diff --git a/scripts/eressea/embassy.lua b/scripts/eressea/embassy.lua
index 704581c6f..93ff66d7c 100644
--- a/scripts/eressea/embassy.lua
+++ b/scripts/eressea/embassy.lua
@@ -5,6 +5,20 @@ if not config.embassy then return nil end
 local embassy = {}
 local home = nil
 
+-- global exports (use item)
+function use_seashell(u, amount)
+-- Muschelplateau...
+    local visit = u.faction:get_key('mupL')
+    if visit and u.region~= home then
+        local turns = get_turn() - visit
+        local msg = message.create('msg_event')
+        msg:set_string("string", u.name .. "(" .. itoa36(u.id) .. ") erzählt den Bewohnern von " .. u.region.name .. " von Muschelplateau, das die Partei " .. u.faction.name .. " vor " .. turns .. " Wochen besucht hat." )
+        msg:send_region(u.region)
+        return 0
+    end
+    return -4
+end
+
 function embassy.init()
     home = get_region(165,30)
     if home==nil then
@@ -20,7 +34,7 @@ function embassy.update()
     eressea.log.debug("updating embassies in " .. tostring(home))
     local u
     for u in home.units do
-        if not u.faction:get_key('mupL') then
+        if u.faction:get_key('mupL')==0 then
             if (u.faction:add_item('seashell', 1)>0) then
                 eressea.log.debug("new seashell for " .. tostring(u.faction))
                 u.faction:set_key('mupL', get_turn())
diff --git a/src/attributes/dict.c b/src/attributes/dict.c
index 6d4b3ed3c..ad66e3676 100644
--- a/src/attributes/dict.c
+++ b/src/attributes/dict.c
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <assert.h>
 
+typedef enum {
+    TNONE = 0, TINTEGER = 1
+} dict_type;
+
 typedef struct dict_data {
     dict_type type;
     char *name;
@@ -62,94 +66,38 @@ static int dict_read(attrib * a, void *owner, gamedata *data)
     storage *store = data->store;
     char name[NAMESIZE];
     dict_data *dd = (dict_data *)a->data.v;
-    int result, n;
-    float flt;
+    int n;
 
     READ_STR(store, name, sizeof(name));
     dd->name = strdup(name);
     READ_INT(store, &n);
     dd->type = (dict_type)n;
-    switch (dd->type) {
-    case TINTEGER:
-        READ_INT(store, &dd->data.i);
-        break;
-    case TREAL:
-        READ_FLT(store, &flt);
-        if ((int)flt == flt) {
-            dd->type = TINTEGER;
-            dd->data.i = (int)flt;
-        }
-        else {
-            dd->data.real = flt;
-        }
-        break;
-    case TSTRING:
-        READ_STR(store, name, sizeof(name));
-        dd->data.str = strdup(name);
-        break;
-    case TBUILDING:
-        result =
-            read_reference(&dd->data.b, data, read_building_reference, 
-                resolve_building);
-        if (result == 0 && !dd->data.b) {
-            return AT_READ_FAIL;
-        }
-        break;
-    case TUNIT:
-        result =
-            read_reference(&dd->data.u, data, read_unit_reference, resolve_unit);
-        if (result == 0 && !dd->data.u) {
-            return AT_READ_FAIL;
-        }
-        break;
-    case TFACTION:
-        result =
-            read_reference(&dd->data.f, data, read_faction_reference,
-            resolve_faction);
-        if (result == 0 && !dd->data.f) {
-            return AT_READ_FAIL;
-        }
-        break;
-    case TREGION:
-        result =
-            read_reference(&dd->data.r, data, read_region_reference,
-            RESOLVE_REGION(data->version));
-        if (result == 0 && !dd->data.r) {
-            return AT_READ_FAIL;
-        }
-        break;
-    case TSHIP:
-        /* return read_ship_reference(&data->data.sh, store); */
-        assert(!"not implemented");
-        break;
-    case TNONE:
-        break;
-    default:
+    if (dd->type != TINTEGER) {
+        log_error("read dict, invalid type %d", n);
         return AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
+    READ_INT(store, &dd->data.i);
     return AT_READ_DEPR;
 }
 
 static void dict_init(attrib * a)
 {
-    dict_data *data;
+    dict_data *dd;
     a->data.v = malloc(sizeof(dict_data));
-    data = (dict_data *)a->data.v;
-    data->type = TNONE;
+    dd = (dict_data *)a->data.v;
+    dd->type = TNONE;
 }
 
