diff --git a/LUA_API.rst b/LUA_API.rst
index e68a87a66..050714c72 100644
--- a/LUA_API.rst
+++ b/LUA_API.rst
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ Implemented features:
 * ``ref:insert(index,item)``
 
   Inserts a new item at the specified index. To add at the end,
-  use ``#ref`` as index.
+  use ``#ref``, or just ``'#'`` as index.
 
 * ``ref:erase(index)``
 
@@ -428,6 +428,11 @@ Currently it defines the following features:
   If the thread owns the interactive console, shows a prompt
   and returns the entered string. Otherwise returns *nil, error*.
 
+  Depending on the context, this function may actually yield the
+  running coroutine and let the C++ code release the core suspend
+  lock. Using an explicit ``dfhack.with_suspend`` will prevent
+  this, forcing the function to block on input with lock held.
+
 * ``dfhack.interpreter([prompt[,env[,history_filename]]])``
 
   Starts an interactive lua interpreter, using the specified prompt
@@ -449,6 +454,10 @@ Currently it defines the following features:
   Just like pcall, but also prints the error using printerr before
   returning. Intended as a convenience function.
 
+* ``dfhack.saferesume(coroutine[,args...])``
+
+  Compares to coroutine.resume like dfhack.safecall vs pcall.
+
 * ``dfhack.with_suspend(f[,args...])``
 
   Calls ``f`` with arguments after grabbing the DF core suspend lock.
@@ -813,3 +822,37 @@ Core context specific functions:
 * ``dfhack.is_core_context``
 
   Boolean value; *true* in the core context.
+
+* ``dfhack.onStateChange.foo = function(code)``
+
+  Event. Receives the same codes as plugin_onstatechange in C++.
+
+
+Event type
+----------
+
+An event is just a lua table with a predefined metatable that
+contains a __call metamethod. When it is invoked, it loops
+through the table with next and calls all contained values.
+This is intended as an extensible way to add listeners.
+
+This type itself is available in any context, but only the
+core context has the actual events defined by C++ code.
+
+Features:
+
+* ``dfhack.event.new()``
+
+  Creates a new instance of an event.
+
+* ``event[key] = function``
+
+  Sets the function as one of the listeners.
+
+  **NOTE**: The ``df.NULL`` key is reserved for the use by
+  the C++ owner of the event, and has some special semantics.
+
+* ``event(args...)``
+
+  Invokes all listeners contained in the event in an arbitrary
+  order using ``dfhack.safecall``.
diff --git a/Lua API.html b/Lua API.html
index 38a375d86..cbf35f0eb 100644
--- a/Lua API.html	
+++ b/Lua API.html	
@@ -344,7 +344,10 @@ ul.auto-toc {
 <li><a class="reference internal" href="#maps-module" id="id18">Maps module</a></li>
 </ul>
 </li>
-<li><a class="reference internal" href="#core-interpreter-context" id="id19">Core interpreter context</a></li>
+<li><a class="reference internal" href="#core-interpreter-context" id="id19">Core interpreter context</a><ul>
+<li><a class="reference internal" href="#event-type" id="id20">Event type</a></li>
+</ul>
+</li>
 </ul>
 </li>
 </ul>
@@ -513,7 +516,7 @@ possible.</p>
 </li>
 <li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal">ref:insert(index,item)</tt></p>
 <p>Inserts a new item at the specified index. To add at the end,
-use <tt class="docutils literal">#ref</tt> as index.</p>
+use <tt class="docutils literal">#ref</tt>, or just <tt class="docutils literal">'#'</tt> as index.</p>
 </li>
 <li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal">ref:erase(index)</tt></p>
 <p>Removes the element at the given valid index.</p>
@@ -705,6 +708,10 @@ works with DFHack output infrastructure.</p>
 <li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">dfhack.lineedit([prompt[,history_filename]])</span></tt></p>
 <p>If the thread owns the interactive console, shows a prompt
 and returns the entered string. Otherwise returns <em>nil, error</em>.</p>
+<p>Depending on the context, this function may actually yield the
+running coroutine and let the C++ code release the core suspend
+lock. Using an explicit <tt class="docutils literal">dfhack.with_suspend</tt> will prevent
+this, forcing the function to block on input with lock held.</p>
 </li>
 <li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">dfhack.interpreter([prompt[,env[,history_filename]]])</span></tt></p>
 <p>Starts an interactive lua interpreter, using the specified prompt
@@ -722,6 +729,9 @@ in C++, and dfhack.safecall.</p>
 <p>Just like pcall, but also prints the error using printerr before
 returning. Intended as a convenience function.</p>
 </li>
+<li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">dfhack.saferesume(coroutine[,args...])</span></tt></p>
+<p>Compares to coroutine.resume like dfhack.safecall vs pcall.</p>
+</li>
 <li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">dfhack.with_suspend(f[,args...])</span></tt></p>
 <p>Calls <tt class="docutils literal">f</tt> with arguments after grabbing the DF core suspend lock.
 Suspending is necessary for accessing a consistent state of DF memory.</p>
@@ -1021,9 +1031,36 @@ only context that can receive events from DF and plugins.</p>
 <li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal">dfhack.is_core_context</tt></p>
 <p>Boolean value; <em>true</em> in the core context.</p>
 </li>
+<li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal">dfhack.onStateChange.foo = function(code)</tt></p>
+<p>Event. Receives the same codes as plugin_onstatechange in C++.</p>
+</li>
+</ul>
+<div class="section" id="event-type">
+<h3><a class="toc-backref" href="#id20">Event type</a></h3>
+<p>An event is just a lua table with a predefined metatable that
+contains a __call metamethod. When it is invoked, it loops
+through the table with next and calls all contained values.
+This is intended as an extensible way to add listeners.</p>
+<p>This type itself is available in any context, but only the
+core context has the actual events defined by C++ code.</p>
+<p>Features:</p>
+<ul>
+<li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal">dfhack.event.new()</tt></p>
+<p>Creates a new instance of an event.</p>
+</li>
+<li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal">event[key] = function</tt></p>
+<p>Sets the function as one of the listeners.</p>
+<p><strong>NOTE</strong>: The <tt class="docutils literal">df.NULL</tt> key is reserved for the use by
+the C++ owner of the event, and has some special semantics.</p>
+</li>
+<li><p class="first"><tt class="docutils literal"><span class="pre">event(args...)</span></tt></p>
+<p>Invokes all listeners contained in the event in an arbitrary
+order using <tt class="docutils literal">dfhack.safecall</tt>.</p>
+</li>
 </ul>
 </div>
 </div>
 </div>
+</div>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/library/LuaTools.cpp b/library/LuaTools.cpp
index be4fa864e..469caa65f 100644
--- a/library/LuaTools.cpp
+++ b/library/LuaTools.cpp
@@ -1098,6 +1098,18 @@ int DFHack::Lua::NewEvent(lua_State *state)
     return 1;
 }
 
