diff --git a/src/kernel/building.c b/src/kernel/building.c
index 45faccdab..7c4453f6a 100644
--- a/src/kernel/building.c
+++ b/src/kernel/building.c
@@ -322,12 +322,12 @@ void write_building_reference(const struct building *b, struct storage *store)
     WRITE_INT(store, (b && b->region) ? b->no : 0);
 }
 
-int resolve_building(variant id, void *address)
+int resolve_building(int id, void *address)
 {
     int result = 0;
     building *b = NULL;
-    if (id.i != 0) {
-        b = findbuilding(id.i);
+    if (id != 0) {
+        b = findbuilding(id);
         if (b == NULL) {
             result = -1;
         }
@@ -336,10 +336,10 @@ int resolve_building(variant id, void *address)
     return result;
 }
 
-variant read_building_reference(gamedata * data)
+int read_building_reference(gamedata * data)
 {
-    variant result;
-    READ_INT(data->store, &result.i);
+    int result;
+    READ_INT(data->store, &result);
     return result;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/building.h b/src/kernel/building.h
index 04ad08262..59af83bbe 100644
--- a/src/kernel/building.h
+++ b/src/kernel/building.h
@@ -152,10 +152,10 @@ extern "C" {
 #include "build.h"
 #define NOBUILDING NULL
 
-    int resolve_building(variant data, void *address);
+    int resolve_building(int id, void *address);
     void write_building_reference(const struct building *b,
     struct storage *store);
-    variant read_building_reference(struct gamedata *data);
+    int read_building_reference(struct gamedata *data);
 
     struct building *findbuilding(int n);
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/curse.c b/src/kernel/curse.c
index 9702d7649..1364fb9a1 100644
--- a/src/kernel/curse.c
+++ b/src/kernel/curse.c
@@ -191,12 +191,7 @@ int curse_read(attrib * a, void *owner, gamedata *data)
     READ_INT(store, &c->duration);
     READ_FLT(store, &flt);
     c->vigour = flt;
-    if (data->version < INTPAK_VERSION) {
-        ur = resolve_unit(read_int(data->store), &c->magician);
-    }
-    else {
-        ur = read_reference(&c->magician, data, read_unit_reference, resolve_unit);
-    }
+    ur = read_reference(&c->magician, data, read_unit_reference, resolve_unit);
     if (data->version < CURSEFLOAT_VERSION) {
         READ_INT(store, &n);
         c->effect = (float)n;
diff --git a/src/kernel/faction.c b/src/kernel/faction.c
index 736c9f4e6..3188d2299 100755
--- a/src/kernel/faction.c
+++ b/src/kernel/faction.c
@@ -203,12 +203,12 @@ const char *factionname(const faction * f)
     return ibuf;
 }
 
-int resolve_faction(variant id, void *address)
+int resolve_faction(int id, void *address)
 {
     int result = 0;
     faction *f = NULL;
-    if (id.i != 0) {
-        f = findfaction(id.i);
+    if (id != 0) {
+        f = findfaction(id);
         if (f == NULL) {
             result = -1;
         }
@@ -332,10 +332,10 @@ bool checkpasswd(const faction * f, const char *passwd)
     return true;
 }
 
-variant read_faction_reference(gamedata * data)
+int read_faction_reference(gamedata * data)
 {
-    variant id;
-    READ_INT(data->store, &id.i);
+    int id;
+    READ_INT(data->store, &id);
     return id;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/faction.h b/src/kernel/faction.h
index 64832053b..62b3634b2 100644
--- a/src/kernel/faction.h
+++ b/src/kernel/faction.h
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ extern "C" {
 
     void write_faction_reference(const struct faction *f,
         struct storage *store);
-    variant read_faction_reference(struct gamedata *data);
-    int resolve_faction(variant data, void *addr);
+    int read_faction_reference(struct gamedata *data);
+    int resolve_faction(int id, void *addr);
 
