diff --git a/src/attributes/attributes.c b/src/attributes/attributes.c
index 400282ae7..12cb9131f 100644
--- a/src/attributes/attributes.c
+++ b/src/attributes/attributes.c
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ static int obs_read(variant *var, void *owner, struct gamedata *data)
     obs_data *od = (obs_data *)var->v;
 
     UNUSED_ARG(owner);
-    read_faction_reference(data, &od->f, NULL);
+    read_faction_reference(data, &od->f);
     READ_INT(data->store, &od->skill);
     READ_INT(data->store, &od->timer);
     return AT_READ_OK;
diff --git a/src/attributes/targetregion.c b/src/attributes/targetregion.c
index 600d2e184..4f5a2101a 100644
--- a/src/attributes/targetregion.c
+++ b/src/attributes/targetregion.c
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ write_targetregion(const variant *var, const void *owner, struct storage *store)
 
 static int read_targetregion(variant *var, void *owner, gamedata *data)
 {
-    if (read_region_reference(data, (region **)&var->v, NULL) <= 0) {
+    if (read_region_reference(data, (region **)&var->v) <= 0) {
         return AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
     return AT_READ_OK;
diff --git a/src/kernel/building.c b/src/kernel/building.c
index 3a3d7e4e5..456ad1704 100644
--- a/src/kernel/building.c
+++ b/src/kernel/building.c
@@ -359,15 +359,14 @@ void resolve_building(building *b)
     resolve(RESOLVE_BUILDING | b->no, b);
 }
 
-int read_building_reference(gamedata * data, building **bp, resolve_fun fun)
+int read_building_reference(gamedata * data, building **bp)
 {
     int id;
     READ_INT(data->store, &id);
     if (id > 0) {
         *bp = findbuilding(id);
         if (*bp == NULL) {
-            *bp = NULL;
-            ur_add(RESOLVE_BUILDING | id, (void**)bp, fun);
+            *bp = building_create(id);
         }
     }
     else {
@@ -376,17 +375,23 @@ int read_building_reference(gamedata * data, building **bp, resolve_fun fun)
     return id;
 }
 
+building *building_create(int id)
+{
+    building *b = (building *)calloc(1, sizeof(building));
+    b->no = id;
+    bhash(b);
+    return b;
+}
+
 building *new_building(const struct building_type * btype, region * r,
     const struct locale * lang)
 {
     building **bptr = &r->buildings;
-    building *b = (building *)calloc(1, sizeof(building));
+    int id = newcontainerid();
+    building *b = building_create(id);
     const char *bname;
     char buffer[32];
 
-    b->no = newcontainerid();
-    bhash(b);
-
     b->type = btype;
     b->region = r;
     while (*bptr)
diff --git a/src/kernel/building.h b/src/kernel/building.h
index af605b448..a5419325f 100644
--- a/src/kernel/building.h
+++ b/src/kernel/building.h
@@ -127,8 +127,9 @@ extern "C" {
     const char *write_buildingname(const building * b, char *ibuf,
         size_t size);
     int buildingcapacity(const struct building *b);
+    struct building *building_create(int id);
     struct building *new_building(const struct building_type *typ,
-    struct region *r, const struct locale *lang);
+        struct region *r, const struct locale *lang);
     int build_building(struct unit *u, const struct building_type *typ,
         int id, int size, struct order *ord);
     bool building_finished(const struct building *b);
@@ -166,7 +167,7 @@ extern "C" {
     void resolve_building(building *b);
     void write_building_reference(const struct building *b,
     struct storage *store);
-    int read_building_reference(struct gamedata * data, struct building **bp, resolve_fun fun);
+    int read_building_reference(struct gamedata * data, struct building **bp);
 
