Split string header into pieces

103 files changed, 2594 insertions, 1130 deletions

diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index 3f6ba3f..77c9873 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ ifeq '${MAKEFILE_LIST}' ' Makefile'
 # should be used only in special circumstances."
 # If you do not understand *exactly* why I do this instead of
 # %::;${MAKE}, stay away from this code. You have been warned.
-.default-target-wrapper ${MAKECMDGOALS}: .all-target-wrapper
+.default-target-wrapper ${MAKECMDGOALS}: .all-target-wrapper ; @:
 .all-target-wrapper:
 	${MAKE} -rRf ${SRC_DIR}/real.make ${MAKECMDGOALS}
 endif
diff --git a/real.make b/real.make
index f93640d..e04d98e 100644
--- a/real.make
+++ b/real.make
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
 # 10. Support per-target build flags? (requires renaming)
 
 ifeq ($(findstring s,$(firstword ${MAKEFLAGS})),)
-ifeq (${MAKE_RESTARTS},)
+ifndef MAKE_RESTARTS
 # TODO: should I write this in tengwar?
 # The major problem is that it's usually encoded in the PUA
 # and thus requires a font specification.
@@ -237,6 +237,8 @@ distclean: clean
 %.cpp %.hpp: %.ypp
 	$(MKDIR_FIRST)
 	${BISON} -d -o $*.cpp $<
+ifndef MAKE_RESTARTS
+# prevent errors if missing header
 obj/%.d: src/%.cpp
 	$(MKDIR_FIRST)
 	set -o pipefail; \
@@ -245,6 +247,7 @@ obj/%.d: src/%.cpp
 	    | sed -e ':again; s:/[^/ ]*/../:/:; t again' \
 	    -e 's: ${SRC_DIR}/: :g' \
 	    > $@
+endif
 # the above SRC_DIR replacement is not really safe, but it works okayish.
 obj/%.ii: src/%.cpp
 	$(MKDIR_FIRST)
@@ -308,8 +311,8 @@ tags: ${SOURCES} ${HEADERS}
 	ctags --totals --c-kinds=+px -f $@ $^
 
 Makefile: ${SRC_DIR}/Makefile.in
-	@echo Makefile.in updated, you must rerun configure
-	@false
+	@echo Makefile.in updated, reconfiguring ...
+	./config.status
 
 include ${SRC_DIR}/version.make
 
diff --git a/src/admin/ladmin.cpp b/src/admin/ladmin.cpp
index fe4ba01..8a79662 100644
--- a/src/admin/ladmin.cpp
+++ b/src/admin/ladmin.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,14 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <iostream>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/core.hpp"
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/human_time_diff.hpp"
diff --git a/src/char/char.cpp b/src/char/char.cpp
index 071076e..35e5841 100644
--- a/src/char/char.cpp
+++ b/src/char/char.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <set>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/core.hpp"
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
diff --git a/src/char/char.hpp b/src/char/char.hpp
index abd5381..78c68cb 100644
--- a/src/char/char.hpp
+++ b/src/char/char.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef CHAR_HPP
 #define CHAR_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/const_array.hpp"
 #include "../common/ip.hpp"
 #include "../common/mmo.hpp"
diff --git a/src/char/int_party.cpp b/src/char/int_party.cpp
index d2c64e1..0597efd 100644
--- a/src/char/int_party.cpp
+++ b/src/char/int_party.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
diff --git a/src/char/int_party.hpp b/src/char/int_party.hpp
index d003250..2793257 100644
--- a/src/char/int_party.hpp
+++ b/src/char/int_party.hpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef INT_PARTY_HPP
 #define INT_PARTY_HPP
 
-#include "../common/strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
 
 int inter_party_init(void);
 int inter_party_save(void);
diff --git a/src/char/int_storage.cpp b/src/char/int_storage.cpp
index aa605bf..205b21e 100644
--- a/src/char/int_storage.cpp
+++ b/src/char/int_storage.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 #include <functional>
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
diff --git a/src/char/int_storage.hpp b/src/char/int_storage.hpp
index a03d70f..2585d63 100644
--- a/src/char/int_storage.hpp
+++ b/src/char/int_storage.hpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef INT_STORAGE_HPP
 #define INT_STORAGE_HPP
 
-#include "../common/strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
 
 int inter_storage_init(void);
 int inter_storage_save(void);
diff --git a/src/char/inter.cpp b/src/char/inter.cpp
index 81c4a9d..b6bc417 100644
--- a/src/char/inter.cpp
+++ b/src/char/inter.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,13 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <vector>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
diff --git a/src/char/inter.hpp b/src/char/inter.hpp
index 447ab53..5216d57 100644
--- a/src/char/inter.hpp
+++ b/src/char/inter.hpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef INTER_HPP
 #define INTER_HPP
 
-#include "../common/strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
 
 void inter_init(ZString file);
 void inter_save(void);
diff --git a/src/common/core.cpp b/src/common/core.cpp
index 76aa09c..727babd 100644
--- a/src/common/core.cpp
+++ b/src/common/core.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <ctime>
 
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "random.hpp"
 #include "socket.hpp"
 #include "timer.hpp"
@@ -79,7 +81,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     // ZString args[argc]; is (deliberately!) not supported by clang yet
     ZString *args = static_cast<ZString *>(alloca(argc * sizeof(ZString)));
     for (int i = 0; i < argc; ++i)
-        args[i] = ZString(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, argv[i], nullptr);
+        args[i] = ZString(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, argv[i], nullptr);
     do_init(argc, args);
     // set up exit handlers *after* the initialization has happened.
     // This is because term_func is likely to depend on successful init.
diff --git a/src/common/core.hpp b/src/common/core.hpp
index f1473ed..1cbd0c2 100644
--- a/src/common/core.hpp
+++ b/src/common/core.hpp
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 #include "sanity.hpp"
 
-#include "strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
 
 /// core.c contains a server-independent main() function
 /// and then runs a do_sendrecv loop
diff --git a/src/common/dumb_ptr.hpp b/src/common/dumb_ptr.hpp
index fe5031a..bcc9dda 100644
--- a/src/common/dumb_ptr.hpp
+++ b/src/common/dumb_ptr.hpp
@@ -25,8 +25,11 @@
 
 #include <algorithm>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "const_array.hpp"
-#include "strings.hpp"
 
 // unmanaged new/delete-able pointer
 // should be replaced by std::unique_ptr<T>
@@ -240,7 +243,7 @@ struct dumb_string
 
     operator ZString() const
     {
-        return ZString(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, c_str(), nullptr);
+        return ZString(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, c_str(), nullptr);
     }
 
     FString str() const
diff --git a/src/common/extract.cpp b/src/common/extract.cpp
index 720e6df..bac7b38 100644
--- a/src/common/extract.cpp
+++ b/src/common/extract.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@
 //    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 //    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../poison.hpp"
 
 bool extract(XString str, XString *rv)
diff --git a/src/common/extract.hpp b/src/common/extract.hpp
index c7bdbcb..dd0a8a3 100644
--- a/src/common/extract.hpp
+++ b/src/common/extract.hpp
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 
 #include <algorithm>
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "const_array.hpp"
 #include "mmo.hpp"
 #include "utils.hpp"
diff --git a/src/common/extract_test.cpp b/src/common/extract_test.cpp
index 78478c2..3d0610e 100644
--- a/src/common/extract_test.cpp
+++ b/src/common/extract_test.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 TEST(extract, record_int)
 {
     int x, y, z;
diff --git a/src/common/human_time_diff.hpp b/src/common/human_time_diff.hpp
index 3fc0f09..a937316 100644
--- a/src/common/human_time_diff.hpp
+++ b/src/common/human_time_diff.hpp
@@ -21,8 +21,9 @@
 
 #include "sanity.hpp"
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "extract.hpp"
-#include "strings.hpp"
 
 struct HumanTimeDiff
 {
diff --git a/src/common/intern-pool.hpp b/src/common/intern-pool.hpp
index db840a2..204b659 100644
--- a/src/common/intern-pool.hpp
+++ b/src/common/intern-pool.hpp
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@
 #include <map>
 #include <vector>
 
-#include "strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
 
 class InternPool
 {
diff --git a/src/common/intern-pool_test.cpp b/src/common/intern-pool_test.cpp
index 3bbca7b..bf17b67 100644
--- a/src/common/intern-pool_test.cpp
+++ b/src/common/intern-pool_test.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
 
+#include "../strings/base.hpp"
+
 TEST(InternPool, whydoesthisalwaysneedasecondname)
 {
     InternPool p;
diff --git a/src/common/io.hpp b/src/common/io.hpp
index 1831651..27bf4e2 100644
--- a/src/common/io.hpp
+++ b/src/common/io.hpp
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #include <istream>
 #include <ostream>
 
-#include "strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
 
 namespace io
 {
diff --git a/src/common/ip.cpp b/src/common/ip.cpp
index 4734a8b..a1fdfda 100644
--- a/src/common/ip.cpp
+++ b/src/common/ip.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@
 //    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 //    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "cxxstdio.hpp"
 
 #include "../poison.hpp"
diff --git a/src/common/ip.hpp b/src/common/ip.hpp
index aceb765..cce6c2b 100644
--- a/src/common/ip.hpp
+++ b/src/common/ip.hpp
@@ -23,8 +23,9 @@
 
 #include <netinet/in.h>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "extract.hpp"
-#include "strings.hpp"
 
 // TODO - in the long run ports belong here also
 // and of course, IPv6 stuff.
diff --git a/src/common/lock.cpp b/src/common/lock.cpp
index f19cd92..e21aee5 100644
--- a/src/common/lock.cpp
+++ b/src/common/lock.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 
 #include <cstdio>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "socket.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/common/lock.hpp b/src/common/lock.hpp
index df4d1f8..5ca1aed 100644
--- a/src/common/lock.hpp
+++ b/src/common/lock.hpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 #include <cstdio>
 
-#include "strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
 
 // TODO replace with a class
 
diff --git a/src/common/md5calc.cpp b/src/common/md5calc.cpp
index 1c48a24..1961fa6 100644
--- a/src/common/md5calc.cpp
+++ b/src/common/md5calc.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 #include <cstring>
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "random.hpp"
 #include "utils.hpp"
diff --git a/src/common/md5calc.hpp b/src/common/md5calc.hpp
index 70a996e..e44a7a7 100644
--- a/src/common/md5calc.hpp
+++ b/src/common/md5calc.hpp
@@ -11,9 +11,11 @@
 
 #include <array>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "ip.hpp"
 #include "mmo.hpp"
-#include "strings.hpp"
 
 /// The digest state - becomes the output
 struct MD5_state
diff --git a/src/common/md5calc_test.cpp b/src/common/md5calc_test.cpp
index 51b0b68..ab5f242 100644
--- a/src/common/md5calc_test.cpp
+++ b/src/common/md5calc_test.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "utils.hpp"
 