     void renumber_faction(faction * f, int no);
     void free_factions(void);
diff --git a/src/kernel/group.c b/src/kernel/group.c
index 06f2f9f49..61c311c89 100755
--- a/src/kernel/group.c
+++ b/src/kernel/group.c
@@ -239,12 +239,12 @@ void read_groups(gamedata *data, faction * f)
         pa = &g->allies;
         for (;;) {
             ally *a;
-            variant fid;
+            int fid;
 
             fid = read_faction_reference(data);
-            if (fid.i <= 0)
+            if (fid <= 0)
                 break;
-            a = ally_add(pa, findfaction(fid.i));
+            a = ally_add(pa, findfaction(fid));
             READ_INT(store, &a->status);
             if (!a->faction)
                 ur_add(fid, &a->faction, resolve_faction);
diff --git a/src/kernel/plane.c b/src/kernel/plane.c
index 0b2fdc0d3..ebf6c64ad 100644
--- a/src/kernel/plane.c
+++ b/src/kernel/plane.c
@@ -258,12 +258,12 @@ unsigned char index)
     return (rel + ursprung_y(f, pl, NULL) + plane_center_y(pl));
 }
 
-static int resolve_plane(variant id, void *addr)
+static int resolve_plane(int id, void *addr)
 {
     int result = 0;
     plane *pl = NULL;
-    if (id.i != 0) {
-        pl = getplanebyid(id.i);
+    if (id != 0) {
+        pl = getplanebyid(id);
         if (pl == NULL) {
             result = -1;
         }
@@ -279,15 +279,16 @@ void write_plane_reference(const plane * u, struct storage *store)
 
 int read_plane_reference(plane ** pp, struct storage *store)
 {
-    variant id;
-    READ_INT(store, &id.i);
-    if (id.i == 0) {
+    int id;
+    READ_INT(store, &id);
+    if (id == 0) {
         *pp = NULL;
         return AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
-    *pp = getplanebyid(id.i);
-    if (*pp == NULL)
+    *pp = getplanebyid(id);
+    if (*pp == NULL) {
         ur_add(id, pp, resolve_plane);
+    }
     return AT_READ_OK;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/race.c b/src/kernel/race.c
index 14fb66331..a73c0e699 100644
--- a/src/kernel/race.c
+++ b/src/kernel/race.c
@@ -561,21 +561,15 @@ void write_race_reference(const race * rc, struct storage *store)
     WRITE_TOK(store, rc ? rc->_name : "none");
 }
 
-variant read_race_reference(struct storage *store)
+struct race * read_race_reference(struct storage *store)
 {
-    variant result;
     char zName[20];
     READ_TOK(store, zName, sizeof(zName));
 
     if (strcmp(zName, "none") == 0) {
-        result.v = NULL;
-        return result;
+        return NULL;
     }
-    else {
-        result.v = rc_find_i(zName);
-    }
-    assert(result.v != NULL);
-    return result;
+    return rc_find_i(zName);
 }
 
 void register_race_function(race_func func, const char *name) {
diff --git a/src/kernel/race.h b/src/kernel/race.h
index 2dec5f06b..2990c2158 100644
--- a/src/kernel/race.h
+++ b/src/kernel/race.h
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
     void write_race_reference(const struct race *rc,
         struct storage *store);
-    variant read_race_reference(struct storage *store);
+    struct race *read_race_reference(struct storage *store);
 
     const char *raceprefix(const struct unit *u);
     void register_race_function(race_func, const char *);
diff --git a/src/kernel/region.c b/src/kernel/region.c
index 2d0a601b6..3ffd0660a 100644
--- a/src/kernel/region.c
+++ b/src/kernel/region.c
@@ -1255,9 +1255,11 @@ int production(const region * r)
     return p;
 }
 
