diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index ebb3e7675..cc85da9ad 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ if(EXISTS ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/.git)
     else(NOT EXISTS ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/.git/shallow)
         message(STATUS "Shallow Git clone detected, not attempting to retrieve version info")
     endif(NOT EXISTS ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/.git/shallow)
-endif(EXISTS ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/.git)	
+endif(EXISTS ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/.git)    
 
 # Macros
 include(OpenMWMacros)
@@ -165,10 +165,10 @@ else()
 endif()
 
 IF(BUILD_OPENMW OR BUILD_OPENCS)
-	# Sound setup
-	find_package(FFmpeg REQUIRED COMPONENTS AVCODEC AVFORMAT AVUTIL SWSCALE SWRESAMPLE)
-	# Required for building the FFmpeg headers
-	add_definitions(-D__STDC_CONSTANT_MACROS)
+    # Sound setup
+    find_package(FFmpeg REQUIRED COMPONENTS AVCODEC AVFORMAT AVUTIL SWSCALE SWRESAMPLE)
+    # Required for building the FFmpeg headers
+    add_definitions(-D__STDC_CONSTANT_MACROS)
 
 # TinyXML
 option(USE_SYSTEM_TINYXML "Use system TinyXML library instead of internal." OFF)
@@ -252,10 +252,15 @@ IF(BUILD_OPENMW OR BUILD_OPENCS)
        endif()
     endif()
 
+    set(REQUIRED_BULLET_VERSION 286) # Bullet 286 required due to runtime bugfixes for btCapsuleShape
+    if (DEFINED ENV{TRAVIS_BRANCH} OR DEFINED ENV{APPVEYOR})
+        set(REQUIRED_BULLET_VERSION 283) # but for build testing, 283 is fine
+    endif()
+
     find_package(MyGUI 3.2.1 REQUIRED)
     find_package(SDL2 REQUIRED)
     find_package(OpenAL REQUIRED)
-    find_package(Bullet 283 REQUIRED COMPONENTS BulletCollision LinearMath)
+    find_package(Bullet ${REQUIRED_BULLET_VERSION} REQUIRED COMPONENTS BulletCollision LinearMath)
 
 ENDIF(BUILD_OPENMW OR BUILD_OPENCS)
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
index 3725c0f6d..fb928e228 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
@@ -675,8 +675,6 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
     }
     else if (!mSkipMenu)
     {
-        mEnvironment.getWorld()->preloadCommonAssets();
-
         // start in main menu
         mEnvironment.getWindowManager()->pushGuiMode (MWGui::GM_MainMenu);
         try
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
index 37ea1524e..27f59f437 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
@@ -95,8 +95,6 @@ namespace MWBase
 
             virtual ~World() {}
 
-            virtual void preloadCommonAssets() = 0;
-
             virtual void startNewGame (bool bypass) = 0;
             ///< \param bypass Bypass regular game start.
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
index 0ab636865..6d7daa3b8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwphysics/physicssystem.cpp
@@ -268,12 +268,12 @@ namespace MWPhysics
                         ( (toOsg(resultCallback1.m_hitPointWorld) - tracer.mEndPos).length2() > 35*35
                         || !isWalkableSlope(tracer.mPlaneNormal)))
                 {
-                    actor->setOnSlope(isWalkableSlope(resultCallback1.m_hitNormalWorld));
+                    actor->setOnSlope(!isWalkableSlope(resultCallback1.m_hitNormalWorld));
                     return toOsg(resultCallback1.m_hitPointWorld) + osg::Vec3f(0.f, 0.f, 1.f);
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    actor->setOnSlope(isWalkableSlope(tracer.mPlaneNormal));
+                    actor->setOnSlope(!isWalkableSlope(tracer.mPlaneNormal));
                 }
 
                 return tracer.mEndPos;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
index 976d83a8f..0865850e2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/animation.cpp
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ namespace MWRender
             size_t blendMask = detectBlendMask(node);
 
             // clone the controller, because each Animation needs its own ControllerSource
-            osg::ref_ptr<NifOsg::KeyframeController> cloned = osg::clone(it->second.get(), osg::CopyOp::DEEP_COPY_ALL);
+            osg::ref_ptr<NifOsg::KeyframeController> cloned = new NifOsg::KeyframeController(*it->second, osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
             cloned->setSource(mAnimationTimePtr[blendMask]);
 
             animsrc->mControllerMap[blendMask].insert(std::make_pair(bonename, cloned));
@@ -1272,7 +1272,7 @@ namespace MWRender
             writableStateSet = node->getOrCreateStateSet();
         else
         {
-            writableStateSet = osg::clone(node->getStateSet(), osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
+            writableStateSet = new osg::StateSet(*node->getStateSet(), osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
             node->setStateSet(writableStateSet);
         }
         writableStateSet->setTextureAttributeAndModes(texUnit, textures.front(), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.cpp
index 3b45a3c60..240ddc2e5 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.cpp
@@ -231,13 +231,51 @@ void LocalMap::setupRenderToTexture(osg::ref_ptr<osg::Camera> camera, int x, int
     segment.mMapTexture = texture;
 }
 
