diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
index dc25b4f652..202af249f5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@ namespace ESM
     struct ItemLevList;
     struct TimeStamp;
     struct RefId;
+    struct CellVariant;
+
 }
 
 namespace MWPhysics
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@ namespace MWBase
         ///
         /// \note If cell==0, the cell the player is currently in will be used instead to
         /// generate a name.
-        virtual std::string_view getCellName(const ESM::Cell* cell) const = 0;
+        virtual std::string_view getCellName(const ESM::CellVariant& cell) const = 0;
 
         virtual void removeRefScript(MWWorld::RefData* ref) = 0;
         //< Remove the script attached to ref from mLocalScripts
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
index 075b2cffa8..56fbdeabe6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/door.cpp
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ namespace MWClass
             const osg::Vec2i index
                 = MWWorld::positionToCellIndex(door.mRef.getDoorDest().pos[0], door.mRef.getDoorDest().pos[1]);
             const ESM::Cell* cell = world->getStore().get<ESM::Cell>().search(index.x(), index.y());
-            dest = world->getCellName(cell);
+            dest = world->getCellName(ESM::CellVariant(cell));
         }
 
         return "#{sCell=" + std::string{ dest } + "}";
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp
index c79059d022..c64489bae5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/mapwindow.cpp
@@ -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, mPrefix)))
+            && (!mInterior || Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(markedCell->getCell()->getEditorName(), mPrefix)))
         {
             MarkerUserData markerPos(mLocalMapRender);
             MyGUI::ImageBox* markerWidget = mLocalMap->createWidget<MyGUI::ImageBox>("ImageBox",
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/waitdialog.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/waitdialog.cpp
index 49ef0bb4dc..e9d92e7c7a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/waitdialog.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/waitdialog.cpp
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         MWWorld::Ptr player = world->getPlayerPtr();
         if (mSleeping && player.getCell()->isExterior())
         {
-            const ESM::RefId& regionstr = player.getCell()->getCell()->mRegion;
+            const ESM::RefId& regionstr = player.getCell()->getCell()->getRegion();
             if (!regionstr.empty())
             {
                 const ESM::Region* region = world->getStore().get<ESM::Region>().find(regionstr);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
index 6b4e7a58c3..b31b0adaf2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/windowmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -954,20 +954,21 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         mMap->setCellName(name);
         mHud->setCellName(name);
+        auto cellCommon = cell->getCellVariant().getCommon();
 
-        if (cell->getCell()->isExterior())
+        if (cellCommon->isExterior())
         {
-            if (!cell->getCell()->mName.empty())
-                mMap->addVisitedLocation(name, cell->getCell()->getGridX(), cell->getCell()->getGridY());
+            if (!cellCommon->getEditorName().empty())
+                mMap->addVisitedLocation(name, cellCommon->getGridX(), cellCommon->getGridY());
 
-            mMap->cellExplored(cell->getCell()->getGridX(), cell->getCell()->getGridY());
+            mMap->cellExplored(cellCommon->getGridX(), cellCommon->getGridY());
 
-            setActiveMap(cell->getCell()->getGridX(), cell->getCell()->getGridY(), false);
+            setActiveMap(cellCommon->getGridX(), cellCommon->getGridY(), false);
         }
         else
         {
-            mMap->setCellPrefix(cell->getCell()->mName);
-            mHud->setCellPrefix(cell->getCell()->mName);
+            mMap->setCellPrefix(std::string(cellCommon->getEditorName()));
+            mHud->setCellPrefix(std::string(cellCommon->getEditorName()));
 
             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 931142d371..a1d4b3991d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwlua/cellbindings.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwlua/cellbindings.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "luabindings.hpp"
 
+#include <components/esm/cellcommon.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/records.hpp>
 
 #include "../mwworld/cellstore.hpp"
@@ -29,35 +30,35 @@ namespace MWLua
 
         cellT[sol::meta_function::equal_to] = [](const CellT& a, const CellT& b) { return a.mStore == b.mStore; };
         cellT[sol::meta_function::to_string] = [](const CellT& c) {
-            const ESM::Cell* cell = c.mStore->getCell();
+            auto cell = c.mStore->getCell();
             std::stringstream res;
             if (cell->isExterior())
                 res << "exterior(" << cell->getGridX() << ", " << cell->getGridY() << ")";
             else
-                res << "interior(" << cell->mName << ")";
+                res << "interior(" << cell->getEditorName() << ")";
             return res.str();
         };
 
-        cellT["name"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->mName; });
+        cellT["name"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->getEditorName(); });
         cellT["region"]
-            = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->mRegion.getRefIdString(); });
+            = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->getRegion().getRefIdString(); });
         cellT["gridX"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->getGridX(); });
         cellT["gridY"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->getGridY(); });
         cellT["hasWater"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->getCell()->hasWater(); });
         cellT["hasSky"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) {
-            return c.mStore->getCell()->isExterior() || (c.mStore->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx) != 0;
+            return c.mStore->getCell()->isExterior() || (c.mStore->getCell()->isQuasiExterior()) != 0;
         });
         cellT["isExterior"] = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return c.mStore->isExterior(); });
 
         // deprecated, use cell:hasTag("QuasiExterior") instead
-        cellT["isQuasiExterior"] = sol::readonly_property(
-            [](const CellT& c) { return (c.mStore->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx) != 0; });
+        cellT["isQuasiExterior"]
+            = sol::readonly_property([](const CellT& c) { return (c.mStore->getCell()->isQuasiExterior()) != 0; });
 