 static void dict_done(attrib * a)
 {
-    dict_data *data = (dict_data *)a->data.v;
-    if (data->type == TSTRING)
-        free(data->data.str);
-    free(data->name);
+    dict_data *dd = (dict_data *)a->data.v;
+    free(dd->name);
     free(a->data.v);
 }
 
 static void dict_upgrade(attrib **alist, attrib *abegin) {
     int n = 0, *keys = 0;
-    int i = 0, val[4];
+    int i = 0, val[8];
     attrib *a, *ak = a_find(*alist, &at_keys);
     if (ak) {
         keys = (int *)ak->data.v;
@@ -162,7 +110,9 @@ static void dict_upgrade(attrib **alist, attrib *abegin) {
         }
         else {
             if (strcmp(dd->name, "embassy_muschel")==0) {
-                val[i++] = atoi36("mupL");
+                val[i * 2] = atoi36("mupL");
+                val[i * 2 + 1] = dd->data.i;
+                ++i;
             }
             else {
                 log_error("dict conversion, bad entry %s", dd->name);
@@ -170,14 +120,14 @@ static void dict_upgrade(attrib **alist, attrib *abegin) {
         }
         if (i == 4) {
             keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) * (n + i + 1));
-            memcpy(keys + n + 1, val, sizeof(int)*i);
+            memcpy(keys + n + 1, val, sizeof(val));
             n += i;
             i = 0;
         }
     }
     if (i > 0) {
-        keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) * (n + i + 1));
-        memcpy(keys + n + 1, val, sizeof(int)*i);
+        keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) * (2 * (n + i) + 1));
+        memcpy(keys + n*2 + 1, val, sizeof(int)*i*2);
         if (!ak) {
             ak = a_add(alist, a_new(&at_keys));
         }
@@ -190,3 +140,11 @@ attrib_type at_dict = {
     "object", dict_init, dict_done, NULL,
     NULL, dict_read, dict_upgrade
 };
+
+void dict_set(attrib * a, const char * name, int value)
+{
+    dict_data *dd = (dict_data *)a->data.v;
+    dd->name = strdup(name);
+    dd->type = TINTEGER;
+    dd->data.i = value;
+}
diff --git a/src/attributes/dict.h b/src/attributes/dict.h
index 7b028fa00..cc700bb9f 100644
--- a/src/attributes/dict.h
+++ b/src/attributes/dict.h
@@ -13,18 +13,16 @@
 #ifndef H_ATTRIBUTE_OBJECT
 #define H_ATTRIBUTE_OBJECT
 
-#include <util/variant.h>
+struct attrib_type;
+struct attrib;
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-    typedef enum {
-        TNONE = 0, TINTEGER = 1, TREAL = 2, TSTRING = 3,
-        TUNIT = 10, TFACTION = 11, TREGION = 12, TBUILDING = 13, TSHIP = 14
-    } dict_type;
+    extern struct attrib_type at_dict; // DEPRECATED: at_dict has been replaced with at_keys
 
-    extern struct attrib_type at_dict;
+    void dict_set(struct attrib * a, const char * name, int value);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/src/attributes/key.c b/src/attributes/key.c
index 84bbf7c04..904df32be 100644
--- a/src/attributes/key.c
+++ b/src/attributes/key.c
@@ -30,8 +30,10 @@ OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 
 static void a_writekeys(const attrib *a, const void *o, storage *store) {
     int i, *keys = (int *)a->data.v;
-    for (i = 0; i <= keys[0]; ++i) {
-        WRITE_INT(store, keys[i]);
+    WRITE_INT(store, keys[0]);
+    for (i = 0; i < keys[0]; ++i) {
+        WRITE_INT(store, keys[i * 2 + 1]);
+        WRITE_INT(store, keys[i * 2 + 2]);
     }
 }
 
@@ -42,10 +44,16 @@ static int a_readkeys(attrib * a, void *owner, gamedata *data) {
     if (i == 0) {
         return AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
-    a->data.v = p = malloc(sizeof(int)*(i + 1));
+    a->data.v = p = malloc(sizeof(int)*(i*2 + 1));
     *p++ = i;
     while (i--) {
         READ_INT(data->store, p++);
+        if (data->version >= KEYVAL_VERSION) {
+            READ_INT(data->store, p++);
+        }
+        else {
+            *p++ = 1;
+        }
     }
     return AT_READ_OK;
 }
@@ -71,24 +79,25 @@ attrib_type at_keys = {
 
