Random Nonsense #11: Wasting Some Time

     So this thing I'm reading says that for every corrupt ENTJ-controlled regime, there lies an opposing INFJ-led underground rebellion. And ironically enough, the right-hand man of the INFJ is an INTJ and the right-hand man of the ENTJ is an ENFJ.

     For the:
INTJ: The ENTJ actually sounds more logical and rational, but the INFJ is less boring to work with. Besides the ENTJ, the corrupt regime doesn't contain any other intellectually competent types, as far as the INTJ is concerned, and the ENTJ is way too self-absorbed to converse with the INTJ. The INFJ, despite his tendency to become emotional at times, is surprisingly, an intellectually superior being capable of keeping up with and even surprising the INTJ. What's the harm of participating the the INFJ's cute little rebellion (the INTJ happens to think that the INFJ is just an angry little kitty)?

ENFJ: The ENFJ is actually quite discontent with the way ENTJ is doing things, but unlike the INFJ, he doesn't have half as much a rebellious or revolutionary streak in him. He is far more worried and concerned about destroying what little peace there remains to be and unlike the INFJ, he doesn't support the "all or nothing" notion the introvert is going for. The ENFJ would very much rather effect change from within, serving as the right-hand man of ENTJ, trying to influence the regime's politics as much as they can. Whether it's effective is another story. Most ENFJs, despite their charisma, cannot compete with the more powerful and even more charismatic ENTJ and just become another pawn in the ENTJ's game.

ENTJ: He actually doesn't hate INFJ half as much as you think. He even admires the INFJ's daringness and capability of challenging him. The ENTJ would be lying if he claims to not notice the ENFJ's presence and the ENFJ's silent little rebellion, which brings out the INFJ's daring nature even more. "Now, if only we were on the same side" - the ENTJ would think, because INFJ would make an amazing partner to work with. Sadly, INFJs and ENTJs are always standing on the opposite sides of the fence. Also, ENTJs have an eye out for the INTJ...why is he there when he agrees with me? Is the INFJ actually superior? The threatened ENTJ goes into a more aggressive state.

INFJ: The ENTJ is a lost cause. The INFJ would rather effect change with as little chaos as possible, but the ENTJ is a stubborn and self-absorbed soul, the embodiment of whatever is wrong with the entire regime. The only way to correct the distortions of what could be a beautiful world is to overthrow the ENTJ and subject him to INFJ-style brainwashing. The INFJ admires the ENTJ as much as the ENTJ admires him, but because they lead opposing forces, they can never converge. The INFJ is also more than aware of the INTJ's neutral stance in the entire conflict, but appreciates his intellectual company, that provides the INFJ with insightful and fresh views on the entire event. Upon the first face-to-face meeting with the ENTJ, the INFJ probably also noticed the bastard's right-hand man, who seems to be a misfit. The ENFJ certainly caught the INFJ's eye, but upon further conversation, is dismissed as a coward with potential but unwilling to utilise it.

     Now, for an insightful study on INFJ and their relationships with types that only differ by a single letter:

1. E-I Differences (ENFJ and INFJ)
ENFJ: Fe-Ni-Se-Ti
INFJ: Ni-Fe-Ti-Se

(a) Ni-Fe vs Fe-Ni
     For amateurs of the MBTI system, to have 2 functions reversed is no big deal, but as someone who has read up extensively about how functions work, I will tell you bluntly that, it makes a huge difference. The important thing to note is that auxiliary functions and dominant functions play vastly different roles in a person's personality.
(i) The Dominant Function
     A person's dominant function develops so early and so naturally in their lifetime that most believe that they are "born with it". For the ENFJs, they are born with their Fe (like the ESFJ), or their ability to care about others and be concerned about those around them. For the INFJs, they are born with their Ni (like the INTJ), or their ability to foresee and predict the future based on little or no physical evidence.
(ii) The Auxiliary Function
     The auxiliary function is developed later in childhood in an attempt for a person to balance out their dominant function. An extroverted dominant function is paired with an introverted one and vice versa. This ensures that the individual will have an equally enriching outer life as compared to their already rich inner life (introverts) or vice versa (extroverts). For the ENFJ, they develop Ni in order to gain better insight into people's actions without direct prying, allowing their Fe to become more effective, i.e. care for other's better. For the INFJ, their Fe develops to feed information into their Ni, i.e. through caring for others, they understand human nature better.

     It is very different, as you can see. INFJs are actually much colder and more detached, as introverts should be. INFJs care in order to understand, ENFJs understand in order to care. But when an INFJ and ENFJ are placed together, it may seem like they are the same person if their auxiliary functions are well-developed. The INFJ's well-developed Fe may overtake their objective need to understand human's, making them compassionate beings. The ENFJ's well-developed Ni may take the facade of the INFJ's almost psychic-like ability to predict the future.

     What differentiates them, therefore, is their base state, i.e. their personality when their auxiliary functions are ignored. It is actually quite observable, since ENFJs are more prone to directly asking a person how they feel, while INFJs are more prone to silent observation. By dominant functions, ENFJ's Fe leads them to answer the question "How are you? How can I help?" while INFJ's Ni leads them to answering "What will it become? What role do I play?"

(b) Ti-Se vs Se-Ti
     Once again, a reversal of functions makes two people very very different.
(i) The Tertiary Function
     Where the auxiliary function aims to balance out the dominant function, the tertiary function enriches and deepens the dominant function. Thus, an introverted dominant function has an introverted tertiary function and vice versa. The tertiary function's role in a person's personality is to give them more depth to their dominant function. The INFJ's Ti function is a function that enables silent contemplation with rational and logical processes, enriching the Ni function, which is more "gut feeling". INFJs are intellectual precisely because they are the type to silently and carefully contemplate their Ni with their Ti, forming theories and beliefs that seem intellectually superior to that of other types (except INTJ [explained later]). The ENFJ's Se function is a function that grounds the ENFJ to their external surroundings. The INFJ detaches from the external world and that is one primary flaw of the INFJ. ENFJs do not have this problem because they are always more consciously aware of those around them as opposed to being aware of themselves. Se is a function that enriches human interaction on the surface level, allowing the ENFJ to be more social than the INFJ can ever be.

(ii) The Inferior Function
     The inferior function is also a stress function, i.e. the function you turn to when stressed. For the INFJ, their inferior function is Se, thus leading to a habit of the INFJ to turn towards alcohol, sex and any other physical stimulation when stressed. It is actually quite easy to understand why. With the combination of Ni and Ti, with Fe serving as the only mechanism to balance out both, INFJs are not self-absorbed, per se, but just very detached from the external world. Fe feels emotions and INFJs thus see the external world as a bunch of emotions that can wear down and push them further into social withdrawal. Se fishes them out of it, it distracts them from their messy inner world. When INFJs drink, smoke, have casual sex or inflict self-harm, the goal is to create a physical stimulation great enough to silence everything in their minds. ENFJs conversely, turn to Ti, which in an unhealthy state, makes the ENFJ extremely rigid in their views. They become closed off from outside opinion, believing that their views are the best. This is in contrast with the INFJ because ENFJs are feeling too pressured by the outer world. Many ENFJs never reach this state, probably because the ENFJ's flaw lies in being too unaware of themselves.

     It makes them very different. INFJs, when stressed, become very social and indulge in very unhealthy activities, which they will eventually regret and then drive them even further into stress. It is easy for the INFJ to spiral out of hand and what the INFJs need to do is to get in touch with their Ni and be reminded of their overarching goals in life. ENFJs, when stressed, become so rigid and so uncompromising that it probably takes a knock to their heads to remind them that "Hey, you are hurting others. You'll regret it". INFJ's corresponding knock in the head goes something like "Hey, this isn't you. You'll regret it".

(c) Similarities
     Hey, but INFJs and ENFJs are the most compatible type when it comes to growth because each will teach the other how to develop their auxiliary functions. ENFJs teach INFJs how to communicate their Ni; INFJs teach ENFJs how to add more depth to their thoughts and beliefs. E-I pairing are meant to be very compatible towards emotional growth and maturity.