 // This should be made part of the main API,
diff --git a/src/common/mmo.hpp b/src/common/mmo.hpp
index 0d3403c..16acb88 100644
--- a/src/common/mmo.hpp
+++ b/src/common/mmo.hpp
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 #define MMO_HPP
 
 # include "sanity.hpp"
+
+# include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 # include "timer.t.hpp"
 # include "utils2.hpp"
 
@@ -57,7 +60,7 @@ T stringish(VString<sizeof(T) - 1> iv)
 #define DEFAULT_EMAIL stringish<AccountEmail>("a@a.com")
 
 // It is decreed: a mapname shall not contain an extension
-class MapName : public strings::_crtp_string<MapName, MapName, ZString, XString>
+class MapName : public strings::_crtp_string<MapName, MapName, strings::ZPair>
 {
     VString<15> _impl;
 public:
diff --git a/src/common/socket.hpp b/src/common/socket.hpp
index 91a8c49..1ff400a 100644
--- a/src/common/socket.hpp
+++ b/src/common/socket.hpp
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@
 
 # include <array>
 
+# include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+# include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+# include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 # include "dumb_ptr.hpp"
 # include "ip.hpp"
 # include "utils.hpp"
diff --git a/src/common/strings.hpp b/src/common/strings.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 0b10570..0000000
--- a/src/common/strings.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,1092 +0,0 @@
-#ifndef TMWA_COMMON_STRINGS_HPP
-#define TMWA_COMMON_STRINGS_HPP
-//    strings.hpp - All the string classes you'll ever need.
-//
-//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
-//
-//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
-//
-//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-//    (at your option) any later version.
-//
-//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-//    GNU General Public License for more details.
-//
-//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-
-#include "sanity.hpp"
-
-#include <cassert>
-#include <cstdarg>
-#include <cstring>
-
-#include <algorithm>
-#include <deque>
-#include <iterator>
-#include <memory>
-#include <type_traits>
-#include <vector>
-
-#include "utils2.hpp"
-
-// It is a common mistake to assume that one string class for everything.
-// Because C++ and TMWA have a C legacy, there are a few more here
-// than would probably be necessary in an ideal language.
-namespace strings
-{
-    // owning
-    class MString;
-    class FString;
-    class TString; // C legacy version of SString
-    class SString; // is this one really worth it?
-
-    // non-owning
-    class ZString; // C legacy version of XString
-    class XString;
-
-    // semi-owning
-    template<uint8_t len>
-    class VString;
-
-    // simple pointer-wrapping iterator that can be used to get distinct
-    // types for different containers.
-    template<class Tag>
-    class _iterator
-    {
-        typedef _iterator X;
-
-        const char *_ptr;
-    public:
-        typedef ptrdiff_t difference_type;
-        typedef char value_type;
-        typedef const char *pointer;
-        typedef const char& reference;
-        typedef std::random_access_iterator_tag iterator_category;
-
-        _iterator(const char *p=nullptr) : _ptr(p) {}
-
-        // iterator
-        reference operator *() const { return *_ptr; }
-        X& operator ++() { ++_ptr; return *this; }
-        // equality comparable
-        friend bool operator == (X l, X r) { return l._ptr == r._ptr; }
-        // input iterator
-        friend bool operator != (X l, X r) { return !(l == r); }
-        pointer operator->() const { return _ptr; }
-        X operator++ (int) { X out = *this; ++*this; return out; }
-        // forward iterator is mostly semantical, and the ctor is above
-        // bidirectional iterator
-        X& operator --() { --_ptr; return *this; }
-        X operator-- (int) { X out = *this; --*this; return out; }
-        // random access iterator
-        X& operator += (difference_type n) { _ptr += n; return *this; }
-        friend X operator + (X a, difference_type n) { return a += n; }
-        friend X operator + (difference_type n, X a) { return a += n; }
-        X& operator -= (difference_type n) { _ptr -= n; return *this; }
-        friend X operator - (X a, difference_type n) { return a -= n; }
-        friend difference_type operator - (X b, X a) { return b._ptr - a._ptr; }
-        reference operator[](difference_type n) const { return _ptr[n]; }
-        friend bool operator < (X a, X b) { return a._ptr < b._ptr; }
-        friend bool operator > (X a, X b) { return b < a; }
-        friend bool operator >= (X a, X b) { return !(a < b); }
-        friend bool operator <= (X a, X b) { return !(a > b); }
-    };
-
-    /// A helper class that implements all the interesting stuff that can
-    /// be done on any constant string, in terms of .begin() and .end().
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X=XString>
-    class _crtp_string
-    {
-    public:
-        // this will have to be changed if MString decides to join in.
-        typedef _iterator<T> iterator;
-        typedef std::reverse_iterator<iterator> reverse_iterator;
-    private:
-        const T& _ref() const { return static_cast<const T&>(*this); }
-        iterator begin() const { return _ref().begin(); }
-        iterator end() const { return _ref().end(); }
-        const FString *base() const { return _ref().base(); }
-    public:
-        size_t size() const { return end() - begin(); }
-        reverse_iterator rbegin() const { return reverse_iterator(end()); }
-        reverse_iterator rend() const { return reverse_iterator(begin()); }
-        explicit
-        operator bool() const { return size(); }
-        bool operator !() const { return !size(); }
-
-        // the existence of this has led to bugs
-        // it's not really sane from a unicode perspective anyway ...
-        // prefer startswith or extract
-        __attribute__((deprecated))
-        char operator[](size_t i) const { return begin()[i]; }
-        char front() const { return *begin(); }
-        char back() const { return end()[-1]; }
-        const char *data() { return &*begin(); }
-
-        Z xslice_t(size_t o) const;
-        X xslice_h(size_t o) const;
-        Z xrslice_t(size_t no) const;
-        X xrslice_h(size_t no) const;
-        Z xislice_t(iterator it) const;
-        X xislice_h(iterator it) const;
-        X xlslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
-        X xpslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
-        X xislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
-        Z lstrip() const;
-        X rstrip() const;
-        X strip() const;
-
-        bool startswith(XString x) const;
-        bool endswith(XString x) const;
-        bool startswith(char c) const;
-        bool endswith(char c) const;
-
-        bool contains(char c) const;
-        bool contains_seq(XString s) const;
-        bool contains_any(XString s) const;
-
-        bool has_print() const;
-        bool is_print() const;
-        __attribute__((deprecated))
-        O to_print() const;
-
-        bool is_graph() const;
-        bool has_graph() const;
-
-        bool has_lower() const;
-        bool is_lower() const;
-        O to_lower() const;
-
-        bool has_upper() const;
-        bool is_upper() const;
-        O to_upper() const;
-
-        bool has_alpha() const; // equivalent to has_lower || has_upper
-        bool is_alpha() const; // NOT equivalent to is_lower || is_upper
-
-        bool has_digit2() const;
-        bool is_digit2() const;
-        bool has_digit8() const;
-        bool is_digit8() const;
-        bool has_digit10() const;
-        bool is_digit10() const;
-        bool has_digit16() const;
-        bool is_digit16() const;
-
-        bool has_alnum() const; // equivalent to has_alpha || has_digit10
-        bool is_alnum() const; // NOT equivalent to is_alpha || is_digit10
-    };
-
-
-    /// An owning string that is still expected to change.
-    /// The storage might not be contiguous, but it still offers
-    /// random-access iterators.
-    /// TODO implement a special one, to avoid quirks of std::string.
-    class MString
-    {
-    public:
-        typedef std::deque<char>::iterator iterator;
-        typedef std::deque<char>::const_iterator const_iterator;
-        typedef std::reverse_iterator<iterator> reverse_iterator;
-        typedef std::reverse_iterator<const_iterator> const_reverse_iterator;
-    private:
-        std::deque<char> _hack;
-    public:
-        iterator begin() { return _hack.begin(); }
-        iterator end() { return _hack.end(); }
-        const_iterator begin() const { return _hack.begin(); }
-        const_iterator end() const { return _hack.end(); }
-        reverse_iterator rbegin() { return reverse_iterator(end()); }
-        reverse_iterator rend() { return reverse_iterator(begin()); }
-        const_reverse_iterator rbegin() const { return const_reverse_iterator(end()); }
-        const_reverse_iterator rend() const { return const_reverse_iterator(begin()); }
-
-        size_t size() const { return _hack.size(); }
-        explicit
-        operator bool() const { return size(); }
-        bool operator !() const { return !size(); }
-
-        MString& operator += (MString rhs)
-        {
-            _hack.insert(_hack.end(), rhs.begin(), rhs.end());
-            return *this;
-        }
-        MString& operator += (char c)
-        {
-            _hack.push_back(c);
-            return *this;
-        }
-        MString& operator += (XString xs);
-
-        void pop_back(size_t n=1)
-        {
-            while (n--)
-                _hack.pop_back();
-        }
-        char& front()
-        {
-            return _hack.front();
-        }
-        char& back()
-        {
-            return _hack.back();
-        }
-    };
-
-    /// An owning string that has reached its final contents.
-    /// The storage is NUL-terminated
-    /// TODO implement a special one, that guarantees refcounting.
-    class FString : public _crtp_string<FString, FString, ZString, XString>
-    {
-        std::shared_ptr<std::vector<char>> _hack2;
-
-        template<class It>
-        void _assign(It b, It e)
-        {
-            if (b == e)
-            {
-                // TODO use a special empty object
-                // return;
-            }
-            if (!std::is_base_of<std::forward_iterator_tag, typename std::iterator_traits<It>::iterator_category>::value)
-            {
-                // can't use std::distance
-                _hack2 = std::make_shared<std::vector<char>>();
-                for (; b != e; ++b)
-                    _hack2->push_back(*b);
-                _hack2->push_back('\0');
-                _hack2->shrink_to_fit();
-            }
-            size_t diff = std::distance(b, e);
-            _hack2 = std::make_shared<std::vector<char>>(diff + 1, '\0');
-            std::copy(b, e, _hack2->begin());
-        }
-    public:
-        FString()
-        {
-            const char *sadness = "";
-            _assign(sadness, sadness);
-        }
-
-        explicit FString(const MString& s)
-        {
-            _assign(s.begin(), s.end());
-        }
-
-        template<size_t n>
-        FString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
-
-        template<size_t n>
-        FString(const char (&s)[n])
-        {
-            _assign(s, s + strlen(s));
-        }
-
-        template<class It>
-        FString(It b, It e)
-        {
-            _assign(b, e);
-        }
-
-
-        iterator begin() const { return &_hack2->begin()[0]; }
-        iterator end() const { return &_hack2->end()[-1]; }
-        const FString *base() const { return this; }
-        const char *c_str() const { return &*begin(); }
-
-        TString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
-        SString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
-        TString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
-        SString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
-        TString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
-        SString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
-        SString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
-        SString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
-        SString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
-    };
-
-    /// An owning string that represents a tail slice of an FString.
-    /// Guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
-    class TString : public _crtp_string<TString, TString, ZString, XString>
-    {
-        friend class SString;
-        FString _s;
-        size_t _o;
-    public:
-        TString() : _s(), _o() {}
-        TString(FString b, size_t i=0) : _s(std::move(b)), _o(i) {}
-        template<size_t n>
-        TString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
-        template<size_t n>
-        TString(const char (&s)[n]) : _s(s), _o(0) {}
-        //template<class It>
-        //TString(It b, It e) : _s(b, e), _o(0) {}
-
-        iterator begin() const { return &_s.begin()[_o]; }
-        iterator end() const { return &*_s.end(); }
-        const FString *base() const { return &_s; }
-        const char *c_str() const { return &*begin(); }
-
-        TString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
-        SString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
-        TString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
-        SString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
-        TString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
-        SString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
-        SString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
-        SString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
-        SString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
-
-        operator FString() const
-        { if (_o) return FString(begin(), end()); else return _s; }
-    };
-
-    /// An owning string that represents a arbitrary slice of an FString.
-    /// Not guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
-    class SString : public _crtp_string<SString, SString, XString, XString>
-    {
-        FString _s;
-        size_t _b, _e;