-int resolve_region_coor(variant id, void *address)
+int resolve_region_coor(int id, void *address)
 {
-    region *r = findregion(id.sa[0], id.sa[1]);
+    int x = (id >> 16);
+    int y = id & 0xFFFF;
+    region *r = findregion(x, y);
     if (r) {
         *(region **)address = r;
         return 0;
@@ -1266,11 +1268,11 @@ int resolve_region_coor(variant id, void *address)
     return -1;
 }
 
-int resolve_region_id(variant id, void *address)
+int resolve_region_id(int id, void *address)
 {
     region *r = NULL;
-    if (id.i != 0) {
-        r = findregionbyid(id.i);
+    if (id != 0) {
+        r = findregionbyid(id);
         if (r == NULL) {
             *(region **)address = NULL;
             return -1;
@@ -1280,19 +1282,21 @@ int resolve_region_id(variant id, void *address)
     return 0;
 }
 
-variant read_region_reference(gamedata *data)
+int read_region_reference(gamedata *data)
 {
     struct storage * store = data->store;
-    variant result;
+    int result;
     if (data->version < UIDHASH_VERSION) {
         int n;
+        short x, y;
         READ_INT(store, &n);
-        result.sa[0] = (short)n;
+        x = (short)n;
         READ_INT(store, &n);
-        result.sa[1] = (short)n;
+        y = (short)n;
+        result = x << 16 | (y & 0xFFFF);
     }
     else {
-        READ_INT(store, &result.i);
+        READ_INT(store, &result);
     }
     return result;
 }
diff --git a/src/kernel/region.h b/src/kernel/region.h
index 827ddbdab..ce5d37fa3 100644
--- a/src/kernel/region.h
+++ b/src/kernel/region.h
@@ -257,9 +257,9 @@ extern "C" {
     void region_set_morale(region * r, int morale, int turn);
 
     void write_region_reference(const struct region *r, struct storage *store);
-    variant read_region_reference(struct gamedata *data);
-    int resolve_region_coor(variant id, void *address);
-    int resolve_region_id(variant id, void *address);
+    int read_region_reference(struct gamedata *data);
+    int resolve_region_coor(int id, void *address);
+    int resolve_region_id(int id, void *address);
 #define RESOLVE_REGION(version) ((version<UIDHASH_VERSION)?resolve_region_coor:resolve_region_id)
 
     const char *regionname(const struct region *r, const struct faction *f);
diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index e68c726f5..4eed34656 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -420,7 +420,6 @@ void read_planes(gamedata *data) {
     READ_INT(store, &nread);
     while (--nread >= 0) {
         int id;
-        variant fno;
         plane *pl;
 
         READ_INT(store, &id);
@@ -459,8 +458,8 @@ void read_planes(gamedata *data) {
         else {
             /* WATCHERS - eliminated in February 2016, ca. turn 966 */
             if (data->version < NOWATCH_VERSION) {
-                fno = read_faction_reference(data);
-                while (fno.i) {
+                int fno = read_faction_reference(data);
+                while (fno) {
                     fno = read_faction_reference(data);
                 }
             }
@@ -509,15 +508,15 @@ void write_alliances(gamedata *data)
     WRITE_SECTION(data->store);
 }
 
-static int resolve_owner(variant id, void *address)
+static int resolve_owner(int id, void *address)
 {
     region_owner *owner = (region_owner *)address;
     int result = 0;
     faction *f = NULL;
-    if (id.i != 0) {
-        f = findfaction(id.i);
+    if (id != 0) {
+        f = findfaction(id);
         if (f == NULL) {
-            log_error("region has an invalid owner (%s)", itoa36(id.i));
+            log_error("region has an invalid owner (%s)", itoa36(id));
         }
     }
     owner->owner = f;
@@ -1171,9 +1170,7 @@ static ally **addally(const faction * f, ally ** sfp, int aid, int state)
 
     sf = ally_add(sfp, af);
     if (!sf->faction) {
-        variant id;
-        id.i = aid;
-        ur_add(id, &sf->faction, resolve_faction);
+        ur_add(aid, &sf->faction, resolve_faction);
     }
     sf->status = state & HELP_ALL;
 