+static void do_invoke_event(lua_State *L, int argbase, int num_args, int errorfun)
+{
+    for (int i = 0; i < num_args; i++)
+        lua_pushvalue(L, argbase+i);
+
+    if (lua_pcall(L, num_args, 0, errorfun) != LUA_OK)
+    {
+        report_error(L);
+        lua_pop(L, 1);
+    }
+}
+
 static void dfhack_event_invoke(lua_State *L, int base, bool from_c)
 {
     int event = base+1;
@@ -1108,23 +1120,31 @@ static void dfhack_event_invoke(lua_State *L, int base, bool from_c)
     lua_insert(L, errorfun);
 
     int argbase = base+3;
-    lua_pushnil(L);
 
-    // stack: |base| event errorfun (args) key cb (args)
+    // stack: |base| event errorfun (args)
 
-    while (lua_next(L, event))
+    if (!from_c)
     {
-        if (from_c && lua_islightuserdata(L, -1) && !lua_touserdata(L, -1))
-            continue;
+        // Invoke the NULL key first
+        lua_rawgetp(L, event, NULL);
 
-        for (int i = 0; i < num_args; i++)
-            lua_pushvalue(L, argbase+i);
+        if (lua_isnil(L, -1))
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+        else
+            do_invoke_event(L, argbase, num_args, errorfun);
+    }
 
-        if (lua_pcall(L, num_args, 0, errorfun) != LUA_OK)
-        {
-            report_error(L);
+    lua_pushnil(L);
+
+    // stack: |base| event errorfun (args) key || cb (args)
+
+    while (lua_next(L, event))
+    {
+        // Skip the NULL key in the main loop
+        if (lua_islightuserdata(L, -2) && !lua_touserdata(L, -2))
             lua_pop(L, 1);
-        }
+        else
+            do_invoke_event(L, argbase, num_args, errorfun);
     }
 
     lua_settop(L, base);
@@ -1285,13 +1305,29 @@ lua_State *DFHack::Lua::Open(color_ostream &out, lua_State *state)
     return state;
 }
 
+void DFHack::Lua::Core::onStateChange(color_ostream &out, int code) {
+    if (!State) return;
+
+    Lua::Push(State, code);
+    Lua::InvokeEvent(out, State, (void*)onStateChange, 1);
+}
+
 void DFHack::Lua::Core::Init(color_ostream &out)
 {
     if (State)
         return;
 