+bool needUpdate(std::set<std::pair<int, int> >& renderedGrid, std::set<std::pair<int, int> >& currentGrid, int cellX, int cellY)
+{
+    // if all the cells of the current grid are contained in the rendered grid then we can keep the old render
+    for (int dx=-1;dx<2;dx+=1)
+    {
+        for (int dy=-1;dy<2;dy+=1)
+        {
+            bool haveInRenderedGrid = renderedGrid.find(std::make_pair(cellX+dx,cellY+dy)) != renderedGrid.end();
+            bool haveInCurrentGrid = currentGrid.find(std::make_pair(cellX+dx,cellY+dy)) != currentGrid.end();
+            if (haveInCurrentGrid && !haveInRenderedGrid)
+                return true;
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 void LocalMap::requestMap(std::set<const MWWorld::CellStore*> cells)
 {
+    std::set<std::pair<int, int> > grid;
+    for (std::set<const MWWorld::CellStore*>::iterator it = cells.begin(); it != cells.end(); ++it)
+    {
+        const MWWorld::CellStore* cell = *it;
+        if (cell->isExterior())
+            grid.insert(std::make_pair(cell->getCell()->getGridX(), cell->getCell()->getGridY()));
+    }
+
     for (std::set<const MWWorld::CellStore*>::iterator it = cells.begin(); it != cells.end(); ++it)
     {
         const MWWorld::CellStore* cell = *it;
         if (cell->isExterior())
-            requestExteriorMap(cell);
+        {
+            int cellX = cell->getCell()->getGridX();
+            int cellY = cell->getCell()->getGridY();
+
+            MapSegment& segment = mSegments[std::make_pair(cellX, cellY)];
+            if (!needUpdate(segment.mGrid, grid, cellX, cellY))
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                segment.mGrid = grid;
+                requestExteriorMap(cell);
+            }
+        }
         else
             requestInteriorMap(cell);
     }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.hpp
index 1928871ca..febe79d84 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/localmap.hpp
@@ -124,6 +124,8 @@ namespace MWRender
             osg::ref_ptr<osg::Texture2D> mFogOfWarTexture;
             osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> mFogOfWarImage;
 
+            std::set<std::pair<int, int> > mGrid; // the grid that was active at the time of rendering this segment
+
             bool mHasFogState;
         };
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
index 7bb72ae5d..7f5cd23c7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/renderingmanager.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include <components/resource/resourcesystem.hpp>
 #include <components/resource/imagemanager.hpp>
 #include <components/resource/scenemanager.hpp>
+#include <components/resource/keyframemanager.hpp>
 
 #include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
 
@@ -140,14 +141,24 @@ namespace MWRender
 
         virtual void doWork()
         {
-            for (std::vector<std::string>::const_iterator it = mModels.begin(); it != mModels.end(); ++it)
-                mResourceSystem->getSceneManager()->getTemplate(*it);
-            for (std::vector<std::string>::const_iterator it = mTextures.begin(); it != mTextures.end(); ++it)
-                mResourceSystem->getImageManager()->getImage(*it);
+            try
+            {
+                for (std::vector<std::string>::const_iterator it = mModels.begin(); it != mModels.end(); ++it)
+                    mResourceSystem->getSceneManager()->cacheInstance(*it);
+                for (std::vector<std::string>::const_iterator it = mTextures.begin(); it != mTextures.end(); ++it)
+                    mResourceSystem->getImageManager()->getImage(*it);
+                for (std::vector<std::string>::const_iterator it = mKeyframes.begin(); it != mKeyframes.end(); ++it)
+                    mResourceSystem->getKeyframeManager()->get(*it);
+            }
+            catch (std::exception&)
+            {
+                // ignore error (will be shown when these are needed proper)
+            }
         }
 
         std::vector<std::string> mModels;
         std::vector<std::string> mTextures;
+        std::vector<std::string> mKeyframes;
 
     private:
         Resource::ResourceSystem* mResourceSystem;
@@ -308,6 +319,13 @@ namespace MWRender
         mSky->listAssetsToPreload(workItem->mModels, workItem->mTextures);
         mWater->listAssetsToPreload(workItem->mTextures);
 
+        const char* basemodels[] = {"xbase_anim", "xbase_anim.1st", "xbase_anim_female", "xbase_animkna"};
+        for (size_t i=0; i<sizeof(basemodels)/sizeof(basemodels[0]); ++i)
+        {
+            workItem->mModels.push_back(std::string("meshes/") + basemodels[i] + ".nif");
+            workItem->mKeyframes.push_back(std::string("meshes/") + basemodels[i] + ".kf");
+        }
+
         workItem->mTextures.push_back("textures/_land_default.dds");
 
         mWorkQueue->addWorkItem(workItem);
@@ -435,14 +453,6 @@ namespace MWRender
             mViewer->getCamera()->setCullMask(mask);
             return enabled;
         }
-        /*
-        else //if (mode == Render_BoundingBoxes)
-        {
-            bool show = !mRendering.getScene()->getShowBoundingBoxes();
-            mRendering.getScene()->showBoundingBoxes(show);
-            return show;
-        }
-        */
         return false;
     }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/rendermode.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/rendermode.hpp
index ba767bc55..2847888d1 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/rendermode.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/rendermode.hpp
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ namespace MWRender
         Render_CollisionDebug,
         Render_Wireframe,
         Render_Pathgrid,
-        Render_BoundingBoxes,
         Render_Water,
         Render_Scene
     };
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp
index aa8aaccbc..74047b58b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwrender/util.cpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ void overrideTexture(const std::string &texture, Resource::ResourceSystem *resou
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> stateset;
     if (node->getStateSet())
-        stateset = osg::clone(node->getStateSet(), osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
+        stateset = new osg::StateSet(*node->getStateSet(), osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
     else
         stateset = new osg::StateSet;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp
index e5a991722..197b5881e 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/miscextensions.cpp
@@ -278,10 +278,10 @@ namespace MWScript
                 virtual void execute (Interpreter::Runtime& runtime)
                 {
                     bool enabled =
-                        MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->toggleRenderMode (MWRender::Render_BoundingBoxes);
+                        MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->toggleRenderMode (MWRender::Render_CollisionDebug);
 
                     runtime.getContext().report (enabled ?
-                        "Bounding Box Rendering -> On" : "Bounding Box Rendering -> Off");
+                        "Collision Mesh Rendering -> On" : "Collision Mesh Rendering -> Off");
                 }
         };
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwsound/ffmpeg_decoder.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwsound/ffmpeg_decoder.cpp
index 651982344..038b2338b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwsound/ffmpeg_decoder.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwsound/ffmpeg_decoder.cpp
@@ -242,6 +242,10 @@ void FFmpeg_Decoder::open(const std::string &fname)
     }
     catch(std::exception&)
     {
+        if(mStream)
+            avcodec_close((*mStream)->codec);
+        mStream = NULL;
+
         if (mFormatCtx->pb->buffer != NULL)
         {
           av_free(mFormatCtx->pb->buffer);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.cpp
index f767c6254..7b90da43b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             , mKeyframeManager(keyframeManager)
             , mTerrain(terrain)
             , mPreloadInstances(preloadInstances)
+            , mAbort(false)
         {
             ListModelsVisitor visitor (mMeshes);
             if (cell->getState() == MWWorld::CellStore::State_Loaded)
@@ -76,11 +77,30 @@ namespace MWWorld
             }
         }
 
