The House of the Widow Moira

~Thief III, Mission #5: “The House of Widow Moira”

            “The House of Widow Moira” is one of the better missions in Thief III, is a personal favorite of mine, has some of the best ambient audio in the game, and has a memorable encounter with another character—the widow Moira. It falls to shortness and simplicity like the rest of Thief III’s missions, but those design highlights make up for these shortcomings.

            Garrett has taken it upon himself to go after a couple of artifacts that the Keepers are looking for. In short, Garrett learns that one of them, a golden tome called “the Compendium of Reproach”, is kept hidden away in the seaside estate of the late Captain Moira. Garrett steals a rowboat to get there, as the mansion is on an island. Moira was a pirate, after all. The mission has a great seaside ambiance and is a perfect mission for playing on a late summer eve, maybe even with the window open, the sounds of bugs and a little mugginess coming in as you sneak through the corners of the Moira estate.

            The main component I want to highlight from this mission is the widow Moira. With her character, we can see some of Thief’s unique narrative design coming through. Players are introduced to her through four ways: a readable where one of her guards cites his desire to continue protecting her; a conversation between two servants on the widow wanting some wine; a Viktrola message that her husband left for her; and an encounter the player has with her directly. Directly meeting an NPC (non-player character) is a rare moment in a Thief mission, understandably so for a game where non-confrontation is so important. Meeting the widow Moira is a memorable, atmospheric moment, and also a little charming. (And yes, the player can bring the widow some wine if they so desire.)

            I think the crux of this mission’s greatness, and what makes it an exception to Thief III’s usually underwhelming mission design, is the character of the widow Moira. Through the narrative elements noted in the last paragraph, the player feels sorry for Mrs. Moira. The sadness that overhangs the atmosphere of this mission is similar to her sadness, as she sits alone waiting for the husband who will never return. The atmosphere, and the widow, set in the player a melancholy feeling. The player also overhears and reads of plots against the widow, specifically of servants who want to find out and rob her of her husband’s secret treasures. The sympathy the player feels for the widow is this mission’s success; ironic as they themselves thieve her estate.

At the end of the mission, the player is given the option to steal the bag of savings that Cpt. Moira left for his wife to live on in the event of his death. I, and most players I’m sure, decline to steal this loot. I’m sure that Garrett would decline so as well; selfish thief that he is, certainly even he feels sorry for the lonely widow.