 static void a_upgradekeys(attrib **alist, attrib *abegin) {
     int n = 0, *keys = 0;
-    int i = 0, val[4];
+    int i = 0, val[8];
     attrib *a, *ak = a_find(*alist, &at_keys);
     if (ak) {
         keys = (int *)ak->data.v;
         if (keys) n = keys[0];
     }
     for (a = abegin; a && a->type == abegin->type; a = a->next) {
-        val[i++] = a->data.i;
-        if (i == 4) {
-            keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) * (n + i + 1));
-            memcpy(keys + n + 1, val, sizeof(int)*i);
+        val[i * 2] = a->data.i;
+        val[i * 2 + 1] = 1;
+        if (++i == 4) {
+            keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) * (2 * (n + i) + 1));
+            memcpy(keys + 2 * n + 1, val, sizeof(val));
             n += i;
             i = 0;
         }
     }
     if (i > 0) {
-        keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) * (n + i + 1));
-        memcpy(keys + n + 1, val, sizeof(int)*i);
+        keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) * (2 * (n + i) + 1));
+        memcpy(keys + 2 * n + 1, val, sizeof(int)*i*2);
         if (!ak) {
             ak = a_add(alist, a_new(&at_keys));
         }
@@ -107,9 +116,9 @@ attrib_type at_key = {
     a_upgradekeys
 };
 
-void key_set(attrib ** alist, int key)
+void key_set(attrib ** alist, int key, int val)
 {
-    int *keys, n = 1;
+    int *keys, n = 0;
     attrib *a;
     assert(key != 0);
     a = a_find(*alist, &at_keys);
@@ -118,12 +127,13 @@ void key_set(attrib ** alist, int key)
     }
     keys = (int *)a->data.v;
     if (keys) {
-        n = keys[0] + 1;
+        n = keys[0];
     }
-    keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) *(n + 1));
-    // TODO: does insertion sort pay off here?
-    keys[0] = n;
-    keys[n] = key;
+    keys = realloc(keys, sizeof(int) *(2 * n + 3));
+    // TODO: does insertion sort pay off here? prob. not.
+    keys[0] = n + 1;
+    keys[2 * n + 1] = key;
+    keys[2 * n + 2] = val;
     a->data.v = keys;
 }
 
@@ -135,29 +145,31 @@ void key_unset(attrib ** alist, int key)
     if (a) {
         int i, *keys = (int *)a->data.v;
         if (keys) {
-            for (i = 1; i <= keys[0]; ++i) {
-                if (keys[i] == key) {
-                    keys[i] = keys[keys[0]];
+            int n = keys[0];
+            for (i = 0; i != n; ++i) {
+                if (keys[2 * i + 1] == key) {
+                    memmove(keys + 2 * i + 1, keys + 2 * n - 1, 2 * sizeof(int));
                     keys[0]--;
+                    break;
                 }
             }
         }
     }
 }
 
-bool key_get(attrib *alist, int key) {
+int key_get(attrib *alist, int key) {
     attrib *a;
     assert(key != 0);
     a = a_find(alist, &at_keys);
     if (a) {
         int i, *keys = (int *)a->data.v;
         if (keys) {
-            for (i = 1; i <= keys[0]; ++i) {
-                if (keys[i] == key) {
-                    return true;
+            for (i = 0; i != keys[0]; ++i) {
+                if (keys[i*2+1] == key) {
+                    return keys[i * 2 + 2];
                 }
             }
         }
     }
-    return false;
+    return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/attributes/key.h b/src/attributes/key.h
index d2cea1ff0..81511d248 100644
--- a/src/attributes/key.h
+++ b/src/attributes/key.h
@@ -26,12 +26,12 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif
     struct attrib;
     struct attrib_type;
-    extern struct attrib_type at_key;
+    extern struct attrib_type at_key; // DEPRECATED: at_key has been replaced with at_keys
     extern struct attrib_type at_keys;
 
-    void key_set(struct attrib **alist, int key);
+    void key_set(struct attrib **alist, int key, int value);
     void key_unset(struct attrib **alist, int key);
-    bool key_get(struct attrib *alist, int key);
+    int key_get(struct attrib *alist, int key);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/src/attributes/key.test.c b/src/attributes/key.test.c
index 2b7632917..b816e1d86 100644
--- a/src/attributes/key.test.c
+++ b/src/attributes/key.test.c
@@ -1,22 +1,24 @@
 #include <platform.h>
 #include "key.h"
+#include "dict.h"
 
