diff --git a/conf/e4/catalog.xml b/conf/e4/catalog.xml
deleted file mode 100644
index 9987e72c8..000000000
--- a/conf/e4/catalog.xml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0"?>
-<!DOCTYPE catalog
-    PUBLIC "-//OASIS/DTD Entity Resolution XML Catalog V1.0//EN"
-    "http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/entity/release/1.0/catalog.dtd">
-
-<catalog xmlns="urn:oasis:names:tc:entity:xmlns:xml:catalog">
-    <rewriteURI
-        uriStartString="config://core/"
-        rewritePrefix="../../res/core/" />
-    <rewriteURI
-        uriStartString="config://game/"
-        rewritePrefix="../../res/e3a/" />
-    <rewriteURI
-        uriStartString="config://default/"
-        rewritePrefix="../../res/" />
-</catalog>
diff --git a/conf/e4/config.json b/conf/e4/config.json
deleted file mode 100644
index e11b13a1c..000000000
--- a/conf/e4/config.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,95 +0,0 @@
-{
-    "include": [
-        "keywords.json",
-        "prefixes.json",
-        "e3/terrains.json"
-    ],
-    "disabled": [
-        "herbalism",
-        "alchemy",
-        "entertainment",
-        "espionage",
-        "perception",
-        "stealth",
-        "taxation",
-        "trade",
-        "besiege",
-        "steal",
-        "buy",
-        "teach",
-        "sabotage",
-        "spy",
-        "tax",
-        "entertain",
-        "sell",
-        "jsreport"
-    ],
-    "settings": {
-        "game.name" : "Eressea",
-        "game.id" : 4,
-        "orders.default": "work",
-        "database.gameid": 7,
-        "NewbieImmunity": 4,
-        "modules.astralspace": false,
-        "modules.wormholes": false,
-        "modules.markets": true,
-        "magic.regeneration": 0.75,
-        "magic.power": 0.5,
-        "resource.factor": 0.25,
-        "skills.cost.tactics": 500,
-        "entertain.base": 0,
-        "entertain.perlevel": 20,
-        "nmr.timeout": 5,
-        "nmr.removenewbie": 0,
-        "GiveRestriction": 3,
-        "hunger.long": false,
-        "hunger.damage": "1d9+9",
-        "hunger.demons.skill": true,
-        "hunger.demons.peasant_tolerance": true,
-        "init_spells": 0,
-        "recruit.allow_merge": true,
-        "study.expensivemigrants": true,
-        "study.speedup": 2,
-        "study.produceexp": 12,
-        "world.era": 3,
-        "rules.reserve.twophase": true,
-        "rules.owners.force_leave": false,
-        "rules.transfermen": false,
-        "stealth.faction.other": false,
-        "rules.stealth.anon_battle": false,
-        "rules.check_overload": false,
-        "rules.combat.goblinbonus": 3,
-        "rules.alliances": true,
-        "rules.combat.herospeed": 3,
-        "rules.combat.demon_vampire": 5,
-        "rules.combat.skill_bonus": 0,
-        "rules.combat.nat_armor": 1,
-        "rules.items.loot_divisor": 2,
-        "rules.items.give_divisor": 2,
-        "rules.move.owner_leave": true,
-        "rules.region_owners": true,
-        "rules.cavalry.skill": 2,
-        "rules.cavalry.mode": 1,
-        "rules.magic.multipotion": true,
-        "rules.magic.wol_effect": 5,
-        "rules.magic.factionlist": true,
-        "rules.magic.wol_type": 2,
-        "rules.blessed_harvest.flags": 1,
-        "rules.magic.elfpower": true,
-        "rules.magic.playerschools": "gwyrrd illaun draig cerddor",
-        "rules.build.other_buildings": true,
-        "rules.economy.taxation": 1,
-        "rules.food.flags": 2,
-        "rules.economy.roqf": 5,
-        "rules.economy.herbrot": 0,
-        "rules.region_owner_pay_building": "market harbour lighthouse",
-        "rules.dwarf_castles": true,
-        "rules.limit.faction": 250,
-        "rules.grow.formula": 1,
-        "rules.tactics.formula": 1,
-        "rules.help.mask": "fight guard money give",
-        "movement.shipspeed.skillbonus": 6,
-        "alliance.auto": "fight",
-        "alliance.restricted": "fight"
-    }
-}
diff --git a/conf/e4/config.xml b/conf/e4/config.xml
deleted file mode 100644
index f9ede1a27..000000000
--- a/conf/e4/config.xml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
-<?xml version="1.0"?>
-<eressea xmlns:xi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude">
-  <xi:include href="config://core/messages.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://core/de/strings.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://core/en/strings.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://core/common/items.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://core/common/herbs.xml" />
-  <xi:include href="config://core/spoils.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://core/common/buildings.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/familiars.xml"/>
-
-  <xi:include href="config://default/adamantium.xml" />
-
-  <xi:include href="config://game/ships.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/shipnames.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://core/calendar.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/items.xml" />
-  <xi:include href="config://game/strings.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/messages.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/races.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/buildings.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/equipment.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/spells.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://game/luxuries.xml" />
-  <xi:include href="config://game/weapons.xml" />
-  <xi:include href="config://game/armor.xml" />
-  <xi:include href="config://game/resources.xml" />
-
-  <calendar name="thirdage" newyear="month_1" start="1"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://default/names-undead.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://default/names-skeletons.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://default/names-zombies.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://default/names-ghouls.xml"/>
-  <xi:include href="config://default/names-dragons.xml"/>
-
-  <rules>
-    <function name="wage" value="minimum_wage"/>
-  </rules>
-</eressea>
diff --git a/s/build b/s/build
index b46f734b6..4ee259573 100755
--- a/s/build
+++ b/s/build
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ fi
 echo "build eressea"
 cd $ROOT/$BUILD
 BRANCH=$(git status -s -b | head -1 | cut -d\  -f 2 | sed 's/\..*//')
-if [ "$BRANCH" == "master" ] ; then
+if [ "$BRANCH"=="master" ] ; then
 VERSION=$(git describe --match 'v*.*.*' --tags | sed 's/^v//')
 cmake -DERESSEA_VERSION="$VERSION" ..
 else
diff --git a/s/runtests b/s/runtests
index 58498436f..e42640de1 100755
--- a/s/runtests
+++ b/s/runtests
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ cd $ROOT
 $ROOT/$BUILD/eressea/eressea -v1 scripts/run-tests.lua
 $ROOT/$BUILD/eressea/eressea -v1 scripts/run-tests-e2.lua
 $ROOT/$BUILD/eressea/eressea -v1 scripts/run-tests-e3.lua
-$ROOT/$BUILD/eressea/eressea -v1 scripts/run-tests-e4.lua
 rm -rf data reports orders.txt score score.alliances datum turn
 
