diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.cpp
index b16d09305f..af0cbbdfa1 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.cpp
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             mPlayerSkillValues.emplace(ESM::Skill::sSkillIds[i], MWMechanics::SkillValue());
     }
 
-    void CharacterCreation::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value)
+    void CharacterCreation::setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value)
     {
         static const char* ids[] = {
             "AttribVal1",
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         for (int i = 0; ids[i]; ++i)
         {
-            if (ids[i] == id.getRefIdString())
+            if (ids[i] == id)
             {
                 mPlayerAttributes[static_cast<ESM::Attribute::AttributeID>(i)] = value;
                 if (mReviewDialog)
@@ -128,19 +128,19 @@ namespace MWGui
         }
     }
 
-    void CharacterCreation::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
+    void CharacterCreation::setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
     {
         if (mReviewDialog)
         {
-            if (id.getRefIdString() == "HBar")
+            if (id == "HBar")
             {
                 mReviewDialog->setHealth(value);
             }
-            else if (id.getRefIdString() == "MBar")
+            else if (id == "MBar")
             {
                 mReviewDialog->setMagicka(value);
             }
-            else if (id.getRefIdString() == "FBar")
+            else if (id == "FBar")
             {
                 mReviewDialog->setFatigue(value);
             }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.hpp
index cd03e2e51d..e2e6c3ca26 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/charactercreation.hpp
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ namespace MWGui
         // Show a dialog
         void spawnDialog(const char id);
 
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value) override;
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) override;
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value) override;
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) override;
         void setValue(const ESM::Skill::SkillEnum parSkill, const MWMechanics::SkillValue& value) override;
         void configureSkills(const SkillList& major, const SkillList& minor) override;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp
index ed634158da..d1bf3b1b6a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.cpp
@@ -181,32 +181,31 @@ namespace MWGui
         mMainWidget->eventMouseButtonClick.clear();
     }
 
-    void HUD::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
+    void HUD::setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
     {
         int current = static_cast<int>(value.getCurrent());
         int modified = static_cast<int>(value.getModified());
-        const std::string idString = id.getRefIdString();
         // Fatigue can be negative
-        if (idString != "FBar")
+        if (id != "FBar")
             current = std::max(0, current);
 
         MyGUI::Widget* w;
         std::string valStr = MyGUI::utility::toString(current) + " / " + MyGUI::utility::toString(modified);
-        if (idString == "HBar")
+        if (id == "HBar")
         {
             mHealth->setProgressRange(std::max(0, modified));
             mHealth->setProgressPosition(std::max(0, current));
             getWidget(w, "HealthFrame");
             w->setUserString("Caption_HealthDescription", "#{sHealthDesc}\n" + valStr);
         }
-        else if (idString == "MBar")
+        else if (id == "MBar")
         {
             mMagicka->setProgressRange(std::max(0, modified));
             mMagicka->setProgressPosition(std::max(0, current));
             getWidget(w, "MagickaFrame");
             w->setUserString("Caption_HealthDescription", "#{sMagDesc}\n" + valStr);
         }
-        else if (idString == "FBar")
+        else if (id == "FBar")
         {
             mStamina->setProgressRange(std::max(0, modified));
             mStamina->setProgressPosition(std::max(0, current));
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp
index eb46e9e44a..1dd9cdb521 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/hud.hpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ namespace MWGui
     public:
         HUD(CustomMarkerCollection& customMarkers, DragAndDrop* dragAndDrop, MWRender::LocalMap* localMapRender);
         virtual ~HUD();
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) override;
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) override;
 