+        virtual void abort()
+        {
+            mAbort = true;
+        }
+
         /// Preload work to be called from the worker thread.
         virtual void doWork()
         {
+            if (mIsExterior)
+            {
+                try
+                {
+                    mPreloadedObjects.push_back(mTerrain->cacheCell(mX, mY));
+                }
+                catch(std::exception& e)
+                {
+                }
+            }
+
             for (MeshList::const_iterator it = mMeshes.begin(); it != mMeshes.end(); ++it)
             {
+                if (mAbort)
+                    break;
+
                 try
                 {
                     std::string mesh  = *it;
@@ -119,17 +139,6 @@ namespace MWWorld
                     // error will be shown when visiting the cell
                 }
             }
-
-            if (mIsExterior)
-            {
-                try
-                {
-                    mPreloadedObjects.push_back(mTerrain->cacheCell(mX, mY));
-                }
-                catch(std::exception& e)
-                {
-                }
-            }
         }
 
     private:
@@ -144,6 +153,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
         Terrain::World* mTerrain;
         bool mPreloadInstances;
 
+        volatile bool mAbort;
+
         // keep a ref to the loaded objects to make sure it stays loaded as long as this cell is in the preloaded state
         std::vector<osg::ref_ptr<const osg::Object> > mPreloadedObjects;
     };
@@ -187,7 +198,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
     CellPreloader::~CellPreloader()
     {
         for (PreloadMap::iterator it = mPreloadCells.begin(); it != mPreloadCells.end();++it)
+        {
+            it->second.mWorkItem->abort();
             it->second.mWorkItem->waitTillDone();
+        }
         mPreloadCells.clear();
     }
 
@@ -228,7 +242,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
             }
 
             if (oldestTimestamp + threshold < timestamp)
+            {
+                oldestCell->second.mWorkItem->abort();
                 mPreloadCells.erase(oldestCell);
+            }
             else
                 return;
         }
@@ -246,18 +263,42 @@ namespace MWWorld
         {
             // do the deletion in the background thread
             if (found->second.mWorkItem)
+            {
+                found->second.mWorkItem->abort();
                 mUnrefQueue->push(mPreloadCells[cell].mWorkItem);
+            }
 
             mPreloadCells.erase(found);
         }
     }
 
+    void CellPreloader::clear()
+    {
+        for (PreloadMap::iterator it = mPreloadCells.begin(); it != mPreloadCells.end();)
+        {
+            if (it->second.mWorkItem)
+            {
+                it->second.mWorkItem->abort();
+                mUnrefQueue->push(it->second.mWorkItem);
+            }
+
+            mPreloadCells.erase(it++);
+        }
+    }
+
     void CellPreloader::updateCache(double timestamp)
     {
         for (PreloadMap::iterator it = mPreloadCells.begin(); it != mPreloadCells.end();)
         {
             if (mPreloadCells.size() >= mMinCacheSize && it->second.mTimeStamp < timestamp - mExpiryDelay)
+            {
+                if (it->second.mWorkItem)
+                {
+                    it->second.mWorkItem->abort();
+                    mUnrefQueue->push(it->second.mWorkItem);
+                }
                 mPreloadCells.erase(it++);
+            }
             else
                 ++it;
         }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.hpp
index 3836b6869..e8e59a3a2 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellpreloader.hpp
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         void notifyLoaded(MWWorld::CellStore* cell);
 
+        void clear();
+
         /// Removes preloaded cells that have not had a preload request for a while.
         void updateCache(double timestamp);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
index 4d1c5a59f..85e6d87d0 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
@@ -205,9 +205,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
         if (mPreloadEnabled)
         {
             mPreloadTimer += duration;
-            if (mPreloadTimer > 0.25f)
+            if (mPreloadTimer > 0.1f)
             {
-                preloadCells();
+                preloadCells(0.1f);
                 mPreloadTimer = 0.f;
             }
         }
@@ -328,13 +328,15 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mPreloader->notifyLoaded(cell);
     }
 
-    void Scene::changeToVoid()
+    void Scene::clear()
     {
         CellStoreCollection::iterator active = mActiveCells.begin();
         while (active!=mActiveCells.end())
             unloadCell (active++);
         assert(mActiveCells.empty());
         mCurrentCell = NULL;
+
+        mPreloader->clear();
     }
 
     void Scene::playerMoved(const osg::Vec3f &pos)
@@ -481,6 +483,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mechMgr->watchActor(player);
 
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->adjustSky();
+
+        mLastPlayerPos = pos.asVec3();
     }
 
     Scene::Scene (MWRender::RenderingManager& rendering, MWPhysics::PhysicsSystem *physics)
@@ -675,17 +679,24 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return Ptr();
     }
 
-    void Scene::preloadCells()
+    void Scene::preloadCells(float dt)
     {
+        const MWWorld::ConstPtr player = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr();
+        osg::Vec3f playerPos = player.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3();
+        osg::Vec3f moved = playerPos - mLastPlayerPos;
+        osg::Vec3f predictedPos = playerPos + moved / dt;
+
+        mLastPlayerPos = playerPos;
+
         if (mPreloadDoors)
-            preloadTeleportDoorDestinations();
+            preloadTeleportDoorDestinations(playerPos, predictedPos);
         if (mPreloadExteriorGrid)
-            preloadExteriorGrid();
+            preloadExteriorGrid(playerPos, predictedPos);
         if (mPreloadFastTravel)
-            preloadFastTravelDestinations();
+            preloadFastTravelDestinations(playerPos, predictedPos);
     }
 