@@ -1489,7 +1486,7 @@ static int cb_sb_maxlevel(spellbook_entry *sbe, void *cbdata) {
 
 int readgame(const char *filename)
 {
-    int n;
+    int n, stream_version;
     char path[MAX_PATH];
     gamedata gdata = { 0 };
     storage store;
@@ -1506,11 +1503,8 @@ int readgame(const char *filename)
         return -1;
     }
     sz = fread(&gdata.version, sizeof(int), 1, F);
-    if (sz != sizeof(int) || gdata.version >= INTPAK_VERSION) {
-        int stream_version;
-        size_t sz = fread(&stream_version, sizeof(int), 1, F);
-        assert((sz == 1 && stream_version == STREAM_VERSION) || !"unsupported data format");
-    }
+    sz = fread(&stream_version, sizeof(int), 1, F);
+    assert((sz == 1 && stream_version == STREAM_VERSION) || !"unsupported data format");
     assert(gdata.version >= MIN_VERSION || !"unsupported data format");
     assert(gdata.version <= MAX_VERSION || !"unsupported data format");
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/unit.c b/src/kernel/unit.c
index 685da7b42..8d62b98c3 100644
--- a/src/kernel/unit.c
+++ b/src/kernel/unit.c
@@ -751,11 +751,11 @@ void write_unit_reference(const unit * u, struct storage *store)
     WRITE_INT(store, (u && u->region) ? u->no : 0);
 }
 
-int resolve_unit(variant id, void *address)
+int resolve_unit(int id, void *address)
 {
     unit *u = NULL;
-    if (id.i != 0) {
-        u = findunit(id.i);
+    if (id != 0) {
+        u = findunit(id);
         if (u == NULL) {
             *(unit **)address = NULL;
             return -1;
@@ -765,11 +765,11 @@ int resolve_unit(variant id, void *address)
     return 0;
 }
 
-variant read_unit_reference(gamedata *data)
+int read_unit_reference(gamedata *data)
 {
-    variant var;
-    READ_INT(data->store, &var.i);
-    return var;
+    int id;
+    READ_INT(data->store, &id);
+    return id;
 }
 
 int get_level(const unit * u, skill_t id)
diff --git a/src/kernel/unit.h b/src/kernel/unit.h
index dede956b5..e737cea71 100644
--- a/src/kernel/unit.h
+++ b/src/kernel/unit.h
@@ -185,9 +185,9 @@ extern "C" {
     void make_zombie(unit * u);
 
     /* see resolve.h */
-    int resolve_unit(variant data, void *address);
+    int resolve_unit(int id, void *address);
     void write_unit_reference(const struct unit *u, struct storage *store);
-    variant read_unit_reference(struct gamedata *data);
+    int read_unit_reference(struct gamedata *data);
 
     bool leave(struct unit *u, bool force);
     bool can_leave(struct unit *u);
diff --git a/src/magic.c b/src/magic.c
index f113ca4f1..cefc169e1 100644
--- a/src/magic.c
+++ b/src/magic.c
@@ -2262,10 +2262,10 @@ bool create_newfamiliar(unit * mage, unit * familiar)
     return true;
 }
 
-static int resolve_familiar(variant data, void *addr)
+static int resolve_familiar(int id, void *addr)
 {
     unit *familiar;
-    int result = resolve_unit(data, &familiar);
+    int result = resolve_unit(id, &familiar);
     if (result == 0 && familiar) {
         attrib *a = a_find(familiar->attribs, &at_familiarmage);
         if (a != NULL && a->data.v) {
@@ -2346,10 +2346,10 @@ unit *has_clone(unit * mage)
     return NULL;
 }
 
-static int resolve_clone(variant data, void *addr)
+static int resolve_clone(int id, void *addr)
 {
     unit *clone;
-    int result = resolve_unit(data, &clone);
+    int result = resolve_unit(id, &clone);
     if (result == 0 && clone) {
         attrib *a = a_find(clone->attribs, &at_clonemage);
         if (a != NULL && a->data.v) {
@@ -2372,10 +2372,10 @@ static int read_clone(attrib * a, void *owner, struct gamedata *data)
 }
 