     State = luaL_newstate();
+
     Lua::Open(out, State);
+
+    // Register events
+    lua_getglobal(State, "dfhack");
+
+    MakeEvent(State, (void*)onStateChange);
+    lua_setfield(State, -2, "onStateChange");
+
+    lua_pop(State, 1);
 }
 
 void DFHack::Lua::Core::Reset(color_ostream &out, const char *where)
diff --git a/library/LuaTypes.cpp b/library/LuaTypes.cpp
index c5ffe0f6b..2cfe8a84e 100644
--- a/library/LuaTypes.cpp
+++ b/library/LuaTypes.cpp
@@ -733,8 +733,18 @@ static int lookup_container_field(lua_State *state, int field, const char *mode
  * Index verification: number and in range.
  */
 static int check_container_index(lua_State *state, int len,
-                                 int fidx, int iidx, const char *mode)
+                                 int fidx, int iidx, const char *mode,
+                                 bool is_insert = false)
 {
+    if (is_insert && len >= 0)
+    {
+        if (lua_type(state, iidx) == LUA_TSTRING
+            && strcmp(lua_tostring(state, iidx), "#") == 0)
+            return len;
+
+        len++;
+    }
+
     if (!lua_isnumber(state, iidx))
         field_error(state, fidx, "invalid index", mode);
 
@@ -867,8 +877,7 @@ static int method_container_insert(lua_State *state)
 
     auto id = (container_identity*)lua_touserdata(state, UPVAL_CONTAINER_ID);
     int len = id->lua_item_count(state, ptr, container_identity::COUNT_LEN);
-    if (len >= 0) len++;
-    int idx = check_container_index(state, len, UPVAL_METHOD_NAME, 2, "call");
+    int idx = check_container_index(state, len, UPVAL_METHOD_NAME, 2, "call", true);
 
     if (!id->lua_insert(state, UPVAL_METHOD_NAME, ptr, idx, 3))
         field_error(state, UPVAL_METHOD_NAME, "not supported", "call");
diff --git a/library/PluginManager.cpp b/library/PluginManager.cpp
index 1821e18d7..837c3e2d5 100644
--- a/library/PluginManager.cpp
+++ b/library/PluginManager.cpp
@@ -641,6 +641,8 @@ void PluginManager::OnStateChange(color_ostream &out, state_change_event event)
     {
         all_plugins[i]->on_state_change(out, event);
     }
+
+    Lua::Core::onStateChange(out, event);
 }
 
 // FIXME: doesn't check name collisions!
diff --git a/library/include/LuaTools.h b/library/include/LuaTools.h
index 54aa6dcc7..b2d440a6b 100644
--- a/library/include/LuaTools.h
+++ b/library/include/LuaTools.h
@@ -278,6 +278,9 @@ namespace DFHack {namespace Lua {
         void Init(color_ostream &out);
         void Reset(color_ostream &out, const char *where);
 
+        // Events signalled by the core
+        void onStateChange(color_ostream &out, int code);
+
         template<class T> inline void Push(T &arg) { Lua::Push(State, arg); }
         template<class T> inline void Push(const T &arg) { Lua::Push(State, arg); }
         template<class T> inline void PushVector(const T &arg) { Lua::PushVector(State, arg); }
diff --git a/library/include/PluginManager.h b/library/include/PluginManager.h
index a51d90747..7f98bf422 100644
--- a/library/include/PluginManager.h
+++ b/library/include/PluginManager.h
@@ -67,13 +67,13 @@ namespace DFHack
 
     enum state_change_event
     {
-        SC_WORLD_LOADED,
-        SC_WORLD_UNLOADED,
-        SC_MAP_LOADED,
-        SC_MAP_UNLOADED,
-        SC_VIEWSCREEN_CHANGED,
-        SC_CORE_INITIALIZED,
-        SC_BEGIN_UNLOAD
+        SC_WORLD_LOADED = 0,
+        SC_WORLD_UNLOADED = 1,
+        SC_MAP_LOADED = 2,
+        SC_MAP_UNLOADED = 3,
+        SC_VIEWSCREEN_CHANGED = 4,
+        SC_CORE_INITIALIZED = 5,
+        SC_BEGIN_UNLOAD = 6
     };
     struct DFHACK_EXPORT CommandReg {
         const char *name;
diff --git a/library/lua/dfhack.lua b/library/lua/dfhack.lua
index 4be58661b..c7e2669c5 100644
--- a/library/lua/dfhack.lua
+++ b/library/lua/dfhack.lua
@@ -21,6 +21,17 @@ COLOR_LIGHTMAGENTA = 13
 COLOR_YELLOW = 14
 COLOR_WHITE = 15
 
