diff --git a/dfhack/CMakeLists.txt b/dfhack/CMakeLists.txt
index e7c446561..366b80d6a 100644
--- a/dfhack/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/dfhack/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ include/DFTypes.h
 include/DFVector.h
 include/DFWindow.h
 #include/DFHackAPI_C.h
+include/DFTypes_C.h
+include/DFContext_C.h
 include/integers.h
 shm/shms.h
 )
@@ -26,7 +28,8 @@ APIPrivate.cpp
 DFTileTypes.cpp
 DFVector.cpp
 #DFHackAPI_C.cpp
-#DFTypes_C.cpp
+DFContext_C.cpp
+DFTypes_C.cpp
 
 depends/md5/md5.cpp
 depends/md5/md5wrapper.cpp
@@ -48,16 +51,16 @@ modules/Vegetation.cpp
 modules/Buildings.cpp
 modules/Constructions.cpp
 
-#modules/Position_C.cpp
-#modules/Gui_C.cpp
-#modules/Materials_C.cpp
-#modules/Buildings_C.cpp
-#modules/Constructions_C.cpp
-#modules/Maps_C.cpp
-#modules/Vegetation_C.cpp
-#modules/Creatures_C.cpp
-#modules/Translation_C.cpp
-#modules/Items_C.cpp
+modules/Position_C.cpp
+modules/Gui_C.cpp
+modules/Materials_C.cpp
+modules/Buildings_C.cpp
+modules/Constructions_C.cpp
+modules/Maps_C.cpp
+modules/Vegetation_C.cpp
+modules/Creatures_C.cpp
+modules/Translation_C.cpp
+modules/Items_C.cpp
 )
 
 SET(PROJECT_HDRS_LINUX
diff --git a/dfhack/DFContext_C.cpp b/dfhack/DFContext_C.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..855bda6f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dfhack/DFContext_C.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,367 @@
+/*
+www.sourceforge.net/projects/dfhack
+Copyright (c) 2009 Petr Mrázek (peterix), Kenneth Ferland (Impaler[WrG]), dorf, doomchild
+
+This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied
+warranty. In no event will the authors be held liable for any
+damages arising from the use of this software.
+
+Permission is granted to anyone to use this software for any
+purpose, including commercial applications, and to alter it and
+redistribute it freely, subject to the following restrictions:
+
+1. The origin of this software must not be misrepresented; you must
+not claim that you wrote the original software. If you use this
+software in a product, an acknowledgment in the product documentation
+would be appreciated but is not required.
+
+2. Altered source versions must be plainly marked as such, and
+must not be misrepresented as being the original software.
+
+3. This notice may not be removed or altered from any source
+distribution.
+*/
+
+#include "Tranquility.h"
+#include "Export.h"
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <map>
+#include "integers.h"
+#include "DFTileTypes.h"
+#include "DFTypes.h"
+#include "DFWindow.h"
+#include "DFContextManager.h"
+#include "DFContext.h"
+
+using namespace std;
+using namespace DFHack;
+
+#include "DFContext_C.h"
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+DFHackObject* ContextManager_Alloc(const char* path_to_xml)
+{
+    DFHack::ContextManager* contextMgr = new DFHack::ContextManager(std::string(path_to_xml));
+    return (DFHackObject*)contextMgr;
+}
+
+//FIXME: X:\dfhack\DFHackContext_C.cpp:56: warning: deleting `DFHackObject* ' is undefined
+//DC:  Yeah, I forgot that trying to delete a void pointer might be a bad idea.  This works now.
+void ContextManager_Free(DFHackObject* contextMgr)
+{
+    if(contextMgr != NULL)
+    {
+		DFHack::ContextManager* a = (DFHack::ContextManager*)contextMgr;
+        delete a;
+		
+        contextMgr = NULL;
+    }
+}
+
+int ContextManager_Refresh(DFHackObject* contextMgr)
+{
+	if(contextMgr != NULL)
+	{
+		return ((DFHack::ContextManager*)contextMgr)->Refresh();
+	}
+	
+	return -1;
+}
+
+int ContextManager_size(DFHackObject* contextMgr, uint32_t* size)
+{
+	if(contextMgr != NULL)
+	{
+		uint32_t result = ((DFHack::ContextManager*)contextMgr)->size();
+		
+		*size = result;
+		
+		return 1;
+	}
+	
+	return -1;
+}
+
+int ContextManager_purge(DFHackObject* contextMgr)
+{
+	if(contextMgr != NULL)
+	{
+		((DFHack::ContextManager*)contextMgr)->purge();
+		
+		return 1;
+	}
+	
+	return -1;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* ContextManager_getContext(DFHackObject* contextMgr, uint32_t index)
+{
+	if(contextMgr != NULL)
+	{
+		DFHack::ContextManager* mgr = ((DFHack::ContextManager*)contextMgr);
+		
+		if(index >= mgr->size())
+			return NULL;
+		
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)((*mgr)[index]));
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* ContextManager_getSingleContext(DFHackObject* contextMgr)
+{
+	if(contextMgr != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::ContextManager*)contextMgr)->getSingleContext();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+void Context_Free(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		DFHack::Context* c = (DFHack::Context*)context;		
+		delete c;
+		
+		context = NULL;
+	}
+}
+
+int Context_Attach(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->Attach();
+    }
+	
+    return -1;
+}
+
+int Context_Detach(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->Detach();
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
+int Context_isAttached(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->isAttached();
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
+int Context_Suspend(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->Suspend();
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
+int Context_Resume(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->Resume();
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
+int Context_isSuspended(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->isSuspended();
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
+int Context_ForceResume(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->ForceResume();
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
+int Context_AsyncSuspend(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        return ((DFHack::Context*)context)->AsyncSuspend();
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
+//module getters
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getMemoryInfo(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getMemoryInfo();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getProcess(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getProcess();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getWindow(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getWindow();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getCreatures(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getCreatures();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getMaps(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getMaps();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getGui(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getGui();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getPosition(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getPosition();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getMaterials(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getMaterials();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getTranslation(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getTranslation();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getVegetation(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getVegetation();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getBuildings(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getBuildings();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getConstructions(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getConstructions();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+DFHackObject* Context_getItems(DFHackObject* context)
+{
+	if(context != NULL)
+	{
+		return (DFHackObject*)((DFHack::Context*)context)->getItems();
+	}
+	
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+void Context_ReadRaw(DFHackObject* context, const uint32_t offset, const uint32_t size, uint8_t* target)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        ((DFHack::Context*)context)->ReadRaw(offset, size, target);
+    }
+}
+
+void Context_WriteRaw(DFHackObject* context, const uint32_t offset, const uint32_t size, uint8_t* source)
+{
+    if(context != NULL)
+    {
+        ((DFHack::Context*)context)->WriteRaw(offset, size, source);
+    }
+}
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/dfhack/DFTypes_C.cpp b/dfhack/DFTypes_C.cpp
index c5f39908f..e969ba8ec 100644
--- a/dfhack/DFTypes_C.cpp
+++ b/dfhack/DFTypes_C.cpp
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ using namespace std;
 