     struct building *findbuilding(int n);
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/curse.c b/src/kernel/curse.c
index 62e7ab9b2..bf3c8fef0 100644
--- a/src/kernel/curse.c
+++ b/src/kernel/curse.c
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ int curse_read(variant *var, void *owner, gamedata *data)
         READ_INT(store, &c->data.i);
     }
     if (c->type->typ == CURSETYP_REGION) {
-        int rr = read_region_reference(data, (region **)&c->data.v, NULL);
+        int rr = read_region_reference(data, (region **)&c->data.v);
         if (ur == 0 && rr == 0 && !c->data.v) {
             return AT_READ_FAIL;
         }
diff --git a/src/kernel/faction.c b/src/kernel/faction.c
index 9265d4a8e..f36ef5f8c 100755
--- a/src/kernel/faction.c
+++ b/src/kernel/faction.c
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
 #include <util/parser.h>
 #include <util/password.h>
 #include <util/path.h>
-#include <util/resolve.h>
 #include <util/rng.h>
 #include <util/strings.h>
 #include <util/variant.h>
@@ -331,20 +330,14 @@ bool checkpasswd(const faction * f, const char *passwd)
     return true;
 }
 
-void resolve_faction(faction *f)
-{
-    resolve(RESOLVE_FACTION | f->no, f);
-}
-
-int read_faction_reference(gamedata * data, faction **fp, resolve_fun fun)
+int read_faction_reference(gamedata * data, faction **fp)
 {
     int id;
     READ_INT(data->store, &id);
     if (id > 0) {
         *fp = findfaction(id);
         if (*fp == NULL) {
-            *fp = NULL;
-            ur_add(RESOLVE_FACTION | id, (void **)fp, fun);
+            *fp = faction_create(id);
         }
     }
     else {
diff --git a/src/kernel/faction.h b/src/kernel/faction.h
index 04070c91a..0c579603a 100644
--- a/src/kernel/faction.h
+++ b/src/kernel/faction.h
@@ -133,10 +133,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
     void write_faction_reference(const struct faction *f,
         struct storage *store);
-    int read_faction_reference(struct gamedata *data, struct faction **fp, resolve_fun fun);
-
-#define RESOLVE_FACTION (TYP_FACTION << 24)
-    void resolve_faction(struct faction *f);
+    int read_faction_reference(struct gamedata *data, struct faction **fp);
 
     void renumber_faction(faction * f, int no);
     void free_factions(void);
diff --git a/src/kernel/region.c b/src/kernel/region.c
index fee51d13c..f665811d7 100644
--- a/src/kernel/region.c
+++ b/src/kernel/region.c
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ static void unhash_uid(region * r)
     uidhash[key].r = NULL;
 }
 
-static void hash_uid(region * r)
+static void rhash_uid(region * r)
 {
     int uid = r->uid;
     for (;;) {
@@ -761,32 +761,35 @@ static region *last;
 
 static unsigned int max_index = 0;
 
+region *region_create(int uid)
+{
+    region *r = (region *)calloc(1, sizeof(region));
+    assert_alloc(r);
+    r->uid = uid;
+    rhash_uid(r);
+    return r;
+}
+
 region *new_region(int x, int y, struct plane *pl, int uid)
 {
     region *r;
 
     pnormalize(&x, &y, pl);
     r = rfindhash(x, y);
-
-    if (r) {
-        log_error("duplicate region discovered: %s(%d,%d)\n", regionname(r, NULL), x, y);
-        if (r->units)
-            log_error("duplicate region contains units\n");
-        return r;
+    if (!r) {
+        r = region_create(uid);
     }
-    r = (region *)calloc(sizeof(region), 1);
-    assert_alloc(r);
     r->x = x;
     r->y = y;
-    r->uid = uid;
     r->age = 1;
     r->_plane = pl;
     rhash(r);
-    hash_uid(r);
-    if (last)
+    if (last) {
         addlist(&last, r);
-    else
+    }
+    else {
         addlist(&regions, r);
+    }
     last = r;
     assert(r->next == NULL);
     r->index = ++max_index;
@@ -1263,7 +1266,7 @@ void resolve_region(region *r)
     resolve(RESOLVE_REGION | r->uid, r);
 }
 
