWorldSpace;
 
         std::unique_ptr<MWWorld::Player> mPlayer;
         std::unique_ptr<MWPhysics::PhysicsSystem> mPhysics;
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         int mActivationDistanceOverride;
 
-        ESM::RefId mStartCell;
+        std::string mStartCell;
 
         float mSwimHeightScale;
 
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             SceneUtil::WorkQueue* workQueue, SceneUtil::UnrefQueue& unrefQueue,
             const Files::Collections& fileCollections, const std::vector<std::string>& contentFiles,
             const std::vector<std::string>& groundcoverFiles, ToUTF8::Utf8Encoder* encoder,
-            int activationDistanceOverride, const ESM::RefId& startCell, const std::string& startupScript,
+            int activationDistanceOverride, const std::string& startCell, const std::string& startupScript,
             const std::filesystem::path& resourcePath, const std::filesystem::path& userDataPath);
 
         virtual ~World();
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         void setSimulationTimeScale(float scale) override;
 
-        void changeToInteriorCell(const ESM::RefId& cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos,
+        void changeToInteriorCell(const std::string_view cellName, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos,
             bool changeEvent = true) override;
         ///< Move to interior cell.
         ///< @param changeEvent If false, do not trigger cell change flag or detect worldspace changes
@@ -603,11 +603,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         /// Find center of exterior cell above land surface
         /// \return false if exterior with given name not exists, true otherwise
-        bool findExteriorPosition(const ESM::RefId& name, ESM::Position& pos) override;
+        bool findExteriorPosition(std::string_view nameId, ESM::Position& pos) override;
 
         /// Find position in interior cell near door entrance
         /// \return false if interior with given name not exists, true otherwise
-        bool findInteriorPosition(const ESM::RefId& name, ESM::Position& pos) override;
+        bool findInteriorPosition(std::string_view name, ESM::Position& pos) override;
 
         /// Enables or disables use of teleport spell effects (recall, intervention, etc).
         void enableTeleporting(bool enable) override;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp
index 3f93931ce7..39fc960ce8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp
@@ -19,8 +19,8 @@
 
 namespace
 {
-    template <class Visitor, class Key>
-    bool forEachInStore(const ESM::RefId& id, Visitor&& visitor, std::map<Key, MWWorld::CellStore>& cellStore)
+    template <class Visitor, class Key, class Comp>
+    bool forEachInStore(const ESM::RefId& id, Visitor&& visitor, std::map<Key, MWWorld::CellStore, Comp>& cellStore)
     {
         for (auto& cell : cellStore)
         {
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCellStore(const ESM::Cell* cell)
 {
     if (cell->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::Interior)
     {
-        auto result = mInteriors.find(cell->mName);
+        auto result = mInteriors.find(std::string(cell->mName));
 
         if (result == mInteriors.end())
             result = mInteriors.emplace(cell->mName, CellStore(cell, mStore, mReaders)).first;
@@ -196,9 +196,9 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getExterior(int x, int y)
     return &result->second;
 }
 
-MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getInterior(const ESM::RefId& name)
+MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getInterior(std::string_view name)
 {
-    auto result = mInteriors.find(name);
+    auto result = mInteriors.find(std::string(name));
 
     if (result == mInteriors.end())
     {
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCell(const ESM::CellId& id)
     return getInterior(id.mWorldspace);
 }
 
-const ESM::Cell* MWWorld::WorldModel::getESMCellByName(const ESM::RefId& name)
+const ESM::Cell* MWWorld::WorldModel::getESMCellByName(std::string_view name)
 {
     const ESM::Cell* cell = mStore.get<ESM::Cell>().search(name); // first try interiors
     if (!cell) // try named exteriors
@@ -231,17 +231,17 @@ const ESM::Cell* MWWorld::WorldModel::getESMCellByName(const ESM::RefId& name)
     if (!cell)
     {
         // treat "Wilderness" like an empty string
-        static const ESM::RefId defaultName
-            = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(mStore.get<ESM::GameSetting>().find("sDefaultCellname")->mValue.getString());
+        static const std::string& defaultName
+            = mStore.get<ESM::GameSetting>().find("sDefaultCellname")->mValue.getString();
         if (name == defaultName)
-            cell = mStore.get<ESM::Cell>().searchExtByName(ESM::RefId::sEmpty);
+            cell = mStore.get<ESM::Cell>().searchExtByName("");
     }
     if (!cell)
     {
         // now check for regions
         for (const ESM::Region& region : mStore.get<ESM::Region>())
         {
-            if (name == ESM::RefId::stringRefId(region.mName))
+            if (name == region.mName)
             {
                 cell = mStore.get<ESM::Cell>().searchExtByRegion(region.mId);
                 break;
@@ -249,11 +249,11 @@ const ESM::Cell* MWWorld::WorldModel::getESMCellByName(const ESM::RefId& name)
         }
     }
     if (!cell)
-        throw std::runtime_error(std::string("Can't find cell with name ") + name.getRefIdString());
+        throw std::runtime_error(std::string("Can't find cell with name ") + std::string(name));
     return cell;
 }
 
-MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCell(const ESM::RefId& name)
+MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCell(std::string_view name)
 {
     const ESM::Cell* cell = getESMCellByName(name);
     if (cell->isExterior())
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCell(const ESM::RefId& name)
 }
 
 MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCellByPosition(
-    const osg::Vec3f& pos, const ESM::RefId& cellNameInSameWorldSpace)
+    const osg::Vec3f& pos, std::string_view cellNameInSameWorldSpace)
 {
     if (cellNameInSameWorldSpace.empty() || getESMCellByName(cellNameInSameWorldSpace)->isExterior())
     {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp
index 204302667a..6536c063fe 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <unordered_map>
 
+#include <components/misc/algorithm.hpp>
+
 #include "cellstore.hpp"
 #include "ptr.hpp"
 
@@ -34,7 +36,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         typedef std::vector<std::pair<ESM::RefId, CellStore*>> IdCache;
         const MWWorld::ESMStore& mStore;
         ESM::ReadersCache& mReaders;
-        mutable std::map<ESM::RefId, CellStore> mInteriors;
+        mutable std::map<std::string, CellStore, Misc::StringUtils::CiComp> mInteriors;
         mutable std::map<std::pair<int, int>, CellStore> mExteriors;
         IdCache mIdCache;
         std::size_t mIdCacheIndex;
@@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         WorldModel(const WorldModel&);
         WorldModel& operator=(const WorldModel&);
 
-        const ESM::Cell* getESMCellByName(const ESM::RefId& name);
+        const ESM::Cell* getESMCellByName(std::string_view name);
         CellStore* getCellStore(const ESM::Cell* cell);
 
         Ptr getPtrAndCache(const ESM::RefId& name, CellStore& cellStore);
@@ -61,14 +63,14 @@ namespace MWWorld
         explicit WorldModel(const MWWorld::ESMStore& store, ESM::ReadersCache& reader);
 
         CellStore* getExterior(int x, int y);
-        CellStore* getInterior(const ESM::RefId& name);
-        CellStore* getCell(const ESM::RefId& name); // interior or named exterior
-        CellStore* getCell(const ESM::CellId& id);
+        CellStore* getInterior(std::string_view name);
+        CellStore* getCell(std::string_view name); // interior or named exterior
+        CellStore* getCell(const ESM::CellId& Id);
 
         // If cellNameInSameWorldSpace is an interior - returns this interior.
         // Otherwise returns exterior cell for given position in the same world space.
         // At the moment multiple world spaces are not supported, so all exteriors are in one world space.
-        CellStore* getCellByPosition(const osg::Vec3f& pos, const ESM::RefId& cellNameInSameWorldSpace);
+        CellStore* getCellByPosition(const osg::Vec3f& pos, std::string_view cellNameInSameWorldSpace);
 