+-- Events
+
+if dfhack.is_core_context then
+    SC_WORLD_LOADED = 0
+    SC_WORLD_UNLOADED = 1
+    SC_MAP_LOADED = 2
+    SC_MAP_UNLOADED = 3
+    SC_VIEWSCREEN_CHANGED = 4
+    SC_CORE_INITIALIZED = 5
+end
+
 -- Error handling
 
 safecall = dfhack.safecall
diff --git a/library/xml b/library/xml
index a54516705..e8036d3f1 160000
--- a/library/xml
+++ b/library/xml
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit a545167050fee9eedd5e319b518d961f933154a3
+Subproject commit e8036d3f13c6be0141899baae90f605ad11d5385
diff --git a/plugins/Brushes.h b/plugins/Brushes.h
index 97ddc44c0..a525d279c 100644
--- a/plugins/Brushes.h
+++ b/plugins/Brushes.h
@@ -196,6 +196,12 @@ private:
     Core *c_;
 };
 
-std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &stream, const Brush& brush) {
+inline std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &stream, const Brush& brush) {
     stream << brush.str();
+    return stream;
+}
+
+inline std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &stream, const Brush* brush) {
+    stream << brush->str();
+    return stream;
 }
diff --git a/plugins/probe.cpp b/plugins/probe.cpp
index 3f4a3b6fe..4e041f180 100644
--- a/plugins/probe.cpp
+++ b/plugins/probe.cpp
@@ -382,12 +382,15 @@ command_result df_bprobe (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
                 out.print(", subtype %i", building.subtype);
             break;
         }
-        if(building.origin->isRoom())
+        if(building.origin->is_room)  //isRoom())
             out << ", is room";
         else
             out << ", not a room";
+        if(building.origin->getBuildStage()!=building.origin->getMaxBuildStage())
+            out << ", in construction";
         out.print("\n");
 
+
     }
     return CR_OK;
 }
diff --git a/plugins/rename.cpp b/plugins/rename.cpp
index 7302aea60..1871d0f73 100644
--- a/plugins/rename.cpp
+++ b/plugins/rename.cpp
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ static command_result rename(color_ostream &out, vector <string> &parameters)
         if (parameters.size() != 2)
             return CR_WRONG_USAGE;
 
-        df::unit *unit = Gui::getSelectedUnit(out);
+        df::unit *unit = Gui::getSelectedUnit(out, true);
         if (!unit)
             return CR_WRONG_USAGE;
 
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ static command_result rename(color_ostream &out, vector <string> &parameters)
         if (parameters.size() != 2)
             return CR_WRONG_USAGE;
 
-        df::unit *unit = Gui::getSelectedUnit(out);
+        df::unit *unit = Gui::getSelectedUnit(out, true);
         if (!unit)
             return CR_WRONG_USAGE;
 
diff --git a/plugins/tiletypes.cpp b/plugins/tiletypes.cpp
index 41627a852..546f9c2c5 100644
--- a/plugins/tiletypes.cpp
+++ b/plugins/tiletypes.cpp
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ void printState(color_ostream &out)
 {
     out << "Filter: " << filter << std::endl
         << "Paint: "  << paint  << std::endl
-        << "Brush: "  << brush->str() << std::endl;
+        << "Brush: "  << brush << std::endl;
 }
 
 //zilpin: These two functions were giving me compile errors in VS2008, so I cheated with the C style loop below, just to get it to build.
@@ -559,6 +559,7 @@ bool processTileType(color_ostream & out, TileType &paint, std::vector<std::stri
     }
     else if (option == "all" || option == "a")
     {
+        loc--;
         for (; loc < end; loc++)
         {
             std::string param = params[loc];
diff --git a/plugins/tweak.cpp b/plugins/tweak.cpp
index 31969bde7..43b557fef 100644
--- a/plugins/tweak.cpp
+++ b/plugins/tweak.cpp
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ static command_result tweak(color_ostream &out, vector <string> &parameters)
 
     if (cmd == "clear-missing")
     {
-        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out);
+        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out, true);
         if (!unit)
             return CR_FAILURE;
 
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ static command_result tweak(color_ostream &out, vector <string> &parameters)
     }
     else if (cmd == "clear-ghostly")
     {
-        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out);
+        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out, true);
         if (!unit)
             return CR_FAILURE;
 