-    void Scene::preloadTeleportDoorDestinations()
+    void Scene::preloadTeleportDoorDestinations(const osg::Vec3f& playerPos, const osg::Vec3f& predictedPos)
     {
         std::vector<MWWorld::ConstPtr> teleportDoors;
         for (CellStoreCollection::const_iterator iter (mActiveCells.begin());
@@ -703,11 +714,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
             }
         }
 
-        const MWWorld::ConstPtr player = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr();
         for (std::vector<MWWorld::ConstPtr>::iterator it = teleportDoors.begin(); it != teleportDoors.end(); ++it)
         {
             const MWWorld::ConstPtr& door = *it;
-            float sqrDistToPlayer = (player.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3() - door.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3()).length2();
+            float sqrDistToPlayer = (playerPos - door.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3()).length2();
+            sqrDistToPlayer = std::min(sqrDistToPlayer, (predictedPos - door.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3()).length2());
 
             if (sqrDistToPlayer < mPreloadDistance*mPreloadDistance)
             {
@@ -730,15 +741,13 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
     }
 
-    void Scene::preloadExteriorGrid()
+    void Scene::preloadExteriorGrid(const osg::Vec3f& playerPos, const osg::Vec3f& predictedPos)
     {
         if (!MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->isCellExterior())
             return;
 
         int halfGridSizePlusOne = mHalfGridSize + 1;
 
-        const MWWorld::ConstPtr player = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr();
-        osg::Vec3f playerPos = player.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3();
 
         int cellX,cellY;
         getGridCenter(cellX,cellY);
@@ -757,6 +766,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->indexToPosition(cellX+dx, cellY+dy, thisCellCenterX, thisCellCenterY, true);
 
                 float dist = std::max(std::abs(thisCellCenterX - playerPos.x()), std::abs(thisCellCenterY - playerPos.y()));
+                dist = std::min(dist,std::max(std::abs(thisCellCenterX - predictedPos.x()), std::abs(thisCellCenterY - predictedPos.y())));
                 float loadDist = 8192/2 + 8192 - mCellLoadingThreshold + mPreloadDistance;
 
                 if (dist < loadDist)
@@ -816,7 +826,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         std::vector<ESM::Transport::Dest> mList;
     };
 
-    void Scene::preloadFastTravelDestinations()
+    void Scene::preloadFastTravelDestinations(const osg::Vec3f& playerPos, const osg::Vec3f& /*predictedPos*/) // ignore predictedPos here since opening dialogue with travel service takes extra time
     {
         const MWWorld::ConstPtr player = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr();
         ListFastTravelDestinationsVisitor listVisitor(mPreloadDistance, player.getRefData().getPosition().asVec3());
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
index 33886eed4..328538076 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.hpp
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
             bool mPreloadDoors;
             bool mPreloadFastTravel;
 
+            osg::Vec3f mLastPlayerPos;
+
             void insertCell (CellStore &cell, bool rescale, Loading::Listener* loadingListener);
 
             // Load and unload cells as necessary to create a cell grid with "X" and "Y" in the center
@@ -75,12 +77,10 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             void getGridCenter(int& cellX, int& cellY);
 
-            void preloadCells();
-            void preloadTeleportDoorDestinations();
-            void preloadExteriorGrid();
-            void preloadFastTravelDestinations();
-
-            void preloadCell(MWWorld::CellStore* cell, bool preloadSurrounding=false);
+            void preloadCells(float dt);
+            void preloadTeleportDoorDestinations(const osg::Vec3f& playerPos, const osg::Vec3f& predictedPos);
+            void preloadExteriorGrid(const osg::Vec3f& playerPos, const osg::Vec3f& predictedPos);
+            void preloadFastTravelDestinations(const osg::Vec3f& playerPos, const osg::Vec3f& predictedPos);
 
         public:
 
@@ -88,6 +88,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             ~Scene();
 
+            void preloadCell(MWWorld::CellStore* cell, bool preloadSurrounding=false);
+
             void unloadCell (CellStoreCollection::iterator iter);
 
             void loadCell (CellStore *cell, Loading::Listener* loadingListener, bool respawn);
@@ -111,7 +113,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             ///< Move to exterior cell.
             /// @param changeEvent Set cellChanged flag?
 
-            void changeToVoid();
+            void clear();
             ///< Change into a void
 
             void markCellAsUnchanged();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index c8e664791..9acec321f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -164,6 +164,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mRendering = new MWRender::RenderingManager(viewer, rootNode, resourceSystem, &mFallback, resourcePath);
         mProjectileManager.reset(new ProjectileManager(mRendering->getLightRoot(), resourceSystem, mRendering, mPhysics));
 
+        mRendering->preloadCommonAssets();
+
         mEsm.resize(contentFiles.size());
         Loading::Listener* listener = MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getLoadingScreen();
         listener->loadingOn();
@@ -303,7 +305,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
         mProjectileManager->clear();
         mLocalScripts.clear();
 
-        mWorldScene->changeToVoid();
+        mWorldScene->clear();
 
         mStore.clearDynamic();
         mStore.setUp();
@@ -359,9 +361,9 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         mStore.write (writer, progress); // dynamic Store must be written (and read) before Cells, so that
                                          // references to custom made records will be recognized
+        mPlayer->write (writer, progress);
         mCells.write (writer, progress);
         mGlobalVariables.write (writer, progress);
-        mPlayer->write (writer, progress);
         mWeatherManager->write (writer, progress);
         mProjectileManager->write (writer, progress);
 