-    public:
-        SString() : _s(), _b(), _e() {}
-        SString(FString f) : _s(std::move(f)), _b(), _e(_s.size()) {}
-        SString(TString t) : _s(t._s), _b(0), _e(_s.size()) {}
-        template<size_t n>
-        SString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
-        template<size_t n>
-        SString(const char (&s)[n]) : _s(s), _b(0), _e(_s.size()) {}
-        //template<class It>
-        //SString(It b, It e) : _s(b, e), _b(0), _e(_s.size()) {}
-        SString(FString f, size_t b, size_t e) : _s(std::move(f)), _b(b), _e(e) {}
-
-        iterator begin() const { return &_s.begin()[_b]; }
-        iterator end() const { return &_s.begin()[_e]; }
-        const FString *base() const { return &_s; }
-
-        SString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
-        SString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
-        SString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
-        SString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
-        SString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
-        SString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
-        SString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
-        SString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
-        SString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
-
-        operator FString() const
-        { if (_b == 0 && _e == _s.size()) return _s; else return FString(begin(), end()); }
-        operator TString() const
-        { if (_e == _s.size()) return TString(_s, _b); else return FString(begin(), end()); }
-    };
-
-    /// A non-owning string that is guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
-    /// This should be only used as a parameter.
-    class ZString : public _crtp_string<ZString, FString, ZString, XString>
-    {
-        iterator _b, _e;
-        // optional
-        const FString *_base;
-    public:
-        enum { really_construct_from_a_pointer };
-        ZString() { *this = ZString(""); }
-        // no MString
-        ZString(const FString& s) : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base()) {}
-        ZString(const TString& s) : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base()) {}
-        ZString(const SString&) = delete;
-        // dangerous
-        ZString(const char *b, const char *e, const FString *base_) : _b(b), _e(e), _base(base_) {}
-        ZString(decltype(really_construct_from_a_pointer), const char *s, const FString *base_) : _b(s), _e(s + strlen(s)), _base(base_) {}
-        template<size_t n>
-        ZString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
-        template<size_t n>
-        ZString(const char (&s)[n], const FString *base_=nullptr) : _b(s), _e(s + strlen(s)), _base(base_) {}
-
-        iterator begin() const { return _b; }
-        iterator end() const { return _e; }
-        const FString *base() const { return _base; }
-        const char *c_str() const { return &*begin(); }
-
-        ZString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
-        XString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
-        ZString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
-        XString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
-        ZString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
-        XString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
-        XString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
-        XString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
-        XString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
-
-        operator FString() const
-        { if (_base) return SString(*_base, &*_b - &*_base->begin(), &*_e - &*_base->begin()); else return FString(_b, _e); }
-        operator TString() const
-        { if (_base) return SString(*_base, &*_b - &*_base->begin(), &*_e - &*_base->begin()); else return FString(_b, _e); }
-        operator SString() const
-        { if (_base) return SString(*_base, &*_b - &*_base->begin(), &*_e - &*_base->begin()); else return FString(_b, _e); }
-    };
-
-    /// A non-owning string that is not guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
-    /// This should be only used as a parameter.
-    class XString : public _crtp_string<XString, FString, XString, XString>
-    {
-        iterator _b, _e;
-        // optional
-        const FString *_base;
-    public:
-        // do I really want this?
-        XString() : _b(""), _e(_b), _base() {}
-        XString(std::nullptr_t) = delete;
-        // no MString
-        XString(const FString& s) : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base()) {}
-        XString(const TString& s) : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base()) {}
-        XString(const SString& s) : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base()) {}
-        XString(const ZString& s) : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base()) {}
-        template<size_t n>
-        XString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
-        template<size_t n>
-        XString(const char (&s)[n]) : _b(s), _e(s + strlen(s)), _base(nullptr) {}
-        // mostly internal
-        XString(const char *b, const char *e, const FString *base_) : _b(b), _e(e), _base(base_) {}
-        XString(decltype(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer) e, const char *s, const FString *base_)
-        {
-            *this = ZString(e, s, base_);
-        }
-
-        iterator begin() const { return _b; }
-        iterator end() const { return _e; }
-        const FString *base() const { return _base; }
-
-        XString oslice_t(size_t o) const { return xslice_t(o); }
-        XString oslice_h(size_t o) const { return xslice_h(o); }
-        XString orslice_t(size_t no) const { return xrslice_t(no); }
-        XString orslice_h(size_t no) const { return xrslice_h(no); }
-        XString oislice_t(iterator it) const { return xislice_t(it); }
-        XString oislice_h(iterator it) const { return xislice_h(it); }
-        XString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const { return xlslice(o, l); }
-        XString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const { return xpslice(b, e); }
-        XString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const { return xislice(b, e); }
-
-        operator FString() const
-        { if (_base) return SString(*_base, &*_b - &*_base->begin(), &*_e - &*_base->begin()); else return FString(_b, _e); }
-        operator TString() const
-        { if (_base) return SString(*_base, &*_b - &*_base->begin(), &*_e - &*_base->begin()); else return FString(_b, _e); }
-        operator SString() const
-        { if (_base) return SString(*_base, &*_b - &*_base->begin(), &*_e - &*_base->begin()); else return FString(_b, _e); }
-        operator ZString() const = delete;
-    };
-
-    template<uint8_t n>
-    class VString : public _crtp_string<VString<n>, VString<n>, ZString, XString>
-    {
-        char _data[n];
-        unsigned char _special;
-    public:
-        typedef typename _crtp_string<VString<n>, VString<n>, ZString, XString>::iterator iterator;
-        VString(XString x) : _data(), _special()
-        {
-            if (x.size() > n)
-                // we're hoping this doesn't happen
-                // hopefully there will be few enough users of this class
-                x = x.xslice_h(n);
-            char *e = std::copy(x.begin(), x.end(), std::begin(_data));
-            _special = std::end(_data) - e;
-            assert (_special == n - x.size()); // 0 when it needs to be
-        }
-        // poor man's delegated constructors
-        // needed for gcc 4.6 compatibility
-        VString(FString f)
-        {
-            *this = XString(f);
-        }
-        VString(TString t)
-        {
-            *this = XString(t);
-        }
-        VString(SString s)
-        {
-            *this = XString(s);
-        }
-        VString(ZString z)
-        {
-            *this = XString(z);
-        }
-        template<size_t m>
-        VString(char (&s)[m]) = delete;
-        template<size_t m>
-        VString(const char (&s)[m])
-        {
-            static_assert(m <= n + 1, "string would truncate");
-            *this = XString(s);
-        }
-        VString(decltype(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer) e, const char *s)
-        {
-            *this = XString(e, s, nullptr);
-        }
-        VString(char c)
-        {
-            *this = XString(&c, &c + 1, nullptr);
-        }
-        VString()
-        {
-            *this = XString();
-        }
-
-        // hopefully this is obvious
-        iterator begin() const { return std::begin(_data); }
-        iterator end() const { return std::end(_data) - _special; }
-        const FString *base() const { return nullptr; }
-        const char *c_str() const { return &*begin(); }
-
-        VString oslice_t(size_t o) const { return this->xslice_t(o); }
-        VString oslice_h(size_t o) const { return this->xslice_h(o); }
-        VString orslice_t(size_t no) const { return this->xrslice_t(no); }
-        VString orslice_h(size_t no) const { return this->xrslice_h(no); }
-        VString oislice_t(iterator it) const { return this->xislice_t(it); }
-        VString oislice_h(iterator it) const { return this->xislice_h(it); }
-        VString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const { return this->xlslice(o, l); }
-        VString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const { return this->xpslice(b, e); }
-        VString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const { return this->xislice(b, e); }
-
-        operator FString() const { return FString(begin(), end()); }
-        operator TString() const { return FString(begin(), end()); }
-        operator SString() const { return FString(begin(), end()); }
-        operator ZString() const { return ZString(_data); }
-        operator XString() const { return XString(&*begin(), &*end(), nullptr); }
-
-        template<uint8_t m>
-        operator VString<m>() const
-        {
-            static_assert(m > n, "can only grow");
-            XString x = *this;
-            return VString<m>(XString(x));
-        }
-    };
-
-    // not really intended for public use
-    inline
-    int xstr_compare(XString l, XString r)
-    {
-        bool less = std::lexicographical_compare(
-                l.begin(), l.end(),
-                r.begin(), r.end());
-        bool greater = std::lexicographical_compare(
-                r.begin(), r.end(),
-                l.begin(), l.end());
-        return greater - less;
-    }
-
-
-    template<class L, class R>
-    class string_comparison_allowed
-    {
-        constexpr static bool l_is_vstring_exact = std::is_same<VString<sizeof(L) - 1>, L>::value;
-        constexpr static bool l_is_vstring_approx = std::is_base_of<VString<sizeof(L) - 1>, L>::value;
-        constexpr static bool r_is_vstring_exact = std::is_same<VString<sizeof(R) - 1>, R>::value;
-        constexpr static bool r_is_vstring_approx = std::is_base_of<VString<sizeof(R) - 1>, R>::value;
-
-        constexpr static bool l_is_restricted = l_is_vstring_approx && !l_is_vstring_exact;
-        constexpr static bool r_is_restricted = r_is_vstring_approx && !r_is_vstring_exact;
-    public:
-        constexpr static bool value = std::is_same<L, R>::value || (!l_is_restricted && !r_is_restricted);
-    };
-
-    struct _test : VString<1> {};
-    struct _test2 : VString<1> {};
-
-    static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<_test, _test>::value, "tt");
-    static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<VString<1>, VString<1>>::value, "vv");
-    static_assert(!string_comparison_allowed<_test, XString>::value, "tx");
-    static_assert(!string_comparison_allowed<_test, VString<1>>::value, "tv");
-    static_assert(!string_comparison_allowed<_test, _test2>::value, "t2");
-    static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<VString<1>, XString>::value, "vx");
-    static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<XString, XString>::value, "xx");
-    static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<XString, FString>::value, "xf");
-
-    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
-    auto operator == (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((xstr_compare(l, r), true))
-    {
-        return xstr_compare(l, r) == 0;
-    }
-    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
-    auto operator != (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((xstr_compare(l, r), true))
-    {
-        return xstr_compare(l, r) != 0;
-    }
-    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
-    auto operator < (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((xstr_compare(l, r), true))
-    {
-        return xstr_compare(l, r) < 0;
-    }
-    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
-    auto operator <= (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((xstr_compare(l, r), true))
-    {
-        return xstr_compare(l, r) <= 0;
-    }
-    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
-    auto operator > (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((xstr_compare(l, r), true))
-    {
-        return xstr_compare(l, r) > 0;
-    }
-    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
-    auto operator >= (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((xstr_compare(l, r), true))
-    {
-        return xstr_compare(l, r) >= 0;
-    }
-
-    namespace detail
-    {
-        constexpr
-        bool is_print(char c)
-        {
-            return ' ' <= c && c <= '~';
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_graph(char c)
-        {
-            return is_print(c) && c != ' ';
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_lower(char c)
-        {
-            return 'a' <= c && c <= 'z';
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_upper(char c)
-        {
-            return 'A' <= c && c <= 'Z';
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_alpha(char c)
-        {
-            return is_lower(c) || is_upper(c);
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_digit2(char c)
-        {
-            return '0' <= c && c <= '1';
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_digit8(char c)