2. N-S Differences (INFJ and ISFJ)
INFJ: Ni-Fe-Ti-Se
ISFJ: Si-Fe-Ti-Ne

(a) Dominant Functions and Perception of the World
     To have opposing dominant functions makes 2 people polar opposites. Si is a function that trusts evidence from the past - what is proven to be good, to be right. Ni is a function that trusts flashes of intuition, with no evidence whatsoever. They are functions that directly oppose each other and thus, ISFJs and INFJs, while able to be best of friends due to matching auxiliary and tertiary functions, are usually unable to comprehend each other's world views. Ni gives the INFJ a lofty outlook towards life - ambitious, grand, unrealistic, humanitarian. Si makes the ISFJ cautious, pragmatic, family-oriented and realistic.

(b) Inferior Functions 
     While the inferior functions are opposing, the unique correlation between INFJ and ISFJ makes them very good friends in dark times. Se is allowed to transition back to Ni in the INFJ through the careful reigning back by Si. Si helps the INFJ to draw back from the extroversion of their Se to have time to reconsider and re-evaluate in private. Similarly, Ne, a function that when unhealthy, causing flitting and unstable mental states, is balanced by the Ni. Ne is a function that generates many possibility from one thing, Ni is a function that takes many things and forms an intricate pattern or theory. Ni thus holds back Ne and allowed ISFJ to take a step back and regain their hold onto what is trusted and tried - Si.

(c) Similarities
     While Si-Ti doesn't work half as well as Ni-Ti, because Si-Ti allows processing of what is tried and tested instead of what is new and unknown, it still gives the INFJ and ISFJ a compatibility that is quite rare. However, this may be one-sided (I know from experience) because while the INFJ will be interested in listening to the ISFJ talk about the tried and tested, the ISFJ will most likely dismiss the INFJ's Ni-Ti as ridiculous and unrealistic nonsense. It is far too theoretical and Si is not meant for theory-formation. Fe ensures that the friendship is maintained because both will consciously (auxiliary) ensure that harmony is kept between them.

3. T-F Differences (INTJ and INFJ)
INTJ: Ni-Te-Fi-Se
INFJ: Ni-Fe-Ti-Se

(a) Different Paths
     INTJs and INFJs are an exception to the T-F rule in general, because of the rarity of Ni-dom and the connection it brings. Both are born with the ability of foresight and as children, are the quiet kind of kid who rarely says anything but when they do, they blow adults' minds. However, when the time came to develop their auxiliary functions, the two are like the same people who chose different paths. INTJs and INFJs are basically carved from the same stone, but moulded to different purposes.

     Te is theoretical, rational and concerned with how the world works in a more scientific manner. Why do people cry to the INTJ is a question of what combination of chemicals makes this happen? Fe is concerned with human relations and interactions, caring for people emotionally. Why do people cry to the INFJ is instead a question of what is wrong that causes people to be upset? INTJs and INFJs chose different areas to use their Ni - INTJs want to understand the physical world around them, INFJs want to understand the people and their relationships.

     Nonetheless, when INTJ and INFJ come together, there is an immediately attraction, not in the romantic sense or anything, but the feeling of an Ni-dom intuitively sensing the presence of another Ni-dom. INFJs are perhaps more prone to it, since Fe makes them more conscious of humans, but there is an Ni-dom connection that is a rarity in the MBTI sphere. It is not INFJs that are rare, it is Ni-dom that is. That is why INFJs and INTJs are the two rarest MBTI types.

(b) Intellectual Superiority
     INFJs, as much as they would deny it, are as caught up in intellectual pursuit as the INTJs are. INTJs are less subtle about this - they look down on those who are deemed to be not as competent. INFJs will never openly admit it, but they refrain from holding certain conversations with people they deem to be less competent. It's not that they think you are stupid, it's just that they understand that not everyone has the time to have such depth to their thoughts and beliefs, and thus, conversations with such people tend to be quite dull.

     In fact, as an INFJ myself, I can say that no other type besides the INTJ has given me as much intellectual stimulation. INFJs and INTJs alike have very insightful and fresh views about the world that initially seem bizarre, but are actually very well thought out. This is attributed to the similarity between Ni-Ti and Ni-Te. In fact, Ni-dom with a tertiary Ti acts almost the same way as Ni-Te dom-aux. It's just that for the INTJ, they do not have an Fe in the way that makes INFJs so much more emotional and warm. In fact, an INFJ with severely underdeveloped Fe cannot be differentiated from an INTJ.

    So, if you aren't an INTJ/INFJ and you try to say something you think is creative and insightful to an INTJ/INFJ, don't be surprised if they raise an eyebrow and say "You've just thought of that now? I was thinking about that the moment I was born!" Let's face it. INTJ's motto in life is that "Boredom is a disease of the intellectual mind unable to find an equal." It's INFJ's motto as well, but you know, they don't want to hurt your feelings?

4. J-P Differences (INFJ and INFP)
INFJ: Ni-Fe-Ti-Se
INFP: Fi-Ne-Si-Te
     Honestly, there is not a single function that we share. J-P is the most misguiding difference in MBTI. It's just one letter, yes, but it makes it such that not a single function is shared. I think this article says it better than I ever could...or could ever bother to:

(i) Different Driver Processes
     The Driver process can also be called the "dominant cognitive function." It's the mind's first point of contact and the primary lens through which everything gets filtered.

     For an INFJ, this dominant process is technically called Ni, but we've nicknamed it "Perspectives". Perspectives is a learning function (technically called a "perceiving function), and works by watching one's own mind form patterns. After years of use, eventually Perspectives begins to see the "pattern of the patterns" and understands that what is happening inside themselves cognitively is also happening for other people.

     INFPs, on the other hand, lead with a process called Fi, which we call "Authenticity". Authenticity is a decision-making function (technically a "judging function") and works by being deeply in touch with how one is emotionally impacted by events. Decisions are made by "checking in" to ensure that they are in alignment with one's values and identity. There is a saying that the more personal something is, the more universal it is. Over time, Authenticity understands that they aren't alone in their feelings. They are simply more aware of them than other types.

     Already, there's a major difference in how these two types see the world.

     INFJs are leading with an intuitive, learning process and INFPs are leading with a feeling, decision-making process.

     For many INFPs, it may be surprising to learn that they lead with a decision-making process, since decisions can be gruelling for this type. Although Authenticity is truly decision-making, it is the slowest of the four decision-making processes (the other three being Effectiveness [Te], Accuracy [Ti] and Harmony [Fe]). Authenticity needs to be able to register how something is feeling viscerally, and often an INFP won't know the right decision to make until they've made it. It's especially confusing when the Authenticity user can see a case for almost anything, so what's true for them has to be carefully parsed out.

     Each decision and its subsequent emotional impact is catalogued, however, and future decisions become easier and faster. In fact, being so in touch with the emotional fall-out of a decision is how Authenticity eventually creates conviction, knowing in one's "bones" the rightness of something.

     INFJs can also have trouble making decisions, but not for the same reason. Their decision-making process -- technically called Fe that we've nicknamed "Harmony" -- is faster than Authenticity, but secondary for them.

     That is, they lead with Perspectives and Harmony is an auxiliary process. Effort is required to develop the secondary process (that we call the "Co-Pilot") and so when an INFJ finds themselves indecisive, it's because they're spending too much time in their Driver of Perspectives and not enough in their Co-Pilot of Harmony.

     The result may look the same -- indecisiveness -- but the root is entirely different.

     For an INFP, because their decision-making process can take time, it can feel gruelling to be pressured to make a quick call. Each decision needs to be in alignment with the INFP's values and even a decision as simple as what salad to order can be a frustration if, say, their relationship with food has become part of how they define themselves.

     On the other hand, since INFJs are more removed from their decision-making process of Harmony, it's usually over time that they become frustrated with the inability to make a final call. They are less likely to agonise over smaller decisions because not every decision is a reflection of their identity.