         cellT["hasTag"] = [](const CellT& c, std::string_view tag) -> bool {
             if (tag == "NoSleep")
-                return (c.mStore->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::NoSleep) != 0;
+                return (c.mStore->getCell()->noSleep()) != 0;
             else if (tag == "QuasiExterior")
-                return (c.mStore->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx) != 0;
+                return (c.mStore->getCell()->isQuasiExterior()) != 0;
             return false;
         };
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwlua/localscripts.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwlua/localscripts.cpp
index 655fa1978a..6cdfff0fea 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwlua/localscripts.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwlua/localscripts.cpp
@@ -176,12 +176,12 @@ namespace MWLua
             // TODO: change AiEscort implementation to accept ptr instead of a non-unique refId.
             const ESM::RefId& refId = target.ptr().getCellRef().getRefId();
             int gameHoursDuration = static_cast<int>(std::ceil(duration / 3600.0));
-            const ESM::Cell* esmCell = cell.mStore->getCell();
+            const ESM::CellCommon* esmCell = cell.mStore->getCell();
             if (esmCell->isExterior())
                 ai.stack(MWMechanics::AiEscort(refId, gameHoursDuration, dest.x(), dest.y(), dest.z(), false), ptr);
             else
                 ai.stack(MWMechanics::AiEscort(
-                             refId, esmCell->mName, gameHoursDuration, dest.x(), dest.y(), dest.z(), false),
+                             refId, esmCell->getEditorName(), gameHoursDuration, dest.x(), dest.y(), dest.z(), false),
                     ptr);
         };
         selfAPI["_startAiWander"] = [](SelfObject& self, int distance, float duration) {
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
index 8d919b5aec..e41885c8d1 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/actors.cpp
@@ -274,8 +274,8 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                                                             .find("fInteriorHeadTrackMult")
                                                             ->mValue.getFloat();
             float maxDistance = fMaxHeadTrackDistance;
-            const ESM::Cell* currentCell = actor.getCell()->getCell();
-            if (!currentCell->isExterior() && !(currentCell->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx))
+            auto currentCell = actor.getCell()->getCell();
+            if (!currentCell->isExterior() && !(currentCell->isQuasiExterior()))
                 maxDistance *= fInteriorHeadTrackMult;
 
             const osg::Vec3f actor1Pos(actorRefData.getPosition().asVec3());
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp
index 5ab2974def..d9358a0e56 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aicombat.cpp
@@ -357,12 +357,12 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             case AiCombatStorage::FleeState_Idle:
             {
                 float triggerDist = getMaxAttackDistance(target);
-
-                if (storage.mLOS && (triggerDist >= 1000 || getDistanceMinusHalfExtents(actor, target) <= triggerDist))
+                auto cell3 = storage.mCell->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
+                if (cell3 && storage.mLOS
+                    && (triggerDist >= 1000 || getDistanceMinusHalfExtents(actor, target) <= triggerDist))
                 {
                     const ESM::Pathgrid* pathgrid
-                        = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(
-                            *storage.mCell->getCell());
+                        = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell3);
 
                     bool runFallback = true;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp
index 12b19611e0..6185535a67 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aifollow.cpp
@@ -174,7 +174,8 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                         return true;
                     }
                 }
-                else if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(mCellId, actor.getCell()->getCell()->mName)) // Cell to travel to
+                else if (Misc::StringUtils::ciEqual(
+                             mCellId, actor.getCell()->getCell()->getEditorName())) // Cell to travel to
                 {
                     mRemainingDuration = mDuration;
                     return true;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp
index 25ba126ee8..1233e16a39 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aipackage.cpp
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ bool MWMechanics::AiPackage::doesPathNeedRecalc(const osg::Vec3f& newDest, const
 
 bool MWMechanics::AiPackage::isNearInactiveCell(osg::Vec3f position)
 {
-    const ESM::Cell* playerCell(getPlayer().getCell()->getCell());
+    const ESM::Cell* playerCell(getPlayer().getCell()->getCellVariant().getEsm3());
     if (playerCell->isExterior())
     {
         // get actor's distance from origin of center cell
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.cpp
index 58b8a13b13..6043759b3e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.cpp
@@ -271,9 +271,10 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         }
 
         // Initialization to discover & store allowed node points for this actor.
-        if (storage.mPopulateAvailableNodes)
+        auto cell3 = actor.getCell()->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
+        if (cell3 && storage.mPopulateAvailableNodes)
         {
-            getAllowedNodes(actor, actor.getCell()->getCell(), storage);
+            getAllowedNodes(actor, cell3, storage);
         }
 
         auto& prng = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPrng();
@@ -721,8 +722,9 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             return;
 
         AiWanderStorage& storage = state.get<AiWanderStorage>();
-        if (storage.mPopulateAvailableNodes)
-            getAllowedNodes(actor, actor.getCell()->getCell(), storage);
+        auto cell3 = actor.getCell()->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
+        if (cell3 && storage.mPopulateAvailableNodes)
+            getAllowedNodes(actor, cell3, storage);
 
         if (storage.mAllowedNodes.empty())
             return;
@@ -800,8 +802,11 @@ namespace MWMechanics
     void AiWander::getNeighbouringNodes(
         ESM::Pathgrid::Point dest, const MWWorld::CellStore* currentCell, ESM::Pathgrid::PointList& points)
     {
+        auto cell3 = currentCell->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
+        if (!cell3)
+            return;
         const ESM::Pathgrid* pathgrid
-            = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*currentCell->getCell());
+            = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell3);
 
         if (pathgrid == nullptr || pathgrid->mPoints.empty())
             return;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.hpp
index 9b5a7aed42..f956367321 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aiwander.hpp
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 namespace ESM
 {
     struct Cell;
+    struct CellCommon;
     namespace AiSequence
     {
         struct AiWander;
@@ -158,6 +159,8 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             GroupIndex_MaxIdle = 9
         };
 
+        /// convert point from local (i.e. cell) to world coordinates
+        void ToWorldCoordinates(ESM::Pathgrid::Point& point, const ESM::CellCommon* cell);
         void setCurrentNodeToClosestAllowedNode(AiWanderStorage& storage);
 
         void addNonPathGridAllowedPoints(const ESM::Pathgrid* pathGrid, int pointIndex, AiWanderStorage& storage,
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/pathgrid.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/pathgrid.cpp
index 6cac10c1be..ceaf513937 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/pathgrid.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/pathgrid.cpp
@@ -104,8 +104,10 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         if (mIsGraphConstructed)
             return true;
 
-        mCell = cell->getCell();
-        mPathgrid = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell->getCell());
+        mCell = cell->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
+        if (!mCell)
+            return false;
+        mPathgrid = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*mCell);
         if (!mPathgrid)
             return false;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp
index c32701c310..66b572f1d3 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/spelleffects.cpp
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                     {
                         std::string_view dest;
                         if (!markedCell->isExterior())
-                            dest = markedCell->getCell()->mName;
+                            dest = markedCell->getCell()->getEditorName();
                         MWWorld::ActionTeleport action(dest, markedPosition, false);
                         action.execute(target);
                         if (!caster.isEmpty())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.cpp
index cfbad67076..6b56bc81a2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.cpp
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@
 