@@ -176,13 +176,9 @@ static command_result tweak(color_ostream &out, vector <string> &parameters)
     }
     else if (cmd == "fixmigrant")
     {
-        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out);
-
+        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out, true);
         if (!unit)
-        {
-            out << "No unit selected!" << endl;
             return CR_FAILURE;
-        }
         
         if(unit->race != df::global::ui->race_id)
         {
@@ -213,12 +209,10 @@ static command_result tweak(color_ostream &out, vector <string> &parameters)
     {
         // force a unit into your fort, regardless of civ or race
         // allows to "steal" caravan guards etc
-        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out);
+        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out, true);
         if (!unit)
-        {
-            out << "No unit selected!" << endl;
             return CR_FAILURE;
-        }
+
         if (unit->flags2.bits.resident)
             unit->flags2.bits.resident = 0;
         if(unit->flags1.bits.merchant)
diff --git a/plugins/zone.cpp b/plugins/zone.cpp
index 968fda72f..ee6abf327 100644
--- a/plugins/zone.cpp
+++ b/plugins/zone.cpp
@@ -897,6 +897,10 @@ int32_t findCageAtCursor()
             building->z == cursor->z))
             continue;
 
+        // don't set id if cage is not constructed yet
+        if(building->getBuildStage()!=building->getMaxBuildStage())
+            break;
+
         if(isCage(building))
         {
             foundID = building->id;
@@ -1065,10 +1069,10 @@ bool isInBuiltCageRoom(df::unit* unit)
     {
         df::building* building = world->buildings.all[b];
         
-        // !!! for whatever reason isRoom() returns true if a cage is not a room
-        // !!! and false if it was defined as a room/zoo ingame
-        // !!! (seems not general behaviour, activity zones return false, for example)
-        if(building->isRoom())
+        // !!! building->isRoom() returns true if the building can be made a room but currently isn't
+        // !!! except for coffins/tombs which always return false
+        // !!! using the bool is_room however gives the correct state/value
+        if(!building->is_room)
             continue;
         
         if(building->getType() == building_type::Cage)
@@ -1122,6 +1126,10 @@ df::building * getBuiltCageAtPos(df::coord pos)
             && building->y1 == pos.y
             && building->z  == pos.z )
         {
+            // don't set pointer if not constructed yet
+            if(building->getBuildStage()!=building->getMaxBuildStage())
+                break;
+
             cage = building;
             break;
         }
@@ -1594,11 +1602,6 @@ void zoneInfo(color_ostream & out, df::building* building, bool verbose)
     else
         out << "not active";
 
-    //if(building->isRoom())
-    //    out <<", room";
-    //else
-    //    out << ", not a room";
-
     if(civ->zone_flags.bits.pen_pasture)
         out << ", pen/pasture";
     else if (civ->zone_flags.bits.pit_pond)
@@ -1655,16 +1658,7 @@ void cageInfo(color_ostream & out, df::building* building, bool verbose)
         << " z:" << building->z
         << endl;
 
-    //if(building->isRoom())
-    //    out <<", bldg room";
-    //else
-    //    out << ", bldg not a room";
-
     df::building_cagest * cage = (df::building_cagest*) building;
-    //if(cage->isRoom())
-    //    out <<", cage is room";
-    //else
-    //    out << ", cage is not a room";
 
     int32_t creaturecount = cage->assigned_creature.size();
     out << "Creatures in this cage: " << creaturecount << endl;
@@ -2277,8 +2271,8 @@ command_result df_zone (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
             // find building under cursor
             if (!all &&
                 !(building->x1 <= cursor->x && cursor->x <= building->x2 &&
-                building->y1 <= cursor->y && cursor->y <= building->y2 &&
-                building->z == cursor->z))
+                  building->y1 <= cursor->y && cursor->y <= building->y2 &&
+                  building->z  == cursor->z))
                 continue;
 
             zoneInfo(out, building, verbose);
@@ -2465,12 +2459,9 @@ command_result df_zone (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
         else
         {
             // must have unit selected
-            df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out);
+            df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out, true);
             if (!unit)
-            {
-                out << "No unit selected." << endl;
                 return CR_WRONG_USAGE;
-            }
 
             if(unit_info)
             {
@@ -2503,18 +2494,16 @@ command_result df_zone (color_ostream &out, vector <string> & parameters)
     if(building_unassign)
     {
         // must have unit selected
-        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out);
+        df::unit *unit = getSelectedUnit(out, true);
         if (!unit)
-        {
-            out << "No unit selected." << endl;
             return CR_WRONG_USAGE;
-        }
 
         // remove assignment reference from unit and old zone
         if(unassignUnitFromBuilding(unit))
             out << "Unit unassigned." << endl;
         else
             out << "Unit is not assigned to an activity zone!" << endl;
+        
         return CR_OK;
     }