diff --git a/src/common/items/xerewards.c b/src/common/items/xerewards.c
index 020ea020e..f779e33d9 100644
--- a/src/common/items/xerewards.c
+++ b/src/common/items/xerewards.c
@@ -36,6 +36,11 @@
 static int
 use_skillpotion(struct unit * u, const struct item_type * itype, int amount, struct order * ord)
 {
+  /* the problem with making this a lua function is that there's no way
+   * to get the list of skills for a unit. and with the way skills are 
+   * currently saved, it doesn't look likely (can't make eressea::list 
+   * from them)
+   */
 	int i;
 	for (i=0;i!=amount;++i) {
 		skill * sv = u->skills;
@@ -52,23 +57,6 @@ use_skillpotion(struct unit * u, const struct item_type * itype, int amount, str
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static resource_type rt_skillpotion = {
-	{ "skillpotion", "skillpotion_p" },
-	{ "skillpotion", "skillpotion_p" },
-	RTF_ITEM,
-	&res_changeitem
-};
-
-item_type it_skillpotion = {
-	&rt_skillpotion,        /* resourcetype */
-	0, 0, 0,		/* flags, weight, capacity */
-	NULL,                   /* construction */
-	&use_skillpotion,
-	NULL,
-	NULL
-};
-
-
 static int
 use_manacrystal(struct unit * u, const struct item_type * itype, int amount, struct order * ord)
 {
@@ -91,28 +79,9 @@ use_manacrystal(struct unit * u, const struct item_type * itype, int amount, str
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static resource_type rt_manacrystal = {
-	{ "manacrystal", "manacrystal_p" },
-	{ "manacrystal", "manacrystal_p" },
-	RTF_ITEM,
-	&res_changeitem
-};
-
-item_type it_manacrystal = {
-	&rt_manacrystal,        /* resourcetype */
-	0, 0, 0,		/* flags, weight, capacity */
-	NULL,                   /* construction */
-	&use_manacrystal,
-	NULL,
-	NULL
-};
-
-
 void
 register_xerewards(void)
 {
-	it_register(&it_skillpotion);
-	it_register(&it_manacrystal);
 	register_function((pf_generic)use_skillpotion, "useskillpotion");
 	register_function((pf_generic)use_manacrystal, "usemanacrystal");
 }
diff --git a/src/common/items/xerewards.h b/src/common/items/xerewards.h
index 4f3e56649..3c6a543c0 100644
--- a/src/common/items/xerewards.h
+++ b/src/common/items/xerewards.h
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-extern struct item_type it_skillpotion;
-extern struct item_type it_astralcrystal;
 extern void register_xerewards(void);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
diff --git a/src/common/modules/museum.c b/src/common/modules/museum.c
index 5dad47b28..fc6217d49 100644
--- a/src/common/modules/museum.c
+++ b/src/common/modules/museum.c
@@ -332,20 +332,6 @@ use_museumexitticket(unit *u, const struct item_type *itype, int amount, order *
 	return 0;
 }
 
-resource_type rt_museumexitticket = {
-  { "museumexitticket", "museumexitticket_p"},
-  { "museumexitticket", "museumexitticket_p"},
-  RTF_ITEM,
-  &res_changeitem
-};
-
-item_type it_museumexitticket = {
-  &rt_museumexitticket,
-    ITF_CURSED, 0, 0,
-    NULL,
-    &use_museumexitticket
-};
-
 static int
 use_museumticket(unit *u, const struct item_type *itype, int amount, order * ord)
 {
@@ -382,25 +368,11 @@ use_museumticket(unit *u, const struct item_type *itype, int amount, order * ord
   i_change(&u->items, itype, -1);
 