 #include "DFCommonInternal.h"
 #include "DFTypes.h"
-#include "modules/Materials.h"
 #include "DFTypes_C.h"
+#include "modules/Materials.h"
 
 using namespace DFHack;
 
@@ -41,119 +41,31 @@ using namespace DFHack;
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-c_colormodifier* ColorModifier_New()
-{
-	c_colormodifier* temp;
-	
-	temp = (c_colormodifier*)malloc(sizeof(c_colormodifier));
-	
-	if(temp == NULL)
-		return NULL;
-	
-	temp->part[0] = '\0';
-	temp->colorlist = NULL;
-	temp->colorlistLength = 0;
-	
-	return temp;
-}
+int8_t* (*alloc_byte_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
+int16_t* (*alloc_short_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
+int32_t* (*alloc_int_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
 
-void ColorModifier_Free(c_colormodifier* src)
-{
-	if(src != NULL)
-	{
-		if(src->colorlist != NULL)
-			free(src->colorlist);
-		
-		free(src);
-	}
-}
+uint8_t* (*alloc_ubyte_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
+uint16_t* (*alloc_ushort_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
+uint32_t* (*alloc_uint_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
 
-c_creaturecaste* CreatureCaste_New()
-{
-	c_creaturecaste* temp;
-	
-	temp = (c_creaturecaste*)malloc(sizeof(c_creaturecaste));
-	
-	if(temp == NULL)
-		return NULL;
-	
-	temp->rawname[0] = '\0';
-	temp->singular[0] = '\0';
-	temp->plural[0] = '\0';
-	temp->adjective[0] = '\0';
-	
-	temp->ColorModifier = NULL;
-	temp->colorModifierLength = 0;
-	
-	temp->bodypart = NULL;
-	temp->bodypartLength = 0;
-	
-	return temp;
-}
+char* (*alloc_char_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
 
-void CreatureCaste_Free(c_creaturecaste* src)
-{
-	if(src != NULL)
-	{
-		if(src->bodypart != NULL)
-			free(src->bodypart);
-		
-		if(src->ColorModifier != NULL)
-		{
-			for(int i = 0; i < src->colorModifierLength; i++)
-				ColorModifier_Free(&src->ColorModifier[i]);
-			
-			free(src->ColorModifier);
-		}
-		
-		free(src);
-	}
-}
+t_matgloss* (*alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)(int) = NULL;
+t_descriptor_color* (*alloc_descriptor_buffer_callback)(int) = NULL;
+t_matglossOther* (*alloc_matgloss_other_buffer_callback)(int) = NULL;
 
-c_creaturetype* CreatureType_New()
-{
-	c_creaturetype* temp;
-	
-	temp = (c_creaturetype*)malloc(sizeof(c_creaturetype));
-	
-	if(temp == NULL)
-		return NULL;
-	
-	temp->rawname[0] = '\0';
-	
-	temp->castes = NULL;
-	temp->castesCount = 0;
-	
-	temp->extract = NULL;
-	temp->extractCount = 0;
-	
-	temp->tile_character = 0;
-	
-	temp->tilecolor.fore = 0;
-	temp->tilecolor.back = 0;
-	temp->tilecolor.bright = 0;
-	
-	return temp;
-}
+c_colormodifier* (*alloc_empty_colormodifier_callback)(void) = NULL;
+c_colormodifier* (*alloc_colormodifier_callback)(const char*, uint32_t) = NULL;
+c_colormodifier* (*alloc_colormodifier_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
 