         /// Set time left for the player to start drowning
         /// @param time time left to start drowning
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.cpp
index 0894b85046..5df0079a44 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.cpp
@@ -42,27 +42,24 @@ namespace MWGui
             if (stats.getAttribute(i) != mWatchedAttributes[i] || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
             {
                 mWatchedAttributes[i] = stats.getAttribute(i);
-                setValue(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("AttribVal" + std::to_string(i + 1)), stats.getAttribute(i));
+                setValue("AttribVal" + std::to_string(i + 1), stats.getAttribute(i));
             }
         }
 
         if (stats.getHealth() != mWatchedHealth || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
         {
-            static const ESM::RefId hbar(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("HBar"));
             mWatchedHealth = stats.getHealth();
-            setValue(hbar, stats.getHealth());
+            setValue("HBar", stats.getHealth());
         }
         if (stats.getMagicka() != mWatchedMagicka || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
         {
-            static const ESM::RefId mbar(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("MBar"));
             mWatchedMagicka = stats.getMagicka();
-            setValue(mbar, stats.getMagicka());
+            setValue("MBar", stats.getMagicka());
         }
         if (stats.getFatigue() != mWatchedFatigue || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
         {
-            static const ESM::RefId fbar(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("FBar"));
             mWatchedFatigue = stats.getFatigue();
-            setValue(fbar, stats.getFatigue());
+            setValue("FBar", stats.getFatigue());
         }
 
         float timeToDrown = stats.getTimeToStartDrowning();
@@ -100,7 +97,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         if (stats.getLevel() != mWatchedLevel || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
         {
             mWatchedLevel = stats.getLevel();
-            setValue(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("level"), mWatchedLevel);
+            setValue("level", mWatchedLevel);
         }
 
         if (mWatched.getClass().isNpc())
@@ -110,7 +107,7 @@ namespace MWGui
             if (watchedRecord->mName != mWatchedName || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
             {
                 mWatchedName = watchedRecord->mName;
-                setValue(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("name"), watchedRecord->mName);
+                setValue("name", watchedRecord->mName);
             }
 
             if (watchedRecord->mRace != mWatchedRace || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
@@ -118,7 +115,7 @@ namespace MWGui
                 mWatchedRace = watchedRecord->mRace;
                 const ESM::Race* race
                     = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Race>().find(watchedRecord->mRace);
-                setValue(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("race"), race->mName);
+                setValue("race", race->mName);
             }
 
             if (watchedRecord->mClass != mWatchedClass || mWatchedStatsEmpty)
@@ -126,7 +123,7 @@ namespace MWGui
                 mWatchedClass = watchedRecord->mClass;
                 const ESM::Class* cls
                     = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Class>().find(watchedRecord->mClass);
-                setValue(ESM::RefId::stringRefId("class"), cls->mName);
+                setValue("class", cls->mName);
 
                 MWBase::WindowManager::SkillList majorSkills(5);
                 MWBase::WindowManager::SkillList minorSkills(5);
@@ -154,7 +151,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         mListeners.erase(listener);
     }
 
-    void StatsWatcher::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value)
+    void StatsWatcher::setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value)
     {
         for (StatsListener* listener : mListeners)
             listener->setValue(id, value);
@@ -168,19 +165,19 @@ namespace MWGui
             listener->setValue(parSkill, value);
     }
 
-    void StatsWatcher::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
+    void StatsWatcher::setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
     {
         for (StatsListener* listener : mListeners)
             listener->setValue(id, value);
     }
 
-    void StatsWatcher::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const std::string& value)
+    void StatsWatcher::setValue(std::string_view id, const std::string& value)
     {
         for (StatsListener* listener : mListeners)
             listener->setValue(id, value);
     }
 
-    void StatsWatcher::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, int value)
+    void StatsWatcher::setValue(std::string_view id, int value)
     {
         for (StatsListener* listener : mListeners)
             listener->setValue(id, value);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.hpp
index 92da92edae..639e1bf591 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswatcher.hpp
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ namespace MWGui
     {
     public:
         /// Set value for the given ID.
-        virtual void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value) {}
-        virtual void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) {}
-        virtual void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const std::string& value) {}
-        virtual void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, int value) {}
+        virtual void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value) {}
+        virtual void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) {}
+        virtual void setValue(std::string_view, const std::string& value) {}
+        virtual void setValue(std::string_view, int value) {}
         virtual void setValue(const ESM::Skill::SkillEnum parSkill, const MWMechanics::SkillValue& value) {}
         virtual void configureSkills(const std::vector<int>& major, const std::vector<int>& minor) {}
     };
@@ -47,10 +47,10 @@ namespace MWGui
 
         std::set<StatsListener*> mListeners;
 
