diff --git a/res/core/spells.xml b/res/core/spells.xml
index cb7fcf911..59d06a522 100644
--- a/res/core/spells.xml
+++ b/res/core/spells.xml
@@ -10,14 +10,12 @@
 
   <!-- shared spells -->
   <spell name="create_roi" ship="true" rank="5" index="130">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_aots" ship="true" rank="5" index="125">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -25,12 +23,10 @@
 
   <!-- draig spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#draig" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_firesword" ship="true" rank="5" index="148">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="p10" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="sword" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -38,19 +34,16 @@
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_trollbelt" ship="true" rank="5" index="48">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="20" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <!-- gwyrrd spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#gwyrrd" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_magicherbbag" ship="true" rank="5" index="165">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="30" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="p2" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -58,18 +51,15 @@
 
   <!-- illaun spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#illaun" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_dreameye" ship="true" rank="5" index="149">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="dragonhead" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="5" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_invisibility_sphere" ship="true" rank="5" index="178">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="150" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="30000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="3" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -77,12 +67,10 @@
 
   <!-- cerddor spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#cerddor" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_roqf" ship="true" rank="5" index="63">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="20" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="1000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -90,25 +78,21 @@
 
   <!-- tybied spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#tybied" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_antimagic" ship="true" rank="5" index="38">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_rop" ship="true" rank="5" index="1">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="4000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_bagofholding" ship="true" rank="5" index="155">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="30" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="5000" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -116,7 +100,6 @@
 
   <!-- gray magic -->
   <spell name="create_runesword" ship="true" rank="5" index="135">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="1000" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -124,20 +107,17 @@
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_chastitybelt" ship="true" rank="5" index="134">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_focus" ship="true" rank="5" index="2">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_ror" ship="true" rank="5" index="3">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
diff --git a/res/e3a/spells.xml b/res/e3a/spells.xml
index 74eb89146..89a977275 100644
--- a/res/e3a/spells.xml
+++ b/res/e3a/spells.xml
@@ -10,14 +10,12 @@
 
   <!-- shared spells -->
   <spell name="create_roi" ship="true" rank="5" index="130">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_aots" ship="true" rank="5" index="125">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -39,7 +37,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="earn_silver#illaun" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
     <!-- Wahrsagen -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
   <spell name="flee" rank="5" index="20" variable="true" combat="1">
@@ -106,7 +103,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_dreameye" ship="true" rank="5" index="149">
     <!-- Erschaffe ein Traumauge -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="dragonhead" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="5" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
@@ -119,7 +115,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="earn_silver#draig" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
     <!-- Kleine Flüche -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
   <spell name="fireball" rank="5" index="4" variable="true" combat="2">
@@ -189,7 +184,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_firesword" ship="true" rank="5" index="148">
     <!-- Erschaffe ein Flammenschwert -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="oil" amount="10" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="sword" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -205,7 +199,6 @@
   <!-- new cerddor -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#cerddor" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
     <!-- Gaukeleien -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
   <spell name="song_of_healing" rank="5" index="10" variable="true" combat="3">
@@ -269,7 +262,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_roqf" ship="true" rank="5" index="63">
     <!-- Miriams flinke Finger -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="20" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="1000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -304,12 +296,10 @@
   <!-- new gwyrrd -->
   <spell name="blessedharvest" rank="5" index="25" ship="true" far="true" variable="true">
     <!-- Segen der Erde -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
   <spell name="earn_silver#gwyrrd" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
     <!-- Viehheilung -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
   <spell name="stonegolem" rank="4" index="32" variable="true">
@@ -394,21 +384,18 @@
   <!-- new tybied - spells known to all schools -->
   <spell name="create_potion_p2" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Wasser des Lebens -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="2" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h4" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Baumringel -->
     <resource name="h6" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Gurgelkraut -->
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_potion_p0" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Siebenmeilentee -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="2" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h12" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Windbeutel -->
     <resource name="h17" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Höhlenglimm -->
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_potion_p9" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Pferdeglück -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="3" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h0" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Flachwurz -->
     <resource name="h8" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Blasenmorchel -->
@@ -416,7 +403,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_potion_peasantblood" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Bauernblut -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="3" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h14" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Alraune -->
     <resource name="h6" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Gurgelkraut -->
@@ -426,7 +412,6 @@
 
