diff --git a/src/common/kernel/battle.c b/src/common/kernel/battle.c
index ee45d5223..6b86f87d6 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/battle.c
+++ b/src/common/kernel/battle.c
@@ -1963,7 +1963,7 @@ hits(troop at, troop dt, weapon * awp)
   skdiff = skilldiff(at, dt, dist);
   /* Verteidiger bekommt eine Rüstung */
   armor = select_armor(dt, true);
-  if (dwp->type->flags & WTF_USESHIELD) {
+  if (dwp==NULL || (dwp->type->flags & WTF_USESHIELD)) {
     shield = select_armor(dt, false);
   }
   if (contest(skdiff, dt, armor, shield)) {
diff --git a/src/common/kernel/eressea.c b/src/common/kernel/eressea.c
index 1e6374a27..37398a7cd 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/eressea.c
+++ b/src/common/kernel/eressea.c
@@ -134,9 +134,8 @@ MaxAge(void) {
 }
 
 static int
-ally_flag(const char * s)
+ally_flag(const char * s, int help_mask)
 {
-  int help_mask = HelpMask();
   if ((help_mask&HELP_MONEY) && strcmp(s, "money")==0) return HELP_MONEY;
   if ((help_mask&HELP_FIGHT) && strcmp(s, "fight")==0) return HELP_FIGHT;
   if ((help_mask&HELP_GIVE) && strcmp(s, "give")==0) return HELP_GIVE;
@@ -170,13 +169,13 @@ AllianceAuto(void)
     char * sstr = strdup(str);
       char * tok = strtok(sstr, " ");
       while (tok) {
-        value |= ally_flag(tok);
+        value |= ally_flag(tok, -1);
         tok = strtok(NULL, " ");
       }
       free(sstr);
     }
   }
-  return value | ~HelpMask();
+  return value & HelpMask();
 }
 
 /** Limits the available help modes
@@ -196,7 +195,7 @@ HelpMask(void)
       char * sstr = strdup(str);
       char * tok = strtok(sstr, " ");
       while (tok) {
-        value |= ally_flag(tok);
+        value |= ally_flag(tok, -1);
         tok = strtok(NULL, " ");
       }
       free(sstr);
@@ -218,11 +217,12 @@ AllianceRestricted(void)
     char * sstr = strdup(str);
       char * tok = strtok(sstr, " ");
       while (tok) {
-        value |= ally_flag(tok);
+        value |= ally_flag(tok, -1);
         tok = strtok(NULL, " ");
       }
       free(sstr);
     }
+    value &= HelpMask();
   }
   return value;
 }
@@ -878,7 +878,6 @@ autoalliance(const plane * pl, const faction * sf, const faction * f2)
   if (!init) {
     init_gms();
     init = true;
-    automode = ~HelpMask();
   }
   if (pl && (pl->flags & PFL_FRIENDLY)) return HELP_ALL;
   /* if f2 is a gm in this plane, everyone has an auto-help to it */
@@ -896,7 +895,7 @@ autoalliance(const plane * pl, const faction * sf, const faction * f2)
     if (sf->alliance==f2->alliance) return AllianceAuto();
   }
 
-  return automode;
+  return 0;
 }
 
 static int
diff --git a/src/common/kernel/eressea.h b/src/common/kernel/eressea.h
index 5b5be1615..a4590a049 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/eressea.h
+++ b/src/common/kernel/eressea.h
@@ -404,7 +404,6 @@ extern int NewbieImmunity(void);
 extern int AllianceAuto(void); /* flags that allied factions get automatically */
 extern int AllianceRestricted(void); /* flags restricted to allied factions */
 extern int HelpMask(void); /* flags restricted to allied factions */
-extern int HelpMask(void); /* flags restricted to allied factions */
 extern struct order * default_order(const struct locale * lang);
 extern int entertainmoney(const struct region * r);
 
diff --git a/src/eressea/tolua/bind_unit.c b/src/eressea/tolua/bind_unit.c
index 9fd07969f..dd648598a 100644
--- a/src/eressea/tolua/bind_unit.c
+++ b/src/eressea/tolua/bind_unit.c
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ without prior permission by the authors of Eressea.
 #include <tolua.h>
 