-        {
-            return '0' <= c && c <= '7';
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_digit10(char c)
-        {
-            return '0' <= c && c <= '9';
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_digit16(char c)
-        {
-            return ('0' <= c && c <= '9') || ('A' <= c && c <= 'F') || ('a' <= c && c <= 'f');
-        }
-        constexpr
-        bool is_alnum(char c)
-        {
-            return is_alpha(c) || is_digit10(c);
-        }
-
-        constexpr
-        char to_lower(char c)
-        {
-            return is_upper(c) ? c | ' ' : c;
-        }
-        constexpr
-        char to_upper(char c)
-        {
-            return is_lower(c) ? c & ~' ' : c;
-        }
-    }
-
-    // sadness
-    typedef MString MS;
-    typedef FString FS;
-    typedef SString SS;
-    typedef TString TS;
-    typedef ZString ZS;
-    typedef XString XS;
-
-    // _crtp_string
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    Z _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xslice_t(size_t o) const
-    { return Z(&begin()[o], &*end(), base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xslice_h(size_t o) const
-    { return X(&*begin(), &begin()[o], base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    Z _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xrslice_t(size_t no) const
-    { return Z(&end()[-no], &*end(), base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xrslice_h(size_t no) const
-    { return X(&*begin(), &end()[-no], base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    Z _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xislice_t(iterator it) const
-    { return Z(&*it, &*end(), base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xislice_h(iterator it) const
-    { return X(&*begin(), &*it, base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xlslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
-    { return X(&begin()[o], &begin()[o + l], base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xpslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
-    { return X(&begin()[b], &begin()[e], base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::xislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
-    { return X(&*b, &*e, base()); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    Z _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::lstrip() const
-    {
-        Z z = _ref();
-        while (z.startswith(' '))
-            z = z.xslice_t(1);
-        return z;
-    }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::rstrip() const
-    {
-        X x = _ref();
-        while (x.endswith(' '))
-            x = x.xrslice_h(1);
-        return x;
-    }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    X _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::strip() const
-    { return lstrip().rstrip(); }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::startswith(XS x) const
-    { return size() >= x.size() && xslice_h(x.size()) == x; }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::endswith(XS x) const
-    { return size() > x.size() && xrslice_t(x.size()) == x; }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::startswith(char c) const
-    { return size() && front() == c; }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::endswith(char c) const
-    { return size() && back() == c; }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::contains(char c) const
-    { return std::find(begin(), end(), c) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::contains_seq(XString s) const
-    { return std::search(begin(), end(), s.begin(), s.end()) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::contains_any(XString s) const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), [s](char c) { return s.contains(c); }) != end(); }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_print() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_print) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_print() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_print) == end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    O _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::to_print() const
-    {
-        if (is_print()) return _ref();
-        char buf[size()];
-        char *const b = buf;
-        char *const e = std::transform(begin(), end(), b, [](char c) { return detail::is_print(c) ? c : '_'; });
-        return XString(b, e, nullptr);
-    }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_graph() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_graph) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_graph() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_graph) == end(); }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_lower() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_lower) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_lower() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_lower) == end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    O _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::to_lower() const
-    {
-        if (!has_upper()) return _ref();
-        char buf[size()];
-        char *const b = buf;
-        char *const e = std::transform(begin(), end(), b, detail::to_lower);
-        return XString(b, e, nullptr);
-    }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_upper() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_upper) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_upper() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_upper) == end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    O _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::to_upper() const
-    {
-        if (!has_lower()) return _ref();
-        char buf[size()];
-        char *const b = buf;
-        char *const e = std::transform(begin(), end(), b, detail::to_upper);
-        return XString(b, e, nullptr);
-    }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_alpha() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_alpha) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_alpha() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_alpha) == end(); }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_digit2() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit2) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_digit2() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit2) == end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_digit8() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit8) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_digit8() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit8) == end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_digit10() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit10) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_digit10() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit10) == end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_digit16() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit16) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_digit16() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit16) == end(); }
-
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::has_alnum() const
-    { return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_alnum) != end(); }
-    template<class T, class O, class Z, class X>
-    bool _crtp_string<T, O, Z, X>::is_alnum() const
-    { return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_alnum) == end(); }
-
-    // MString
-    inline
-    MS& MS::operator += (XS x)
-    {
-        _hack.insert(_hack.end(), x.begin(), x.end());
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-    // FString
-    inline
-    TS FS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
-    { return TS(*this, o); }
-    inline
-    SS FS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
-    { return SS(*this, 0, o); }
-    inline
-    TS FS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
-    { return TS(*this, size() - no); }
-    inline
-    SS FS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
-    { return SS(*this, 0, size() - no); }
-    inline
-    TS FS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
-    { return TS(*this, it - begin()); }
-    inline
-    SS FS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
-    { return SS(*this, 0, it - begin()); }
-    inline
-    SS FS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
-    { return SS(*this, o, o + l); }
-    inline
-    SS FS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
-    { return SS(*this, b, e); }
-    inline
-    SS FS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
-    { return SS(*this, b - begin(), e - begin()); }
-
-    // TString
-    inline
-    TS TS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
-    { return TS(_s, _o + o); }
-    inline
-    SS TS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
-    { return SS(_s, _o, _o + o); }
-    inline
-    TS TS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
-    { return TS(_s, _s.size() - no); }
-    inline
-    SS TS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
-    { return SS(_s, _o, _s.size() - no); }
-    inline
-    TS TS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
-    { return TS(_s, _o + it - begin()); }
-    inline
-    SS TS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
-    { return SS(_s, _o, _o + it - begin()); }
-    inline
-    SS TS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
-    { return SS(_s, _o + o, _o + o + l); }
-    inline
-    SS TS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
-    { return SS(_s, _o + b, _o + e); }
-    inline
-    SS TS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
-    { return SS(_s, _o + b - begin(), _o + e - begin()); }
-
-    // SString
-    inline
-    SS SS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b + o, _e); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b, _b + o); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
-    { return SS(_s, _e - no, _e); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b, _e - no); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b + it - begin(), _e); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b, _b + it - begin()); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b + o, _b + o + l); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b + b, _b + e); }
-    inline
-    SS SS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
-    { return SS(_s, _b + b - begin(), _b + e - begin()); }
-
-    // ZString
-    inline
-    ZS ZS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
-    { return ZS(really_construct_from_a_pointer, &begin()[o], base()); }
-    inline
-    XS ZS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
-    { return XS(&*begin(), &begin()[o], base()); }
-    inline
-    ZS ZS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
-    { return ZS(really_construct_from_a_pointer, &end()[-no], base()); }
-    inline
-    XS ZS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
-    { return XS(&*begin(), &end()[-no], base()); }
-    inline
-    ZS ZS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
-    { return ZS(really_construct_from_a_pointer, &*it, base()); }
-    inline
-    XS ZS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
-    { return XS(&*begin(), &*it, base()); }
-    inline
-    XS ZS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
-    { return XS(&begin()[o], &begin()[o + l], base()); }
-    inline
-    XS ZS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
-    { return XS(&begin()[b], &begin()[e], base()); }
-    inline
-    XS ZS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
-    { return XS(&*b, &*e, base()); }
-
-
-    // cxxstdio helpers
-    // I think the conversion will happen automatically. TODO test this.
-    // Nope, it doesn't, since there's a template
-    // Actually, it might now.
-    inline
-    const char *decay_for_printf(const FString& fs) { return fs.c_str(); }
-    inline
-    const char *decay_for_printf(const TString& ts) { return ts.c_str(); }
-    inline
-    const char *decay_for_printf(const ZString& zs) { return zs.c_str(); }
-    template<uint8_t n>
-    inline
-    const char *decay_for_printf(const VString<n>& vs) { return vs.c_str(); }
-
-    template<uint8_t len>
-    inline __attribute__((format(printf, 2, 0)))
-    int do_vprint(VString<len>& out, const char *fmt, va_list ap)
-    {
-        char buffer[len + 1];
-        vsnprintf(buffer, len + 1, fmt, ap);
-
-        out = const_(buffer);
-        return len;
-    }
-
-    inline __attribute__((format(printf, 2, 0)))
-    int do_vprint(FString& out, const char *fmt, va_list ap)
-    {
-        int len;
-        {
-            va_list ap2;
-            va_copy(ap2, ap);
-            len = vsnprintf(nullptr, 0, fmt, ap2);
-            va_end(ap2);
-        }
-        char buffer[len + 1];
-        vsnprintf(buffer, len + 1, fmt, ap);
-
-        out = FString(buffer, buffer + len);
-        return len;
-    }
-
-    inline __attribute__((format(scanf, 2, 0)))
-    int do_vscan(ZString in, const char *fmt, va_list ap)
-    {
-        return vsscanf(in.c_str(), fmt, ap);
-    }
-
-    class StringConverter
-    {
-        FString& out;
-        char *mid;
-    public:
-        StringConverter(FString& s)
-        : out(s), mid(nullptr)
-        {}
-        ~StringConverter()
-        {
-            if (mid)
-            {
-                out = ZString(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, mid, nullptr);
-                free(mid);
-            }
-        }
-        char **operator &()
-        {
-            return &mid;
-        }
-    };
-
-    inline
-    StringConverter convert_for_scanf(FString& s)
-    {
-        return StringConverter(s);
-    }
-} // namespace strings
-
-// owning
-using strings::MString;
-using strings::FString;
-using strings::SString;
-using strings::TString;
-
-// non-owning
-using strings::ZString;
-using strings::XString;
-
-// semi-owning
-using strings::VString;
-
-#endif // TMWA_COMMON_STRINGS_HPP
diff --git a/src/common/timer.cpp b/src/common/timer.cpp
index c00f06d..17c6d80 100644
--- a/src/common/timer.cpp
+++ b/src/common/timer.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 
 #include <queue>
 