-int read_region_reference(gamedata * data, region **rp, resolve_fun fun)
+int read_region_reference(gamedata * data, region **rp)
 {
     struct storage * store = data->store;
     int id = 0;
@@ -1271,7 +1274,7 @@ int read_region_reference(gamedata * data, region **rp, resolve_fun fun)
     READ_INT(store, &id);
     *rp = findregionbyid(id);
     if (*rp == NULL) {
-        ur_add(RESOLVE_REGION | id, (void **)rp, fun);
+        *rp = region_create(id);
     }
     return id;
 }
diff --git a/src/kernel/region.h b/src/kernel/region.h
index bf932e9c3..436434024 100644
--- a/src/kernel/region.h
+++ b/src/kernel/region.h
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ extern "C" {
     const char *write_regionname(const struct region *r, const struct faction *f,
         char *buffer, size_t size);
 
+    struct region *region_create(int uid);
     struct region *new_region(int x, int y, struct plane *pl, int uid);
     void remove_region(region ** rlist, region * r);
     void terraform_region(struct region *r, const struct terrain_type *terrain);
@@ -252,7 +253,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #define RESOLVE_REGION (TYP_REGION << 24)
     void resolve_region(region *r);
     void write_region_reference(const struct region *r, struct storage *store);
-    int read_region_reference(struct gamedata *data, region **rp, resolve_fun fun);
+    int read_region_reference(struct gamedata *data, region **rp);
 
     const char *regionname(const struct region *r, const struct faction *f);
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/save.c b/src/kernel/save.c
index 8c4b408c9..ceaf78ee1 100644
--- a/src/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/kernel/save.c
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ static void read_alliances(gamedata *data)
             READ_INT(store, &al->flags);
         }
         if (data->version >= ALLIANCELEADER_VERSION) {
-            read_faction_reference(data, &al->_leader, NULL);
+            read_faction_reference(data, &al->_leader);
             READ_INT(store, &id);
         }
         else {
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ static void read_owner(gamedata *data, region_owner ** powner)
             owner->flags = 0;
         }
         if (data->version >= OWNER_3_VERSION) {
-            read_faction_reference(data, &owner->last_owner, NULL);
+            read_faction_reference(data, &owner->last_owner);
         }
         else if (data->version >= OWNER_2_VERSION) {
             int id;
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ static void read_owner(gamedata *data, region_owner ** powner)
         else {
             owner->last_owner = NULL;
         }
-        read_faction_reference(data, &owner->owner, NULL);
+        read_faction_reference(data, &owner->owner);
         *powner = owner;
     }
     else {
@@ -420,10 +420,7 @@ unit *read_unit(gamedata *data)
         u_setfaction(u, NULL);
     }
     else {
-        u = (unit *)calloc(1, sizeof(unit));
-        assert_alloc(u);
-        u->no = n;
-        uhash(u);
+        u = unit_create(n);
     }
 
     READ_INT(data->store, &n);
@@ -1087,7 +1084,6 @@ faction *read_faction(gamedata * data)
     if (data->version >= REGIONOWNER_VERSION) {
         read_spellbook(FactionSpells() ? &f->spellbook : 0, data, get_spell_level_faction, (void *)f);
     }
-    resolve_faction(f);
     return f;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/kernel/unit.c b/src/kernel/unit.c
index d0737eaba..8b2248d39 100644
--- a/src/kernel/unit.c
+++ b/src/kernel/unit.c
@@ -1375,6 +1375,12 @@ void name_unit(unit * u)
     }
 }
 
+unit *unit_create(int id)
+{
+    unit *u = (unit *)calloc(1, sizeof(unit));
+    createunitid(u, id);
+    return u;
+}
 /** creates a new unit.
 *
 * @param dname: name, set to NULL to get a default.
@@ -1383,7 +1389,7 @@ void name_unit(unit * u)
 unit *create_unit(region * r, faction * f, int number, const struct race *urace,
     int id, const char *dname, unit * creator)
 {
-    unit *u = (unit *)calloc(1, sizeof(unit));
+    unit *u = unit_create(id);
 
     assert(urace);
     u_setrace(u, urace);
@@ -1395,10 +1401,6 @@ unit *create_unit(region * r, faction * f, int number, const struct race *urace,
 
     set_number(u, number);
 