(ii) Emotional Significance
     As mentioned, an INFJ's decision-making criteria comes from their auxiliary or Co-Pilot process Harmony. Harmony is technically called Fe, in contrast with INFP's Driver process of Fi (Authenticity).

     Which "attitude" (or direction) the process faces once again shifts focus in a significant way. Both Feeling functions are decision-making. That is, they are mental processes designed to help us evaluate information in order to come to a judgement. Any time you "weigh the pros and cons" of a decision, you're using a decision-making process, and what ends up standing out as important to you is based on which process you're using.

     We nicknamed Fe "Harmony" because we think it adequately describes the criteria this process is utilising. The Harmony person might ask themselves something like..."What get's everyone needs met?" "How do I create harmony both within interpersonal relationships and the context/environment?" In order to know the "right" choice, other people's emotions become the most interesting piece of information. They're ultimately the feedback mechanism needed to determine a decision was the right one, because it's their emotions that tell you if their needs are getting met and/or if they're experiencing any form of conflict.

     On the other hand, Fe is nicknamed "Authenticity" because it's about the individual's emotional experience. It's about checking in with one's own emotions to determine if an action is the "right" one.

Is Authenticity more selfish than Harmony?
     There is some confusion around whether or not Authenticity is "selfish" or "self-centred" in comparison to Harmony. While immature Authenticity can be quite self-indulgent, mature Authenticity is vital for a healthy society. Authenticity is where we experience integrity, the part of us that says it's conscionable to offend our own values. The only way to 1) know one's values and 2) stay true to them is to spend time deep-diving into one's own conscience and subjective emotional experience [I protest. Values are meant to be universal - selflessness and sacrifice - they are universally good, independent of emotional experiences]. On the other hand, Harmony when immature looks more like emotional manipulation and social bullying, while mature Harmony makes sure all of our needs are understood and taken care of.

     If offending others is more offending than offending yourself, you are more likely using Harmony. And if you're willing to be a total pariah in behalf of your convictions, you're more likely using Authenticity. However, some INFJs, accustomed to being misunderstood and feeling like an "outcast" will sometimes identify with the concept of being true to oneself over "society" and identify with this aspect of INFPs.

     But instead of seeing it as a variation of being true to oneself, it's more helpful to see it as "serving other's needs first in order to get your own needs met" (Harmony) vs "honouring one's own experience first in order to honour other's experience" (Authenticity).

(iii) "Absorbing" and "Mirroring"
     This may be the biggest confusion between the two types. It's definitely the source of endless internet battles for supremacy of "who's the most empathetic type." Both INFJs and INFPs have an almost magical ability to understand the emotional human experience. The way they go about it, though, is very different.

     I once heard a description for "empathy" as "Your pain in my heart." For an INFJ, this couldn't be more true. INFJs absorb other people's emotional energy, whether they want to or not. If it's powerful and there -- friend or foe, intimate or stranger -- your pain is in their heart. The combination of Perspectives (getting into other's heads) and Harmony (having other people's emotions on their radar all the time) seems to converge into this superpower (absorbing emotions), a gift I'd venture to say most INFJs would trade away if they could (Well, for a day...before they start missing their sixth sense).

     INFPs, on the other hand, are masters at understanding the emotions themselves. As mentioned before, sometimes Authenticity doesn't know the right decision until it's already been made, and to compensate for this INFPs become consummate role-players. They can manufacture an emotional experience in order to test out what it would feel like, giving them more content to go on at game time.

     Since Authenticity is their Diver process, this ability becomes unconscious competence for INFPs and they may not even register when they're doing it. This is why Authenticity Drivers (INFPs and ISFPs) are easily the greatest actors and performers of all the types. Putting on a new emotion can be as easy as swapping jackets. When in the presence of another person's strong emotion, it's not that the INFP is absorbing it, they're mirroring it. Since this is exceptionally easy for them to do, it's usually a surprise to discover that other people can't come close to this ability.

     The nuance of their ability to mirror another person's emotional experience can feel like absorbing since it's so spot on. But, remember -- this isn't another person's emotion in the INFP's heart. This is years and years of the INFP mapping emotions within themselves and finding the closest proximity to what the other person is experiencing.

     Again, the more personal an experience the more universal, and no one understands this as well as the INFP. "What is the exact feeling I'd be feeling if I were you?" is the Authenticity version of INFJ's "Your pain in my heart."

     If an INFP appears to be constantly self-referencing, it's because they are. They understand you based on understanding themselves. To self-reference is to enable more rewarding interpersonal experiences, though our culture can generate a societal distaste for self-referencing.

     Perhaps, the easiest way to understand the difference in these two styles (INFJ absorbing vs INFP mirroring) is their relationship to time.

     To absorb another's emotion, both the INFJ and the other person (who is emoting) have to be together in real time. This isn't post-processing emotional experience, it's an emotion hitting the INFJ due to energetic proximity.

     For an INFP, it's about finding the emotion the other is -- was -- or will be experiencing within themselves. The emotion can be bound through time via works of art, literature, journals and any/every other way we as people express our emotions [I would be good at understanding bullshit poems if I were an INFP? I know they are emotional and all, but I can't exactly pinpoint what it is I'm getting half the time.]

(iv) Being understood vs Being validated
     Both the INFJ and INFP personality types run into the problem of feeling misunderstood.

     For INFJs, the Perspectives process gives them an insight into other people that is unmatched, and it can be disconcerting to realise other people don't have the same superpower. The result is a lot of one-sided relationships. On top of that, the Perspectives process is itself quite mysterious to other people. Both INxJ types (INFJs and INTJs) learn to keep their speculations to themselves. "Just knowing" stuff feels like precognition to others and can make them uncomfortable.

     INFPs face feeling misunderstood because no one could possibly know them as well as they know themselves. The Authenticity process is a deep pool of nuanced self-awareness, and it's truly impossible to communicate all the variety within themselves to another person. If you peel back the layers, however, it's not that INFPs have a challenge in being fully misunderstood. If anyone else every actually "fully" understood them, that would actually be a bad sign [WHAT?] -- it would mean that the INFP had lost some of their individuality or that they're dangerously close to being too similar to other people.

     Authenticity uses "intent" as one of its primary calibrations for whether or not a decision is right, for both themselves and for others. Oftentimes, when an INFP gets sensitive or defensive, it's because they think their intent is being called into question. When INFPs feel marginalised, they can also feel others insinuating a bad move.

     When an INFP feels "misunderstood", it could be more accurately states that they feel marginalised, discounted and believe others are questioning their motives. The antidote to this isn't "understanding" them better. Most INFPs would say no one could ever truly understand them, anyway. The real antidote is validating their process of making decisions. As in: "I don't have to agree with you, I don't have to know why you believe or feel the way you do, but when I tell you that you have every right to feel the way you do, make decisions based on those feelings and I trust that you have positive intent." If you can sincerely communicate that to an INFP, they will love you forever.

     INFJs aren't nearly as invested in others believing they have good motive [Ah but if it effects good results, doesn't matter if you initially thought badly of me - is what I think]. They are far more likely to be tuned into the motives and motivations of others to give a lot of thought about whether the person believes the INFJ has a positive intent. Where an INFP can lose awareness of other people if they're really excited by an topic, INFJs can never lose awareness of other people [I mean, I do what I do to help others...if I lose track of them, what am I fighting for?]

     In fact, that's why INFJs generally need more alone time than INFPs (not always, but usually). The only real distance INFJs get from other people is when they're truly physically alone and this is generally used tor recharge their batteries for the next trip into the outer world [So if I refuse to leave the house, don't make me. I want to be alone.]

     INFJs are far less interested in validation and are more interested in protection. They don't need you to agree with them, they need to know you're not going to hurt them, even if the fear of hurt is deeply unconscious [I...I don't know. Is this reflected in my naturally suspicious personality?]

     There are some INFPs that have experienced trauma in the past and fear being hurt by others, but that's more a product of wounding than anything intrinsic. The most protected, well-treated INFJ on the planet is still going to have something inside them scanning for people who would be deliberately hurtful.