@@ -387,10 +389,13 @@ namespace MWWorld
                 reader.getHNT(mTeleportEnabled, "TELE");
                 reader.getHNT(mLevitationEnabled, "LEVT");
                 return;
+            case ESM::REC_PLAY:
+                mPlayer->readRecord(reader, type);
+                mWorldScene->preloadCell(getPlayerPtr().getCell(), true);
+                break;
             default:
                 if (!mStore.readRecord (reader, type) &&
                     !mGlobalVariables.readRecord (reader, type) &&
-                    !mPlayer->readRecord (reader, type) &&
                     !mWeatherManager->readRecord (reader, type) &&
                     !mCells.readRecord (reader, type, contentFileMap)
                      && !mProjectileManager->readRecord (reader, type)
@@ -1468,8 +1473,6 @@ namespace MWWorld
         }
         if(player != results.end())
             moveObjectImp(player->first, player->second.x(), player->second.y(), player->second.z(), false);
-
-        mPhysics->debugDraw();
     }
 
     bool World::castRay (float x1, float y1, float z1, float x2, float y2, float z2)
@@ -1643,6 +1646,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
         if (!paused)
             doPhysics (duration);
 
+        mPhysics->debugDraw();
+
         mWorldScene->update (duration, paused);
 
         updateWindowManager ();
@@ -2200,6 +2205,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
         scaleObject(getPlayerPtr(), 1.f); // apply race height
 
+        rotateObject(getPlayerPtr(), 0.f, 0.f, 0.f, true);
+
         MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->add(getPlayerPtr());
         MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->watchActor(getPlayerPtr());
 
@@ -3429,9 +3436,4 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return mPhysics->getHitDistance(weaponPos, target) - halfExtents.y();
     }
 
-    void World::preloadCommonAssets()
-    {
-        mRendering->preloadCommonAssets();
-    }
-
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
index f5e6950e7..c220932a7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
@@ -191,8 +191,6 @@ namespace MWWorld
             virtual void startNewGame (bool bypass);
             ///< \param bypass Bypass regular game start.
 
-            virtual void preloadCommonAssets();
-
             virtual void clear();
 
             virtual int countSavedGameRecords() const;
diff --git a/components/esm/loadland.cpp b/components/esm/loadland.cpp
index 87d0233b5..fd69cdacc 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadland.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadland.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace ESM
             esm.writeHNT("VCLR", mColours, 3*LAND_NUM_VERTS);
         }
         if (mDataTypes & Land::DATA_VTEX) {
-            static uint16_t vtex[LAND_NUM_TEXTURES];
+            uint16_t vtex[LAND_NUM_TEXTURES];
             transposeTextureData(mTextures, vtex);
             esm.writeHNT("VTEX", vtex, sizeof(vtex));
         }
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ namespace ESM
         }
 
         if (reader.isNextSub("VHGT")) {
-            static VHGT vhgt;
+            VHGT vhgt;
             if (condLoad(reader, flags, DATA_VHGT, &vhgt, sizeof(vhgt))) {
                 float rowOffset = vhgt.mHeightOffset;
                 for (int y = 0; y < LAND_SIZE; y++) {
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ namespace ESM
         if (reader.isNextSub("VCLR"))
             condLoad(reader, flags, DATA_VCLR, mLandData->mColours, 3 * LAND_NUM_VERTS);
         if (reader.isNextSub("VTEX")) {
-            static uint16_t vtex[LAND_NUM_TEXTURES];
+            uint16_t vtex[LAND_NUM_TEXTURES];
             if (condLoad(reader, flags, DATA_VTEX, vtex, sizeof(vtex))) {
                 LandData::transposeTextureData(vtex, mLandData->mTextures);
             }
diff --git a/components/nifosg/nifloader.cpp b/components/nifosg/nifloader.cpp
index f65e85e53..6fa8e4e49 100644
--- a/components/nifosg/nifloader.cpp
+++ b/components/nifosg/nifloader.cpp
@@ -356,12 +356,24 @@ namespace NifOsg
 
             osg::ref_ptr<TextKeyMapHolder> textkeys (new TextKeyMapHolder);
 
-            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> created = handleNode(nifNode, NULL, imageManager, std::vector<int>(), 0, 0, false, &textkeys->mTextKeys);
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> created = handleNode(nifNode, NULL, imageManager, std::vector<int>(), 0, false, &textkeys->mTextKeys);
 
             if (nif->getUseSkinning())
             {
                 osg::ref_ptr<SceneUtil::Skeleton> skel = new SceneUtil::Skeleton;
-                skel->addChild(created);
+
+                osg::Group* root = created->asGroup();
+                if (root && root->getDataVariance() == osg::Object::STATIC)
+                {
+                    skel->setStateSet(root->getStateSet());
+                    skel->setName(root->getName());
+                    for (unsigned int i=0; i<root->getNumChildren(); ++i)
+                        skel->addChild(root->getChild(i));
+                    root->removeChildren(0, root->getNumChildren());
+                    created = skel;
+                }
+                else
+                    skel->addChild(created);
                 created = skel;
             }
 
@@ -404,15 +416,6 @@ namespace NifOsg
             toSetup->setFunction(boost::shared_ptr<ControllerFunction>(new ControllerFunction(ctrl)));
         }
 
-        void setupParticleController(const Nif::Controller* ctrl, SceneUtil::Controller* toSetup, int particleflags)
-        {
-            bool autoPlay = particleflags & Nif::NiNode::ParticleFlag_AutoPlay;
-            if (autoPlay)
-                toSetup->setSource(boost::shared_ptr<SceneUtil::ControllerSource>(new SceneUtil::FrameTimeSource));
-
-            toSetup->setFunction(boost::shared_ptr<ControllerFunction>(new ControllerFunction(ctrl)));
-        }
-
         void optimize (const Nif::Node* nifNode, osg::Group* node, bool skipMeshes)
         {
             // For nodes with an identity transform, remove the redundant Transform node
@@ -547,7 +550,7 @@ namespace NifOsg
         }
 
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> handleNode(const Nif::Node* nifNode, osg::Group* parentNode, Resource::ImageManager* imageManager,
-                                std::vector<int> boundTextures, int animflags, int particleflags, bool skipMeshes, TextKeyMap* textKeys, osg::Node* rootNode=NULL)
+                                std::vector<int> boundTextures, int animflags, bool skipMeshes, TextKeyMap* textKeys, osg::Node* rootNode=NULL)
         {
             osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> node = new osg::MatrixTransform(nifNode->trafo.toMatrix());
 