 #include <algorithm>
 
+#include <components/esm/cellcommon.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadcell.hpp>
+#include <components/esm4/loadcell.hpp>
 #include <components/fallback/fallback.hpp>
 #include <components/sceneutil/util.hpp>
 #include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
@@ -38,13 +40,17 @@ namespace MWRender
         DLInteriorFogEnd = Settings::Manager::getFloat("distant interior fog end", "Fog");
     }
 
-    void FogManager::configure(float viewDistance, const ESM::Cell* cell)
+    void FogManager::configure(float viewDistance, const ESM::CellVariant& cell)
     {
-        osg::Vec4f color = SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell->mAmbi.mFog);
+        auto cell3 = cell.getEsm3();
+        auto cell4 = cell.getEsm4();
 
+        osg::Vec4f color = SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell3 ? cell3->mAmbi.mFog : cell4->mLighting.fogColor);
+
+        const float fogDensity = cell3 ? cell3->mAmbi.mFogDensity : cell4->mLighting.fogPower;
         if (mDistantFog)
         {
-            float density = std::max(0.2f, cell->mAmbi.mFogDensity);
+            float density = std::max(0.2f, fogDensity);
             mLandFogStart = DLInteriorFogEnd * (1.0f - density) + DLInteriorFogStart * density;
             mLandFogEnd = DLInteriorFogEnd;
             mUnderwaterFogStart = DLUnderwaterFogStart;
@@ -52,7 +58,7 @@ namespace MWRender
             mFogColor = color;
         }
         else
-            configure(viewDistance, cell->mAmbi.mFogDensity, mUnderwaterIndoorFog, 1.0f, 0.0f, color);
+            configure(viewDistance, fogDensity, mUnderwaterIndoorFog, 1.0f, 0.0f, color);
     }
 
     void FogManager::configure(float viewDistance, float fogDepth, float underwaterFog, float dlFactor, float dlOffset,
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.hpp
index 6f91e2ff30..a1759d5963 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/fogmanager.hpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 namespace ESM
 {
-    struct Cell;
+    struct CellVariant;
 }
 
 namespace MWRender
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace MWRender
     public:
         FogManager();
 
-        void configure(float viewDistance, const ESM::Cell* cell);
+        void configure(float viewDistance, const ESM::CellVariant& cell);
         void configure(float viewDistance, float fogDepth, float underwaterFog, float dlFactor, float dlOffset,
             const osg::Vec4f& color);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/pathgrid.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/pathgrid.cpp
index 115ab80560..85d8f7a295 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/pathgrid.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/pathgrid.cpp
@@ -102,7 +102,10 @@ namespace MWRender
     void Pathgrid::enableCellPathgrid(const MWWorld::CellStore* store)
     {
         MWBase::World* world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
-        const ESM::Pathgrid* pathgrid = world->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*store->getCell());
+        auto cell3 = store->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
+        if (!cell3)
+            return;
+        const ESM::Pathgrid* pathgrid = world->getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell3);
         if (!pathgrid)
             return;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
index ad55dd5c04..7f03d4707c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
 #include <components/terrain/terraingrid.hpp>
 
 #include <components/esm3/loadcell.hpp>
+#include <components/esm4/loadcell.hpp>
 
 #include <components/debug/debugdraw.hpp>
 #include <components/detournavigator/navigator.hpp>
@@ -739,14 +740,24 @@ namespace MWRender
         mSky->setMoonColour(red);
     }
 
-    void RenderingManager::configureAmbient(const ESM::Cell* cell)
+    void RenderingManager::configureAmbient(const ESM::CellVariant& cell)
     {
-        bool isInterior = !cell->isExterior() && !(cell->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx);
+        bool isInterior = !cell.getCommon()->isExterior() && !cell.getCommon()->isQuasiExterior();
         bool needsAdjusting = false;
         if (mResourceSystem->getSceneManager()->getLightingMethod() != SceneUtil::LightingMethod::FFP)
             needsAdjusting = isInterior;
 
-        auto ambient = SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell->mAmbi.mAmbient);
+        osg::Vec4f ambient;
+        auto cell3 = cell.getEsm3();
+        auto cell4 = cell.getEsm4();
+        if (cell3)
+        {
+            ambient = SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell3->mAmbi.mAmbient);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            ambient = SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell4->mLighting.ambient);
+        }
 
         if (needsAdjusting)
         {
@@ -770,7 +781,9 @@ namespace MWRender
 
         setAmbientColour(ambient);
 
-        osg::Vec4f diffuse = SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell->mAmbi.mSunlight);
+        osg::Vec4f diffuse = cell3 ? SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell3->mAmbi.mSunlight)
+                                   : SceneUtil::colourFromRGB(cell4->mLighting.directional);
+
         setSunColour(diffuse, diffuse, 1.f);
 
         const osg::Vec4f interiorSunPos = osg::Vec4f(-0.15f, 0.15f, 1.f, 0.f);
@@ -890,7 +903,7 @@ namespace MWRender
         return false;
     }
 
-    void RenderingManager::configureFog(const ESM::Cell* cell)
+    void RenderingManager::configureFog(const ESM::CellVariant& cell)
     {
         mFog->configure(mViewDistance, cell);
     }
@@ -1424,7 +1437,7 @@ namespace MWRender
                 mMinimumAmbientLuminance
                     = std::clamp(Settings::Manager::getFloat("minimum interior brightness", "Shaders"), 0.f, 1.f);
                 if (MWMechanics::getPlayer().isInCell())
-                    configureAmbient(MWMechanics::getPlayer().getCell()->getCell());
+                    configureAmbient(MWMechanics::getPlayer().getCell()->getCellVariant());
             }
             else if (it->first == "Shaders"
                 && (it->second == "light bounds multiplier" || it->second == "maximum light distance"
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
index ff1d96adcc..e4791df71a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.hpp
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ namespace ESM
 {
     struct Cell;
     struct RefNum;
+    struct CellVariant;
 }
 
 namespace Terrain
@@ -140,8 +141,8 @@ namespace MWRender
         void setSunColour(const osg::Vec4f& diffuse, const osg::Vec4f& specular, float sunVis);
         void setNight(bool isNight) { mNight = isNight; }
 