(v) Persuasion and Leading
     INFJs, using the Perspectives process, often solve problems and persuade others by offering alternative perspectives. In fact, they generally solve problems by shifting perspectives until the solution become clear. They offer these shifts to others as "a-ha" moments [Wow, I actually unconsciously do this. Advice from me often comes from me giving a different way of seeing the problem, like how the other party may see it, thus leading them to understanding what it is that is wrong (I don't know usually. The answer is within themselves.)]

     INFPs, using the Authenticity process, are more masters of emotional Aikido. Since they understand how emotions flow within the self, they can use this to redirect the emotional energy in another person, getting them to feel what they want them to feel [What? I don't get it.]

     Both are powerfully persuasive tactics and both types are represented in famous spiritual leaders. And while each can utilise the other's talent, it seems there's a strong preference for INFJs to bring "insight" and INFPs to bring "inspiration".

Elder Scrolls Music Break
(i) TES III: Morrowind (or Skyrim Dragonborn DLC)
1. Morrowind Theme (Call of Magic/Nerevar Rising)
Lore: Nerevarine is the legitimate reincarnation of the hero Indoril Nerevar as well as the player character and protagonist of Morrowind. The Daedric Prince, Azura, revered by the Dunmer (dark elves) proclaimed that Nerevar would be reincarnated to right the wrongs in Nirn (the mortal fold).


2. Morrowind OST/Skyrim DLC OST: Peaceful Waters


3. Morrowind OST/Skyrim DLC OST: The Road Most Travelled

4. Morrowind OST/Skyrim DLC OST: Silt Sunrise


5. Morrowind OST/Skyrim DLC OST: Blessing of Vivec
Lore: Vivec, Warrior-Poet deity of the Dunmer and "vi" in the Almsivi, was the Guardian God-King of the holy land of Vvardenfell, and ever-vigilant protector from the dark gods of the Red Mountain, the gate to hell. He honourably guided and protected the Dunmer for thousands of years until his loss of divinity and disappearance at the end of the Third Era, a sacrifice he not only accepted but helped to bring about. Following his disappearance and the collapse of the Tribunal Temple, he was renamed Saint Vivec by the New Temple and declared a member of the False Tribunal.


(ii) TES IV: Oblivion
1. Oblivion Theme: Reign of the Septims
Lore: The Septim Dynasty was founded by the legendary Talos, who took the Cyrodilic name of Tiber Septim and later established the Third Empire of Tamriel in 2E 897 after decades of conquest, thus marking the end of the Second Era and the advent of the Third Era. The dynasty fell in Oblivion, following the onset of the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433 when Emperor Uriel Septim VII and his heirs were assassinated by the Mythic Dawn, a cult worshipping the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon. The last Septim heir, Martin Septim, was located, but sacrificed himself to repel the Daedra and seal Mundus off from Oblivion forever, marking the end of the Third Era.


2. Oblivion OST: Harvest Dawn


3. Oblivion OST: Wings of Kynareth
Lore: Kynareth, called Kyne by the Nords and Kin by the Kothringi, is a goddess of the Nine Divinces. She is the strongest of the Sky spirits and is the deity of the heavens, the winds, the elements and the unseen spirits of the air. Patron of sailors and travellers, Kynareth is invoked for auspicious stars at birth and for good fortune in daily life. Some say she is the first to agree to Lorkhan's plan to invent the mortal plane, and provides the space for its creation in the void.


4. Oblivion OST: Glory of Cyrodiil


5. Oblivion OST: Peace of Akatosh
Lore: Akatosh, known as Auri-El to the Aldmer and Bormahu (Father) to the draongs, is the chief deity of the Nine Divines. He is present in every Tamrielic religion except that of the Dunmer. His avatar is a dragon, and he is often called the Dragon God of Time. He is generally considered to be the first of the Gods to form in the Beginning Place; after his establishment, other spirits found the process of being easier and various pantheons of the world emerged. He embodies the qualities of endurance, invincibility and everlasting legitimacy while promoting the virtues of duty, service and obedience.


(iii) TES V: Skyrim
1. Skyrim Theme: Dragonborn
Dragonborn: A Dragonborn (or Dovahkiin) is a mortal blessed with Dragon Blood by Akatosh, the Father of Dragons and chief of the Divines. Those with the blessing have an extraordinary aptitude in the use of the thu'um, being able to absorb knowledge of shouts directly from the souls of slain dragons. This ability nreeds fear and hatred in dragons, as the removal of their souls severs their immortality and renders them beyond the reach fo any necromancy. The title is most often associated with the "Dragonborn Emperors" of Tamriel, who are in a divine covenant with Akatosh which maintains the barriers between Mundus and Oblivion (Oblivion Crisis of 3E 433 was triggered because the Dragonfires died out with the death of Uriel Septim, weakening the barriers for Mehrunes Dagon to invade Mundus).


2. Skyrim OST: Sovngarde
Lore: Sovngarde is the Nordic afterlife. Those who are valiant in life are rewarded with an eternity here in the Hall of Valor, where they eat, drink, drawl and sing. Sovngarde is a realm within Aetherius to which valiant Nords go upon death, with the exception of any Nords afflicted with lycanthropy. Werewolves do not go to Sovngarde upon their deaths as their souls belong to the Daedric Lord Hircine and reside within his realm in Oblivion and join the great hunt.


3. Skyrim OST: Dragonslayer (Battle Music vs Dragons)
Lore: Dragons or dov are a rarely-seen race of large reptilian beasts. They are rumoured to be from Akavir (which literally means Dragon Land) though there are ancient tales of dragons also coming from Atmora. As the immortal children of Akatosh, they are specially attuned to the flow of time and they feel an innate urge to dominate others that is difficult to overcome. In the mind of a dragon, being powerful and being right are the same, thus they make no distinction between speaking and fighting; battles between them are actually deadly verbal debates (e.g. Fire Breath is made of 3 words in the dragon language - Yol (Fire), Toor (Inferno) and Shul (Sun). They are just speaking to each other).


MBTI Stuff, like finally, right?
1. Idealists on Deviantart
ENFP
Mood: Silly
Watching: INTJs in their natural habitat: the lab! How fascinating!
Reading: MBTI safari guidebook
Listening to: whatever sounds there are I guess
Eating: Rainbows
Drinking: Rainbows
Playing: Chess with the INTJs! I won!

INFP
Mood: Inspired
Watching: TV shows that give me the feels
Reading: books that gives me the feels
Listening to: Birds singing their songs as they live their lives in this strange but beautiful world
Eating: Dragonfruit! I feel mystical.
Drinking: Honey, nature's finest
Playing: With my dog!

INFJ
Mood: Affected by the current atmosphere
Watching: Mystery shows
Reading: The Magic 8 Ball my friends gave to me as a joke when I told them I'm an INFJ
Listening to: Stories that people tell me
Eating: Mystery-flavoured candy (I'm curious what the most common flavour is, besides mystery)
Drinking: Mystery-flavoured soda, like I didn't even know these existed
Playing: Clue. I'm not psychic. I just really like mysteries.

ENFJ
Mood: Affected by the current atmosphere
Watching: The changes in energy of the crowd
Reading: People Magazine (my friends gave it to me as a joke because they claim I am good at reading "people")
Listening to: The white noise of conversations
Eating: Fortune cookies with my friends and comparing our fortunes
Drinking: Fruit Punch
Playing: Super Smash Bros with my friends...or bros...I guess

2. Because I'm Ready to Give Snarky Comments

(i) Tell them you're smitten by their mind.

     Why, thank you? Now, let's figure out whether I've smite you with my mind because a) you are too incompetent yourself, or b) you are actually intelligent enough to be interesting. I'll take a bet that it's a) because, really, no other types besides INTJ has ever interested me with their intelligence...and INTJs are very insensitive, so that undermines their intellectual attractiveness. Like I've said before, it's not a good idea to present an idea to an INFJ and expect her to act like she's never heard about it before...chances are, she either doesn't care or she has already considered it years ago. 