 #include <util/attrib.h>
+#include <util/base36.h>
 #include <CuTest.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
 static void test_get_set_keys(CuTest *tc) {
     attrib *a = 0;
-    key_set(&a, 42);
-    key_set(&a, 43);
-    key_set(&a, 44);
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(a, 42));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(a, 43));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(a, 44));
+    key_set(&a, 42, 1);
+    key_set(&a, 43, 2);
+    key_set(&a, 44, 3);
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 1, key_get(a, 42));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 2, key_get(a, 43));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 3, key_get(a, 44));
     key_unset(&a, 42);
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, !key_get(a, 42));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(a, 43));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(a, 44));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 0, key_get(a, 42));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 2, key_get(a, 43));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 3, key_get(a, 44));
     a_removeall(&a, NULL);
 }
 
@@ -26,7 +28,7 @@ static attrib *key_set_orig(attrib **alist, int key) {
     return a;
 }
 
-static void test_upgrade(CuTest *tc) {
+static void test_upgrade_key(CuTest *tc) {
     attrib *alist = 0;
     key_set_orig(&alist, 40);
     key_set_orig(&alist, 41);
@@ -35,18 +37,31 @@ static void test_upgrade(CuTest *tc) {
     key_set_orig(&alist, 44);
     CuAssertPtrNotNull(tc, alist->type->upgrade);
     alist->type->upgrade(&alist, alist);
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(alist, 40));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(alist, 41));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(alist, 42));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(alist, 43));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(alist, 44));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 1, key_get(alist, 40));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 1, key_get(alist, 41));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 1, key_get(alist, 42));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 1, key_get(alist, 43));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 1, key_get(alist, 44));
     a_removeall(&alist, NULL);
 }
 
+static void test_upgrade_dict(CuTest *tc) {
+    attrib *a;
+    
+    a = a_new(&at_dict);
+
+    dict_set(a, "embassy_muschel", 42);
+    CuAssertPtrNotNull(tc, a->type->upgrade);
+    a->type->upgrade(&a, a);
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 42, key_get(a, atoi36("mupL")));
+    a_removeall(&a, NULL);
+}
+
 CuSuite *get_key_suite(void)
 {
     CuSuite *suite = CuSuiteNew();
     SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_get_set_keys);
-    SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_upgrade);
+    SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_upgrade_key);
+    SUITE_ADD_TEST(suite, test_upgrade_dict);
     return suite;
 }
diff --git a/src/bind_faction.c b/src/bind_faction.c
index 749bb65f6..371481fcb 100644
--- a/src/bind_faction.c
+++ b/src/bind_faction.c
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ static int tolua_faction_getkey(lua_State * L)
     const char *name = tolua_tostring(L, 2, 0);
     int flag = atoi36(name);
 
-    lua_pushboolean(L, key_get(self->attribs, flag));
+    lua_pushinteger(L, key_get(self->attribs, flag));
     return 1;
 }
 
@@ -256,11 +256,11 @@ static int tolua_faction_setkey(lua_State * L)
 {
     faction *self = (faction *)tolua_tousertype(L, 1, 0);
     const char *name = tolua_tostring(L, 2, 0);
-    int value = tolua_toboolean(L, 3, 0);
+    int value = (int)tolua_tonumber(L, 3, 0);
     int flag = atoi36(name);
 
     if (value) {
-        key_set(&self->attribs, flag);
+        key_set(&self->attribs, flag, value);
     }
     else {
         key_unset(&self->attribs, flag);
diff --git a/src/bind_region.c b/src/bind_region.c
index d9956c8b6..51a5bedd4 100644
--- a/src/bind_region.c
+++ b/src/bind_region.c
@@ -544,11 +544,11 @@ static int tolua_region_setkey(lua_State * L)
 {
     region *self = (region *)tolua_tousertype(L, 1, 0);
     const char *name = tolua_tostring(L, 2, 0);
-    int value = tolua_toboolean(L, 3, 0);
+    int value = (int)tolua_tonumber(L, 3, 0);
     int flag = atoi36(name);
 