@@ -617,10 +620,8 @@ namespace NifOsg
                 }
             }
 
-            if (nifNode->recType == Nif::RC_NiBSAnimationNode)
-                animflags |= nifNode->flags;
-            if (nifNode->recType == Nif::RC_NiBSParticleNode)
-                particleflags |= nifNode->flags;
+            if (nifNode->recType == Nif::RC_NiBSAnimationNode || nifNode->recType == Nif::RC_NiBSParticleNode)
+                animflags = nifNode->flags;
 
             // Hide collision shapes, but don't skip the subgraph
             // We still need to animate the hidden bones so the physics system can access them
@@ -663,7 +664,7 @@ namespace NifOsg
             }
 
             if(nifNode->recType == Nif::RC_NiAutoNormalParticles || nifNode->recType == Nif::RC_NiRotatingParticles)
-                handleParticleSystem(nifNode, node, composite, animflags, particleflags, rootNode);
+                handleParticleSystem(nifNode, node, composite, animflags, rootNode);
 
             if (composite->getNumControllers() > 0)
                 node->addUpdateCallback(composite);
@@ -700,7 +701,7 @@ namespace NifOsg
                 for(size_t i = 0;i < children.length();++i)
                 {
                     if(!children[i].empty())
-                        handleNode(children[i].getPtr(), node, imageManager, boundTextures, animflags, particleflags, skipMeshes, textKeys, rootNode);
+                        handleNode(children[i].getPtr(), node, imageManager, boundTextures, animflags, skipMeshes, textKeys, rootNode);
                 }
             }
 
@@ -965,7 +966,7 @@ namespace NifOsg
             return emitter;
         }
 
-        void handleParticleSystem(const Nif::Node *nifNode, osg::Group *parentNode, SceneUtil::CompositeStateSetUpdater* composite, int animflags, int particleflags, osg::Node* rootNode)
+        void handleParticleSystem(const Nif::Node *nifNode, osg::Group *parentNode, SceneUtil::CompositeStateSetUpdater* composite, int animflags, osg::Node* rootNode)
         {
             osg::ref_ptr<ParticleSystem> partsys (new ParticleSystem);
             partsys->setSortMode(osgParticle::ParticleSystem::SORT_BACK_TO_FRONT);
@@ -986,7 +987,7 @@ namespace NifOsg
                 return;
             }
 
-            osgParticle::ParticleProcessor::ReferenceFrame rf = (particleflags & Nif::NiNode::ParticleFlag_LocalSpace)
+            osgParticle::ParticleProcessor::ReferenceFrame rf = (animflags & Nif::NiNode::ParticleFlag_LocalSpace)
                     ? osgParticle::ParticleProcessor::RELATIVE_RF
                     : osgParticle::ParticleProcessor::ABSOLUTE_RF;
 
@@ -1032,10 +1033,10 @@ namespace NifOsg
                 emitterNode->addChild(emitter);
 
                 osg::ref_ptr<ParticleSystemController> callback(new ParticleSystemController(partctrl));
-                setupParticleController(partctrl, callback, particleflags);
+                setupController(partctrl, callback, animflags);
                 emitter->setUpdateCallback(callback);
 
-                if (!(particleflags & Nif::NiNode::ParticleFlag_AutoPlay))
+                if (!(animflags & Nif::NiNode::ParticleFlag_AutoPlay))
                 {
                     partsys->setFrozen(true);
                     // HACK: particle system will not render in Frozen state if there was no update
@@ -1438,20 +1439,27 @@ namespace NifOsg
                     }
 
                     const Nif::NiTexturingProperty::Texture& tex = texprop->textures[i];
-                    if(tex.texture.empty())
+                    if(tex.texture.empty() && texprop->controller.empty())
                     {
                         std::cerr << "Warning: texture layer " << i << " is in use but empty in " << mFilename << std::endl;
                         continue;
                     }
-                    const Nif::NiSourceTexture *st = tex.texture.getPtr();
-                    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = handleSourceTexture(st, imageManager);
+
+                    // create a new texture, will later attempt to share using the SharedStateManager
+                    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Texture2D> texture2d;
+                    if (!tex.texture.empty())
+                    {
+                        const Nif::NiSourceTexture *st = tex.texture.getPtr();
+                        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = handleSourceTexture(st, imageManager);
+                        texture2d = new osg::Texture2D(image);
+                    }
+                    else
+                        texture2d = new osg::Texture2D;
 
                     unsigned int clamp = static_cast<unsigned int>(tex.clamp);
                     int wrapT = (clamp) & 0x1;
                     int wrapS = (clamp >> 1) & 0x1;
 
-                    // create a new texture, will later attempt to share using the SharedStateManager
-                    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Texture2D> texture2d (new osg::Texture2D(image));
                     texture2d->setWrap(osg::Texture::WRAP_S, wrapS ? osg::Texture::REPEAT : osg::Texture::CLAMP);
                     texture2d->setWrap(osg::Texture::WRAP_T, wrapT ? osg::Texture::REPEAT : osg::Texture::CLAMP);
 
diff --git a/components/resource/keyframemanager.cpp b/components/resource/keyframemanager.cpp
index 4392f84c1..50dfbd9a3 100644
--- a/components/resource/keyframemanager.cpp
+++ b/components/resource/keyframemanager.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #include "keyframemanager.hpp"
 
 #include <components/vfs/manager.hpp>
-#include <components/nifosg/nifloader.hpp>
 
 #include "objectcache.hpp"
 
diff --git a/components/resource/keyframemanager.hpp b/components/resource/keyframemanager.hpp
index 1c2c219bb..ab33d51e3 100644
--- a/components/resource/keyframemanager.hpp
+++ b/components/resource/keyframemanager.hpp
@@ -4,12 +4,9 @@
 #include <osg/ref_ptr>
 #include <string>
 