 /* mages */
-static int resolve_mage(variant data, void *addr)
+static int resolve_mage(int id, void *addr)
 {
     unit *mage;
-    int result = resolve_unit(data, &mage);
+    int result = resolve_unit(id, &mage);
     if (result == 0 && mage) {
         attrib *a = a_find(mage->attribs, &at_familiar);
         if (a != NULL && a->data.v) {
diff --git a/src/spells.c b/src/spells.c
index b516edd26..2fcda4821 100644
--- a/src/spells.c
+++ b/src/spells.c
@@ -2900,7 +2900,7 @@ static int dc_read_compat(struct attrib *a, void *target, gamedata *data)
     struct storage *store = data->store;
     region *r = NULL;
     unit *u;
-    variant var;
+    int id;
     int duration;
     float strength;
     int rx, ry;
@@ -2909,8 +2909,8 @@ static int dc_read_compat(struct attrib *a, void *target, gamedata *data)
     UNUSED_ARG(target);
     READ_INT(store, &duration);
     READ_FLT(store, &strength);
-    READ_INT(store, &var.i);
-    u = findunit(var.i);
+    READ_INT(store, &id);
+    u = findunit(id);
 
     /* this only affects really old data. no need to change: */
     READ_INT(store, &rx);
@@ -2927,7 +2927,7 @@ static int dc_read_compat(struct attrib *a, void *target, gamedata *data)
                 effect, 0);
         c->data.v = r;
         if (u == NULL) {
-            ur_add(var, &c->magician, resolve_unit);
+            ur_add(id, &c->magician, resolve_unit);
         }
     }
     return AT_READ_FAIL;          /* we don't care for the attribute. */
diff --git a/src/triggers/changefaction.c b/src/triggers/changefaction.c
index e8b6a4879..09bde22e9 100644
--- a/src/triggers/changefaction.c
+++ b/src/triggers/changefaction.c
@@ -83,15 +83,15 @@ static void changefaction_write(const trigger * t, struct storage *store)
 
 static int changefaction_read(trigger * t, gamedata *data)
 {
-    variant var;
+    int id;
     changefaction_data *td = (changefaction_data *)t->data.v;
 
     read_reference(&td->unit, data, read_unit_reference, resolve_unit);
-    var = read_faction_reference(data);
-    if (var.i == 0) {
+    id = read_faction_reference(data);
+    if (id == 0) {
         return AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
-    ur_add(var, &td->faction, resolve_faction);
+    ur_add(id, &td->faction, resolve_faction);
     return AT_READ_OK;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/triggers/changerace.c b/src/triggers/changerace.c
index a9f282698..ad21e1ec2 100644
--- a/src/triggers/changerace.c
+++ b/src/triggers/changerace.c
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ static int changerace_read(trigger * t, gamedata *data)
 {
     changerace_data *td = (changerace_data *)t->data.v;
     read_reference(&td->u, data, read_unit_reference, resolve_unit);
-    td->race = (const struct race *)read_race_reference(data->store).v;
-    td->irace = (const struct race *)read_race_reference(data->store).v;
+    td->race = read_race_reference(data->store);
+    td->irace = read_race_reference(data->store);
     return AT_READ_OK;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/triggers/createunit.c b/src/triggers/createunit.c
index 1148b1d5a..f219ab2c0 100644
--- a/src/triggers/createunit.c
+++ b/src/triggers/createunit.c
@@ -90,13 +90,13 @@ static void createunit_write(const trigger * t, struct storage *store)
 static int createunit_read(trigger * t, gamedata *data)
 {
     createunit_data *td = (createunit_data *)t->data.v;
-    variant var;
+    int id;
     int result = AT_READ_OK;
-    var = read_faction_reference(data);
-    if (var.i > 0) {
-        td->f = findfaction(var.i);
+    id = read_faction_reference(data);
+    if (id > 0) {
+        td->f = findfaction(id);
         if (!td->f) {
-            ur_add(var, &td->f, resolve_faction);
+            ur_add(id, &td->f, resolve_faction);
         }
     }
     else {
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ static int createunit_read(trigger * t, gamedata *data)
 