-        void configureAmbient(const ESM::Cell* cell);
-        void configureFog(const ESM::Cell* cell);
+        void configureAmbient(const ESM::CellVariant& cell);
+        void configureFog(const ESM::CellVariant& cell);
         void configureFog(
             float fogDepth, float underwaterFog, float dlFactor, float dlOffset, const osg::Vec4f& colour);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/water.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/water.cpp
index 513b0eb261..f77a6641b2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/water.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/water.cpp
@@ -772,7 +772,8 @@ namespace MWRender
         bool wasInterior = mInterior;
         if (!isInterior)
         {
-            mWaterNode->setPosition(getSceneNodeCoordinates(store->getCell()->mData.mX, store->getCell()->mData.mY));
+            mWaterNode->setPosition(
+                getSceneNodeCoordinates(store->getCell()->getGridX(), store->getCell()->getGridY()));
             mInterior = false;
         }
         else
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwsound/soundmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwsound/soundmanagerimp.cpp
index f7e3524d8c..06f889d58a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwsound/soundmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwsound/soundmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -766,14 +766,14 @@ namespace MWSound
     {
         MWBase::World* world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
         const MWWorld::ConstPtr player = world->getPlayerPtr();
-        const ESM::Cell* cell = player.getCell()->getCell();
+        auto cell = player.getCell()->getCell();
 
         if (!cell->isExterior())
             return;
         if (mCurrentRegionSound && mOutput->isSoundPlaying(mCurrentRegionSound))
             return;
 
-        if (const auto next = mRegionSoundSelector.getNextRandom(duration, cell->mRegion, *world))
+        if (const auto next = mRegionSoundSelector.getNextRandom(duration, cell->getRegion(), *world))
             mCurrentRegionSound = playSound(*next, 1.0f, 1.0f);
     }
 
@@ -781,7 +781,7 @@ namespace MWSound
     {
         MWBase::World* world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
         const MWWorld::ConstPtr player = world->getPlayerPtr();
-        const ESM::Cell* curcell = player.getCell()->getCell();
+        const ESM::Cell* curcell = player.getCell()->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
         const auto update = mWaterSoundUpdater.update(player, *world);
 
         WaterSoundAction action;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
index 0e69961758..0fe281dcc6 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return false;
     }
 
-    CellStore::CellStore(CellVariant cell, const MWWorld::ESMStore& esmStore, ESM::ReadersCache& readers)
+    CellStore::CellStore(ESM::CellVariant cell, const MWWorld::ESMStore& esmStore, ESM::ReadersCache& readers)
         : mStore(esmStore)
         , mReaders(readers)
         , mCellVariant(cell)
@@ -526,12 +526,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
     CellStore::~CellStore() = default;
     CellStore::CellStore(CellStore&&) = default;
 
-    const ESM::Cell* CellStore::getCell() const
+    const ESM::CellCommon* CellStore::getCell() const
     {
-        return mCell;
+        return mCellVariant.getCommon();
     }
 
-    CellVariant CellStore::getCellVariant() const
+    ESM::CellVariant CellStore::getCellVariant() const
     {
         return mCellVariant;
     }
@@ -1087,8 +1087,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
         auto cell4Left = mCellVariant.getEsm4();
         auto cell4Right = right.mCellVariant.getEsm4();
 
+        auto cell3Left = mCellVariant.getEsm3();
+        auto cell3Right = right.mCellVariant.getEsm3();
+
         if (!cell4Left && !cell4Right)
-            return getCell()->getCellId() == right.getCell()->getCellId();
+            return cell3Left->getCellId() == cell3Right->getCellId();
         else if (cell4Left && cell4Right)
             return cell4Left->mId == cell4Right->mId;
         else
@@ -1299,4 +1302,5 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
         return {};
     }
+
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp
index 76b2485cd4..76b822d8b8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp
@@ -9,11 +9,13 @@
 #include <string_view>
 #include <tuple>
 #include <typeinfo>
+#include <variant>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "cellreflist.hpp"
 #include "livecellref.hpp"
 
+#include <components/esm/cellcommon.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/refid.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/fogstate.hpp>
 #include <components/misc/tuplemeta.hpp>
@@ -49,6 +51,7 @@ namespace ESM
     struct Static;
     struct Weapon;
     struct BodyPart;
+    struct CellCommon;
 }
 
 namespace ESM4
@@ -64,39 +67,6 @@ namespace MWWorld
     class ESMStore;
     struct CellStoreImp;
 
-    struct CellVariant
-    {
-        std::variant<const ESM4::Cell*, const ESM::Cell*> mVariant;
-
-        CellVariant(const ESM4::Cell* cell)
-            : mVariant(cell)
-        {
-        }
-
-        CellVariant(const ESM::Cell* cell)
-            : mVariant(cell)
-        {
-        }
-
-        bool isEsm4() const { return getEsm4(); }
-
-        const ESM4::Cell* getEsm4() const
-        {
-            auto cell4 = std::get_if<const ESM4::Cell*>(&mVariant);
-            if (cell4)
-                return *cell4;
-            return nullptr;
-        }
-
-        const ESM::Cell* getEsm3() const
-        {
-            auto cell3 = std::get_if<const ESM::Cell*>(&mVariant);
-            if (cell3)
-                return *cell3;
-            return nullptr;
-        }
-    };
-
     using CellStoreTuple = std::tuple<CellRefList<ESM::Activator>, CellRefList<ESM::Potion>,
         CellRefList<ESM::Apparatus>, CellRefList<ESM::Armor>, CellRefList<ESM::Book>, CellRefList<ESM::Clothing>,
         CellRefList<ESM::Container>, CellRefList<ESM::Creature>, CellRefList<ESM::Door>, CellRefList<ESM::Ingredient>,
@@ -129,7 +99,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         std::unique_ptr<ESM::FogState> mFogState;
 
         const ESM::Cell* mCell;
-        CellVariant mCellVariant;
+        ESM::CellVariant mCellVariant;
         State mState;
         bool mHasState;
         std::vector<ESM::RefId> mIds;
@@ -224,12 +194,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
 