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "utils.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/common/timer.hpp b/src/common/timer.hpp
index b9c9588..de867ab 100644
--- a/src/common/timer.hpp
+++ b/src/common/timer.hpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 # include "sanity.hpp"
 
-# include "strings.hpp"
+# include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
 
 // updated automatically when using milli_clock::now()
 // which is done only by core.cpp
diff --git a/src/common/utils.cpp b/src/common/utils.cpp
index 9ab470b..21440a4 100644
--- a/src/common/utils.cpp
+++ b/src/common/utils.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,12 @@
 
 #include <algorithm>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "extract.hpp"
 
@@ -42,7 +48,7 @@ bool e_mail_check(XString email)
 // Return numerical value of a switch configuration
 // on/off, english, français, deutsch, español
 //-------------------------------------------------
-int config_switch (ZString str)
+int config_switch(ZString str)
 {
     if (str == "true" || str == "on" || str == "yes"
         || str == "oui" || str == "ja"
diff --git a/src/common/utils.hpp b/src/common/utils.hpp
index 4f6190a..66b1654 100644
--- a/src/common/utils.hpp
+++ b/src/common/utils.hpp
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@
 
 #include <type_traits>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "const_array.hpp"
 #include "operators.hpp"
-#include "strings.hpp"
 #include "utils2.hpp"
 
 template<class T>
diff --git a/src/login/login.cpp b/src/login/login.cpp
index 342de5d..c029844 100644
--- a/src/login/login.cpp
+++ b/src/login/login.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,14 @@
 #include <set>
 #include <type_traits>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/core.hpp"
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/atcommand.cpp b/src/map/atcommand.cpp
index 4b41c7b..b7a0caa 100644
--- a/src/map/atcommand.cpp
+++ b/src/map/atcommand.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,14 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/core.hpp"
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/atcommand.hpp b/src/map/atcommand.hpp
index 280372e..aff09b7 100644
--- a/src/map/atcommand.hpp
+++ b/src/map/atcommand.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef ATCOMMAND_HPP
 #define ATCOMMAND_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/const_array.hpp"
 
 #include "map.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/battle.cpp b/src/map/battle.cpp
index 02ea370..c5cb8e3 100644
--- a/src/map/battle.cpp
+++ b/src/map/battle.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,11 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/io.hpp"
 #include "../common/nullpo.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/battle.hpp b/src/map/battle.hpp
index c933e28..2d9cd7f 100644
--- a/src/map/battle.hpp
+++ b/src/map/battle.hpp
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 
 #include "battle.t.hpp"
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/timer.t.hpp"
 
 #include "magic-interpreter.t.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/chrif.cpp b/src/map/chrif.cpp
index c9020a3..1f7d1cc 100644
--- a/src/map/chrif.cpp
+++ b/src/map/chrif.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 
 #include <cstring>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/nullpo.hpp"
 #include "../common/socket.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/chrif.hpp b/src/map/chrif.hpp
index dfcc12b..db7ad0e 100644
--- a/src/map/chrif.hpp
+++ b/src/map/chrif.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef CHRIF_HPP
 #define CHRIF_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/dumb_ptr.hpp"
 #include "../common/human_time_diff.hpp"
 #include "../common/ip.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/clif.cpp b/src/map/clif.cpp
index 26c7f0c..90c9f4d 100644
--- a/src/map/clif.cpp
+++ b/src/map/clif.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 #include <cstring>
 #include <ctime>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/md5calc.hpp"
 #include "../common/random.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/clif.hpp b/src/map/clif.hpp
index fa68e23..a605e73 100644
--- a/src/map/clif.hpp
+++ b/src/map/clif.hpp
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@
 
 #include <functional>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/const_array.hpp"
 #include "../common/ip.hpp"
-#include "../common/strings.hpp"
 #include "../common/timer.t.hpp"
 
 #include "battle.t.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/grfio.cpp b/src/map/grfio.cpp
index cbb5a86..41a285f 100644
--- a/src/map/grfio.cpp
+++ b/src/map/grfio.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <map>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
 #include "../common/io.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/grfio.hpp b/src/map/grfio.hpp
index aa222c6..599064d 100644
--- a/src/map/grfio.hpp
+++ b/src/map/grfio.hpp
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "../common/mmo.hpp"
-#include "../common/strings.hpp"
 
 /// Load a resource into memory, subject to data/resnametable.txt.
 /// Normally, resourcename is xxx-y.gat and the file is xxx-y.wlk.
diff --git a/src/map/intif.cpp b/src/map/intif.cpp
index a3865b2..18415d0 100644
--- a/src/map/intif.cpp
+++ b/src/map/intif.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <cstring>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/nullpo.hpp"
 #include "../common/socket.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/intif.hpp b/src/map/intif.hpp
index 08added..a3e1d17 100644
--- a/src/map/intif.hpp
+++ b/src/map/intif.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef INTIF_HPP
 #define INTIF_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/const_array.hpp"
 
 #include "map.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/itemdb.cpp b/src/map/itemdb.cpp
index cb47b21..588acd9 100644
--- a/src/map/itemdb.cpp
+++ b/src/map/itemdb.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/magic-expr-eval.hpp b/src/map/magic-expr-eval.hpp
index 76b86f8..29fdab6 100644
--- a/src/map/magic-expr-eval.hpp
+++ b/src/map/magic-expr-eval.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef MAGIC_EXPR_EVAL_HPP
 #define MAGIC_EXPR_EVAL_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/utils2.hpp"
 
 #include "magic-interpreter.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/magic-expr.cpp b/src/map/magic-expr.cpp
index 872ba6f..8f4a5eb 100644
--- a/src/map/magic-expr.cpp
+++ b/src/map/magic-expr.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@
 #include <cassert>
 #include <cmath>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/random.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/map/magic-expr.hpp b/src/map/magic-expr.hpp
index 2bffcbc..0d1bd4f 100644
--- a/src/map/magic-expr.hpp
+++ b/src/map/magic-expr.hpp
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 
 #include "magic-interpreter.hpp"
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 /*
  * Argument types:
  *  i : int
diff --git a/src/map/magic-interpreter-base.cpp b/src/map/magic-interpreter-base.cpp
index 3167efb..09656c6 100644
--- a/src/map/magic-interpreter-base.cpp
+++ b/src/map/magic-interpreter-base.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 #include "magic-interpreter-aux.hpp"
 #include "magic-interpreter.hpp"
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/timer.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/map/magic-interpreter-parser.ypp b/src/map/magic-interpreter-parser.ypp
index e6d69b4..8a654cd 100644
--- a/src/map/magic-interpreter-parser.ypp
+++ b/src/map/magic-interpreter-parser.ypp
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@
 #include <cassert>
 #include <cstdarg> // exception to "no va_list" rule, even after cxxstdio
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/const_array.hpp"
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/map/magic-interpreter.hpp b/src/map/magic-interpreter.hpp
index 13c91e9..a0abe7a 100644
--- a/src/map/magic-interpreter.hpp
+++ b/src/map/magic-interpreter.hpp
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
 
 #include <cassert>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+
 #include "magic.hpp"
 #include "map.hpp"
 #include "script.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/magic-stmt.cpp b/src/map/magic-stmt.cpp
index ebf75c5..2d246de 100644
--- a/src/map/magic-stmt.cpp
+++ b/src/map/magic-stmt.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 #include <cassert>
 
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/random2.hpp"
 #include "../common/timer.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/magic.cpp b/src/map/magic.cpp
index 84d133a..75a76ae 100644
--- a/src/map/magic.cpp
+++ b/src/map/magic.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #include <cstring>
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 
 #include "magic-interpreter.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/magic.hpp b/src/map/magic.hpp
index 5b10367..84e3387 100644
--- a/src/map/magic.hpp
+++ b/src/map/magic.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef MAGIC_HPP
 #define MAGIC_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/dumb_ptr.hpp"
 
 #include "map.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/map.cpp b/src/map/map.cpp
index cff97e2..9c5f074 100644
--- a/src/map/map.cpp
+++ b/src/map/map.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/core.hpp"
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/map.hpp b/src/map/map.hpp
index 4d5ac9d..b0e6f18 100644
--- a/src/map/map.hpp
+++ b/src/map/map.hpp
@@ -8,11 +8,14 @@
 #include <functional>
 #include <list>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/matrix.hpp"
 #include "../common/socket.hpp"
-#include "../common/strings.hpp"
 #include "../common/timer.t.hpp"
 
 #include "battle.t.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/map.t.hpp b/src/map/map.t.hpp
index 19f80c3..2255f60 100644
--- a/src/map/map.t.hpp
+++ b/src/map/map.t.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef MAP_T_HPP
 #define MAP_T_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/vstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/mmo.hpp"
 #include "../common/utils2.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/map/mob.cpp b/src/map/mob.cpp
index f8edff9..ee74b08 100644
--- a/src/map/mob.cpp
+++ b/src/map/mob.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
 #include "../common/io.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/npc.cpp b/src/map/npc.cpp
index bca4eab..28f348e 100644
--- a/src/map/npc.cpp
+++ b/src/map/npc.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@
 
 #include <list>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
@@ -1208,7 +1213,7 @@ int npc_parse_script(XString w1, XString w2, NpcName w3, ZString w4,
             (*lines)++;
             if (feof(fp))
                 break;
-            ZString line(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, line_, nullptr);
+            ZString line(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, line_, nullptr);
             if (!srcbuf)
             {
                 // may be a no-op
@@ -1403,7 +1408,7 @@ int npc_parse_function(XString, XString, XString w3, ZString,
         (*lines)++;
         if (feof(fp))
             break;
-        ZString line(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, line_, nullptr);
+        ZString line(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, line_, nullptr);
         if (!srcbuf)
         {
             srcbuf += line.xislice_t(std::find(line.begin(), line.end(), '{'));
@@ -1731,7 +1736,7 @@ int do_init_npc(void)
         {
             // because it's still fgets
             line_[strlen(line_) - 1] = '\0';
-            ZString zline(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, line_, nullptr);
+            ZString zline(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, line_, nullptr);
             XString w1, w2, w3, w4x;
             ZString w4z;
             lines++;
diff --git a/src/map/npc.hpp b/src/map/npc.hpp
index 36f4e4d..ee9ed91 100644
--- a/src/map/npc.hpp
+++ b/src/map/npc.hpp
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <cstdint>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/timer.t.hpp"
 
 #include "map.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/party.cpp b/src/map/party.cpp
index c6b0bcc..d0039de 100644
--- a/src/map/party.cpp
+++ b/src/map/party.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 #include <cstring>
 