-void CreatureType_Free(c_creaturetype* src)
-{
-	if(src != NULL)
-	{
-		if(src->castes != NULL)
-		{
-			for(int i = 0; i < src->castesCount; i++)
-				CreatureCaste_Free(&src->castes[i]);
-			
-			free(src->castes);
-		}
-		
-		if(src->extract != NULL)
-			free(src->extract);
-		
-		free(src);
-	}
-}
+c_creaturecaste* (*alloc_empty_creaturecaste_callback)(void) = NULL;
+c_creaturecaste* (*alloc_creaturecaste_callback)(const char*, const char*, const char*, const char*, uint32_t, uint32_t) = NULL;
+c_creaturecaste* (*alloc_creaturecaste_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
+
+c_creaturetype* (*alloc_empty_creaturetype_callback)(void) = NULL;
+c_creaturetype* (*alloc_creaturetype_callback)(const char*, uint32_t, uint32_t, uint8_t, uint16_t, uint16_t, uint16_t) = NULL;
+c_creaturetype* (*alloc_creaturetype_buffer_callback)(uint32_t) = NULL;
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
@@ -161,13 +73,10 @@ void CreatureType_Free(c_creaturetype* src)
 
 int ColorListConvert(t_colormodifier* src, c_colormodifier* dest)
 {
-	if(src == NULL || dest == NULL)
+	if(src == NULL)
 		return -1;
 	
-	strcpy(dest->part, src->part);
-	
-	dest->colorlistLength = src->colorlist.size();
-	dest->colorlist = (uint32_t*)malloc(sizeof(uint32_t) * dest->colorlistLength);
+	dest = ((*alloc_colormodifier_callback)(src->part, src->colorlist.size()));
 	
 	copy(src->colorlist.begin(), src->colorlist.end(), dest->colorlist);
 	
@@ -176,23 +85,14 @@ int ColorListConvert(t_colormodifier* src, c_colormodifier* dest)
 
 int CreatureCasteConvert(t_creaturecaste* src, c_creaturecaste* dest)
 {
-	if(src == NULL || dest == NULL)
+	if(src == NULL)
 		return -1;
 	
-	strcpy(dest->rawname, src->rawname);
-	strcpy(dest->singular, src->singular);
-	strcpy(dest->plural, src->plural);
-	strcpy(dest->adjective, src->adjective);
-	
-	dest->colorModifierLength = src->ColorModifier.size();
-	dest->ColorModifier = (c_colormodifier*)malloc(sizeof(c_colormodifier) * dest->colorModifierLength);
+	dest = ((*alloc_creaturecaste_callback)(src->rawname, src->singular, src->plural, src->adjective, src->ColorModifier.size(), src->bodypart.size()));
 	
 	for(int i = 0; i < dest->colorModifierLength; i++)
 		ColorListConvert(&src->ColorModifier[i], &dest->ColorModifier[i]);
 	
-	dest->bodypartLength = src->bodypart.size();
-	dest->bodypart = (t_bodypart*)malloc(sizeof(t_bodypart) * dest->bodypartLength);
-	
 	copy(src->bodypart.begin(), src->bodypart.end(), dest->bodypart);
 	
 	return 1;
@@ -200,27 +100,15 @@ int CreatureCasteConvert(t_creaturecaste* src, c_creaturecaste* dest)
 
 int CreatureTypeConvert(t_creaturetype* src, c_creaturetype* dest)
 {
-	if(src == NULL || dest == NULL)
+	if(src == NULL)
 		return -1;
 	
-	strcpy(dest->rawname, src->rawname);
-	
-	dest->tilecolor.fore = src->tilecolor.fore;
-	dest->tilecolor.back = src->tilecolor.back;
-	dest->tilecolor.bright = src->tilecolor.bright;
-	
-	dest->tile_character = src->tile_character;
-	
-	dest->castesCount = src->castes.size();
-	dest->castes = (c_creaturecaste*)malloc(sizeof(c_creaturecaste) * dest->castesCount);
+	dest = ((*alloc_creaturetype_callback)(src->rawname, src->castes.size(), src->extract.size(), src->tile_character, src->tilecolor.fore, src->tilecolor.back, src->tilecolor.bright));
 	
 	for(int i = 0; i < dest->castesCount; i++)
 		CreatureCasteConvert(&src->castes[i], &dest->castes[i]);
 	
-	dest->extractCount = src->extract.size();
-	dest->extract = (t_creatureextract*)malloc(sizeof(t_creatureextract) * dest->extractCount);
-	
 	copy(src->extract.begin(), src->extract.end(), dest->extract);
 	