 cd $OLDWPD
diff --git a/scripts/eressea/e4/init.lua b/scripts/eressea/e4/init.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index 32c0b8498..000000000
--- a/scripts/eressea/e4/init.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-require 'eressea.e3.rules'
-require 'eressea.spells'
-
-eressea.log.debug("rules for game E4")
-
-return {
-    require('eressea'),
-    -- require('eressea.markets'),
-    require('eressea.frost'),
-    require('eressea.ents')
-}
diff --git a/scripts/run-tests-e4.lua b/scripts/run-tests-e4.lua
deleted file mode 100644
index f827baec0..000000000
--- a/scripts/run-tests-e4.lua
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
--- Tests that work in E3. With game config of E3. 
--- Tests are under scripts/test/e3 and all files must be in scripts/test/e3/init.lua
-
-path = 'scripts'
-if config.install then
-    path = config.install .. '/' .. path
-    package.path = package.path .. ';' .. config.install .. '/lunit/?.lua'
-    --needed to find lunit if not run form eressea root. Needs right [lua] install setting in eressea.ini (point to eressea root from the start folder)
-end
-package.path = package.path .. ';' .. path .. '/?.lua;' .. path .. '/?/init.lua'
-
-config.rules = 'e4'
-
-require 'eressea'
-require 'eressea.path'
-require 'eressea.xmlconf'
-require 'tests.e3'
-require 'lunit'
-
-eressea.settings.set("rules.alliances", "0")
-rules = require('eressea.' .. config.rules)
-result = lunit.main()
-return result.errors + result.failed
diff --git a/src/kernel/config.c b/src/kernel/config.c
index 83d0808da..ca23a5bc9 100644
--- a/src/kernel/config.c
+++ b/src/kernel/config.c
@@ -749,13 +749,18 @@ void config_set_from(const dictionary *d)
         key[slen] = '.';
         iniparser_getseckeys(d, sec, keys);
         for (k=0;k!=nkeys;++k) {
-            const char *val;
+            const char *val, *orig;
             size_t klen = strlen(keys[k]);
             assert(klen+slen+1<sizeof(key));
             memcpy(key+slen+1, keys[k]+slen+1, klen-slen);
+            orig = config_get(key);
             val = iniparser_getstring(d, keys[k], NULL);
-            if (val) {
-                config_set(key, val);
+            if (!orig) {
+                if (val) {
+                    config_set(key, val);
+                }
+            } else {
+                log_debug("not overwriting %s=%s with %s", key, orig, val);
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index ac236d5bf..8ec797e68 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -1633,14 +1633,7 @@ int read_game(gamedata *data) {
 