(ii) Skip the small talk, they're an ocean. Please leave the shore.

     Or, you could stay on the shore because I sure as hell did not allow you to tread into the ocean. By chances are, if you remain on the shore long enough, I'm either going to forcefully evacuate you or draw you into the ocean, so well, you can remain standing there.

(iii) If they say "I want to be alone", leave them alone.

     Yes, because if I want to be left alone, do not blame me if I decide to make dinner out of your corpse if you disturb me. I am very cranky and very quick to anger when I'm trying to have personal time and get disturbed.

(iv) If they say "I feel lonely", hug them.

      Bitch, do it. Just because I'm glaring at you as if I'm threatening to kill you doesn't mean I don't want a hug. I want a hug, give me a goddamn hug. I'm lonely. I want a hug. But I sure as hell won't say it out loud. Not on my goddamn life.

(v) When they tell you they don't want to go out because they're "sick", know that they're lying and let them know they don't have to.

     Thank you. Now, you can fuck off too...or...I could get a hug, please? And maybe...just stay here, you know...

(vi) Leave the party hand-in-hand when they get overwhelmed.

     Frigging just hold me, okay? I'm freaked out by the amount of noise and people inside.

(vii) Listen hard for the growl of their spirit so muted anyone could miss it.

     You mean which growl?

3. This Video Because I'm Lazy

     Holy shit, bro. It's disconcerting when you reveal so much about us at once. Shush.

Characters I'm Obsessed with #4: Lucien Lachance (Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion)

     I've said previously that M'aiq the Liar is the most interesting character in the Elder Scrolls series, but he certainly isn't my favourite character. In fact, he is probably 3rd on the list, with Lucien Lachance at #1 and Sheogorath at #2. In this post, I'll be covering Lucien Lachance, because the emotions are fresh from just finishing the Dark Brotherhood questline in Oblivion. Given that the Dark Brotherhood is my favourite "guild" in Oblivion and Skyrim, I will also go through what the Dark Brotherhood is about.

The Dark Brotherhood
Overview
     The Dark Brotherhood is a guild of assassins shrouded in shadow and mystery which has been active all over Tamriel. While their business is certainly not legal, their existence has typically been tolerated or ignored. Whenever an individual with legal authority takes an interest in their dealings, the Brotherhood relies upon a combination of bribery, blackmail, coercion and murder to keep their activities hidden. They have been bitter rivals of the Morag Tong since the Second Era. The Brotherhood is also known for their worship of the Dread Father, Sithis. Dark Sisters are accepted into the Brotherhood as equally as Dark Brothers.

Organisation

     Like any organisation, the Dark Brotherhood has some rules that all members must abide by, though the demand to adhere to them can vary with leadership. These interrelated rules are the Five Tenets: members must never dishonour the Night Mother, betray the Dark Brotherhood, disobey or refuse to carry out an order from a superior, steal the possessions of a Dark Brother or Dark Sister, or kill a Dark Brother or Dark Sister. Breaking one of these tenets invokes the Wrath of Sithis, which, it is rumoured, is not just a turn of phrase.

     In contrast to the Morag Tong's veneration of the Daedric Prince Mephala, the Brotherhood worship the Void - Sithis. However, they see their murders as more of a business, viewing their duty through the lens of economics rather than religion and honour. They are frequently viewed as being more pragmatic than the Morag Tong. These differences have caused bitter enmity between the two organisations.

     The leader of the Dark Brotherhood is the mysterious, elusive Night Mother. Some stories suggest that the current Night Mother is the ghost of the first, who became the wife of Sithis and murdered their five chidlren in his honour. Others say that the title is merely an honorific given to the current leader. Some even consider her to be none other than Mephala. Regardless, the most well-known and infamous method of acquiring the services of the Brotherhood is by performing the Black Sacrament, a profane ritual that purportedly allows those who perform it to be heard directly by the Night Mother. The Ritual involves stabbing some actual body parts (including a heart, skull, bones and flesh) within a circle of candles using a dagger rubbed with the petals of a Nightshade plant while whispering the plea, "Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptised in blood and fear." Next in the command hierarchy is the mysterious Black Hand, which is composed of a Listener and four Speakers. The Listener, of course, listens to the Night Mother and relays her orders to the Speakers, who then dispatch a Brother to make specific arrangements and carry out the murder. Their identities are kept well-hidden, even within the organisation.

     For much of the Brotherhood's history, they have had a special relationship with Argonians, who form a special sect within the Brotherhood known as the Shadowscales. The Brotherhood usually recruits by directly contacting murderers who show promise, but in the Argonian homeland of Balck Marsh, those born under the sign of the Shadow are taken at birth and presented to the Dark Brotherhood. A Shadowscale hatchling is trained in the arts of stealth and assassination and lives a service to the might kingdom of Argonia. Any Shadowscale to comes of age is accepted into the Dark Brotherhood as a full member. If a Shadowscale deserts the Dark Brotherhood, the penalty is death. This tradition died out in the Fourth Era, following the war on Argonian lands.

Lucien Lachance

Overview

     Lucien Lachance is one of the four Speakers in the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion, i.e. the Fourth Era. He is the character to induct the player into the Dark Brotherhood after a murder committed by the player. The murder must be conducted on a non-hostile character, after which the notice "Your killing has been observed by forces unknown..." will show on your screen. After sleeping in a safe location, Lucien Lachance will approach your character.

     Lucien Lachance is debatably the main character in the Dark Brotherhood's questline, considering the plot of a tragedy. The story line ends with his death, unfair and unjust, but the conflict is resolved. His memory is passed on into the future, 200 years into the timeline of Skyrim, where he becomes the Spectral Assassin, who can be summoned to help the player. The entire event was known as the Incident of Mathieu Bellamont.

Lucien's Story
     Lucien Lachance, an Imperial assassin, was a Speaker for the Black Hand of the Dark Brotherhood in the late Third Era. He was killed in 3E 433 (i.e. the 433rd year of the 3rd Era).

     In his youth, Lucien travelled to Skyrim and visited the city of Riften. He was once in possession of the Blade of Woe, which eventually became an artifact of the Brotherhood. He became the Speaker for the Cheydinhal Dark Brotherhood sanctuary in the region of Cyrodiil (seat of the Empire, homeland of the Imperials) when the previous Speaker was killed while fulfilling a contract. He took up residence in the abandoned Fort Farragut just outside the city and was responsible for recruiting new members to the sanctuary. He was also the one to order the Purification of the sanctuary in 3E 433 when the Black Hand discovered that the Brotherhood had been infiltrated by a traitor. He named the assassin who carried out the Purification the Silencer (i.e. the player), to replaced his previous Silencer, who had died carrying out a contract. He passed on his undead Daedra horse, Shadowmere, to the new Silencer.

     His Silencer was subsequently manipulated by the true traitor, Mathieu Bellamont. The Silencer then systematically assassinated half the Black Hand, and, unknowingly, framed Lucien as the traitor. By the time Lachance had stopped his Silencer, Ungolim, the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood, had already been slain. Lachance went into hiding while his Silencer attempted to clear his name, but the remaining members of the Black Hand tracked him down to an abandoned farmstead at Applewatch and murdered him. His Silencer took his place as Speaker, and was later named Listener by the Night Mother when Bellamont attempted to destroy her and failed. The Night Mother would later clear Lucien's name.

     In death, Lucien went to the Void to join Sithis, the Dread Father of the Dark Brotherhood. In 4E 201 (i.e. in Skyrim), his spirit was bound to the new Listener of the Dark Brotherhood. He could be summoned as a spectral assassin, to aid the Listener in combat or offer advice.

     I cannot think of another video game character that I had more emotional attachment to besides Lucien Lachance. His entire story is incredibly tragic but all the way till the end, he stayed loyal to his belief. The Dark Brotherhood is an evil organisation, yes, but it's members, especially Lucien, show a devotion to their "religion" that is seen only in the priests of the Nine. Despite all the wrongs done to him, dying in utter unfairness and stripped of all dignity, he continued to believe in the Night Mother and Sithis, coming to serve him in the after life.