     if (value) {
-        key_set(&self->attribs, flag);
+        key_set(&self->attribs, flag, value);
     }
     else {
         key_unset(&self->attribs, flag);
diff --git a/src/bind_unit.c b/src/bind_unit.c
index c0939b5cf..a9d413bf0 100755
--- a/src/bind_unit.c
+++ b/src/bind_unit.c
@@ -786,7 +786,7 @@ static int tolua_unit_set_flag(lua_State * L)
     int value = (int)tolua_tonumber(L, 3, 0);
     int flag = atoi36(name);
     if (value) {
-        key_set(&self->attribs, flag);
+        key_set(&self->attribs, flag, value);
     }
     else {
         key_unset(&self->attribs, flag);
diff --git a/src/bindings.c b/src/bindings.c
index 21f2aad58..531b68618 100755
--- a/src/bindings.c
+++ b/src/bindings.c
@@ -206,10 +206,10 @@ static int tolua_translate(lua_State * L)
 static int tolua_setkey(lua_State * L)
 {
     const char *name = tolua_tostring(L, 1, 0);
-    int value = tolua_toboolean(L, 2, 0);
+    int value = (int)tolua_tonumber(L, 3, 0);
     int flag = atoi36(name);
     if (value) {
-        key_set(&global.attribs, flag);
+        key_set(&global.attribs, flag, value);
     }
     else {
         key_unset(&global.attribs, flag);
diff --git a/src/kernel/group.test.c b/src/kernel/group.test.c
index 78ee6b24f..e95458114 100644
--- a/src/kernel/group.test.c
+++ b/src/kernel/group.test.c
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ static void test_group_readwrite(CuTest * tc)
     f = test_create_faction(0);
     new_group(f, "NW", 42);
     g = new_group(f, "Egoisten", 43);
-    key_set(&g->attribs, 44);
+    key_set(&g->attribs, 44, 44);
     al = ally_add(&g->allies, f);
     al->status = HELP_GIVE;
     write_groups(&store, f);
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ static void test_group_readwrite(CuTest * tc)
     CuAssertStrEquals(tc, "Egoisten", f->groups->next->name);
     CuAssertPtrEquals(tc, 0, f->groups->allies);
     g = f->groups->next;
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(g->attribs, 44));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 44, key_get(g->attribs, 44));
     CuAssertPtrNotNull(tc, g->allies);
     CuAssertPtrEquals(tc, 0, g->allies->next);
     CuAssertPtrEquals(tc, f, g->allies->faction);
diff --git a/src/kernel/item.c b/src/kernel/item.c
index 34a0e1875..9327700cd 100644
--- a/src/kernel/item.c
+++ b/src/kernel/item.c
@@ -939,7 +939,7 @@ struct order *ord)
     use_pooled(user, itype->rtype, GET_SLACK | GET_RESERVE | GET_POOLED_SLACK,
         user->number);
 
-    key_set(&f->attribs, atoi36("mbst"));
+    key_set(&f->attribs, atoi36("mbst"), turn);
     set_level(user, SK_MAGIC, 3);
 
     ADDMSG(&user->faction->msgs, msg_message("use_item",
diff --git a/src/kernel/save.test.c b/src/kernel/save.test.c
index c05ce4455..70bcb2e65 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.test.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.test.c
@@ -211,8 +211,8 @@ static void test_readwrite_attrib(CuTest *tc) {
     attrib *a = NULL;
 
     test_setup();
-    key_set(&a, 41);
-    key_set(&a, 42);
+    key_set(&a, 41, 42);
+    key_set(&a, 42, 43);
     mstream_init(&data.strm);
     gamedata_init(&data, &store, RELEASE_VERSION);
     write_attribs(data.store, a, NULL);
@@ -223,8 +223,8 @@ static void test_readwrite_attrib(CuTest *tc) {
     read_attribs(&data, &a, NULL);
     mstream_done(&data.strm);
     gamedata_done(&data);
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(a, 41));
-    CuAssertTrue(tc, key_get(a, 42));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 42, key_get(a, 41));
+    CuAssertIntEquals(tc, 43, key_get(a, 42));
     a_removeall(&a, NULL);
 
     test_cleanup();
diff --git a/src/util/gamedata.h b/src/util/gamedata.h
index bb1632838..75a750452 100644
--- a/src/util/gamedata.h
+++ b/src/util/gamedata.h
@@ -32,10 +32,11 @@
 #define NOCRYPT_VERSION 352 /* passwords are plaintext again */
 #define ATHASH_VERSION 353 /* attribute-type hash, not name */
 #define NOWATCH_VERSION 354 /* plane->watchers is gone */
+#define KEYVAL_VERSION 355 /* at_keys has values */
 /* unfinished: */
 #define CRYPT_VERSION 400 /* passwords are encrypted */
 
-#define RELEASE_VERSION NOWATCH_VERSION /* current datafile */
+#define RELEASE_VERSION KEYVAL_VERSION /* current datafile */
 #define MIN_VERSION INTPAK_VERSION      /* minimal datafile we support */
 #define MAX_VERSION RELEASE_VERSION /* change this if we can need to read the future datafile, and we can do so */