 	return 1;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/dfhack/include/DFContext_C.h b/dfhack/include/DFContext_C.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d1aac9161
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dfhack/include/DFContext_C.h
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+/*
+www.sourceforge.net/projects/dfhack
+Copyright (c) 2009 Petr Mrázek (peterix), Kenneth Ferland (Impaler[WrG]), dorf, doomchild
+
+This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied
+warranty. In no event will the authors be held liable for any
+damages arising from the use of this software.
+
+Permission is granted to anyone to use this software for any
+purpose, including commercial applications, and to alter it and
+redistribute it freely, subject to the following restrictions:
+
+1. The origin of this software must not be misrepresented; you must
+not claim that you wrote the original software. If you use this
+software in a product, an acknowledgment in the product documentation
+would be appreciated but is not required.
+
+2. Altered source versions must be plainly marked as such, and
+must not be misrepresented as being the original software.
+
+3. This notice may not be removed or altered from any source
+distribution.
+*/
+
+#ifndef DFHACK_C_CONTEXT
+#define DFHACK_C_CONTEXT
+
+#include "Export.h"
+#include "integers.h"
+
+typedef void DFHackObject;
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* ContextManager_Alloc(const char* path_to_xml);
+DFHACK_EXPORT void ContextManager_Free(DFHackObject* contextMgr);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT int ContextManager_Refresh(DFHackObject* contextMgr);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int ContextManager_size(DFHackObject* contextMgr, uint32_t* size);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int ContextManager_purge(DFHackObject* contextMgr);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* ContextManager_getContext(DFHackObject* contextMgr, uint32_t index);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* ContextManager_getSingleContext(DFHackObject* contextMgr);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT void Context_Free(DFHackObject* context);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_Attach(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_Detach(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_isAttached(DFHackObject* context);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_Suspend(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_Resume(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_isSuspended(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_ForceResume(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT int Context_AsyncSuspend(DFHackObject* context);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getMemoryInfo(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getProcess(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getWindow(DFHackObject* context);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getCreatures(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getMaps(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getGui(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getPosition(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getMaterials(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getTranslation(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getVegetation(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getBuildings(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getConstructions(DFHackObject* context);
+DFHACK_EXPORT DFHackObject* Context_getItems(DFHackObject* context);
+
+//these are DANGEROUS...can crash/segfault DF, turn the seas to blood, call up the Antichrist, etc
+DFHACK_EXPORT void Context_ReadRaw(DFHackObject* context, const uint32_t offset, const uint32_t size, uint8_t* target);
+DFHACK_EXPORT void Context_WriteRaw(DFHackObject* context, const uint32_t offset, const uint32_t size, uint8_t* source);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif
diff --git a/dfhack/include/DFTypes_C.h b/dfhack/include/DFTypes_C.h
index db078de44..6052555b0 100644
--- a/dfhack/include/DFTypes_C.h
+++ b/dfhack/include/DFTypes_C.h
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ distribution.
 #include "integers.h"
 #include "DFTypes.h"
 #include "modules/Materials.h"
-#include "DFHackAPI_C.h"
 
 using namespace DFHack;
 
@@ -37,6 +36,20 @@ using namespace DFHack;
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern int8_t* (*alloc_byte_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern int16_t* (*alloc_short_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern int32_t* (*alloc_int_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern uint8_t* (*alloc_ubyte_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern uint16_t* (*alloc_ushort_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern uint32_t* (*alloc_uint_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern char* (*alloc_char_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
+
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern t_matgloss* (*alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)(int);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern t_descriptor_color* (*alloc_descriptor_buffer_callback)(int);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern t_matglossOther* (*alloc_matgloss_other_buffer_callback)(int);
+
 struct c_colormodifier
 {
 	char part[128];
@@ -44,8 +57,9 @@ struct c_colormodifier
 	uint32_t colorlistLength;
 };
 
-c_colormodifier* ColorModifier_New();
-void ColorModifier_Free(c_colormodifier* src);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_colormodifier* (*alloc_empty_colormodifier_callback)(void);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_colormodifier* (*alloc_colormodifier_callback)(const char*, uint32_t);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_colormodifier* (*alloc_colormodifier_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
 
 struct c_creaturecaste
 {
@@ -61,8 +75,9 @@ struct c_creaturecaste
 	uint32_t bodypartLength;
 };
 
-c_creaturecaste* CreatureCaste_New();
-void CreatureCaste_Free(c_creaturecaste* src);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_creaturecaste* (*alloc_empty_creaturecaste_callback)(void);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_creaturecaste* (*alloc_creaturecaste_callback)(const char*, const char*, const char*, const char*, uint32_t, uint32_t);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_creaturecaste* (*alloc_creaturecaste_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
 
 struct c_creaturetype
 {
@@ -84,8 +99,9 @@ struct c_creaturetype
 	} tilecolor;
 };
 
-c_creaturetype* CreatureType_New();
-void CreatureType_Free(c_creaturetype* src);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_creaturetype* (*alloc_empty_creaturetype_callback)(void);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_creaturetype* (*alloc_creaturetype_callback)(const char*, uint32_t, uint32_t, uint8_t, uint16_t, uint16_t, uint16_t);
+DFHACK_EXPORT extern c_creaturetype* (*alloc_creaturetype_buffer_callback)(uint32_t);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/dfhack/include/modules/Items_C.h b/dfhack/include/modules/Items_C.h
index 201e7142a..da84b19a5 100644
--- a/dfhack/include/modules/Items_C.h
+++ b/dfhack/include/modules/Items_C.h
@@ -27,18 +27,20 @@ distribution.
 
 #include "Export.h"
 #include "integers.h"
+#include "DFCommonInternal.h"
+
+using namespace DFHack;
+
 #include "DFTypes.h"
 #include "modules/Items.h"
 #include "DFHackAPI_C.h"
 
-using namespace DFHack;
-
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-DFHACK_EXPORT char* Items_getItemDescription(DFHackObject* items, uint32_t itemptr, DFHackObject* mats, char* (*char_buffer_create)(int));
-DFHACK_EXPORT char* Items_getItemClass(DFHackObject* items, int32_t index, char* (*char_buffer_create)(int));
+DFHACK_EXPORT char* Items_getItemDescription(DFHackObject* items, uint32_t itemptr, DFHackObject* mats);
+DFHACK_EXPORT char* Items_getItemClass(DFHackObject* items, int32_t index);
 DFHACK_EXPORT int Items_getItemData(DFHackObject* items, uint32_t itemptr, t_item* item);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
diff --git a/dfhack/include/modules/Materials_C.h b/dfhack/include/modules/Materials_C.h
index 448f045de..03ebbf532 100644
--- a/dfhack/include/modules/Materials_C.h
+++ b/dfhack/include/modules/Materials_C.h
@@ -38,10 +38,6 @@ using namespace DFHack;
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-typedef t_matgloss* (*MatglossBufferFunc)(int);
-typedef t_descriptor_color* (*DescriptorColorBufferFunc)(int);
-typedef t_matglossOther* (*MatglossOtherBufferFunc)(int);
-
 DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_ReadInorganicMaterials(DFHackObject* mat);
 DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_ReadOrganicMaterials(DFHackObject* mat);
 DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_ReadWoodMaterials(DFHackObject* mat);
@@ -64,20 +60,16 @@ DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getRaceExSize(DFHackObject* mat);
 DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getColorSize(DFHackObject* mat);
 DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getOtherSize(DFHackObject* mat);
 
-DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getInorganic(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback);
-DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getOrganic(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback);
-DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getTree(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback);
-DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getPlant(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback);
-DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getRace(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback);
+DFHACK_EXPORT t_matgloss* Materials_getInorganic(DFHackObject* mat);
+DFHACK_EXPORT t_matgloss* Materials_getOrganic(DFHackObject* mat);
+DFHACK_EXPORT t_matgloss* Materials_getTree(DFHackObject* mat);
+DFHACK_EXPORT t_matgloss* Materials_getPlant(DFHackObject* mat);
+DFHACK_EXPORT t_matgloss* Materials_getRace(DFHackObject* mat);
 
-/*doomchild:  
-	I haven't done getRaceEx yet, because I'm not sure about the best way to make the t_creaturetype struct
-	accessible from C.
-*/
-//DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getRaceEx(DFHackObject* mat, c_creaturetype* (*c_creaturetype_buffer_create)(c_creaturetype_descriptor*, int));
+DFHACK_EXPORT c_creaturetype* Materials_getRaceEx(DFHackObject* mat);
 
-DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getColor(DFHackObject* mat, DescriptorColorBufferFunc callback);
-DFHACK_EXPORT int Materials_getOther(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossOtherBufferFunc callback);
+DFHACK_EXPORT t_descriptor_color* Materials_getColor(DFHackObject* mat);
+DFHACK_EXPORT t_matglossOther* Materials_getOther(DFHackObject* mat);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/dfhack/modules/Items_C.cpp b/dfhack/modules/Items_C.cpp
index a28b3f86a..ee652af13 100644
--- a/dfhack/modules/Items_C.cpp
+++ b/dfhack/modules/Items_C.cpp
@@ -22,25 +22,27 @@ must not be misrepresented as being the original software.
 distribution.
 */
 
+#include "Export.h"
 #include "integers.h"
-#include <string>
+#include <map>
+#include <vector>
+#include "DFTypes.h"
 
 using namespace std;
+using namespace DFHack;
 
-#include "DFCommonInternal.h"
-#include "DFTypes.h"
-#include "DFHackAPI.h"
+#include "DFProcess.h"
 #include "modules/Materials.h"
 #include "modules/Items.h"
+#include "DFTypes_C.h"
 #include "modules/Items_C.h"
 
-using namespace DFHack;
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-char* Items_getItemDescription(DFHackObject* items, uint32_t itemptr, DFHackObject* mats, char* (*char_buffer_create)(int))
+char* Items_getItemDescription(DFHackObject* items, uint32_t itemptr, DFHackObject* mats)
 {
 	if(items != NULL && mats != NULL)
 	{
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ char* Items_getItemDescription(DFHackObject* items, uint32_t itemptr, DFHackObje
 		
 		if(desc.size() > 0)
 		{
-			char* buf = (*char_buffer_create)(desc.size());
+			char* buf = (*alloc_char_buffer_callback)(desc.size());
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
@@ -67,7 +69,7 @@ char* Items_getItemDescription(DFHackObject* items, uint32_t itemptr, DFHackObje
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-char* Items_getItemClass(DFHackObject* items, int32_t index, char* (*char_buffer_create)(int))
+char* Items_getItemClass(DFHackObject* items, int32_t index)
 {
 	if(items != NULL)
 	{
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@ char* Items_getItemClass(DFHackObject* items, int32_t index, char* (*char_buffer
 		
 		if(iclass.size() > 0)
 		{
-			char* buf = (*char_buffer_create)(iclass.size());
+			char* buf = (*alloc_char_buffer_callback)(iclass.size());
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
diff --git a/dfhack/modules/Materials_C.cpp b/dfhack/modules/Materials_C.cpp
index a78a8dab4..12f2adc5e 100644
--- a/dfhack/modules/Materials_C.cpp
+++ b/dfhack/modules/Materials_C.cpp
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ int Materials_getOtherSize(DFHackObject* mat)
 
 //vector getters
 
-int Materials_getInorganic(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
+t_matgloss* Materials_getInorganic(DFHackObject* mat)
 {
 	if(mat != NULL)
 	{
@@ -233,25 +233,21 @@ int Materials_getInorganic(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
 		
 		if(materials->inorganic.size() > 0)
 		{
-			t_matgloss* buf = ((*callback)(materials->inorganic.size()));
+			t_matgloss* buf = ((*alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)(materials->inorganic.size()));
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
 				copy(materials->inorganic.begin(), materials->inorganic.end(), buf);
 				
-				return 1;
+				return buf;
 			}
-			else
-				return -1;
 		}
-		else
-			return 0;
 	}
 	
-	return -1;
+	return NULL;
 }
 
-int Materials_getOrganic(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
+t_matgloss* Materials_getOrganic(DFHackObject* mat)
 {
 	if(mat != NULL)
 	{
@@ -259,25 +255,21 @@ int Materials_getOrganic(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
 		
 		if(materials->organic.size() > 0)
 		{
-			t_matgloss* buf = ((*callback)(materials->organic.size()));
+			t_matgloss* buf = ((*alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)(materials->organic.size()));
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
 				copy(materials->organic.begin(), materials->organic.end(), buf);
 				