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/nullpo.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/party.hpp b/src/map/party.hpp
index 80679ad..5ad6c03 100644
--- a/src/map/party.hpp
+++ b/src/map/party.hpp
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 
 #include <functional>
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "map.hpp"
 
 struct party;
diff --git a/src/map/pc.cpp b/src/map/pc.cpp
index 0068ab3..b622cc0 100644
--- a/src/map/pc.cpp
+++ b/src/map/pc.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/io.hpp"
 #include "../common/nullpo.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/pc.hpp b/src/map/pc.hpp
index 4796011..77d1288 100644
--- a/src/map/pc.hpp
+++ b/src/map/pc.hpp
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 
 #include "pc.t.hpp"
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "clif.t.hpp"
 #include "map.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/map/script.cpp b/src/map/script.cpp
index f705909..2f4d1cb 100644
--- a/src/map/script.cpp
+++ b/src/map/script.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/script.hpp b/src/map/script.hpp
index 4e8f9ac..e593cfa 100644
--- a/src/map/script.hpp
+++ b/src/map/script.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 
 #include <vector>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/db.hpp"
 #include "../common/dumb_ptr.hpp"
 #include "../common/utils.hpp"
@@ -17,6 +20,8 @@ struct str_data_t;
 
 class ScriptBuffer
 {
+    typedef ZString::iterator ZSit;
+
     std::vector<ByteCode> script_buf;
 public:
     // construction methods used only by script.cpp
@@ -25,17 +30,17 @@ public:
     void add_scripti(uint32_t a);
     void add_scriptl(str_data_t *a);
     void set_label(str_data_t *ld, int pos_);
-    ZString::iterator parse_simpleexpr(ZString::iterator p);
-    ZString::iterator parse_subexpr(ZString::iterator p, int limit);
-    ZString::iterator parse_expr(ZString::iterator p);
-    ZString::iterator parse_line(ZString::iterator p);
+    ZSit parse_simpleexpr(ZSit p);
+    ZSit parse_subexpr(ZSit p, int limit);
+    ZSit parse_expr(ZSit p);
+    ZSit parse_line(ZSit p);
     void parse_script(ZString src, int line);
 
     // consumption methods used only by script.cpp
     ByteCode operator[](size_t i) const { return script_buf[i]; }
     ZString get_str(size_t i) const
     {
-        return ZString(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, reinterpret_cast<const char *>(&script_buf[i]), nullptr);
+        return ZString(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, reinterpret_cast<const char *>(&script_buf[i]), nullptr);
     }
 
     // method used elsewhere
diff --git a/src/map/skill.cpp b/src/map/skill.cpp
index f868b41..46b8dda 100644
--- a/src/map/skill.cpp
+++ b/src/map/skill.cpp
@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/extract.hpp"
 #include "../common/io.hpp"
diff --git a/src/map/skill.hpp b/src/map/skill.hpp
index a233ed4..d816161 100644
--- a/src/map/skill.hpp
+++ b/src/map/skill.hpp
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@
 #include "skill.t.hpp"
 #include "skill-pools.hpp"
 
-#include "../common/strings.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
 
 #include "map.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/map/tmw.cpp b/src/map/tmw.cpp
index ed00110..d4beef4 100644
--- a/src/map/tmw.cpp
+++ b/src/map/tmw.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@
 #include <cctype>
 #include <cstring>
 
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/nullpo.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/map/tmw.hpp b/src/map/tmw.hpp
index 5f1d215..d9147c9 100644
--- a/src/map/tmw.hpp
+++ b/src/map/tmw.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef TMW_HPP
 #define TMW_HPP
 
+#include "../strings/fwd.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/const_array.hpp"
 #include "../common/dumb_ptr.hpp"
 
diff --git a/src/monitor/main.cpp b/src/monitor/main.cpp
index f6e8271..2ab0a79 100644
--- a/src/monitor/main.cpp
+++ b/src/monitor/main.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,13 @@
 
 #include <fstream>
 
+#include "../strings/mstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/fstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/tstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/sstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/zstring.hpp"
+#include "../strings/xstring.hpp"
+
 #include "../common/cxxstdio.hpp"
 #include "../common/io.hpp"
 #include "../common/utils.hpp"
@@ -142,11 +149,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     signal(SIGQUIT, stop_process);
     signal(SIGABRT, stop_process);
 
-    workdir = make_path(ZString(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, getenv("HOME"), nullptr), "tmwserver");
+    workdir = make_path(ZString(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, getenv("HOME"), nullptr), "tmwserver");
 
     ZString config = CONFIG;
     if (argc > 1)
-        config = ZString(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, argv[1], nullptr);
+        config = ZString(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, argv[1], nullptr);
     read_config(config);
 