-#include "resourcemanager.hpp"
+#include <components/nifosg/nifloader.hpp>
 
-namespace NifOsg
-{
-    class KeyframeHolder;
-}
+#include "resourcemanager.hpp"
 
 namespace Resource
 {
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.cpp b/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.cpp
index 28f9a3a62..ee640d6cc 100644
--- a/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.cpp
+++ b/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,20 @@
 namespace SceneUtil
 {
 
+    class LightStateCache
+    {
+    public:
+        osg::Light* lastAppliedLight[8];
+    };
+
+    LightStateCache* getLightStateCache(unsigned int contextid)
+    {
+        static std::vector<LightStateCache> cacheVector;
+        if (cacheVector.size() < contextid+1)
+            cacheVector.resize(contextid+1);
+        return &cacheVector[contextid];
+    }
+
     // Resets the modelview matrix to just the view matrix before applying lights.
     class LightStateAttribute : public osg::StateAttribute
     {
@@ -50,8 +64,17 @@ namespace SceneUtil
 
             state.applyModelViewMatrix(state.getInitialViewMatrix());
 
+            LightStateCache* cache = getLightStateCache(state.getContextID());
+
             for (unsigned int i=0; i<mLights.size(); ++i)
-                applyLight((GLenum)((int)GL_LIGHT0 + i + mIndex), mLights[i].get());
+            {
+                osg::Light* current = cache->lastAppliedLight[i+mIndex];
+                if (current != mLights[i].get())
+                {
+                    applyLight((GLenum)((int)GL_LIGHT0 + i + mIndex), mLights[i].get());
+                    cache->lastAppliedLight[i+mIndex] = mLights[i].get();
+                }
+            }
 
             state.applyModelViewMatrix(modelViewMatrix);
         }
@@ -262,18 +285,64 @@ namespace SceneUtil
         return it->second;
     }
 
+    class DisableLight : public osg::StateAttribute
+    {
+    public:
+        DisableLight() : mIndex(0) {}
+        DisableLight(int index) : mIndex(index) {}
+
+        DisableLight(const DisableLight& copy,const osg::CopyOp& copyop=osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY)
+            : osg::StateAttribute(copy,copyop), mIndex(copy.mIndex) {}
+
+        virtual osg::Object* cloneType() const { return new DisableLight(mIndex); }
+        virtual osg::Object* clone(const osg::CopyOp& copyop) const { return new DisableLight(*this,copyop); }
+        virtual bool isSameKindAs(const osg::Object* obj) const { return dynamic_cast<const DisableLight *>(obj)!=NULL; }
+        virtual const char* libraryName() const { return "SceneUtil"; }
+        virtual const char* className() const { return "DisableLight"; }
+        virtual Type getType() const { return LIGHT; }
+
+        unsigned int getMember() const
+        {
+            return mIndex;
+        }
+
+        virtual bool getModeUsage(ModeUsage & usage) const
+        {
+            usage.usesMode(GL_LIGHT0 + mIndex);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        virtual int compare(const StateAttribute &sa) const
+        {
+            throw std::runtime_error("DisableLight::compare: unimplemented");
+        }
+
+        virtual void apply(osg::State& state) const
+        {
+            int lightNum = GL_LIGHT0 + mIndex;
+            glLightfv( lightNum, GL_AMBIENT,               mNull.ptr() );
+            glLightfv( lightNum, GL_DIFFUSE,               mNull.ptr() );
+            glLightfv( lightNum, GL_SPECULAR,              mNull.ptr() );
+
+            LightStateCache* cache = getLightStateCache(state.getContextID());
+            cache->lastAppliedLight[mIndex] = NULL;
+        }
+
+    private:
+        unsigned int mIndex;
+        osg::Vec4f mNull;
+    };
+
     void LightManager::setStartLight(int start)
     {
         mStartLight = start;
 
         // Set default light state to zero
+        // This is necessary because shaders don't respect glDisable(GL_LIGHTX) so in addition to disabling
+        // we'll have to set a light state that has no visible effect
         for (int i=start; i<8; ++i)
         {
-            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Light> defaultLight (new osg::Light(i));
-            defaultLight->setAmbient(osg::Vec4());
-            defaultLight->setDiffuse(osg::Vec4());
-            defaultLight->setSpecular(osg::Vec4());
-            defaultLight->setConstantAttenuation(0.f);
+            osg::ref_ptr<DisableLight> defaultLight (new DisableLight(i));
             getOrCreateStateSet()->setAttributeAndModes(defaultLight, osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
         }
     }
@@ -299,7 +368,7 @@ namespace SceneUtil
         mId = sLightId++;
 
         for (int i=0; i<2; ++i)
-            mLight[i] = osg::clone(copy.mLight[i].get(), copyop);
+            mLight[i] = new osg::Light(*copy.mLight[i].get(), copyop);
     }
 
 
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.hpp b/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.hpp
index c8a057263..2c7a6a3d8 100644
--- a/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.hpp
+++ b/components/sceneutil/lightmanager.hpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ namespace SceneUtil
         void setLight(osg::Light* light)
         {
             mLight[0] = light;
-            mLight[1] = osg::clone(light);
+            mLight[1] = new osg::Light(*light);
         }
 
         /// Get the unique ID for this light source.
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/statesetupdater.cpp b/components/sceneutil/statesetupdater.cpp
index 31d42d342..5a5ecaded 100644
--- a/components/sceneutil/statesetupdater.cpp
+++ b/components/sceneutil/statesetupdater.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ namespace SceneUtil
             for (int i=0; i<2; ++i) // Using SHALLOW_COPY for StateAttributes, if users want to modify it is their responsibility to set a non-shared one first
                                     // This can be done conveniently in user implementations of the setDefaults() method
             {
-                mStateSets[i] = osg::clone(src, osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
+                mStateSets[i] = new osg::StateSet(*src, osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
                 setDefaults(mStateSets[i]);
             }
         }
diff --git a/components/sceneutil/workqueue.hpp b/components/sceneutil/workqueue.hpp
index e7b0151dd..1b0e30be9 100644
--- a/components/sceneutil/workqueue.hpp
+++ b/components/sceneutil/workqueue.hpp
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ namespace SceneUtil
         /// Internal use by the WorkQueue.
         void signalDone();
 