   <spell name="create_potion_ointment" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Wundsalbe -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="4" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h4" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Baumringel -->
     <resource name="h15" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Steinbeißer -->
@@ -435,7 +420,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_potion_p3" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Schaffenstrunk -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="4" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h12" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Windbeutel -->
     <resource name="h6" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Gurgelkraut -->
@@ -444,7 +428,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_potion_p14" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Heiltrank -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="5" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h0" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Flachwurz -->
     <resource name="h8" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Blasenmorchel -->
@@ -454,7 +437,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="create_potion_p13" ship="true" rank="5" variable="true">
     <!-- Elixier der Macht -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="5" cost="linear"/>
     <resource name="h14" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Alraune -->
     <resource name="h8" amount="1" cost="linear"/><!-- Blasenmorchel -->
@@ -472,39 +454,33 @@
 
   <!-- common spells: randomly given, one per level -->
   <spell name="create_trollbelt" ship="true" rank="5" index="48">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="20" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_antimagic" ship="true" rank="5" index="38">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_rop" ship="true" rank="5" index="1">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="4000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_bagofholding" ship="true" rank="5" index="155">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="30" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="5000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_focus" ship="true" rank="5" index="2">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_ror" ship="true" rank="5" index="3">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
@@ -518,7 +494,6 @@
   </spell>
   <spell name="raindance" rank="5" index="26" ship="true" far="true" variable="true">
     <!-- Regentanz -->
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
   <spell name="irongolem" rank="4" index="33" variable="true">
diff --git a/res/eressea/spells.xml b/res/eressea/spells.xml
index 1d762f4bd..6b2e43a15 100644
--- a/res/eressea/spells.xml
+++ b/res/eressea/spells.xml
@@ -10,14 +10,12 @@
 
   <!-- shared spells -->
   <spell name="create_roi" ship="true" rank="5" index="130">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_aots" ship="true" rank="5" index="125">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -494,12 +492,10 @@
 
   <!-- draig spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#draig" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_firesword" ship="true" rank="5" index="148">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="p10" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="sword" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -507,7 +503,6 @@
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_trollbelt" ship="true" rank="5" index="48">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="20" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
@@ -520,12 +515,10 @@
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="earn_silver#gwyrrd" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_magicherbbag" ship="true" rank="5" index="165">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="30" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="p2" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -533,18 +526,15 @@
 
   <!-- illaun spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#illaun" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_dreameye" ship="true" rank="5" index="149">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="dragonhead" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="5" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_invisibility_sphere" ship="true" rank="5" index="178">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="150" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="30000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="3" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -558,12 +548,10 @@
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="earn_silver#cerddor" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_roqf" ship="true" rank="5" index="63">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="20" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="1000" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -583,25 +571,21 @@
 
   <!-- tybied spells -->
   <spell name="earn_silver#tybied" ship="true" variable="true" rank="5" index="159">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="1" cost="level"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_antimagic" ship="true" rank="5" index="38">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_rop" ship="true" rank="5" index="1">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="4000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_bagofholding" ship="true" rank="5" index="155">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="30" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="5000" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -609,7 +593,6 @@
 
   <!-- gray magic -->
   <spell name="create_runesword" ship="true" rank="5" index="135">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="1000" cost="fixed"/>
@@ -617,20 +600,17 @@
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_chastitybelt" ship="true" rank="5" index="134">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="50" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="money" amount="3000" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_focus" ship="true" rank="5" index="2">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
 
   <spell name="create_ror" ship="true" rank="5" index="3">
-    <function name="cast" value="lua_castspell"/>
     <resource name="aura" amount="100" cost="fixed"/>
     <resource name="permaura" amount="1" cost="fixed"/>
   </spell>
diff --git a/src/helpers.c b/src/helpers.c
index 924082bcd..429c5d190 100644
--- a/src/helpers.c
+++ b/src/helpers.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ without prior permission by the authors of Eressea.
 #include <util/resolve.h>
 
 #include <kernel/config.h>
+#include <kernel/callbacks.h>
 #include <kernel/equipment.h>
 #include <kernel/faction.h>
 #include <kernel/spell.h>
@@ -460,7 +461,8 @@ void register_tolua_helpers(void)
     at_register(&at_direction);
     at_register(&at_building_action);
 
-    register_function((pf_generic)lua_callspell, TOLUA_CAST "lua_castspell");
+    callbacks.cast_spell = lua_callspell;
+
     register_function((pf_generic)lua_initfamiliar,
         TOLUA_CAST "lua_initfamiliar");
     register_function((pf_generic)lua_getresource,