   /* Benutzer ein Exitticket geben */
-  i_change(&u->items, &it_museumexitticket, 1);
+  i_change(&u->items, itype, 1);
 
   return 0;
 }
 
-resource_type rt_museumticket = {
-  { "museumticket", "museumticket_p"},
-  { "museumticket", "museumticket_p"},
-  RTF_ITEM,
-  &res_changeitem
-};
-
-item_type it_museumticket = {
-  &rt_museumticket,
-    ITF_NONE, 0, 0,
-    NULL,
-    &use_museumticket
-};
-
 void
 register_museum(void)
 {
@@ -409,14 +381,8 @@ register_museum(void)
 	at_register(&at_museumgivebackcookie);
 	at_register(&at_museumgiveback);
 
-	rt_register(&rt_museumticket);
-	it_register(&it_museumticket);
-
-	rt_register(&rt_museumexitticket);
-	it_register(&it_museumexitticket);
-
-	register_function((pf_generic)use_museumticket, "usemuseumticket");
-	register_function((pf_generic)use_museumexitticket, "usemuseumexitticket");
+	register_function((pf_generic)use_museumticket, "use_museumticket");
+	register_function((pf_generic)use_museumexitticket, "use_museumexitticket");
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/common/modules/xecmd.c b/src/common/modules/xecmd.c
index a4f9cea04..2cf2e9629 100644
--- a/src/common/modules/xecmd.c
+++ b/src/common/modules/xecmd.c
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ xe_givepotion(unit *u, struct order *ord)
 		cmistake(u, ord, 63, MSG_EVENT);
 		return;
 	}
-	i_change(&u2->items, &it_skillpotion, 1);
+	i_change(&u2->items, it_find("skillpotion"), 1);
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/src/eressea/lua/eressea.cpp b/src/eressea/lua/eressea.cpp
index 17450209d..dfcf3cc69 100644
--- a/src/eressea/lua/eressea.cpp
+++ b/src/eressea/lua/eressea.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include <kernel/race.h>
 #include <kernel/reports.h>
 #include <kernel/save.h>
+#include <kernel/skill.h>
 #include <kernel/teleport.h>
 #include <kernel/unit.h>
 
@@ -217,6 +218,15 @@ lua_equipunit(unit& u, const char * eqname)
   equip_unit(&u, get_equipment(eqname));
 }
 
+static void
+lua_learnskill(unit& u, const char * skname, float chances)
+{
+  skill_t sk = sk_find(skname);
+  if (sk!=NOSKILL) {
+    learn_skill(&u, sk, chances);
+  }
+}
+
 void
 bind_eressea(lua_State * L)
 {
@@ -239,6 +249,7 @@ bind_eressea(lua_State * L)
     def("remove_empty_units", &remove_empty_units),
 
     def("equip_unit", &lua_equipunit),
+    def("learn_skill", &lua_learnskill),
 
     /* scripted monsters */
     def("plan_monsters", &lua_planmonsters),
diff --git a/src/res/resources.xml b/src/res/resources.xml
index e49769266..59bd07eb1 100644
--- a/src/res/resources.xml
+++ b/src/res/resources.xml
@@ -1,5 +1,49 @@
 <?xml version="1.0"?>
 <resources>
+
+  <resource name="aog">
+    <!-- Amulett des Treffens -->
+    <item notlost="yes" weight="0"/>
+  </resource>
+
+<!-- museum items -->
+  <resource name="museumexitticket">
+    <!-- you get your stuff back when leaving the museum -->
+    <item notlost="yes" weight="0">
+      <function name="use" value="use_museumexitticket"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="museumticket">
+    <!-- you get your stuff back when leaving the museum -->
+    <item weight="0">
+      <function name="use" value="use_museumticket"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+<!-- XE items -->
+  <resource name="skillpotion">
+    <!-- gives user one free learning attempt -->
+    <item weight="0">
+      <function name="use" value="useskillpotion"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="manacrystal">
+    <!-- gives user free aura -->
+    <item weight="0">
+      <function name="use" value="usemanacrystal"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+<!-- HSE items -->
+  <resource name="studypotion">
+    <item weight="0">
+      <function name="use" value="use_studypotion"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+<!-- xmas items -->
   <resource name="mistletoe">
     <!-- Sets the chance of escape in a fight to 100 percent -->
     <item notlost="yes" weight="0">
@@ -7,6 +51,25 @@
     </item>
   </resource>
 