 #include <limits.h>
+#include <assert.h>
 
 static int
 tolua_unit_get_objects(lua_State* tolua_S)
@@ -835,9 +836,14 @@ tolua_unit_create(lua_State* tolua_S)
   region * r = (region *)tolua_tousertype(tolua_S, 2, 0);
   int num = (int)tolua_tonumber(tolua_S, 3, 0);
   if (f && r) {
-    unit * u = create_unit(r, f, num, f->race, 0, NULL, NULL);
-    tolua_pushusertype(tolua_S, u, "unit");
-    return 1;
+    const race * rc = f->race;
+    const char * rcname = tolua_tostring(tolua_S, 4, NULL);
+    if (rcname) rc = rc_find(rcname);
+    if (rc) {
+      unit * u = create_unit(r, f, num, rc, 0, NULL, NULL);
+      tolua_pushusertype(tolua_S, u, "unit");
+      return 1;
+    }
   }
   return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/res/common/armor.xml b/src/res/common/armor.xml
index 75691106e..84a329114 100644
--- a/src/res/common/armor.xml
+++ b/src/res/common/armor.xml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <?xml version="1.0"?>
-<resources>
+<resources xmlns:xi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude">
   <!-- this file contains a lot of armor -->
 
   <xi:include href="../armor/plate.xml"/>
diff --git a/src/res/common/potions.xml b/src/res/common/potions.xml
index b82e14573..f444e5a94 100644
--- a/src/res/common/potions.xml
+++ b/src/res/common/potions.xml
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@
     </item>
   </resource>
 
-  <resource name="p4" appearance="vial">
-    <!-- Heilwasser -->
+  <resource name="ointment" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Wundsalbe -->
     <item weight="0" score="60">
       <function name="use" value="usehealingpotion"/>
       <potion level="2"/>
diff --git a/src/res/e2k9.xml b/src/res/e2k9.xml
index a0cd1dd08..0374db2d6 100644
--- a/src/res/e2k9.xml
+++ b/src/res/e2k9.xml
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
     <!-- Game specific settings -->
     <param name="database.gameid" value="7"></param>
 
-    <order name="ARBEITEN" disable="yes"/>
+    <!--order name="ARBEITEN" disable="yes"/-->
     <order name="BETEN" disable="yes"/>
     <order name="BELAGERE" disable="yes"/>
     <order name="FRIEDEN" disable="yes"/>
@@ -96,11 +96,11 @@
     <skill name="training" enable="true"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" enable="true"/>
     <skill name="weaponsmithing" enable="true"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" enable="true"/>
 
     <skill name="alchemy" enable="false"/>
     <skill name="entertainment" enable="false"/>
     <skill name="espionage" enable="false"/>
-    <skill name="herbalism" enable="false"/>
     <skill name="perception" enable="false"/>
     <skill name="stealth" enable="false"/>
     <skill name="taxation" enable="false"/>
@@ -138,13 +138,14 @@
     <param name="rules.magic.common" value="tybied"/> <!-- tybied spells can be cast by anyone -->
     <param name="rules.magic.playerschools" value="gwyrrd illaun draig cerddor"/>
     <param name="rules.economy.taxation" value="1"/>
+    <param name="rules.economy.wages" value="1"/>
     <param name="rules.economy.roqf" value="5"/>
     <param name="rules.economy.herbrot" value="0"/>
     <param name="rules.give" value="11"/> <!-- only self + peasants + ondeath -->
     <param name="rules.help.mask" value="fight guard money"/>
     <param name="movement.shipspeed.skillbonus" value="7"/>
     <param name="alliance.auto" value="fight"/>
-	<!--param name="alliance.restricted" value="fight"/-->
+	  <param name="alliance.restricted" value="fight"/>
   </game>
   <xi:include href="eressea/strings.xml"/>
   <xi:include href="eressea/races.xml"/>
diff --git a/src/res/e2k9/equipment.xml b/src/res/e2k9/equipment.xml
index 59fa6d5a4..b186f36e6 100644
--- a/src/res/e2k9/equipment.xml
+++ b/src/res/e2k9/equipment.xml
@@ -15,4 +15,48 @@
     <item name="seaserpenthead" amount="1"/>
   </set>
 
-  </equipment>
+  <set name="dwarf_0">
+    <skill name="melee" level="7"/>
+    <skill name="stamina" level="3"/>
+    <item name="sword" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="shield" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="plate" amount="1"/>
+  </set>
+
+  <set name="halfling_0">
+    <skill name="crossbow" level="7"/>
+    <skill name="stamina" level="3"/>
+    <item name="crossbow" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="shield" amount="1"/>
+  </set>
+
+  <set name="dwarf_1">
+    <skill name="melee" level="7"/>
+    <skill name="stamina" level="3"/>
+    <item name="sword" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="towershield" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="plate" amount="1"/>
+  </set>
+
+  <set name="halfling_1">
+    <skill name="crossbow" level="7"/>
+    <skill name="stamina" level="3"/>
+    <item name="crossbow" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="shield" amount="1"/>
+  </set>
+
+  <set name="dwarf_2">
+    <skill name="melee" level="7"/>
+    <skill name="stamina" level="3"/>
+    <item name="sword" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="shield" amount="1"/>
+    <item name="plate" amount="1"/>
+  </set>
+
+  <set name="halfling_2">
+    <skill name="crossbow" level="7"/>
+    <skill name="stamina" level="3"/>
+    <item name="rep_crossbow" amount="1"/>
+  </set>
+
+</equipment>
diff --git a/src/res/e2k9/items.xml b/src/res/e2k9/items.xml
index c2351510a..81d11c5c1 100644
--- a/src/res/e2k9/items.xml
+++ b/src/res/e2k9/items.xml
@@ -1,14 +1,64 @@
-<?xml version="1.0"?>
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1" ?>
 <resources>
 