         /// @param readerList The readers to use for loading of the cell on-demand.
-        CellStore(CellVariant cell, const MWWorld::ESMStore& store, ESM::ReadersCache& readers);
+        CellStore(ESM::CellVariant cell, const MWWorld::ESMStore& store, ESM::ReadersCache& readers);
         CellStore(CellStore&&);
         ~CellStore();
 
-        const ESM::Cell* getCell() const;
-        CellVariant getCellVariant() const;
+        const ESM::CellCommon* getCell() const;
+        ESM::CellVariant getCellVariant() const;
 
         std::string_view getEditorName() const;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
index b776a76856..6c817f3b56 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
@@ -317,8 +317,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
     {
         if (mActiveCells.find(cell) == mActiveCells.end())
             return;
-
-        Log(Debug::Info) << "Unloading cell " << cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+        std::string description = cell->getCell()->getDescription();
+        Log(Debug::Info) << "Unloading cell " << description;
 
         ListAndResetObjectsVisitor visitor;
 
@@ -355,8 +355,12 @@ namespace MWWorld
         if (cell->getCell()->hasWater())
             mNavigator.removeWater(osg::Vec2i(cellX, cellY), navigatorUpdateGuard);
 
-        if (const auto pathgrid = mWorld.getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell->getCell()))
-            mNavigator.removePathgrid(*pathgrid);
+        auto cell3 = cell->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
+        if (cell3)
+        {
+            if (const auto pathgrid = mWorld.getStore().get<ESM::Pathgrid>().search(*cell3))
+                mNavigator.removePathgrid(*pathgrid);
+        }
 
         MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->drop(cell);
 
@@ -383,14 +387,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
         Log(Debug::Info) << "Loading cell " << cell->getEditorName();
 
         auto cell3 = cell->getCellVariant().getEsm3();
-        int cellX = 0;
-        int cellY = 0;
+        const int cellX = cell->getCellVariant().getCommon()->getGridX();
+        const int cellY = cell->getCellVariant().getCommon()->getGridY();
         if (cell3 != nullptr)
         {
 
-            int cellX = cell3->getGridX();
-            int cellY = cell3->getGridY();
-
             if (cell3->isExterior())
             {
                 osg::ref_ptr<const ESMTerrain::LandObject> land = mRendering.getLandManager()->getLand(cellX, cellY);
@@ -472,8 +473,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
         else
             mPhysics->disableWater();
 
-        if (cell3 && !cell->isExterior() && !(cell3->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx))
-            mRendering.configureAmbient(cell3);
+        const auto cellVariant = cell->getCellVariant();
+
+        if (!cell->isExterior() && !cellVariant.getCommon()->isQuasiExterior())
+            mRendering.configureAmbient(cellVariant);
 
         mPreloader->notifyLoaded(cell);
     }
@@ -549,7 +552,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         mNavigator.setWorldspace(
             Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(
-                mWorld.getWorldModel().getExterior(playerCellX, playerCellY)->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace),
+                mWorld.getWorldModel().getExterior(playerCellX, playerCellY)->getCell()->getCellId().mWorldspace),
             navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
         mNavigator.updateBounds(pos, navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
 
@@ -672,7 +675,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             CellStore* cell = mWorld.getWorldModel().getExterior(it->mData.mX, it->mData.mY);
             mNavigator.setWorldspace(
-                Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
+                Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(cell->getCell()->getCellId().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());
@@ -730,7 +733,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             CellStore* cell = mWorld.getWorldModel().getInterior(it->mName);
             mNavigator.setWorldspace(
-                Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(cell->getCell()->mCellId.mWorldspace), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
+                Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(cell->getCell()->getCellId().mWorldspace), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
             ESM::Position position;
             mWorld.findInteriorPosition(it->mName, position);
             mNavigator.updateBounds(position.asVec3(), navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
@@ -746,7 +749,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             {
                 assert(!(*iter)->getCell()->isExterior());
 
-                if (it->mName == (*iter)->getCell()->mName)
+                if (it->mName == (*iter)->getCell()->getEditorName())
                 {
                     unloadCell(*iter, navigatorUpdateGuard.get());
                     break;
@@ -898,7 +901,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         changePlayerCell(cell, position, adjustPlayerPos);
 
         // adjust fog
-        mRendering.configureFog(mCurrentCell->getCell());
+        mRendering.configureFog(mCurrentCell->getCellVariant());
 
         // Sky system
         mWorld.adjustSky();
@@ -914,7 +917,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->changeCell(mCurrentCell);
 
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPostProcessor()->setExteriorFlag(
-            cell->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx);
+            cell->getCellVariant().getCommon()->isQuasiExterior());
     }
 
     void Scene::changeToExteriorCell(const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos, bool changeEvent)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/weather.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/weather.cpp
index d4d74dd5ec..b7ddd6e924 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/weather.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/weather.cpp
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         if (!paused || mFastForward)
         {
             // Add new transitions when either the player's current external region changes.
-            if (updateWeatherTime() || updateWeatherRegion(player.getCell()->getCell()->mRegion))
+            if (updateWeatherTime() || updateWeatherRegion(player.getCell()->getCell()->getRegion()))
             {
                 auto it = mRegions.find(mCurrentRegion);
                 if (it != mRegions.end())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index cec624898d..1b4a37b1eb 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 #include <components/esm3/loadmgef.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadregn.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/loadstat.hpp>
-
+#include <components/esm4/loadcell.hpp>
 #include <components/esm4/loadstat.hpp>
 
 #include <components/misc/constants.hpp>
@@ -634,18 +634,22 @@ namespace MWWorld
     {
         if (!cell)
             cell = mWorldScene->getCurrentCell();
-        return getCellName(cell->getCell());
+        return getCellName(cell->getCellVariant());
     }
 
-    std::string_view World::getCellName(const ESM::Cell* cell) const
+    std::string_view World::getCellName(const ESM::CellVariant& cell) const
     {
-        if (cell)
+        auto cellCommon = cell.getCommon();
+        if (cellCommon)
         {
-            if (!cell->isExterior() || !cell->mName.empty())
-                return cell->mName;
+            if (!cellCommon->isExterior() || !cellCommon->getEditorName().empty())
+                return cellCommon->getEditorName();
 