-				return 1;
+				return buf;
 			}
-			else
-				return -1;
 		}
-		else
-			return 0;
 	}
 	
-	return -1;
+	return NULL;
 }
 
-int Materials_getTree(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
+t_matgloss* Materials_getTree(DFHackObject* mat)
 {
 	if(mat != NULL)
 	{
@@ -285,25 +277,21 @@ int Materials_getTree(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
 		
 		if(materials->tree.size() > 0)
 		{
-			t_matgloss* buf = ((*callback)(materials->tree.size()));
+			t_matgloss* buf = ((*alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)(materials->tree.size()));
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
 				copy(materials->tree.begin(), materials->tree.end(), buf);
 				
-				return 1;
+				return buf;
 			}
-			else
-				return -1;
 		}
-		else
-			return 0;
 	}
 	
-	return -1;
+	return NULL;
 }
 
-int Materials_getPlant(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
+t_matgloss* Materials_getPlant(DFHackObject* mat)
 {
 	if(mat != NULL)
 	{
@@ -311,25 +299,21 @@ int Materials_getPlant(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
 		
 		if(materials->plant.size() > 0)
 		{
-			t_matgloss* buf = ((*callback)(materials->plant.size()));
+			t_matgloss* buf = ((*alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)(materials->plant.size()));
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
 				copy(materials->plant.begin(), materials->plant.end(), buf);
 				
-				return 1;
+				return buf;
 			}
-			else
-				return -1;
 		}
-		else
-			return 0;
 	}
 	
-	return -1;
+	return NULL;
 }
 
-int Materials_getRace(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
+t_matgloss* Materials_getRace(DFHackObject* mat)
 {
 	if(mat != NULL)
 	{
@@ -337,67 +321,46 @@ int Materials_getRace(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossBufferFunc callback)
 		
 		if(materials->race.size() > 0)
 		{
-			t_matgloss* buf = ((*callback)(materials->race.size()));
+			t_matgloss* buf = ((*alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)(materials->race.size()));
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
 				copy(materials->race.begin(), materials->race.end(), buf);
 				
-				return 1;
+				return buf;
 			}
-			else
-				return -1;
 		}
-		else
-			return 0;
 	}
 	
-	return -1;
+	return NULL;
 }
 
 //race_ex getter goes here...
-// int Materials_getRaceEx(DFHackObject* mat, c_creaturetype* (*c_creaturetype_buffer_create)(c_creaturetype_descriptor*, int))
-// {
-	// if(mat != NULL)
-	// {
-		// DFHack::Materials* materials = (DFHack::Materials*)mat;
+c_creaturetype* Materials_getRaceEx(DFHackObject* mat)
+{
+	if(mat != NULL)
+	{
+		DFHack::Materials* materials = (DFHack::Materials*)mat;
+		int matSize = materials->raceEx.size();
 		
-		// if(materials->raceEx.size() > 0)
-		// {
-			// std::vector<t_creaturetype> types = materials->raceEx;
-			// int typessize = types.size();
-			
-			// c_creaturetype_descriptor* descriptors = (c_creaturetype_descriptor*)malloc(sizeof(c_creaturetype_descriptor) * typessize);
-			
-			// for(int i = 0; i < typessize; i++)
-			// {
-				// descriptors[i].castesCount = types[i].castes.size();
-				// descriptors[i].extractCount = types[i].extract.size();
-			// }
-			
-			// c_creaturetype* buf = ((*c_creaturetype_buffer_create)(descriptors, typessize));
+		if(matSize > 0)
+		{
+			c_creaturetype* buf = ((*alloc_creaturetype_buffer_callback)(matSize));
 			
-			// for(int i = 0; i < typessize; i++)
-			// {
-				// t_creaturetype current = types[i];
-				
-				// strncpy(buf[i].rawname, current.rawname, 128);
-				// buf[i].rawname[127] = '\0';
-				
-				// buf[i].tile_character = current.tile_character;
-				// buf[i].tilecolor = current.tilecolor;
+			if(buf != NULL)
+			{
+				for(int i = 0; i < matSize; i++)
+					CreatureTypeConvert(&materials->raceEx[i], &buf[i]);
 				
-				// current.extract.copy(buf[i].extract, current.extract.size());
-			// }
-			
-			// free(descriptors);
-		// }
-	// }
+				return buf;
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	
-	// return -1;
-// }
+	return NULL;
+}
 
-int Materials_getColor(DFHackObject* mat, DescriptorColorBufferFunc callback)
+t_descriptor_color* Materials_getColor(DFHackObject* mat)
 {
 	if(mat != NULL)
 	{
@@ -405,25 +368,21 @@ int Materials_getColor(DFHackObject* mat, DescriptorColorBufferFunc callback)
 		
 		if(materials->color.size() > 0)
 		{
-			t_descriptor_color* buf = ((*callback)(materials->color.size()));
+			t_descriptor_color* buf = ((*alloc_descriptor_buffer_callback)(materials->color.size()));
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
 				copy(materials->color.begin(), materials->color.end(), buf);
 				
-				return 1;
+				return buf;
 			}
-			else
-				return -1;
 		}
-		else
-			return 0;
 	}
 	