+        /// Set abort flag in order to return from doWork() as soon as possible. May not be respected by all WorkItems.
+        virtual void abort() {}
+
     protected:
         OpenThreads::Atomic mDone;
         OpenThreads::Mutex mMutex;
diff --git a/components/shader/shadervisitor.cpp b/components/shader/shadervisitor.cpp
index 041b568df..33fd9186f 100644
--- a/components/shader/shadervisitor.cpp
+++ b/components/shader/shadervisitor.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ namespace Shader
         if (!node.getStateSet())
             return node.getOrCreateStateSet();
 
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> newStateSet = osg::clone(node.getStateSet(), osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> newStateSet = new osg::StateSet(*node.getStateSet(), osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
         node.setStateSet(newStateSet);
         return newStateSet.get();
     }
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ namespace Shader
                 }
             }
 
-            if (mAutoUseNormalMaps && diffuseMap != NULL && normalMap == NULL)
+            if (mAutoUseNormalMaps && diffuseMap != NULL && normalMap == NULL && diffuseMap->getImage(0))
             {
                 std::string normalMapFileName = diffuseMap->getImage(0)->getFileName();
 
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ namespace Shader
                     mRequirements.back().mNormalHeight = normalHeight;
                 }
             }
-            if (mAutoUseSpecularMaps && diffuseMap != NULL && specularMap == NULL)
+            if (mAutoUseSpecularMaps && diffuseMap != NULL && specularMap == NULL && diffuseMap->getImage(0))
             {
                 std::string specularMapFileName = diffuseMap->getImage(0)->getFileName();
                 boost::replace_last(specularMapFileName, ".", mSpecularMapPattern + ".");
@@ -272,6 +272,9 @@ namespace Shader
         {
             switch (reqs.mVertexColorMode)
             {
+            case GL_AMBIENT:
+                defineMap["colorMode"] = "3";
+                break;
             default:
             case GL_AMBIENT_AND_DIFFUSE:
                 defineMap["colorMode"] = "2";
diff --git a/files/mygui/openmw_hud.layout b/files/mygui/openmw_hud.layout
index 03c05260f..0412860ea 100644
--- a/files/mygui/openmw_hud.layout
+++ b/files/mygui/openmw_hud.layout
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
         <Widget type="Button" skin="" position="82 146 36 41" align="Left Bottom" name="WeapBox">
             <Widget type="Widget" skin="HUD_Box" position="0 0 36 36">
                 <Property key="NeedMouse" value="false"/>
-                <Widget type="ItemWidget" skin="MW_ItemIcon" position="-3 -3 42 42" align="Left Top" name="WeapImage">
+                <Widget type="ItemWidget" skin="MW_ItemIconNoShadow" position="-3 -3 42 42" align="Left Top" name="WeapImage">
                     <Property key="NeedMouse" value="false"/>
                 </Widget>
             </Widget>
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
         <!-- Selected spell box -->
         <Widget type="Button" position="122 146 36 41" align="Left Bottom" name="SpellBox">
             <Widget type="Widget" skin="HUD_Box" position="0 0 36 36">
-                <Widget type="ItemWidget" skin="MW_ItemIcon" position="-3 -3 42 42" align="Left Top" name="SpellImage"/>
+                <Widget type="ItemWidget" skin="MW_ItemIconNoShadow" position="-3 -3 42 42" align="Left Top" name="SpellImage"/>
                 <Property key="NeedMouse" value="false"/>
             </Widget>
             <Widget type="ProgressBar" skin="MW_EnergyBar_Magic" position="0 36 36 6" align="Left Bottom" name="SpellStatus">
diff --git a/files/mygui/openmw_resources.xml b/files/mygui/openmw_resources.xml
index 6fa7e92d4..9a6cfd038 100644
--- a/files/mygui/openmw_resources.xml
+++ b/files/mygui/openmw_resources.xml
@@ -128,6 +128,18 @@
         </Widget>
     </Resource>
 
+    <Resource type="ResourceLayout" name="MW_ItemIconNoShadow" version="3.2.0">
+        <Widget type="Widget" skin="" position="0 0 42 42" name="Root">
+            <Widget type="ImageBox" skin="ImageBox" position="0 0 42 42" align="Stretch" name="Frame">
+                <Widget type="TextBox" skin="CountText" position="5 19 32 18" align="Right Bottom" name="Text">
+                    <Property key="TextAlign" value="Right"/>
+                    <Property key="TextShadow" value="true"/>
+                </Widget>
+                <Widget type="ImageBox" skin="ImageBox" position="5 5 32 32" align="Stretch" name="Item"/>
+            </Widget>
+        </Widget>
+    </Resource>
+
     <Resource type="ResourceLayout" name="MW_ItemIconSmall" version="3.2.0">
         <Widget type="Widget" skin="" position="0 0 32 32" name="Root">
             <Widget type="ImageBox" skin="ImageBox" position="0 0 32 32" align="Stretch" name="Frame">
diff --git a/files/shaders/lighting.glsl b/files/shaders/lighting.glsl
index d62b61b52..7b8486fbe 100644
--- a/files/shaders/lighting.glsl
+++ b/files/shaders/lighting.glsl
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@ vec4 doLighting(vec3 viewPos, vec3 viewNormal, vec4 vertexColor)
     vec3 lightDir;
     float d;
 
-#if @colorMode == 2
+#if @colorMode == 3
+    vec4 diffuse = gl_FrontMaterial.diffuse;
+    vec3 ambient = vertexColor.xyz;
+#elif @colorMode == 2
     vec4 diffuse = vertexColor;
     vec3 ambient = vertexColor.xyz;
 #else