+  <resource name="speedsail">
+    <item weight="0" cursed="yes">
+      <function name="use" value="use_speedsail"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="snowball">
+    <!-- xmas gimmik -->
+    <item notlost="yes" weight="0">
+      <function name="use" value="usesnowball"/>
+    </item>
+  </resource>
+
+  <resource name="snowman">
+    <!-- xmas gimmik -->
+    <item notlost="yes" weight="1"/>
+  </resource>
+
+<!-- items -->
   <resource name="seed" limited="yes">
     <item weight="10" score="50">
       <construction skill="herbalism" minskill="3" reqsize="1"/>
@@ -31,35 +94,6 @@
     </item>
   </resource>
 
-  <resource name="aog">
-    <!-- Amulett des Treffens -->
-    <item notlost="yes" weight="0"/>
-  </resource>
-
-  <resource name="snowball">
-    <!-- xmas gimmik -->
-    <item notlost="yes" weight="0">
-      <function name="use" value="usesnowball"/>
-    </item>
-  </resource>
-
-  <resource name="studypotion">
-    <item weight="0">
-      <function name="use" value="use_studypotion"/>
-    </item>
-  </resource>
-
-  <resource name="speedsail">
-    <item weight="0" cursed="yes">
-      <function name="use" value="use_speedsail"/>
-    </item>
-  </resource>
-
-  <resource name="snowman">
-    <!-- xmas gimmik -->
-    <item notlost="yes" weight="1"/>
-  </resource>
-
   <resource name="mallornbow">
     <item weight="100">
       <construction skill="weaponsmithing" minskill="5" reqsize="1">
diff --git a/src/scripts/default.lua b/src/scripts/default.lua
index efce2ad8e..cea755376 100644
--- a/src/scripts/default.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/default.lua
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ if orderfile==nil then
   print "you must specify an orderfile"
 else
   loadscript("spells.lua")
+  loadscript("extensions.lua")
   process(orderfile)
 end
 
diff --git a/src/scripts/eressea.lua b/src/scripts/eressea.lua
index 31d453254..70d0526fe 100644
--- a/src/scripts/eressea.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/eressea.lua
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ end
 function run_scripts()
   scripts = { 
     "spells.lua",
-    "familiars.lua",
+    "extensions.lua",
     "eternath.lua",
     "wedding-jadee.lua", 
     "ponnuki.lua"
diff --git a/src/scripts/familiars.lua b/src/scripts/extensions.lua
similarity index 100%
rename from src/scripts/familiars.lua
rename to src/scripts/extensions.lua
diff --git a/src/scripts/hse3-run.lua b/src/scripts/hse3-run.lua
index 82c489b41..0732fee41 100644
--- a/src/scripts/hse3-run.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/hse3-run.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 function run_scripts()
   scripts = { 
     "spells.lua",
-    "familiars.lua",
+    "extensions.lua",
     "hse-portals.lua",
     "hse-stats.lua"
   }
diff --git a/src/scripts/hse4-run.lua b/src/scripts/hse4-run.lua
index 583fabcc7..72eed8ed3 100644
--- a/src/scripts/hse4-run.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/hse4-run.lua
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 function run_scripts()
   scripts = { 
     "spells.lua",
-    "familiars.lua",
+    "extensions.lua",
     "hse-portals.lua",
     "hse-stats.lua"
   }
diff --git a/src/scripts/wdw-run.lua b/src/scripts/wdw-run.lua
index edd65ad4e..1bfe095ed 100644
--- a/src/scripts/wdw-run.lua
+++ b/src/scripts/wdw-run.lua
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ print("- Running wdw-run.lua")
 
 scripts = {
   "spells.lua",
-  "familiars.lua",
+  "extensions.lua",
   "wdw-sphinx.lua",
   "wdw-standings.lua"
 }