     The story of Lucien Lachance and Mathieu Bellamont happened before the player entered the Dark Brotherhood. In Mathieu's youth, his mother had been killed by Lucien, who had been assigned to complete the contract given to the Dark Brotherhood by Mathieu's own father. In his rage, Mathieu blamed his mother's death on Lucien and vowed to kill him. After reaching adulthood, Mathieu was recruited by Lucien into the Brotherhood, who took pride in him and groomed him into an assassin. Lucien had no idea the fate that awaited him.

     

     His death came as a shock for players. While Archmage Traven of the Mages' Guild had also died, his death was more honourable. In the Mages' Guild questline, Traven sacrifices himself by binding his soul into the Black Soul Gem and ultimately led to your victory over the Necromancer Mannimarco. Lucien's death was nothing like that.

     Your player, in his/her stupidity, could not tell that her dead-drop contracts were switched, even though while playing, I saw the change in handwriting. Unknowing, she betrayed the Speaker she had sworn her life to serving, leading to his death. In the Dark Brotherhood, every Speaker has a Silencer, who is his personal assistant and favourite assassin. With all that trust given to your player, you realise that you had betrayed your Speaker unknowingly and strive to undo your mistakes. However, before you could show up at Applewatch Farm with the evidence proving Lucien's innocence, your Speaker was already dead.

     You reach Applewatch Farm, heart-pounding and shivering, riding on Shadowmere through the rain. You push open the door to a gruesome sight - a mutilated corpse hanging upside-down from the roof, the guts removed methodically, flesh torn, beheaded - clear signs of torture. You wish, in the depths of your heart that it wasn't true. And then the Altmer (High Elf), Arquen comes up to you to tell you not to worry, for the traitor has been gotten rid of. You realise with a plunging feeling that the corpse was that of your Speaker, who even in his last moments could not find peace. Arquen then tells you that she had feasted upon the flesh of the Speaker and for a moment, you wanted to turn around and stab her through the heart with your dagger. 

    Denial flooding you, you follow blindly through with the quest until you reach the Night Mother's crypt at Bravil. Nothing mattered anymore. Mathieu Bellamont, the bloody traitor, was next to you, but you were too late. Lucien was dead. When Mathieu pulled out his sword and you couldn't do anything but watch as he killed the other Black Hand members, except Arquen, you finally snap and murder him. You didn't feel any relief. Lucien was already dead, his body forever left to rot in Applewatch Farm.

     The Night Mother comes to you, congratulating you on fulfilling your fate. She tells you it is all meant to be and you cannot help the traitorous scream in your head - "Was Lucien meant to die? He was so loyal to you and you just sent him to die?" She names you Listener and you want to spit on that title. Do you care for leading the Dark Brotherhood? Do you care for the Dark Brotherhood at all? Lucien was dead. Lucien was what defined the Dark Brotherhood and without him, it never felt the same again. You walk into the Cheydinal sanctuary months later, new recruits everywhere, Arquen greeting you as Listener, but you just wanted to be Lucien's Silencer again.

Going into Skyrim

     And then a few days later, I pick up Skyrim and the moment I heard about the boy trying to summon the Night Mother, I rode to Windhelm faster than I have ever done anything. When the letter came to me, from a stranger in a black cloak with the words "We Know", there was a skip in my heart and I took the first carriage to Falkreath and into the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary. As you approach the Black Door, it whispers "What is the music of life?" and you reply "Silence, my Brother" and it was so reminiscent of Oblivion ("What is the colour of night?" "Sanguine, my Brother.").

     Imagine my disappointment when I walk in to see Astrid and the nonsense she made of the new Dark Brotherhood. Apparently before the Empire in Cyrodiil fell to the Thalmor forces, the sanctuary in Cyrodiil was raided. The last remaining sanctuary was, ironically, Cheydinhal sanctuary and the only survivor, Cicero, was travelling to Skyrim with the Night Mother's body. I wanted to scowl at the mention of the Night Mother, but what I scowled at more was Astrid's denial of the "old ways". Becoming the last remaining leader of the Dark Brotherhood, she began tearing apart the old traditions of the Brotherhood, denying the existence of the Night Mother. Is this what was left of the organisation? Is this what was left of the beliefs that Lucien died protecting?

     Lucien's death made me upset for weeks, but Astrid's death made me happy. In her dying moments, her words redeemed her at least, in my opinion:

     "I just wanted things...to stay the way they were. Before Cicero, before the Night Mother. Before...you. I thought I could save us. I was wrong. But you're alive! So there's still a chance. A chance to start over, rebuild. That's why I did...this. Don't you see? I prayed to the Night Mother. I am the Black Sacrament. I'm saying that you were right. The Night Mother was right. The old ways...they guided the Dark Brotherhood for centuries. I was a fool to oppose them. And to prove my sincerity. I have prayed for a contract. You lead this Family now. I give you the Blade of Woe, so that you can see it through."

     The bitch has the Blade of Woe! How Lucien's famous ebony dagger ended up in HER hands is outrageous. That blade was given to his Silencer, one of the only memories my character in Oblivion has of her Speaker. How dare that bitch take it?

My Fanfictions

     It may be overreaction, but I simply adored Lucien Lachance. A lot of my fanfictions revolve around the relationship between my character and Lucien and it isn't pointless smut. My character often take the role of an orphan, who spent her entire life fending for herself following the death of her parents. One incident ended up with a dagger held in her end, through a man's heart. Lucien Lachance was what came next and with him, he brought a Family, one not related by blood, but one she held dear. When she was ordered to purify the sanctuary, she could not disobey and carried out the murders as her heart broke. On the one hand, she blamed Lucien, but on the other, she clung onto him desperately - him being the last of the Family she was given. 

     Sometimes, I extend the fanfiction, the main character being a Mer and thus her ability to live beyond a thousand years. Following the death of Lucien, she could no longer stand the Dark Brotherhood, everything reminding her of him. She leaves under the protection of Nocturnal (my character is usually the Gray Fox of the Thieves' Guild) and ends up serving the Imperial Legion instead.

     After being posted to Skyrim to deal with the Stormcloak uprising in the Fourth Era (Skyrim timeline), she also becomes the Archmage of the College of Winterhold as well as the Guildmaster of the Thieves' Guild (due to Nocturnal's favour). While patrolling the Thieves' Guild territory of Riften one night, she is ambushed by an assassin, who she catches off-guard. He reveals himself to be the Listener of Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood and old memories are awoken. Unknown to her, the Listener is accompanied by a Spectral Assassin, invisible to all but his summoner. Lucien's spirit almost recognises her, but rejects the notion, believing that it was too much of a coincidence.

     It turns out that the Listener was under command by the Night Mother to hold an alliance with the Thieves' Guild, in preparation for a disaster unknown to the Listener. My character agrees to the agreement on the terms that the Listener follows her to Cyrodiil, in search of an Elder Scroll in the Imperial Palace. The Listener rejects at first, but is tempted by an offer to obtain a Seer's Orb, that would give the Brotherhood the protection they need against future events. As the two travel around Cyrodiil, my character's past is slowly revealed as her hidden identity comes to the surface. For example, while searching around Cheydinhal, she lets slip her knowledge of a hidden place underneath a boarded up house - the location of Cheydinhal sanctuary.

      The ending is fluffy, yes, but not after a lot of disaster. After discovering that she was the Listener who abandoned the Brotherhood centuries ago, the current Listener attempts to kill her while Lucien materialises to confront her. Lucien himself tries to kill her, thinking that she had betrayed him once more in betraying his teachings. However, she redeems herself by bringing them the Seer's Orb, but vows never to return to the Dark Brotherhood because even after 200 years, she cannot get over her Speaker's death.

      Did I mention? This guy has a gorgeous voice. Seriously, there's two kinds of deep voices - the extremely...arousing one, like the one that Lucien has, and then there's the very boring deep voice that everyone else has. Honestly, that pitch...it's not fair Bethesda! You can't create a character so bloody perfect and then kill him off!