-	return -1;
+	return NULL;
 }
 
-int Materials_getOther(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossOtherBufferFunc callback)
+t_matglossOther* Materials_getOther(DFHackObject* mat)
 {
 	if(mat != NULL)
 	{
@@ -431,22 +390,18 @@ int Materials_getOther(DFHackObject* mat, MatglossOtherBufferFunc callback)
 		
 		if(materials->other.size() > 0)
 		{
-			t_matglossOther* buf = ((*callback)(materials->other.size()));
+			t_matglossOther* buf = ((*alloc_matgloss_other_buffer_callback)(materials->other.size()));
 			
 			if(buf != NULL)
 			{
 				copy(materials->other.begin(), materials->other.end(), buf);
 				
-				return 1;
+				return buf;
 			}
-			else
-				return -1;
 		}
-		else
-			return 0;
 	}
 	
-	return -1;
+	return NULL;
 }
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
diff --git a/dfhack/python/c api/context.py b/dfhack/python/c api/context.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..592359f57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dfhack/python/c api/context.py	
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+from ctypes import *
+from pydftypes import *
+
+libdfhack.ContextManager_Alloc.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.ContextManager_Free.argtypes = [ c_void_p ]
+
+libdfhack.ContextManager_getContext.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.ContextManager_getSingleContext.restype = c_void_p
+
+libdfhack.Context_Free.argtypes = [ c_void_p ]
+
+libdfhack.Context_getMemoryInfo.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getProcess.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getWindow.restype = c_void_p
+
+libdfhack.Context_getCreatures.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getMaps.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getGui.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getPosition.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getMaterials.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getTranslation.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getVegetation.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getBuildings.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getConstructions.restype = c_void_p
+libdfhack.Context_getItems.restype = c_void_p
+
+class ContextManager(object):
+    def __init__(self, memory_path):
+        self._cm_ptr = libdfhack.ContextManager_Alloc(create_string_buffer(memory_path))
+
+    def __del__(self):
+        libdfhack.ContextManager_Free(self._cm_ptr)
+
+    def refresh(self):
+        return libdfhack.ContextManager_Refresh(self._cm_ptr) > 0
+
+    def purge(self):
+        libdfhack.ContextManager_purge(self._cm_ptr)
+
+    def get_context(self, index):
+        p = libdfhack.ContextManager_getContext(self._cm_ptr, index)
+
+        if p:
+            return Context(p)
+        else:
+            return None
+
+    def get_single_context(self):
+        p = libdfhack.ContextManager_getSingleContext(self._cm_ptr)
+
+        if p:
+            return Context(p)
+        else:
+            return None
+
+class Context(object):
+    def __init__(self, ptr):
+        self._c_ptr = ptr
+
+        self._pos_obj = None
+        self._mat_obj = None
+        self._map_obj = None
+        self._veg_obj = None
+        self._build_obj = None
+        self._con_obj = None
+        self._gui_obj = None
+        self._tran_obj = None
+        self._item_obj = None
+        self._creature_obj = None
+
+    def __del__(self):
+        libdfhack.Context_Free(self._c_ptr)
+
+    def attach(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_Attach(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    def detach(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_Detach(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    def suspend(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_Suspend(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    def resume(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_Resume(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    def force_resume(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_ForceResume(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    def async_suspend(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_AsyncSuspend(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    @property
+    def is_attached(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_isAttached(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    @property
+    def is_suspended(self):
+        return libdfhack.Context_isSuspended(self._c_ptr) > 0
+
+    @property
+    def position(self):
+        import position
+        if self._pos_obj is None:
+            self._pos_obj = position.Position(libdfhack.Context_getPosition(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._pos_obj
+
+    @property
+    def materials(self):
+        import materials
+        if self._mat_obj is None:
+            self._mat_obj = materials.Materials(libdfhack.Context_getMaterials(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._mat_obj
+
+    @property
+    def maps(self):
+        import maps
+        if self._map_obj is None:
+            self._map_obj = maps.Maps(libdfhack.Context_getMaps(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._map_obj
+
+    @property
+    def vegetation(self):
+        import vegetation
+        if self._veg_obj is None:
+            self._veg_obj = vegetation.Vegetation(libdfhack.Context_getVegetation(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._veg_obj
+
+    @property
+    def buildings(self):
+        import buildings
+        if self._build_obj is None:
+            self._build_obj = buildings.Buildings(libdfhack.Context_getBuildings(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._build_obj
+
+    @property
+    def creatures(self):
+        import creatures
+        if self._creature_obj is None:
+            self._creature_obj = creatures.Creatures(libdfhack.Context_getCreatures(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._creature_obj
+
+    @property
+    def gui(self):
+        import gui
+        if self._gui_obj is None:
+            self._gui_obj = gui.Gui(libdfhack.Context_getGui(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._gui_obj
+
+    @property
+    def items(self):
+        import items
+        if self._item_obj is None:
+            self._item_obj = items.Items(libdfhack.Context_getItems(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._item_obj
+
+    @property
+    def translation(self):
+        import translation
+        if self._tran_obj is None:
+            self._tran_obj = translation.Translation(libdfhack.Context_getTranslation(self._c_ptr))
+
+        return self._tran_obj
+
+def reveal():
+    df = API("Memory.xml")
+    df.attach()
+
+    m = df.maps
+
+    m.start()
+
+    m_x, m_y, m_z = m.size
+
+    for x in xrange(m_x):
+        for y in xrange(m_y):
+            for z in xrange(m_z):
+                if m.is_valid_block(x, y, z):
+                    d = m.read_designations(x, y, z)
+
+                    for i in d:
+                        for j in i:
+                            j.bits.hidden = 0
+
+                    m.write_designations(x, y, z, d)
+
+    m.finish()
+    df.detach()
diff --git a/dfhack/python/c api/pydftypes.py b/dfhack/python/c api/pydftypes.py
index 479dafe1a..78a90e57f 100644
--- a/dfhack/python/c api/pydftypes.py	
+++ b/dfhack/python/c api/pydftypes.py	
@@ -1,10 +1,18 @@
 from ctypes import *
-from collections import namedtuple
 from pydfhackflags import *
 from enum import *
+from util import *
 