-  <resource name="p2" appearance="vial">
+  <resource name="ointment" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Wundsalbe -->
+    <item weight="0" score="60">
+      <function name="use" value="usehealingpotion"/>
+      <potion level="2"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="p13" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Elixier der Macht -->
+    <item weight="0" score="120">
+      <function name="use" value="usepotion"/>
+      <potion level="4"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="p3" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Schaffenstrunk -->
+    <item weight="0" score="60">
+      <function name="use" value="usepotion"/>
+      <potion level="2"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="p14" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Heiltrank -->
+    <item weight="0" score="120">
+      <function name="use" value="usepotion"/>
+      <potion level="4"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="p0" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Siebenmeilentee -->
     <item weight="0" score="30">
       <function name="use" value="usepotion"/>
       <potion level="1"/>
     </item>
   </resource>
 
-  <resource name="p10" appearance="vial">
+  <resource name="p2" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Wasser des Lebens -->
+    <item weight="0" score="30">
+      <function name="use" value="usepotion"/>
+      <potion level="1"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="peasantblood" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Bauernblut -->
+    <item weight="0" score="60">
+      <function name="use" value="usebloodpotion"/>
+      <potion level="2"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="p9" appearance="vial">
+    <!-- Pferdeglück -->
     <item weight="0" score="90">
       <function name="use" value="usepotion"/>
       <potion level="3"/>
diff --git a/src/res/e2k9/races.xml b/src/res/e2k9/races.xml
index 3a6975d76..2800c524a 100644
--- a/src/res/e2k9/races.xml
+++ b/src/res/e2k9/races.xml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
     <skill name="building" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="cartmaking" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="catapult" modifier="1"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="magic" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="mining" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="roadwork" modifier="-2"/>
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@
     <skill name="catapult" speed="+5"/>
     <skill name="crossbow" speed="+5"/>
     <skill name="forestry" modifier="1"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="melee" speed="+5"/>
     <skill name="mining" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="polearm" speed="+5"/>
@@ -59,6 +61,7 @@
     <function name="itemdrop" value="defaultdrops"/>
     <param name="other_race" value="elf"/>
     <param name="other_cost" value="500"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="riding" modifier="+2"/>
     <skill name="shipcraft" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="sailing" modifier="2"/>
@@ -81,6 +84,7 @@
     <skill name="cartmaking" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="catapult" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="crossbow" modifier="2"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="melee" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="mining" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="polearm" modifier="-1"/>
@@ -103,6 +107,7 @@
     <function name="itemdrop" value="defaultdrops"/>
     <skill name="cartmaking" modifier="-2"/>
     <skill name="forestry" modifier="1"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="magic" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="melee" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="polearm" modifier="1"/>
@@ -127,6 +132,7 @@
     <skill name="bow" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="building" modifier="-1"/>
     <skill name="catapult" modifier="-2"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="magic" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="mining" modifier="-2"/>
     <skill name="quarrying" modifier="-1"/>
@@ -148,6 +154,7 @@
     <skill name="bow" modifier="-2"/>
     <skill name="building" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="catapult" modifier="2"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="melee" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="mining" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="quarrying" modifier="2"/>
@@ -171,6 +178,7 @@
     <skill name="building" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="catapult" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="forestry" modifier="-1"/>
+    <skill name="herbalism" modifier="-99"/>
     <skill name="magic" modifier="-2"/>
     <skill name="melee" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="mining" modifier="2"/>
@@ -179,7 +187,6 @@
     <skill name="roadwork" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="sailing" modifier="-2"/>
     <skill name="shipcraft" modifier="-1"/>
-    <skill name="tactics" modifier="1"/>
     <skill name="training" modifier="-2"/>
     <skill name="weaponsmithing" modifier="2"/>
     <skill name="unarmed" modifier="-99"/>
diff --git a/src/res/e2k9/strings.xml b/src/res/e2k9/strings.xml
index 78a59b7bb..52b5ada7b 100644
--- a/src/res/e2k9/strings.xml
+++ b/src/res/e2k9/strings.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
     _a: including article (ein Troll, a troll)
    -->
   <!--Fort-Ausbaustufen -->
-  <string name="thirdage">
+  <string name="calendar::thirdage">
     <text locale="de">des dritten Zeitalters</text>
     <text locale="en">the third age</text>
   </string>