-            if (const ESM::Region* region = mStore.get<ESM::Region>().search(cell->mRegion))
+            if (cell.getEsm3())
+            {
+                const ESM::Region* region = mStore.get<ESM::Region>().search(cell.getEsm3()->mRegion);
                 return region->mName;
+            }
         }
 
         return mStore.get<ESM::GameSetting>().find("sDefaultCellname")->mValue.getString();
@@ -1139,7 +1143,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             {
                 if (!newCell->isExterior())
                 {
-                    changeToInteriorCell(newCell->getCell()->mName, pos, false);
+                    changeToInteriorCell(newCell->getCell()->getEditorName(), pos, false);
                     removeContainerScripts(getPlayerPtr());
                 }
                 else
@@ -1400,7 +1404,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             esmPos.pos[2] = traced.z();
             std::string_view cell;
             if (!actor.getCell()->isExterior())
-                cell = actor.getCell()->getCell()->mName;
+                cell = actor.getCell()->getCell()->getEditorName();
             MWWorld::ActionTeleport(cell, esmPos, false).execute(actor);
         }
     }
@@ -1988,10 +1992,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         const CellStore* currentCell = mWorldScene->getCurrentCell();
         if (currentCell)
         {
-            if (!(currentCell->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::QuasiEx))
-                return false;
-            else
-                return true;
+            return currentCell->getCell()->isQuasiExterior();
         }
         return false;
     }
@@ -2312,7 +2313,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         if (!cell)
             return false;
 
-        if (!(cell->getCell()->hasWater()))
+        if (!(cell->getCellVariant().getCommon()->hasWater()))
         {
             return false;
         }
@@ -2468,8 +2469,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             || isFlying(player))
             return Rest_PlayerIsInAir;
 
-        if ((currentCell->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::NoSleep)
-            || player.getClass().getNpcStats(player).isWerewolf())
+        if (currentCell->getCell()->noSleep() || player.getClass().getNpcStats(player).isWerewolf())
             return Rest_OnlyWaiting;
 
         return Rest_Allowed;
@@ -2840,7 +2840,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
     {
         pos.rot[0] = pos.rot[1] = pos.rot[2] = 0;
 
-        const ESM::Cell* ext = nullptr;
+        const ESM::CellCommon* ext = nullptr;
         try
         {
             ext = mWorldModel.getCell(nameId)->getCell();
@@ -3247,9 +3247,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
         else
         {
-            uint32_t ambient = cell->getCell()->mAmbi.mAmbient;
+            auto cellVariant = cell->getCellVariant();
+            uint32_t ambient = cellVariant.getEsm3() ? cellVariant.getEsm3()->mAmbi.mAmbient
+                                                     : cellVariant.getEsm4()->mLighting.ambient;
             int ambientTotal = (ambient & 0xff) + ((ambient >> 8) & 0xff) + ((ambient >> 16) & 0xff);
-            return !(cell->getCell()->mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::NoSleep) && ambientTotal <= 201;
+            return !cell->getCell()->noSleep() && ambientTotal <= 201;
         }
     }
 
@@ -3328,7 +3330,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         std::set<std::string_view> nextCells;
         MWWorld::ConstPtr closestMarker;
 
-        nextCells.insert(ptr.getCell()->getCell()->mName);
+        nextCells.insert(ptr.getCell()->getCell()->getEditorName());
         while (!nextCells.empty())
         {
             currentCells = nextCells;
@@ -3423,7 +3425,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         std::string_view cellName = "";
         if (!closestMarker.mCell->isExterior())
-            cellName = closestMarker.mCell->getCell()->mName;
+            cellName = closestMarker.mCell->getCell()->getEditorName();
 
         MWWorld::ActionTeleport action(cellName, closestMarker.getRefData().getPosition(), false);
         action.execute(ptr);
@@ -3436,7 +3438,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         {
             mPlayer->setTeleported(false);
 
-            const ESM::RefId& playerRegion = getPlayerPtr().getCell()->getCell()->mRegion;
+            const ESM::RefId& playerRegion = getPlayerPtr().getCell()->getCell()->getRegion();
             mWeatherManager->playerTeleported(playerRegion, isExterior);
         }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
index df2ee69fbf..809daf95d8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         ///
         /// \note If cell==0, the cell the player is currently in will be used instead to
         /// generate a name.
-        std::string_view getCellName(const ESM::Cell* cell) const override;
+        std::string_view getCellName(const ESM::CellVariant& cell) const override;
 
         void removeRefScript(MWWorld::RefData* ref) override;
         //< Remove the script attached to ref from mLocalScripts
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp
index ac754eae60..1dc935af3b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.cpp
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCellStore(const ESM::Cell* cell)
         auto result = mInteriors.find(cell->mName);
 
         if (result == mInteriors.end())
-            result = mInteriors.emplace(cell->mName, CellStore(cell, mStore, mReaders)).first;
+            result = mInteriors.emplace(cell->mName, CellStore(ESM::CellVariant(cell), mStore, mReaders)).first;
 
         return &result->second;
     }
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getCellStore(const ESM::Cell* cell)
 
         if (result == mExteriors.end())
             result = mExteriors
-                         .emplace(std::make_pair(cell->getGridX(), cell->getGridY()), CellStore(cell, mStore, mReaders))
+                         .emplace(std::make_pair(cell->getGridX(), cell->getGridY()),
+                             CellStore(ESM::CellVariant(cell), mStore, mReaders))
                          .first;
 
         return &result->second;
@@ -185,7 +186,7 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getExterior(int x, int y)
             cell = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->createRecord(record);
         }
 
-        result = mExteriors.emplace(std::make_pair(x, y), CellStore(cell, mStore, mReaders)).first;
+        result = mExteriors.emplace(std::make_pair(x, y), CellStore(ESM::CellVariant(cell), mStore, mReaders)).first;
     }
 
     if (result->second.getState() != CellStore::State_Loaded)
@@ -207,11 +208,11 @@ MWWorld::CellStore* MWWorld::WorldModel::getInterior(std::string_view name)
         if (!cell4)
         {
             const ESM::Cell* cell = mStore.get<ESM::Cell>().find(name);
-            result = mInteriors.emplace(name, CellStore(cell, mStore, mReaders)).first;
+            result = mInteriors.emplace(name, CellStore(ESM::CellVariant(cell), mStore, mReaders)).first;
         }
         else
         {
-            result = mInteriors.emplace(name, CellStore(cell4, mStore, mReaders)).first;
+            result = mInteriors.emplace(name, CellStore(ESM::CellVariant(cell4), mStore, mReaders)).first;
         }
     }
 