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value);
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value);
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const std::string& value);
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, int value);
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value);
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value);
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const std::string& value);
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, int value);
         void setValue(const ESM::Skill::SkillEnum parSkill, const MWMechanics::SkillValue& value);
         void configureSkills(const std::vector<int>& major, const std::vector<int>& minor);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp
index 40327b4da8..6f56f83427 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.cpp
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ namespace MWGui
         mMainWidget->castType<MyGUI::Window>()->setCaption(playerName);
     }
 
-    void StatsWindow::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value)
+    void StatsWindow::setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value)
     {
         static const char* ids[] = {
             "AttribVal1",
@@ -168,12 +168,12 @@ namespace MWGui
         };
 
         for (int i = 0; ids[i]; ++i)
-            if (ids[i] == id.getRefIdString())
+            if (ids[i] == id)
             {
-                setText(id.getRefIdString(), std::to_string(static_cast<int>(value.getModified())));
+                setText(id, std::to_string(static_cast<int>(value.getModified())));
 
                 MyGUI::TextBox* box;
-                getWidget(box, id.getRefIdString());
+                getWidget(box, id);
 
                 if (value.getModified() > value.getBase())
                     box->_setWidgetState("increased");
@@ -186,50 +186,50 @@ namespace MWGui
             }
     }
 
-    void StatsWindow::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
+    void StatsWindow::setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value)
     {
         int current = static_cast<int>(value.getCurrent());
         int modified = static_cast<int>(value.getModified(false));
 
         // Fatigue can be negative
-        if (id.getRefIdString() != "FBar")
+        if (id != "FBar")
             current = std::max(0, current);
 
-        setBar(id.getRefIdString(), id.getRefIdString() + "T", current, modified);
+        setBar(std::string(id), std::string(id) + "T", current, modified);
 
         // health, magicka, fatigue tooltip
         MyGUI::Widget* w;
         std::string valStr = MyGUI::utility::toString(current) + " / " + MyGUI::utility::toString(modified);
-        if (id.getRefIdString() == "HBar")
+        if (id == "HBar")
         {
             getWidget(w, "Health");
             w->setUserString("Caption_HealthDescription", "#{sHealthDesc}\n" + valStr);
         }
-        else if (id.getRefIdString() == "MBar")
+        else if (id == "MBar")
         {
             getWidget(w, "Magicka");
             w->setUserString("Caption_HealthDescription", "#{sMagDesc}\n" + valStr);
         }
-        else if (id.getRefIdString() == "FBar")
+        else if (id == "FBar")
         {
             getWidget(w, "Fatigue");
             w->setUserString("Caption_HealthDescription", "#{sFatDesc}\n" + valStr);
         }
     }
 
-    void StatsWindow::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const std::string& value)
+    void StatsWindow::setValue(std::string_view id, const std::string& value)
     {
-        if (id.getRefIdString() == "name")
+        if (id == "name")
             setPlayerName(value);
-        else if (id.getRefIdString() == "race")
+        else if (id == "race")
             setText("RaceText", value);
-        else if (id.getRefIdString() == "class")
+        else if (id == "class")
             setText("ClassText", value);
     }
 
-    void StatsWindow::setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, int value)
+    void StatsWindow::setValue(std::string_view id, int value)
     {
-        if (id.getRefIdString() == "level")
+        if (id == "level")
         {
             std::ostringstream text;
             text << value;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.hpp
index 1a6a6b4930..082570e7c9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/statswindow.hpp
@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ namespace MWGui
         void setPlayerName(const std::string& playerName);
 
         /// Set value for the given ID.
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value) override;
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) override;
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, const std::string& value) override;
-        void setValue(const ESM::RefId& id, int value) override;
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::AttributeValue& value) override;
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const MWMechanics::DynamicStat<float>& value) override;
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, const std::string& value) override;
+        void setValue(std::string_view id, int value) override;
         void setValue(const ESM::Skill::SkillEnum parSkill, const MWMechanics::SkillValue& value) override;
         void configureSkills(const SkillList& major, const SkillList& minor) override;