         void registerPtr(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
         void deregisterPtr(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr);
diff --git a/components/esm3/aisequence.cpp b/components/esm3/aisequence.cpp
index 69b639f0e8..377006e12b 100644
--- a/components/esm3/aisequence.cpp
+++ b/components/esm3/aisequence.cpp
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ namespace ESM
             mTargetActorId = -1;
             esm.getHNOT(mTargetActorId, "TAID");
             esm.getHNT(mRemainingDuration, "DURA");
-            mCellId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(esm.getHNOString("CELL"));
+            mCellId = esm.getHNOString("CELL");
             mRepeat = false;
             esm.getHNOT(mRepeat, "REPT");
             if (esm.getFormat() < 18)
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ namespace ESM
             esm.writeHNT("TAID", mTargetActorId);
             esm.writeHNT("DURA", mRemainingDuration);
             if (!mCellId.empty())
-                esm.writeHNString("CELL", mCellId.getRefIdString());
+                esm.writeHNString("CELL", mCellId);
             if (mRepeat)
                 esm.writeHNT("REPT", mRepeat);
         }
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ namespace ESM
             mTargetActorId = -1;
             esm.getHNOT(mTargetActorId, "TAID");
             esm.getHNT(mRemainingDuration, "DURA");
-            mCellId = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(esm.getHNOString("CELL"));
+            mCellId = esm.getHNOString("CELL");
             esm.getHNT(mAlwaysFollow, "ALWY");
             mCommanded = false;
             esm.getHNOT(mCommanded, "CMND");
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ namespace ESM
             esm.writeHNT("TAID", mTargetActorId);
             esm.writeHNT("DURA", mRemainingDuration);
             if (!mCellId.empty())
-                esm.writeHNString("CELL", mCellId.getRefIdString());
+                esm.writeHNString("CELL", mCellId);
             esm.writeHNT("ALWY", mAlwaysFollow);
             esm.writeHNT("CMND", mCommanded);
             if (mActive)
diff --git a/components/esm3/aisequence.hpp b/components/esm3/aisequence.hpp
index 24ee63e18c..10e1b316eb 100644
--- a/components/esm3/aisequence.hpp
+++ b/components/esm3/aisequence.hpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
             int mTargetActorId;
             ESM::RefId mTargetId;
-            ESM::RefId mCellId;
+            std::string mCellId;
             float mRemainingDuration;
             bool mRepeat;
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
             int mTargetActorId;
             ESM::RefId mTargetId;
-            ESM::RefId mCellId;
+            std::string mCellId;
             float mRemainingDuration;
 
             bool mAlwaysFollow;
diff --git a/components/esm3/cellid.cpp b/components/esm3/cellid.cpp
index 64ca4c03ba..a63a1bfad6 100644
--- a/components/esm3/cellid.cpp
+++ b/components/esm3/cellid.cpp
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@
 namespace ESM
 {
 
-    const ESM::RefId CellId::sDefaultWorldspace = ESM::RefId::stringRefId("sys::default");
+    const std::string CellId::sDefaultWorldspace = "sys::default";
 
     void CellId::load(ESMReader& esm)
     {
-        mWorldspace = ESM::RefId::stringRefId(esm.getHNString("SPAC"));
+        mWorldspace = esm.getHNString("SPAC");
 
         if (esm.isNextSub("CIDX"))
         {
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
     void CellId::save(ESMWriter& esm) const
     {
-        esm.writeHNString("SPAC", mWorldspace.getRefIdString());
+        esm.writeHNString("SPAC", mWorldspace);
 
         if (mPaged)
             esm.writeHNT("CIDX", mIndex, 8);
diff --git a/components/esm3/cellid.hpp b/components/esm3/cellid.hpp
index 40acb63a2b..33db9e7432 100644
--- a/components/esm3/cellid.hpp
+++ b/components/esm3/cellid.hpp
@@ -17,11 +17,11 @@ namespace ESM
             int mY;
         };
 
-        ESM::RefId mWorldspace;
+        std::string mWorldspace;
         CellIndex mIndex;
         bool mPaged;
 
-        static const ESM::RefId sDefaultWorldspace;
+        static const std::string sDefaultWorldspace;
 
         void load(ESMReader& esm);
         void save(ESMWriter& esm) const;
diff --git a/components/esm3/cellref.cpp b/components/esm3/cellref.cpp
index b83adedda3..733274619e 100644
--- a/components/esm3/cellref.cpp
+++ b/components/esm3/cellref.cpp
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ namespace ESM
                             cellRef.mTeleport = true;
                         break;
                     case fourCC("DNAM"):
-                        getRefIdOrSkip(cellRef.mDestCell);
+                        getHStringOrSkip(cellRef.mDestCell);
                         break;
                     case fourCC("FLTV"):
                         getHTOrSkip(cellRef.mLockLevel);
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ namespace ESM
         if (!inInventory && mTeleport)
         {
             esm.writeHNT("DODT", mDoorDest);
-            esm.writeHNOCString("DNAM", mDestCell.getRefIdString());
+            esm.writeHNOCString("DNAM", mDestCell);
         }
 
         if (!inInventory && mLockLevel != 0)
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ namespace ESM
         mChargeIntRemainder = 0.0f;
         mEnchantmentCharge = -1;
         mGoldValue = 1;
-        mDestCell = ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
+        mDestCell.clear();
         mLockLevel = 0;
         mKey = ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
         mTrap = ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
diff --git a/components/esm3/cellref.hpp b/components/esm3/cellref.hpp
index b514748a41..7912c11b69 100644
--- a/components/esm3/cellref.hpp
+++ b/components/esm3/cellref.hpp
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ namespace ESM
         Position mDoorDest;
 