Characters I'm Obsessed with #3: M'aiq the Liar (Elder Scrolls)

     I realised that I haven't done one of these for a long, long time and I actually have quite a few characters I want to talk about. Since I'm already done studying for this week (by cramping everything into the weekends in anticipation for a busy week), I'm probably just going to spend the whole day sitting here and blogging/gaming. I don't even feel like gaming today because I'm trying to clean the computer of the viruses my dad has installed. Seriously, I thought guys were supposed to be good at the computer?!

     In the Elder Scrolls universe, I have many characters I am obsessed with, mostly for very shallow reasons e.g. they look absolutely gorgeous, have amazing voice actors, have super good follower potential. However, if I have to pick one single character that I like, it has to be this obscure feline, M'aiq the Liar.

     I know that M'aiq the Liar exists in Elder Scrolls Online, but as every single fan of the Elder Scrolls series with a working brain, I will attempt to ignore the existence of that atrocity. I think if you want to understand why ESO is that bad, just watch this video from Angry Joe. He may be biased and slightly exaggerated but the points he brings up are all relevant. 

Angry Joe's Review of Elder Scrolls Online

     ESO does not have the immersiveness of a single-player Elder Scrolls game, because it's not meant to be, but at the same time, it isn't good enough to stand out as an MMO. It is by no means bad, but it isn't good. It's lacklustre and doesn't live up to the hype. It has fans of the series (those that aren't blinded by the Elder Scrolls title) wishing that instead of spending time creating this horrific abomination, we would have gotten a new Fallout already, or even Elder Scrolls VI!

     Anyway, that is completely irrelevant here, since I'm here to talk about M'aiq the Liar, Bethesda's own little easter egg character. He appears in Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim.

1. Morrowind
     In Morrowind, M'aiq the Liar appears as a Khajiit rogue who can be found on a small island Southeast of Dagon Fel in the Sheogorad Region. Much of M'aiq's dialogue refers to many requested or anticipated features of Morrowind, which were not included in the final release of the game.

     If anyone hasn't played Morrowind, I think it is fair to mention at this time that the game does NOT have a fast travel system. The only things that come close are the Silt Striders and Boats, which can only bring you to certain locations based on where you take these "vehicles". Therefore, before the age of gaming on the Internet, there were many who have never met M'aiq the Liar, because, well, I personally have not explored the surrounding areas of Dagon Fel that much. He was a very obscure character.

     M'aiq the Liar in Morrowind provides easter eggs in the form of conversation options. True to his name, he can also be asked for information regarding people/locations in the game, but he will always lie about it, although not in a very direct manner. His words contain only some elements of truth and he does not directly lie to you.

     I have yet to meet M'aiq in my games, because I have little use for him and it's a pain getting to Dagon Fel in the first place. As a player who usually becomes a member of House Hlaalu or House Redoran, I'm usually loitering near Balmora or Ald-Ruhn respectively. My "Mark" spell is placed in the Ghostgate so you can tell that I don't go near Sheogorad Region that often.

2. Oblivion
     Oh yes, my favourite game in the series, probably because the character I have the most emotional attachment to is in this game. That particular character's death in the game had me crying for days.

     In Oblivion, M'aiq is a Khajiit savant who gives the player opinions about the game. All of his comments are arguably serious responses to various issues in the game; however, the majority are dismissing people who point out issues in the game as stupid, unlike his earlier appearance in Morrowind where most of his statements were lies or farcical comments that did not quite address the topic in the way you would have expected.

     He starts the game just outside of Anvil (western most city in Cyrodiil) and thereafter runs back and forth between Leyawiin and Anvil. Sometimes when you leave Leyawiin or Anvil, he will be standing at the entrance or near the stables. At noon, no matter where he is, he stops and looks for calipers for about 5 hours unless he has already collected at least 20 of them. He cannot be killed because he is an Essential Character, but he is not related to any quests.

     His only topic of conversation is rumours. He will give you a different rumour each time you meet him, but he only discusses that one during the encounter. After every chat, M'aiq will run away from you along road, usually much faster than you can run (his Speed and Athletics are 100). When he runs, he follows the road South for a while and then reaches the shore. There, he zigzags along near the beach and always ends up at the Strid River. At that point, he crosses into Valenwood and you, the player, obviously cannot follow him further.

M'aiq the Liar Quotes in Oblivion

1. "M'aiq prefers to adventure alone. Others just get in the way. And they talk, talk, talk."
     A reference to the discussion about Oblivion being a multiplayer game, and limits on NPC assistance. Multiplayer is one of M'aiq's recurring topics (another anti-multiplayer easter egg might be the Adoring Fan, the creeper that follows you after you beat the Arena because all he does is get in the way and talk).

2. "M'aiq believes the children are our future. But he doesn't want them ruining all our fun."
     A reference to discussion on the forums during development about whether children should be included in Oblivion. One group wanted children to be in to add realism; the other group argued that if children were added, then you would allowed to kill them and the game would be denounced as a child murder simulator. A counter to this would be to make the children invincible, but the opposition countered saying that doing that would ruin any initial realism. This was brought up in the next instalment of Elder Scrolls, Skyrim, where children wander, all of them impossible to kill without mods.

3. "M'aiq longs for a Colovian Fur Helm. Practical, yet stylish. M'aiq is very sad he does not have one."

     A reference to the Colovian Fur Helm that M'aiq wore in Morrowind, and the first piece of armour found by many in that game (on Tarhiel's corpse). Logically, a Colovian helm should have been available in Oblivion, as the entirety of Colovia is accessible. Furthermore, the Colovian Fur Helm is not part of a full set of Colovian Fur Armour, there is no such thing - perhaps a sign of why it was left out of Oblivion.

4. "M'aiq is glad he has a compass. Makes it easy to find things. Much better than wandering around like a fool."
     A reference to how Oblivion now has Quest Compass objectives. In Morrowind, you were simply given a quest journal and through conversation, you can gain directions to your quest. However, directions are often confusing and many players spend hours just trying to figure their way out to a location that is not even marked on their map. 

5. "I don't know why one would want to destroy a building. It takes time to make it. Much time."
     A reference to the fact that Oblivion features no destructible environments. M'aiq points out the fact that it would be incredibly time-consuming for the game developers to make buildings destructible. It is also reasonable to assume that destructible environments would have a negative impact on performance.

6. "I have seen dragons. Perhaps you will see a dragon. I won't say where I saw one. Perhaps I did not."
     Dragons are idolised at the forums and everyone hoped they would make regular appearances in Oblivion, but they did not. The Avatar of Akatosh counts as a single sighting, but M'aiq prefers not to spoil your game. Of course, M'aiq may say this before the Avatar appears. Dragons exist in Elder Scrolls lore and this could be an allusion to Skyrim.

7. "People always enjoy a good fable. M'aiq has yet to find one, though. Perhaps one day."
     Perhaps a reference to how the game Fable was perceived to stack up poorly to its legendary hype. During development, Oblivion was often compared to Fable. While I do think that the first Fable was good, although no where as immersive as Oblivion, the Fable series experiences an obvious downfall, with each one getting easier and less interesting. 

8. "Feet are for walking. Hands are for hitting. Or shaking. Or waving. Sometimes for clapping."
     A reference to various complaints about limits on the ranges of uses for limbs available to the average adventurer, including the inability to kick. But why would you want to kick a goddamn Daedra? Pull out your sword and fight! Or blast it with magic. Or you could be like me and backstab it for 6x damage.

9. "I do not wish to fight on horseback. It is a good way to ruin a perfectly good horse...which is, to say, a perfectly good dinner."
     Before the release of Oblivion, the news that mounted combat would not be possible created considerable controversy in the forums, culminating a petition asking Bethesda to reconsider which included 500+ signatures. Even so, mounted combat was not included in the game. "A perfectly good dinner" is a reference to one of M'aiq's lines in Morrowind, where he states that he likes horses "especially with good cream sauce", which is itself a reference to fan complaints about the lack of horses in Morrowind.