     read_reference(&td->r, data, read_region_reference,
         RESOLVE_REGION(data->version));
-    td->race = (const struct race *)read_race_reference(data->store).v;
+    td->race = read_race_reference(data->store);
     if (!td->race) {
         result = AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
diff --git a/src/util/resolve.c b/src/util/resolve.c
index 63ef5d933..63146095d 100644
--- a/src/util/resolve.c
+++ b/src/util/resolve.c
@@ -37,26 +37,19 @@ static unresolved *ur_list;
 static unresolved *ur_begin;
 static unresolved *ur_current;
 
-variant read_int(struct storage *store)
-{
-    variant var;
-    READ_INT(store, &var.i);
-    return var;
-}
-
 int
 read_reference(void *address, struct gamedata * data, read_fun reader,
     resolve_fun resolver)
 {
-    variant var = reader(data);
-    int result = resolver(var, address);
+    int id = reader(data);
+    int result = resolver(id, address);
     if (result != 0) {
-        ur_add(var, address, resolver);
+        ur_add(id, address, resolver);
     }
     return result;
 }
 
-void ur_add(variant data, void *ptrptr, resolve_fun fun)
+void ur_add(int id, void *ptrptr, resolve_fun fun)
 {
     assert(ptrptr);
     if (ur_list == NULL) {
@@ -68,7 +61,7 @@ void ur_add(variant data, void *ptrptr, resolve_fun fun)
         ur_current->data.v = ur_begin;
         ur_current = ur_begin;
     }
-    ur_current->data = data;
+    ur_current->data.i = id;
     ur_current->resolve = fun;
     ur_current->ptrptr = ptrptr;
 
@@ -88,7 +81,7 @@ void resolve(void)
             continue;
         }
         assert(ur->ptrptr);
-        ur->resolve(ur->data, ur->ptrptr);
+        ur->resolve(ur->data.i, ur->ptrptr);
         ++ur;
     }
     free(ur_list);
diff --git a/src/util/resolve.h b/src/util/resolve.h
index 076b20508..3fe385253 100644
--- a/src/util/resolve.h
+++ b/src/util/resolve.h
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 #ifndef RESOLVE_H
 #define RESOLVE_H
 
-#include "variant.h"
 struct storage;
 struct gamedata;
 
@@ -27,15 +26,13 @@ struct gamedata;
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-    typedef int(*resolve_fun) (variant data, void *address);
-    typedef variant(*read_fun) (struct gamedata * data);
-    extern int read_reference(void *address, struct gamedata *data,
+    typedef int(*resolve_fun) (int id, void *address);
+    typedef int(*read_fun) (struct gamedata * data);
+    int read_reference(void *address, struct gamedata *data,
         read_fun reader, resolve_fun resolver);
 
-    extern void ur_add(variant data, void *address, resolve_fun fun);
-    extern void resolve(void);
-
-    extern variant read_int(struct storage *store);
+    void ur_add(int id, void *address, resolve_fun fun);
+    void resolve(void);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/src/wormhole.c b/src/wormhole.c
index 462f4e637..859c4460f 100644
--- a/src/wormhole.c
+++ b/src/wormhole.c
@@ -97,9 +97,9 @@ static void wormhole_write(const struct attrib *a, const void *owner, struct sto
 }
 
 /** conversion code, turn 573, 2008-05-23 */
-static int resolve_exit(variant id, void *address)
+static int resolve_exit(int id, void *address)
 {
-    building *b = findbuilding(id.i);
+    building *b = findbuilding(id);
     region **rp = address;
     if (b) {
         *rp = b->region;