         READ_INT(store, &gameid);
         if (gameid != game_id()) {
-            int c;
             log_warning("game mismatch: datafile contains game %d, but config is for %d", gameid, game_id());
-            printf("WARNING: invalid game id. any key to continue, Ctrl-C to stop\n");
-            c = getchar();
-            if (c == EOF) {
-                log_error("aborting.");
-                abort();
-            }
         }
     }
     else {
diff --git a/src/main.c b/src/main.c
index 777770f0a..a3bcdb866 100644
--- a/src/main.c
+++ b/src/main.c
@@ -76,10 +76,20 @@ static void load_inifile(dictionary * d)
 
 static dictionary *parse_config(const char *filename)
 {
-    dictionary *d = iniparser_load(filename);
+    char path[MAX_PATH];
+    dictionary *d;
+    const char *cfgpath = config_get("config.path");
+
+    if (cfgpath) {
+        join_path(cfgpath, filename, path, sizeof(path));
+        log_debug("reading from configuration file %s\n", path);
+        d  = iniparser_load(path);
+    } else {
+        log_debug("reading from configuration file %s\n", filename);
+        d  = iniparser_load(filename);        
+    }
     if (d) {
         load_inifile(d);
-        log_debug("reading from configuration file %s\n", filename);
         config_set_from(d);
 
         memdebug = iniparser_getint(d, "game:memcheck", memdebug);
@@ -176,6 +186,10 @@ static int parse_args(int argc, char **argv, int *exitcode)
         else {
             const char *arg;
             switch (argi[1]) {
+            case 'c':
+                i = get_arg(argc, argv, 2, i, &arg, 0);
+                config_set("config.path", arg);
+                break;
             case 'r':
                 i = get_arg(argc, argv, 2, i, &arg, 0);
                 config_set("config.rules", arg);
@@ -270,15 +284,15 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
     int err = 0;
     lua_State *L;
-    dictionary *d;
+    dictionary *d = 0;
     setup_signal_handler();
-    /* ini file sets defaults for arguments*/
+    /* parse arguments again, to override ini file */
+    parse_args(argc, argv, &err);
+
     d = parse_config(inifile);
     if (!d) {
         log_error("could not open ini configuration %s\n", inifile);
     }
-    /* parse arguments again, to override ini file */
-    parse_args(argc, argv, &err);
 
     locale_init();
 
diff --git a/src/util/unicode.test.c b/src/util/unicode.test.c
index a6268186e..76cda9a8f 100644
--- a/src/util/unicode.test.c
+++ b/src/util/unicode.test.c
@@ -116,6 +116,13 @@ static void test_unicode_bug2262(CuTest *tc) {
     CuAssertIntEquals(tc, EILSEQ, unicode_utf8_trim(name));
 }
 
+static void test_unicode_compare(CuTest *tc)
+{
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 0, unicode_utf8_strcasecmp("ABCDEFG", "abcdefg"));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 0, unicode_utf8_strcasecmp("abcdefg123", "ABCDEFG123"));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 1, unicode_utf8_strcasecmp("bacdefg123", "ABCDEFG123"));
+}
+
 CuSuite *get_unicode_suite(void)
 {
     CuSuite *suite = CuSuiteNew();
@@ -124,5 +131,6 @@ CuSuite *get_unicode_suite(void)
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_unicode_trim);
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_unicode_utf8_to_other);
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_unicode_utf8_to_ucs);
+    SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_unicode_compare);
     return suite;
 }
diff --git a/tests/runtests.bat b/tests/runtests.bat
index 996fb47b7..41b5f8056 100644
--- a/tests/runtests.bat
+++ b/tests/runtests.bat
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ SET SERVER=%BUILD%\eressea.exe
 %SERVER% ..\scripts\run-tests.lua
 %SERVER% -re2 ..\scripts\run-tests-e2.lua
 %SERVER% -re3 ..\scripts\run-tests-e3.lua
-%SERVER% -re4 ..\scripts\run-tests-e4.lua
 PAUSE
 RMDIR /s /q reports
 DEL score score.alliances datum turn