10. "Levitation is for fools. Why would we want to levitate? Once you are up high, there is nowhere to go but down."
      Yet another feature Morrowind had that Oblivion does not are the levitation spells; jumping height was restricted as well. Oblivion's major cities are in separate cells from the world and the appropriate content (either the inside of the cities, or the wilderness outside) is not loaded if you enter a new cell without using the door. An earlier variation of this concept is found in the Morrowind expansion Tribunal, where levitation is not allowed in Mournhold.

11. "So much easier to get around these days. Not like the old days. Too much walking. Of course, nothing stops M'aiq from walking when he wants."
     M'aiq dismisses complaints over Oblivion's Fast Travel system which replaced the myriad transit systems found throughout Morrowind. This helps integrate newer players into Elder Scrolls, the ones used to Fast Travelling, while older players are still allowed to walk everywhere if they choose to do so.

12. "Some people want special bows that take too long to load and need special arrows called bolts. M'aiq thinks they are idiots."
     Reference to a heated discussion in the forums that occurred when one of the developers confirmed that neither crossbows nor throwing weapons would be included in the game. While those did add variety in Morrowind, I found them not as necessary since normal Longbows worked fine.

13. "Why would one want to swing a staff? A mace hurts more. Or a sword. Can't shoot a fireball from a sword, though."
     Since staves were blunt weapons in Morrowind, some folks didn't like it when they discovered they would only be used as "spell launchers" and not melee weapons anymore. This also applies in reverse, where melee weapons could only have "on strike" enchantments, rather than "on cast" or even "constant effects".

14. "M'aiq thinks his people are beautiful. The Argonian people are beautiful as well. They look better than ever before."
     An answer to complaints that the beast races looked better in Morrowind, and to people who do not like the "beast races". How could you like them in Morrowind though? They could not equip boots and they walk all retarded-like.

15. "Some people wish to throw their weapons. That seems foolish to M'aiq. If you hold your weapon, you only need one."
     Referring to the lack of throwing knifes, darts and stars in Oblivion.

16. "It is good that people wear clothing. M'aiq wears clothing. Who would want to see M'aiq naked? Sick, sick people. Very sad."
     A debate was launched in the forums about if nudity should be in the game or not like it was in Daggerfall -- and in fact, a minor media storm ensued when it was discovered that females Oblivion can go around bare-chested with a special mod. M'aiq also commented about this in Morrowind. It may also refer to the appearance of naked Khajiit and Argonians in Morrowind."

17. "Werewolves? Where? Wolves? Men that are wolves? Many wolves. Everywhere. Many men. That is enough for M'aiq."
    Another widely expected feature was were-creatures since werewolves made a stellar appearance in Morrowind's expansion "Bloodmoon". Because of development time related issues, they were not in Oblivion.

18. "M'aiq wishes he had a stick made out of fishies to give you. Sadly, he does not."
     This is a reference to the Fishy Stick meme on the official forums.

3. Skyrim
     M'aiq the Liar is a Khajiit well-known for his (often humorous) comments on the Elder Scrolls series, as he has also appeared in both Morrowind and Oblivion. He will make witty comments about the game's strong points, smart remarks to common complaints about the game, or just general references to different aspects of the game. A wanderer, M'aiq may be found in a number of random areas, either around cities or roaming the wilderness. When encountered, he may say a multitide of different things. Since he is part of the "random encounters" in the wild, some players may never meet M'aiq if they do not spend time outside cities often or are just plain unlucky.

M'aiq the Liar Quotes in Skyrim

1. "M'aiq once walked to High Hrothgar. So many steps, he lost count!"
     A possible to Todd Howard's claim that he would count all 7000 steps to High Hrothgar. Also a hint that there isn't actually 7000 steps to High Hrothgar and the number is in the hundreds.

2. "Once M'aiq got in trouble in Riften, and fled to Windhelm. It is good that nobody there cared."
     Refers to crime being tracked separated for each area of Skyrim, and thus guards no longer try to arrest you for a crime you committed in another hold.

3. "It does not matter to M'aiq how strong or smart one is. It only matters what one can do."
     References to the fact that Skyrim characters have no Attributes, such as Strength and Intelligence like all the past games did. Instead, all characters have perk points in different skill trees.

4. "M'aiq does not understand what is so impressive about shouting. M'aiq can shout whenever he wants."
     Just a very simple reference to dragon shouts. I like Fire Breath, Aura Whisper and Throw Voice the most.

5. "M'aiq has heard that people of Skyrim are better looking than the ones in Cyrodiil. He has no opinion on the matter. All people are beautiful to him."
     Referencing the completely revamped and improved character designs in Skyrim.

6. "Some like taking friends on adventures. M'aiq thinks being alone is better. Less arguing about splitting treasure."
     The newest iteration of a classic quip by M'aiq, in which he criticises the popular fan complaints about the lack of multiplayer and cooperative play modes in the Elder Scroll games. Look how well ESO did. M'aiq was right, wasn't he?

7. "Don't try blocking if you have two weapons. You will only get confused. Much better to hit twice anyway."
     Reference to the impossibility of blocking while dual-wielding.

8. "Werebears? Where? Bears? Men that are bears?"
     A reference to one of M'aiq's lines of dialogue in Oblivion which referenced werewolves. This is also a reference to the presence of werebears in pre-existing Skyrim lore, which led some fans to the hope that players might be able to become werebears in Skyrim. Dragonborn adds hostile werebears as well as the ability to summon one of your own. But come on, being a werewolf is much cooler.

9. "M'aiq was soul trapped once. Not very pleasant. You should think about that once in a while."
     Referencing the soul trap spell a player can use to trap a dead enemy's soul in a soul gem.

10. "M'aiq saw a mudcrab the other day. Horrible creatures!"
     Probably a reference to criticisms that the NPCs in Oblivion would often have inane conversations about Mud Crabs.

11. "Some say Alduin is Akatosh. Some say M'aiq is a Liar. Don't you believe either of those things."
     This refers to the common notion among non-Nords that Alduin is simply the Nordic name for Akatosh, rather than a distinct deity or creature. The second sentence is in reference to how many of the random quips M'aiq has said in the past that have either come true or are easter eggs.

12. "Too much magic can be dangerous. M'aiq once has two spells and burned his sweetroll."
     This refers to "Dual Casting", which overcharges double-casted spells. Also, the "sweetroll" is a running gag occurring in many Bethesda games, being mentioned in both Elder Scrolls and Fallout games.

13. "M'aiq carries two weapons, to be safe. What if one break? That would be most unlucky."
     Referencing the dual-wielding system introduced in Skyrim. Additionally, he may also be referring to the fact that weapons (and armour) no longer wear down as they did in previous games.

14. "What does it mean to combine magic? Magic plus magic is still magic."
     This and the next line reference changes to the magic interface. This refers to pre-release talks that the new dual-wielding system might also include the ability to combine spells, a feature that is not present in the game.

15. "Nords are so serious about beards. So many beards. M'aiq thinks they wish they had glorious manes like Khajiit."
     References to the possibility of adding facial hair such as beards to your character, something that was not possible in Oblivion.

16. "M'aiq is always in search of calipers, yet finds none. Where could they have gone?"
     In Oblivion, M'aiq would stop whatever he was doing at noon each day to spend five hours lloking for calipers, which do not appear in Skyrim.

17. "M'aiq loves the people of Skyrim. Many interesting things they say to each other."
     Reference to Oblivion's lack of different voice actors and diverse and fluent conversations, a major complaint of the community and critics of Oblivion. Skyrim has seen much improvement in this area.

     Yeah and there are many more quotes he has. I think he is generally a very interesting character to stumble across and I always get really excited when I see him around. I'll just ignore the dragon flying overhead and get out of sneak mode to see what he has to say this time.

     Also, M'aiq is a Khajiit and I like Khajiits a lot, especially in Skyrim. I like making a white tiger or black panther out of my Khajiit characters and they indeed look much better than in Oblivion and Morrowind.