@@ -261,14 +262,14 @@ const ESM::Cell* MWWorld::WorldModel::getESMCellByName(std::string_view name)
     return cell;
 }
 
-MWWorld::CellVariant MWWorld::WorldModel::getCellByName(std::string_view name)
+ESM::CellVariant MWWorld::WorldModel::getCellByName(std::string_view name)
 {
     const ESM::Cell* cellEsm3 = getESMCellByName(name);
-    return cellEsm3;
+    return ESM::CellVariant(cellEsm3);
     if (!cellEsm3)
     {
         const ESM4::Cell* cellESM4 = mStore.get<ESM4::Cell>().searchCellName(name);
-        return cellESM4;
+        return ESM::CellVariant(cellESM4);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp
index 9caada64c0..aa21eedc2d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldmodel.hpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         WorldModel& operator=(const WorldModel&);
 
         const ESM::Cell* getESMCellByName(std::string_view name);
-        CellVariant getCellByName(std::string_view name);
+        ESM::CellVariant getCellByName(std::string_view name);
 
         CellStore* getCellStore(const ESM::Cell* cell);
         Ptr getPtrAndCache(const ESM::RefId& name, CellStore& cellStore);
diff --git a/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwworld/test_store.cpp b/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwworld/test_store.cpp
index d2163520f7..795a9932ae 100644
--- a/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwworld/test_store.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw_test_suite/mwworld/test_store.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <boost/program_options/options_description.hpp>
 #include <boost/program_options/variables_map.hpp>
 
+#include <components/esm/defs.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/records.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/esmreader.hpp>
 #include <components/esm3/esmwriter.hpp>
@@ -316,7 +317,7 @@ static void testRecNameIntCount(const MWWorld::Store<T>& store, const MWWorld::E
         const unsigned int recordIdCount
             = std::apply([](auto&&... x) { return (hasSameRecordId(x, T::sRecordId) + ...); }, stores);
         ASSERT_EQ(recordIdCount, static_cast<unsigned int>(1))
-            << "The same RecNameInt is used twice ESM::REC_" << MWWorld::getRecNameString(T::sRecordId).toStringView();
+            << "The same RecNameInt is used twice ESM::REC_" << ESM::getRecNameString(T::sRecordId).toStringView();
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/components/CMakeLists.txt b/components/CMakeLists.txt
index f863f246d0..9c7e6e61a5 100644
--- a/components/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/components/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ add_component_dir (to_utf8
     to_utf8
     )
 
-add_component_dir(esm attr common defs esmcommon records util luascripts format refid)
+add_component_dir(esm attr common defs esmcommon records util luascripts format refid cellcommon)
 
 add_component_dir(fx pass technique lexer widgets stateupdater)
 
diff --git a/components/esm/cellcommon.cpp b/components/esm/cellcommon.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..42c93f0b83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esm/cellcommon.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#include <components/esm/cellcommon.hpp>
+#include <components/esm3/loadcell.hpp>
+#include <components/esm4/loadcell.hpp>
+
+namespace ESM
+{
+    const ESM::CellCommon* CellVariant::getCommon() const
+    {
+        auto cell3 = getEsm3();
+        if (cell3)
+            return cell3;
+        else
+            return getEsm4();
+    }
+}
diff --git a/components/esm/cellcommon.hpp b/components/esm/cellcommon.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec2d0559ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esm/cellcommon.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+#ifndef COMPONENTS_ESM_CELLCOMMON
+#define COMPONENTS_ESM_CELLCOMMON
+#include <string>
+#include <string_view>
+#include <variant>
+
+namespace ESM4
+{
+    struct Cell;
+}
+
+namespace ESM
+{
+    struct Cell;
+    struct CellId;
+    struct RefId;
+    // Common interface for esm3 and esm4 cells
+    struct CellCommon
+    {
+        virtual int getGridX() const = 0;
+        virtual int getGridY() const = 0;
+        virtual bool isExterior() const = 0;
+        virtual bool isQuasiExterior() const = 0;
+        virtual bool hasWater() const = 0;
+        virtual bool noSleep() const { return false; }
+        virtual const ESM::CellId& getCellId() const = 0;
+        virtual const ESM::RefId& getRegion() const = 0;
+        virtual std::string_view getEditorName() const = 0;
+        virtual std::string getDescription() const = 0;
+    };
+
+    struct CellVariant
+    {
+        std::variant<const ESM4::Cell*, const ESM::Cell*> mVariant;
+
+        explicit CellVariant(const ESM4::Cell* cell)
+            : mVariant(cell)
+        {
+        }
+
+        explicit CellVariant(const ESM::Cell* cell)
+            : mVariant(cell)
+        {
+        }
+
+        bool isEsm4() const { return getEsm4(); }
+
+        const ESM4::Cell* getEsm4() const
+        {
+            auto cell4 = std::get_if<const ESM4::Cell*>(&mVariant);
+            if (cell4)
+                return *cell4;
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+
+        const ESM::Cell* getEsm3() const
+        {
+            auto cell3 = std::get_if<const ESM::Cell*>(&mVariant);
+            if (cell3)
+                return *cell3;
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+
+        const ESM::CellCommon* getCommon() const;
+    };
+}
+
+#endif
diff --git a/components/esm3/cellid.cpp b/components/esm3/cellid.cpp
index a63a1bfad6..f5318cbbd7 100644
--- a/components/esm3/cellid.cpp
+++ b/components/esm3/cellid.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ namespace ESM
 
     bool operator==(const CellId& left, const CellId& right)
     {
-        return left.mWorldspace == right.mWorldspace && left.mPaged == right.mPaged
+        return left.mWorld == right.mWorld && left.mWorldspace == right.mWorldspace && left.mPaged == right.mPaged
             && (!left.mPaged || (left.mIndex.mX == right.mIndex.mX && left.mIndex.mY == right.mIndex.mY));
     }
 
diff --git a/components/esm3/cellid.hpp b/components/esm3/cellid.hpp
index 33db9e7432..8d2418790f 100644
--- a/components/esm3/cellid.hpp
+++ b/components/esm3/cellid.hpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ namespace ESM
             int mY;
         };
 