 libdfhack = cdll.libdfhack
 
+libdfhack.alloc_byte_buffer_callback = alloc_byte_buffer
+libdfhack.alloc_ubyte_buffer_callback = alloc_ubyte_buffer
+libdfhack.alloc_short_buffer_callback = alloc_short_buffer
+libdfhack.alloc_ushort_buffer_callback = alloc_ushort_buffer
+libdfhack.alloc_int_buffer_callback = alloc_int_buffer
+libdfhack.alloc_uint_buffer_callback = alloc_uint_buffer
+libdfhack.alloc_char_buffer_callback = alloc_char_buffer
+
 int_ptr = POINTER(c_int)
 uint_ptr = POINTER(c_uint)
 
@@ -79,6 +87,13 @@ class Matgloss(Structure):
                 ("bright", c_byte),
                 ("name", c_char * 128)]
 
+def _alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback(count):
+    allocated = _allocate_array(Matgloss, count)
+
+    return allocated[1]
+
+libdfhack.alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(Matgloss), c_int)(_alloc_matgloss_buffer_callback)
+
 class MatglossPair(Structure):
     _fields_ = [("type", c_short),
                 ("index", c_int)]
@@ -90,9 +105,23 @@ class DescriptorColor(Structure):
                 ("b", c_float),
                 ("name", c_char * 128)]
 
+def _alloc_descriptor_buffer_callback(count):
+    allocated = _allocate_array(DescriptorColor, count)
+
+    return allocated[1]
+
+libdfhack.alloc_descriptor_buffer_callback = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(DescriptorColor), c_int)(_alloc_descriptor_buffer_callback)
+
 class MatglossOther(Structure):
     _fields_ = [("rawname", c_char * 128)]
 
+def _alloc_matgloss_other_buffer_callback(count):
+    allocated = _allocate_array(MatglossOther, count)
+
+    return allocated[1]
+
+libdfhack.alloc_matgloss_other_buffer_callback = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(MatglossOther), c_int)(_alloc_matgloss_other_buffer_callback)
+
 class Building(Structure):
     _fields_ = [("origin", c_uint),
                 ("vtable", c_uint),
@@ -256,3 +285,19 @@ class BodyPart(Structure):
                 ("category", (c_char * 128)),
                 ("single", (c_char * 128)),
                 ("plural", (c_char * 128))]
+
+class ColorModifier(Structure):
+    _fields_ = [("part", (c_char * 128)),
+                ("colorlist", POINTER(c_uint)),
+                ("colorlistLength", c_uint)]
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.part[0] = '\0'
+        self.colorlistLength = 0
+
+ColorModifierPtr = POINTER(ColorModifier)
+
+def _alloc_empty_colormodifier_callback():
+    return ColorModifierPtr(ColorModifier())
+
+libdfhack.alloc_empty_colormodifier_callback = CFUNCTYPE(ColorModifierPtr)(_alloc_empty_colormodifier_callback)
diff --git a/dfhack/python/c api/util.py b/dfhack/python/c api/util.py
index d81b01ede..4f3f06958 100644
--- a/dfhack/python/c api/util.py	
+++ b/dfhack/python/c api/util.py	
@@ -12,3 +12,55 @@ def _allocate_array(t_type, count):
     ptr = addressof(arr)
 
     return (arr, ptr)
+
+def _alloc_int_buffer(count):
+    a = _allocate_array(c_int, count)
+
+    return a[1]
+
+alloc_int_buffer = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(c_int), c_uint)(_alloc_int_buffer)
+
+def _alloc_uint_buffer(count):
+    a = _allocate_array(c_uint, count)
+
+    return a[1]
+
+alloc_uint_buffer = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(c_uint), c_uint)(_alloc_uint_buffer)
+
+def _alloc_short_buffer(count):
+    a = _allocate_array(c_short, count)
+
+    return a[1]
+
+alloc_short_buffer = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(c_short), c_uint)(_alloc_short_buffer)
+
+def _alloc_ushort_buffer(count):
+    a = _allocate_array(c_ushort, count)
+
+    return a[1]
+
+alloc_ushort_buffer = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(c_ushort), c_uint)(_alloc_ushort_buffer)
+
+def _alloc_byte_buffer(count):
+    a = _allocate_array(c_byte, count)
+
+    return a[1]
+
+alloc_byte_buffer = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(c_byte), c_uint)(_alloc_byte_buffer)
+
+def _alloc_ubyte_buffer(count):
+    a = _allocate_array(c_ubyte, count)
+
+    return a[1]
+
+alloc_ubyte_buffer = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(c_ubyte), c_uint)(_alloc_ubyte_buffer)
+
+def _alloc_char_buffer(count):
+    c = create_string_buffer(count)
+
+    ptr = c_void_p()
+    ptr = addressof(c)
+
+    return ptr
+
+alloc_char_buffer = CFUNCTYPE(POINTER(c_char), c_uint)(_alloc_char_buffer)