-    /* die nummer der neuen einheit muss vor name_unit generiert werden,
-     * da der default name immer noch 'Nummer u->no' ist */
-    createunitid(u, id);
-
     /* zuerst in die Region setzen, da zb Drachennamen den Regionsnamen
      * enthalten */
     if (r)
diff --git a/src/kernel/unit.h b/src/kernel/unit.h
index 86c2e2e61..e08ca1ef3 100644
--- a/src/kernel/unit.h
+++ b/src/kernel/unit.h
@@ -206,10 +206,11 @@ extern "C" {
     int invisible(const struct unit *target, const struct unit *viewer);
     void free_unit(struct unit *u);
 
-    extern void name_unit(struct unit *u);
-    extern struct unit *create_unit(struct region *r1, struct faction *f,
+    void name_unit(struct unit *u);
+    struct unit *unit_create(int id);
+    struct unit *create_unit(struct region *r1, struct faction *f,
         int number, const struct race *rc, int id, const char *dname,
-    struct unit *creator);
+        struct unit *creator);
 
     void uhash(struct unit *u);
     void uunhash(struct unit *u);
diff --git a/src/modules/xmas.c b/src/modules/xmas.c
index aa296866a..a8b87026a 100644
--- a/src/modules/xmas.c
+++ b/src/modules/xmas.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ static void xmasgate_write(const trigger * t, struct storage *store)
 
 static int xmasgate_read(trigger * t, struct gamedata *data)
 {
-    if (read_building_reference(data, (building **)&t->data.v, NULL) <= 0) {
+    if (read_building_reference(data, (building **)&t->data.v) <= 0) {
         return AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
     return AT_READ_OK;
diff --git a/src/triggers/changefaction.c b/src/triggers/changefaction.c
index 8aa73168d..8b1ead479 100644
--- a/src/triggers/changefaction.c
+++ b/src/triggers/changefaction.c
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ static int changefaction_read(trigger * t, gamedata *data)
     changefaction_data *td = (changefaction_data *)t->data.v;
 
     read_unit_reference(data, &td->unit, NULL);
-    return read_faction_reference(data, &td->faction, NULL) > 0 ? AT_READ_OK : AT_READ_FAIL;
+    return read_faction_reference(data, &td->faction) > 0 ? AT_READ_OK : AT_READ_FAIL;
 }
 
 trigger_type tt_changefaction = {
diff --git a/src/triggers/createunit.c b/src/triggers/createunit.c
index d4dd8f983..82155de55 100644
--- a/src/triggers/createunit.c
+++ b/src/triggers/createunit.c
@@ -94,12 +94,12 @@ static int createunit_read(trigger * t, gamedata *data)
     int id;
     int result = AT_READ_OK;
 
-    id = read_faction_reference(data, &td->f, NULL);
+    id = read_faction_reference(data, &td->f);
     if (id <= 0) {
         result = AT_READ_FAIL;
     }
 
-    read_region_reference(data, &td->r, NULL);
+    read_region_reference(data, &td->r);
     td->race = read_race_reference(data->store);
     if (!td->race) {
         result = AT_READ_FAIL;
diff --git a/src/triggers/gate.c b/src/triggers/gate.c
index 065be8cf8..ac3e44b88 100644
--- a/src/triggers/gate.c
+++ b/src/triggers/gate.c
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ static void gate_write(const trigger * t, struct storage *store)
 static int gate_read(trigger * t, gamedata *data)
 {
     gate_data *gd = (gate_data *)t->data.v;
-    int bc = read_building_reference(data, &gd->gate, NULL);
-    int rc = read_region_reference(data, &gd->target, NULL);
+    int bc = read_building_reference(data, &gd->gate);
+    int rc = read_region_reference(data, &gd->target);
 
     if (bc <= 0 && rc <= 0) {
         return AT_READ_FAIL;
diff --git a/src/wormhole.c b/src/wormhole.c
index 382e64d16..1ce6686c9 100644
--- a/src/wormhole.c
+++ b/src/wormhole.c
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ static int wormhole_read(variant *var, void *owner, struct gamedata *data)
     if (data->version < ATTRIBOWNER_VERSION) {
         READ_INT(data->store, NULL);
     }
-    id = read_region_reference(data, (region **)&var->v, NULL);
+    id = read_region_reference(data, (region **)&var->v);
     return (id <= 0) ? AT_READ_FAIL : AT_READ_OK;
 }