+        ESM::RefId mWorld;
         std::string mWorldspace;
         CellIndex mIndex;
         bool mPaged;
diff --git a/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp b/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp
index 3cf1834dfa..7518d81b3c 100644
--- a/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp
+++ b/components/esm3/loadcell.hpp
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 #include "cellid.hpp"
 #include "cellref.hpp"
+#include "components/esm/cellcommon.hpp"
 #include "components/esm/defs.hpp"
 #include "components/esm/esmcommon.hpp"
 #include "components/esm/refid.hpp"
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ namespace ESM
        (using ESMReader::getContext()) and jumping back into place
        whenever we need to load a given cell.
      */
-    struct Cell
+    struct Cell : public CellCommon
     {
         constexpr static RecNameInts sRecordId = REC_CELL;
 
@@ -150,13 +151,14 @@ namespace ESM
         void save(ESMWriter& esm, bool isDeleted = false) const;
         void saveTempMarker(ESMWriter& esm, int tempCount) const;
 
-        bool isExterior() const { return !(mData.mFlags & Interior); }
+        bool isExterior() const override { return !(mData.mFlags & Interior); }
+        bool isQuasiExterior() const override { return mData.mFlags & QuasiEx; }
 
-        int getGridX() const { return mData.mX; }
+        int getGridX() const override { return mData.mX; }
 
-        int getGridY() const { return mData.mY; }
+        int getGridY() const override { return mData.mY; }
 
-        bool hasWater() const { return ((mData.mFlags & HasWater) != 0) || isExterior(); }
+        bool hasWater() const override { return ((mData.mFlags & HasWater) != 0) || isExterior(); }
 
         bool hasAmbient() const { return mHasAmbi; }
 
@@ -169,7 +171,7 @@ namespace ESM
         // exactly.
         void restore(ESMReader& esm, int iCtx) const;
 
-        std::string getDescription() const;
+        std::string getDescription() const override;
         ///< Return a short string describing the cell (mostly used for debugging/logging purpose)
 
         /* Get the next reference in this cell, if any. Returns false when
@@ -191,7 +193,10 @@ namespace ESM
         void blank();
         ///< Set record to default state (does not touch the ID/index).
 
-        const CellId& getCellId() const;
+        const CellId& getCellId() const override;
+        const ESM::RefId& getRegion() const override { return mRegion; }
+        bool noSleep() const override { return mData.mFlags & ESM::Cell::NoSleep; }
+        std::string_view getEditorName() const override { return mName; }
     };
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/components/esm4/loadcell.cpp b/components/esm4/loadcell.cpp
index 0b829d657f..22d6a46865 100644
--- a/components/esm4/loadcell.cpp
+++ b/components/esm4/loadcell.cpp
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 // #include "writer.hpp"
 
 #include <components/esm/refid.hpp>
+#include <components/misc/algorithm.hpp>
 
 // TODO: Try loading only EDID and XCLC (along with mFormId, mFlags and mParent)
 //
@@ -77,6 +78,12 @@ void ESM4::Cell::load(ESM4::Reader& reader)
     std::uint32_t esmVer = reader.esmVersion();
     bool isFONV = esmVer == ESM::VER_132 || esmVer == ESM::VER_133 || esmVer == ESM::VER_134;
 
+    mCellId.mWorldspace = Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase(mEditorId);
+    mCellId.mWorld = ESM::RefId::sEmpty;
+    mCellId.mIndex.mX = getGridX();
+    mCellId.mIndex.mX = getGridY();
+    mCellId.mPaged = isExterior();
+
     while (reader.getSubRecordHeader())
     {
         const ESM4::SubRecordHeader& subHdr = reader.subRecordHeader();
diff --git a/components/esm4/loadcell.hpp b/components/esm4/loadcell.hpp
index 49e5d048b0..5be37cad11 100644
--- a/components/esm4/loadcell.hpp
+++ b/components/esm4/loadcell.hpp
@@ -34,8 +34,10 @@
 #include "formid.hpp"
 #include "lighting.hpp"
 
+#include <components/esm/cellcommon.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/defs.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/refid.hpp>
+#include <components/esm3/cellid.hpp>
 
 namespace ESM4
 {
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@ namespace ESM4
 
     // Unlike TES3, multiple cells can have the same exterior co-ordinates.
     // The cells need to be organised under world spaces.
-    struct Cell
+    struct Cell final : public ESM::CellCommon
     {
         FormId mParent; // world formId (for grouping cells), from the loading sequence
 
@@ -94,12 +96,24 @@ namespace ESM4
 
         CellGroup* mCellGroup;
 
+        ESM::CellId mCellId;
+
         void load(ESM4::Reader& reader);
         // void save(ESM4::Writer& writer) const;
 
         void blank();
 
         static constexpr ESM::RecNameInts sRecordId = ESM::REC_CELL4;
+
+        int getGridX() const override { return mX; }
+        int getGridY() const override { return mY; }
+        bool isExterior() const override { return false; /*unimplemented for now*/ }
+        virtual bool isQuasiExterior() const override { return false; /*unimplemented for now*/ }
+        virtual bool hasWater() const override { return false; /*unimplemented for now*/ }
+        const ESM::CellId& getCellId() const override { return mCellId; }
+        const ESM::RefId& getRegion() const override { return ESM::RefId::sEmpty; }
+        std::string_view getEditorName() const override { return mEditorId; }
+        std::string getDescription() const override { return mEditorId; };
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/components/misc/coordinateconverter.hpp b/components/misc/coordinateconverter.hpp
index 9adc7a92d7..bc9ef6d427 100644
--- a/components/misc/coordinateconverter.hpp
+++ b/components/misc/coordinateconverter.hpp
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ namespace Misc
         {
         }
 
-        explicit CoordinateConverter(const ESM::Cell* cell)
-            : CoordinateConverter(cell->isExterior(), cell->mData.mX, cell->mData.mY)
+        explicit CoordinateConverter(const ESM::CellCommon* cell)
+            : CoordinateConverter(cell->isExterior(), cell->getGridX(), cell->getGridY())
         {
         }