     if (chdir(workdir.c_str()) < 0)
diff --git a/src/strings/all.hpp b/src/strings/all.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..333cb4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/all.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_ALL_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_ALL_HPP
+//    strings/all.hpp - All the string classes you'll ever need.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+#include "mstring.hpp"
+#include "fstring.hpp"
+#include "tstring.hpp"
+#include "sstring.hpp"
+#include "zstring.hpp"
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_ALL_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/base.hpp b/src/strings/base.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ea303f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/base.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_BASE_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_BASE_HPP
+//    strings/base.cls.hpp - CRTP base for string implementations.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "fwd.hpp"
+#include "pair.hpp"
+
+#include <iterator>
+
+// It is a common mistake to assume that one string class for everything.
+// Because C++ and TMWA have a C legacy, there are a few more here
+// than would probably be necessary in an ideal language.
+namespace strings
+{
+    // simple pointer-wrapping iterator that can be used to get distinct
+    // types for different containers.
+    template<class Tag>
+    class _iterator
+    {
+        typedef _iterator X;
+
+        const char *_ptr;
+    public:
+        typedef ptrdiff_t difference_type;
+        typedef char value_type;
+        typedef const char *pointer;
+        typedef const char& reference;
+        typedef std::random_access_iterator_tag iterator_category;
+
+        _iterator(const char *p=nullptr) : _ptr(p) {}
+
+        // iterator
+        reference operator *() const { return *_ptr; }
+        X& operator ++() { ++_ptr; return *this; }
+        // equality comparable
+        friend bool operator == (X l, X r) { return l._ptr == r._ptr; }
+        // input iterator
+        friend bool operator != (X l, X r) { return !(l == r); }
+        pointer operator->() const { return _ptr; }
+        X operator++ (int) { X out = *this; ++*this; return out; }
+        // forward iterator is mostly semantical, and the ctor is above
+        // bidirectional iterator
+        X& operator --() { --_ptr; return *this; }
+        X operator-- (int) { X out = *this; --*this; return out; }
+        // random access iterator
+        X& operator += (difference_type n) { _ptr += n; return *this; }
+        friend X operator + (X a, difference_type n) { return a += n; }
+        friend X operator + (difference_type n, X a) { return a += n; }
+        X& operator -= (difference_type n) { _ptr -= n; return *this; }
+        friend X operator - (X a, difference_type n) { return a -= n; }
+        friend difference_type operator - (X b, X a) { return b._ptr - a._ptr; }
+        reference operator[](difference_type n) const { return _ptr[n]; }
+        friend bool operator < (X a, X b) { return a._ptr < b._ptr; }
+        friend bool operator > (X a, X b) { return b < a; }
+        friend bool operator >= (X a, X b) { return !(a < b); }
+        friend bool operator <= (X a, X b) { return !(a > b); }
+    };
+
+    /// A helper class that implements all the interesting stuff that can
+    /// be done on any constant string, in terms of .begin() and .end().
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    class _crtp_string
+    {
+        typedef typename P::TailSlice Z;
+        typedef typename P::FullSlice X;
+    public:
+        // this will have to be changed if MString decides to join in.
+        typedef _iterator<T> iterator;
+        typedef std::reverse_iterator<iterator> reverse_iterator;
+    private:
+        const T& _ref() const;
+        iterator begin() const;
+        iterator end() const;
+        const FString *base() const;
+    public:
+        size_t size() const;
+        reverse_iterator rbegin() const;
+        reverse_iterator rend() const;
+        explicit
+        operator bool() const;
+        bool operator !() const;
+        operator P() const;
+
+        // the existence of this has led to bugs
+        // it's not really sane from a unicode perspective anyway ...
+        // prefer startswith or extract
+        __attribute__((deprecated))
+        char operator[](size_t i) const;
+        char front() const;
+        char back() const;
+        const char *data();
+
+        Z xslice_t(size_t o) const;
+        X xslice_h(size_t o) const;
+        Z xrslice_t(size_t no) const;
+        X xrslice_h(size_t no) const;
+        Z xislice_t(iterator it) const;
+        X xislice_h(iterator it) const;
+        X xlslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
+        X xpslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
+        X xislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
+        Z lstrip() const;
+        X rstrip() const;
+        X strip() const;
+
+        bool startswith(XPair x) const;
+        bool endswith(XPair x) const;
+        bool startswith(char c) const;
+        bool endswith(char c) const;
+
+        bool contains(char c) const;
+        bool contains_seq(XPair s) const;
+        bool contains_any(XPair s) const;
+
+        bool has_print() const;
+        bool is_print() const;
+        __attribute__((deprecated))
+        O to_print() const;
+
+        bool is_graph() const;
+        bool has_graph() const;
+
+        bool has_lower() const;
+        bool is_lower() const;
+        O to_lower() const;
+
+        bool has_upper() const;
+        bool is_upper() const;
+        O to_upper() const;
+
+        bool has_alpha() const; // equivalent to has_lower || has_upper
+        bool is_alpha() const; // NOT equivalent to is_lower || is_upper
+
+        bool has_digit2() const;
+        bool is_digit2() const;
+        bool has_digit8() const;
+        bool is_digit8() const;
+        bool has_digit10() const;
+        bool is_digit10() const;
+        bool has_digit16() const;
+        bool is_digit16() const;
+
+        bool has_alnum() const; // equivalent to has_alpha || has_digit10
+        bool is_alnum() const; // NOT equivalent to is_alpha || is_digit10
+    };
+
+    template<class L, class R>
+    class string_comparison_allowed
+    {
+        constexpr static bool l_is_vstring_exact = std::is_same<VString<sizeof(L) - 1>, L>::value;
+        constexpr static bool l_is_vstring_approx = std::is_base_of<VString<sizeof(L) - 1>, L>::value;
+        constexpr static bool r_is_vstring_exact = std::is_same<VString<sizeof(R) - 1>, R>::value;
+        constexpr static bool r_is_vstring_approx = std::is_base_of<VString<sizeof(R) - 1>, R>::value;
+
+        constexpr static bool l_is_restricted = l_is_vstring_approx && !l_is_vstring_exact;
+        constexpr static bool r_is_restricted = r_is_vstring_approx && !r_is_vstring_exact;
+    public:
+        constexpr static bool value = std::is_same<L, R>::value || (!l_is_restricted && !r_is_restricted);
+    };
+
+    // not really intended for public use
+    int pair_compare(XPair l, XPair r);
+
+    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
+    auto operator == (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true));
+    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
+    auto operator != (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true));
+    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
+    auto operator < (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true));
+    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
+    auto operator <= (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true));
+    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
+    auto operator > (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true));
+    template<class L, class R, typename=typename std::enable_if<string_comparison_allowed<L, R>::value>::type>
+    auto operator >= (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true));
+
+    // sadness
+    typedef MString MS;
+    typedef FString FS;
+    typedef TString TS;
+    typedef SString SS;
+    typedef ZString ZS;
+    typedef XString XS;
+} // namespace strings
+
+#include "base.tcc"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_BASE_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/base.tcc b/src/strings/base.tcc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cde277f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/base.tcc
@@ -0,0 +1,442 @@
+//    strings/base.tcc - Inline functions for strings/base.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include <algorithm>
+
+#include "pair.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    namespace detail
+    {
+        constexpr
+        bool is_print(char c)
+        {
+            return ' ' <= c && c <= '~';
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_graph(char c)
+        {
+            return is_print(c) && c != ' ';
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_lower(char c)
+        {
+            return 'a' <= c && c <= 'z';
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_upper(char c)
+        {
+            return 'A' <= c && c <= 'Z';
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_alpha(char c)
+        {
+            return is_lower(c) || is_upper(c);
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_digit2(char c)
+        {
+            return '0' <= c && c <= '1';
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_digit8(char c)
+        {
+            return '0' <= c && c <= '7';
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_digit10(char c)
+        {
+            return '0' <= c && c <= '9';
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_digit16(char c)
+        {
+            return ('0' <= c && c <= '9') || ('A' <= c && c <= 'F') || ('a' <= c && c <= 'f');
+        }
+        constexpr
+        bool is_alnum(char c)
+        {
+            return is_alpha(c) || is_digit10(c);
+        }
+
+        constexpr
+        char to_lower(char c)
+        {
+            return is_upper(c) ? c | ' ' : c;
+        }
+        constexpr
+        char to_upper(char c)
+        {
+            return is_lower(c) ? c & ~' ' : c;
+        }
+    } // namespace detail
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    const T& _crtp_string<T, O, P>::_ref() const
+    {
+        return static_cast<const T&>(*this);
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename _crtp_string<T, O, P>::iterator _crtp_string<T, O, P>::begin() const
+    {
+        return _ref().begin();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename _crtp_string<T, O, P>::iterator _crtp_string<T, O, P>::end() const
+    {
+        return _ref().end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    const FString *_crtp_string<T, O, P>::base() const
+    {
+        return _ref().base();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    size_t _crtp_string<T, O, P>::size() const
+    {
+        return end() - begin();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename _crtp_string<T, O, P>::reverse_iterator _crtp_string<T, O, P>::rbegin() const
+    {
+        return reverse_iterator(end());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename _crtp_string<T, O, P>::reverse_iterator _crtp_string<T, O, P>::rend() const
+    {
+        return reverse_iterator(begin());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    _crtp_string<T, O, P>::operator bool() const
+    {
+        return size();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::operator !() const
+    {
+        return !size();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    _crtp_string<T, O, P>::operator P() const
+    {
+        return {&*begin(), &*end()};
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    __attribute__((deprecated))
+    char _crtp_string<T, O, P>::operator[](size_t i) const
+    {
+        return begin()[i];
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    char _crtp_string<T, O, P>::front() const
+    {
+        return *begin();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    char _crtp_string<T, O, P>::back() const
+    {
+        return end()[-1];
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    const char *_crtp_string<T, O, P>::data()
+    {
+        return &*begin();
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::TailSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xslice_t(size_t o) const
+    {
+        return typename P::TailSlice(&begin()[o], &*end(), base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xslice_h(size_t o) const
+    {
+        return typename P::FullSlice(&*begin(), &begin()[o], base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::TailSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xrslice_t(size_t no) const
+    {
+        return typename P::TailSlice(&end()[-no], &*end(), base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xrslice_h(size_t no) const
+    {
+        return typename P::FullSlice(&*begin(), &end()[-no], base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::TailSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xislice_t(iterator it) const
+    {
+        return typename P::TailSlice(&*it, &*end(), base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xislice_h(iterator it) const
+    {
+        return typename P::FullSlice(&*begin(), &*it, base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xlslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
+    {
+        return typename P::FullSlice(&begin()[o], &begin()[o + l], base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xpslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
+    {
+        return typename P::FullSlice(&begin()[b], &begin()[e], base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::xislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
+    {
+        return typename P::FullSlice(&*b, &*e, base());
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::TailSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::lstrip() const
+    {
+        typename P::TailSlice z = _ref();
+        while (z.startswith(' '))
+            z = z.xslice_t(1);
+        return z;
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::rstrip() const
+    {
+        typename P::FullSlice x = _ref();
+        while (x.endswith(' '))
+            x = x.xrslice_h(1);
+        return x;
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    typename P::FullSlice _crtp_string<T, O, P>::strip() const
+    {
+        return lstrip().rstrip();
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::startswith(XPair x) const
+    {
+        return size() >= x.size() && pair_compare(xslice_h(x.size()), x) == 0;
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::endswith(XPair x) const
+    {
+        return size() > x.size() && pair_compare(xrslice_t(x.size()), x) == 0;
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::startswith(char c) const
+    {
+        return size() && front() == c;
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::endswith(char c) const
+    {
+        return size() && back() == c;
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::contains(char c) const
+    {
+        return std::find(begin(), end(), c) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::contains_seq(XPair s) const
+    {
+        return std::search(begin(), end(), s.begin(), s.end()) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::contains_any(XPair s) const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(s.begin(), s.end(), [this](char c) { return this->contains(c); }) != end();
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_print() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_print) != end(); }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_print() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_print) == end(); }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    O _crtp_string<T, O, P>::to_print() const
+    {
+        if (is_print()) return _ref();
+        char buf[size()];
+        char *const b = buf;
+        char *const e = std::transform(begin(), end(), b, [](char c) { return detail::is_print(c) ? c : '_'; });
+        return XPair(b, e);
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_graph() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_graph) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_graph() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_graph) == end();
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_lower() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_lower) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_lower() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_lower) == end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    O _crtp_string<T, O, P>::to_lower() const
+    {
+        if (!has_upper()) return _ref();
+        char buf[size()];
+        char *const b = buf;
+        char *const e = std::transform(begin(), end(), b, detail::to_lower);
+        return XPair(b, e);
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_upper() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_upper) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_upper() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_upper) == end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    O _crtp_string<T, O, P>::to_upper() const
+    {
+        if (!has_lower()) return _ref();
+        char buf[size()];
+        char *const b = buf;
+        char *const e = std::transform(begin(), end(), b, detail::to_upper);
+        return XPair(b, e);
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_alpha() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_alpha) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_alpha() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_alpha) == end();
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_digit2() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit2) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_digit2() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit2) == end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_digit8() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit8) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_digit8() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit8) == end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_digit10() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit10) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_digit10() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit10) == end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_digit16() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit16) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_digit16() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_digit16) == end();