         // Destination cell for doors (optional)
-        ESM::RefId mDestCell;
+        std::string mDestCell;
 
         // Lock level for doors and containers
         int mLockLevel;
diff --git a/components/esm3/loadcell.cpp b/components/esm3/loadcell.cpp
index 7c1e500ea3..f69fd88c44 100644
--- a/components/esm3/loadcell.cpp
+++ b/components/esm3/loadcell.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ namespace ESM
             switch (esm.retSubName().toInt())
             {
                 case SREC_NAME:
-                    mName = esm.getRefId();
+                    mName = esm.getHString();
                     break;
                 case fourCC("DATA"):
                     esm.getHTSized<12>(mData);
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ namespace ESM
         }
         else
         {
-            mCellId.mWorldspace = mName;
+            mCellId.mWorldspace = Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(mName);
             mCellId.mIndex.mX = 0;
             mCellId.mIndex.mY = 0;
         }
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
     void Cell::save(ESMWriter& esm, bool isDeleted) const
     {
-        esm.writeHNCString("NAME", mName.getRefIdString());
+        esm.writeHNCString("NAME", mName);
         esm.writeHNT("DATA", mData, 12);
 
         if (isDeleted)
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
     std::string Cell::getDescription() const
     {
-        const auto& nameString = mName.getRefIdString();
+        const auto& nameString = mName;
         if (mData.mFlags & Interior)
             return nameString;
 
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
     void Cell::blank()
     {
-        mName = ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
+        mName = "";
         mRegion = ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
         mWater = 0;
         mWaterInt = false;
diff --git a/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp b/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp
index dd7fedf661..3cf1834dfa 100644
--- a/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp
+++ b/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ namespace ESM
         };
 
         Cell()
-            : mName(ESM::RefId::sEmpty)
+            : mName("")
             , mRegion(ESM::RefId())
             , mHasAmbi(true)
             , mWater(0)
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
         // Interior cells are indexed by this (it's the 'id'), for exterior
         // cells it is optional.
-        ESM::RefId mName;
+        std::string mName;
 
         // Optional region name for exterior and quasi-exterior cells.
         RefId mRegion;
diff --git a/components/esm3/transport.cpp b/components/esm3/transport.cpp
index 850edb1170..aacbbe5a52 100644
--- a/components/esm3/transport.cpp
+++ b/components/esm3/transport.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ namespace ESM
         }
         else if (esm.retSubName().toInt() == fourCC("DNAM"))
         {
-            const ESM::RefId name = esm.getRefId();
+            std::string name = esm.getHString();
             if (mList.empty())
                 Log(Debug::Warning) << "Encountered DNAM record without DODT record, skipped.";
             else
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ namespace ESM
         for (DestIter it = mList.begin(); it != mList.end(); ++it)
         {
             esm.writeHNT("DODT", it->mPos, sizeof(it->mPos));
-            esm.writeHNOCString("DNAM", it->mCellName.getRefIdString());
+            esm.writeHNOCString("DNAM", it->mCellName);
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/components/esm3/transport.hpp b/components/esm3/transport.hpp
index 2e70a98e11..2d4f3002b3 100644
--- a/components/esm3/transport.hpp
+++ b/components/esm3/transport.hpp
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ namespace ESM
         struct Dest
         {
             Position mPos;
-            ESM::RefId mCellName;
+            std::string mCellName;
         };
 
         std::vector<Dest> mList;
diff --git a/components/esmloader/load.cpp b/components/esmloader/load.cpp
index 6783ec416b..46fe3717a4 100644
--- a/components/esmloader/load.cpp
+++ b/components/esmloader/load.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ namespace EsmLoader
         struct CellRecords
         {
             Records<ESM::Cell> mValues;
-            std::map<ESM::RefId, std::size_t> mByName;
+            std::map<std::string, std::size_t> mByName;
             std::map<std::pair<int, int>, std::size_t> mByPosition;
         };