+    }
+
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::has_alnum() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if(begin(), end(), detail::is_alnum) != end();
+    }
+    template<class T, class O, class P>
+    bool _crtp_string<T, O, P>::is_alnum() const
+    {
+        return std::find_if_not(begin(), end(), detail::is_alnum) == end();
+    }
+
+    // not really intended for public use
+    inline
+    int pair_compare(XPair l, XPair r)
+    {
+        bool less = std::lexicographical_compare(
+                l.begin(), l.end(),
+                r.begin(), r.end());
+        bool greater = std::lexicographical_compare(
+                r.begin(), r.end(),
+                l.begin(), l.end());
+        return greater - less;
+    }
+
+    template<class L, class R, typename>
+    auto operator == (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true))
+    {
+        return pair_compare(l, r) == 0;
+    }
+    template<class L, class R, typename>
+    auto operator != (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true))
+    {
+        return pair_compare(l, r) != 0;
+    }
+    template<class L, class R, typename>
+    auto operator < (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true))
+    {
+        return pair_compare(l, r) < 0;
+    }
+    template<class L, class R, typename>
+    auto operator <= (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true))
+    {
+        return pair_compare(l, r) <= 0;
+    }
+    template<class L, class R, typename>
+    auto operator > (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true))
+    {
+        return pair_compare(l, r) > 0;
+    }
+    template<class L, class R, typename>
+    auto operator >= (const L& l, const R& r) -> decltype((pair_compare(l, r), true))
+    {
+        return pair_compare(l, r) >= 0;
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/base_test.cpp b/src/strings/base_test.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..836ea4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/base_test.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#include "base.hpp"
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+#include "fstring.hpp"
+
+using namespace strings;
+
+struct _test : VString<1> {};
+struct _test2 : VString<1> {};
+
+static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<_test, _test>::value, "tt");
+static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<VString<1>, VString<1>>::value, "vv");
+static_assert(!string_comparison_allowed<_test, XString>::value, "tx");
+static_assert(!string_comparison_allowed<_test, VString<1>>::value, "tv");
+static_assert(!string_comparison_allowed<_test, _test2>::value, "t2");
+static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<VString<1>, XString>::value, "vx");
+static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<XString, XString>::value, "xx");
+static_assert(string_comparison_allowed<XString, FString>::value, "xf");
diff --git a/src/strings/fstring.cpp b/src/strings/fstring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b20852
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/fstring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+#include "fstring.hpp"
+//    strings/fstring.cpp - Functions for fstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "mstring.hpp"
+#include "tstring.hpp"
+#include "sstring.hpp"
+#include "zstring.hpp"
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    FString::FString()
+    {
+        const char *sadness = "";
+        _assign(sadness, sadness);
+    }
+
+    FString::FString(const MString& s)
+    {
+        _assign(s.begin(), s.end());
+    }
+
+    FString::FString(XPair p)
+    {
+        _assign(p.begin(), p.end());
+    }
+
+    FString::FString(const TString& t)
+    {
+        *this = XString(t);
+    }
+    FString::FString(const SString& s)
+    {
+        *this = XString(s);
+    }
+    FString::FString(ZString z)
+    {
+        *this = XString(z);
+    }
+    FString::FString(XString x)
+    {
+        const FString *f = x.base();
+        const char *xb = &*x.begin();
+        const char *xe = &*x.end();
+        const char *fb = f ? &*f->begin() : nullptr;
+        const char *fe = f ? &*f->end() : nullptr;
+        if (f && xb == fb && xe == fe)
+            *this = *f;
+        else
+            _assign(x.begin(), x.end());
+    }
+
+    FString::iterator FString::begin() const
+    {
+        return &_hack2->begin()[0];
+    }
+    FString::iterator FString::end() const
+    {
+        return &_hack2->end()[-1];
+    }
+    const FString *FString::base() const
+    {
+        return this;
+    }
+    const char *FString::c_str() const
+    {
+        return &*begin();
+    }
+
+    TS FS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
+    { return TS(*this, o); }
+    SS FS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
+    { return SS(*this, 0, o); }
+    TS FS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
+    { return TS(*this, size() - no); }
+    SS FS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
+    { return SS(*this, 0, size() - no); }
+    TS FS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
+    { return TS(*this, it - begin()); }
+    SS FS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
+    { return SS(*this, 0, it - begin()); }
+    SS FS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
+    { return SS(*this, o, o + l); }
+    SS FS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
+    { return SS(*this, b, e); }
+    SS FS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
+    { return SS(*this, b - begin(), e - begin()); }
+
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const FString& fs)
+    {
+        return fs.c_str();
+    }
+
+    int do_vprint(FString& out, const char *fmt, va_list ap)
+    {
+        int len;
+        {
+            va_list ap2;
+            va_copy(ap2, ap);
+            len = vsnprintf(nullptr, 0, fmt, ap2);
+            va_end(ap2);
+        }
+        char buffer[len + 1];
+        vsnprintf(buffer, len + 1, fmt, ap);
+
+        out = FString(buffer, buffer + len);
+        return len;
+    }
+
+    StringConverter::StringConverter(FString& s)
+    : out(s), mid(nullptr)
+    {}
+
+    StringConverter::~StringConverter()
+    {
+        if (mid)
+        {
+            out = ZString(really_construct_from_a_pointer, mid, nullptr);
+            free(mid);
+        }
+    }
+
+    char **StringConverter::operator &()
+    {
+        return &mid;
+    }
+
+    StringConverter convert_for_scanf(FString& s)
+    {
+        return StringConverter(s);
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/fstring.hpp b/src/strings/fstring.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f4f09d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/fstring.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_FSTRING_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_FSTRING_HPP
+//    strings/fstring.hpp - An owned, reference-counted immutable string.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include <cstdarg>
+#include <cstring>
+
+#include <memory>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    /// An owning string that has reached its final contents.
+    /// The storage is NUL-terminated
+    /// TODO reimplement without std::shared_ptr
+    class FString : public _crtp_string<FString, FString, ZPair>
+    {
+        std::shared_ptr<std::vector<char>> _hack2;
+
+        template<class It>
+        void _assign(It b, It e);
+    public:
+        FString();
+
+        explicit FString(const MString& s);
+
+        template<size_t n>
+        FString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
+
+        template<size_t n>
+        FString(const char (&s)[n]);
+
+        template<class It>
+        FString(It b, It e);
+
+        FString(XPair p);
+        //FString(const FString&)
+        FString(const TString&);
+        FString(const SString&);
+        FString(ZString);
+        FString(XString);
+        template<uint8_t n>
+        FString(const VString<n>& v);
+
+        iterator begin() const;
+        iterator end() const;
+        const FString *base() const;
+        const char *c_str() const;
+
+        TString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
+        SString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
+        TString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
+        SString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
+        TString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
+        SString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
+        SString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
+        SString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
+        SString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
+    };
+
+    // cxxstdio helpers
+    // I think the conversion will happen automatically. TODO test this.
+    // Nope, it doesn't, since there's a template
+    // Actually, it might now.
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const FString& fs);
+
+    __attribute__((format(printf, 2, 0)))
+    int do_vprint(FString& out, const char *fmt, va_list ap);
+
+    class StringConverter
+    {
+        FString& out;
+        char *mid;
+    public:
+        StringConverter(FString& s);
+        ~StringConverter();
+        char **operator &();
+    };
+
+    StringConverter convert_for_scanf(FString& s);
+} // namespace strings
+
+#include "fstring.tcc"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_FSTRING_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/fstring.tcc b/src/strings/fstring.tcc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..388aef1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/fstring.tcc
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+//    strings/fstring.tcc - Inline functions for fstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    template<class It>
+    void FString::_assign(It b, It e)
+    {
+        if (b == e)
+        {
+            // TODO use a special empty object
+            // return;
+        }
+        if (!std::is_base_of<std::forward_iterator_tag, typename std::iterator_traits<It>::iterator_category>::value)
+        {
+            // can't use std::distance
+            _hack2 = std::make_shared<std::vector<char>>();
+            for (; b != e; ++b)
+                _hack2->push_back(*b);
+            _hack2->push_back('\0');
+            _hack2->shrink_to_fit();
+            return;
+        }
+        size_t diff = std::distance(b, e);
+        _hack2 = std::make_shared<std::vector<char>>(diff + 1, '\0');
+        std::copy(b, e, _hack2->begin());
+    }
+
+    template<size_t n>
+    FString::FString(const char (&s)[n])
+    {
+        _assign(s, s + strlen(s));
+    }
+
+    template<class It>
+    FString::FString(It b, It e)
+    {
+        _assign(b, e);
+    }
+
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    FString::FString(const VString<n>& v)
+    {
+        _assign(v.begin(), v.end());
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/fwd.hpp b/src/strings/fwd.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..41abbbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/fwd.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_FWD_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_FWD_HPP
+//    strings/fwd.hpp - Forward declarations for all the string classes.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "../common/sanity.hpp"
+
+// It is a common mistake to assume that one string class for everything.
+// Because C++ and TMWA have a C legacy, there are a few more here
+// than would probably be necessary in an ideal language.
+namespace strings
+{
+    // owning
+    class MString;
+    class FString;
+    class TString; // C legacy version of SString
+    class SString; // is this one really worth it?
+
+    // non-owning
+    class ZString; // C legacy version of XString
+    class XString;
+
+    // semi-owning
+    template<uint8_t len>
+    class VString;
+
+    // refactor this into a function?
+    enum _type_that_just_has_a_name_to_fix_linkage
+    { really_construct_from_a_pointer };
+} // namespace strings
+
+using strings::MString;
+using strings::FString;
+using strings::TString;
+using strings::SString;
+
+using strings::ZString;
+using strings::XString;
+
+using strings::VString;
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_FWD_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/mstring.cpp b/src/strings/mstring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d496a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/mstring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+#include "mstring.hpp"
+//    strings/mstring.cpp - Functions for mstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    MString::iterator MString::begin()
+    {
+        return _hack.begin();
+    }
+    MString::iterator MString::end()
+    {
+        return _hack.end();
+    }
+    MString::const_iterator MString::begin() const
+    {
+        return _hack.begin();
+    }
+    MString::const_iterator MString::end() const
+    {
+        return _hack.end();
+    }
+    MString::reverse_iterator MString::rbegin()
+    {
+        return reverse_iterator(end());
+    }
+    MString::reverse_iterator MString::rend()
+    {
+        return reverse_iterator(begin());
+    }
+    MString::const_reverse_iterator MString::rbegin() const
+    {
+        return const_reverse_iterator(end());
+    }
+    MString::const_reverse_iterator MString::rend() const
+    {
+        return const_reverse_iterator(begin());
+    }
+
+    size_t MString::size() const
+    {
+        return _hack.size();
+    }
+    MString::operator bool() const
+    {
+        return size();
+    }
+    bool MString::operator !() const
+    {
+        return !size();
+    }
+
+    MString& MString::operator += (MString rhs)
+    {
+        _hack.insert(_hack.end(), rhs.begin(), rhs.end());
+        return *this;
+    }
+    MString& MString::operator += (char c)
+    {
+        _hack.push_back(c);
+        return *this;
+    }
+    MString& MString::operator += (XString x)
+    {
+        _hack.insert(_hack.end(), x.begin(), x.end());
+        return *this;
+    }
+
+    void MString::pop_back(size_t n)
+    {
+        while (n--)
+            _hack.pop_back();
+    }
+    char& MString::front()
+    {
+        return _hack.front();
+    }
+    char& MString::back()
+    {
+        return _hack.back();
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/mstring.hpp b/src/strings/mstring.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9658601
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/mstring.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_MSTRING_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_MSTRING_HPP
+//    strings/mstring.hpp - A mutable string.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include <deque>
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    /// An owning string that is still expected to change.
+    /// The storage might not be contiguous, but it still offers
+    /// random-access iterators.
+    /// TODO implement a special one, to avoid quirks of std::deque.
+    class MString
+    {
+    public:
+        typedef std::deque<char>::iterator iterator;
+        typedef std::deque<char>::const_iterator const_iterator;
+        typedef std::reverse_iterator<iterator> reverse_iterator;
+        typedef std::reverse_iterator<const_iterator> const_reverse_iterator;
+    private:
+        std::deque<char> _hack;
+    public:
+        iterator begin();
+        iterator end();
+        const_iterator begin() const;
+        const_iterator end() const;
+        reverse_iterator rbegin();
+        reverse_iterator rend();
+        const_reverse_iterator rbegin() const;
+        const_reverse_iterator rend() const;
+
+        size_t size() const;
+        explicit
+        operator bool() const;
+        bool operator !() const;
+
+        MString& operator += (MString rhs);
+        MString& operator += (char c);
+        MString& operator += (XString xs);
+
+        void pop_back(size_t n=1);
+        char& front();
+        char& back();
+    };
+} // namespace strings
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_MSTRING_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/pair.hpp b/src/strings/pair.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..88422be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/pair.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_PAIR_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_PAIR_HPP
+//    strings/pair.hpp - Internal contiguous range.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "../common/sanity.hpp"
+
+#include <cstring>
+
+#include "fwd.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    // TODO instead typedef ranges::Contiguous<const char>
+    // or whatever it becomes once it exists.
+    // const_array is just a hack, as evidenced by the fact
+    // that it's not really const.
+    class XPair
+    {
+        const char *_begin;
+        const char *_end;
+    public:
+        typedef XString TailSlice;
+        typedef XString FullSlice;
+
+        XPair(const char *b, const char *e)
+        : _begin(b), _end(e)
+        {}
+        template<size_t n>
+        XPair(char (&arr)[n]) = delete;
+        template<size_t n>
+        XPair(const char (&arr)[n])
+        : _begin(arr), _end(arr + strlen(arr))
+        {}
+
+        const char *begin() const { return _begin; }
+        const char *end() const { return _end; }
+        size_t size() { return end() - begin(); }
+    };
+    struct ZPair : XPair
+    {
+        typedef ZString TailSlice;
+        typedef XString FullSlice;
+
+        ZPair(const char *b, const char *e)
+        : XPair(b, e)
+        {}
+        template<size_t n>
+        ZPair(char (&arr)[n]) = delete;
+        template<size_t n>
+        ZPair(const char (&arr)[n])
+        : XPair(arr)
+        {}
+    };
+} // namespace strings
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_PAIR_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/sstring.cpp b/src/strings/sstring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bcbcb58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/sstring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+#include "sstring.hpp"
+//    strings/sstring.cpp - Functions for sstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "tstring.hpp"
+#include "zstring.hpp"
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    SString::SString()
+    : _s(), _b(), _e()
+    {}
+    SString::SString(FString f)
+    : _s(std::move(f)), _b(), _e(_s.size())
+    {}
+    SString::SString(TString t)
+    : _s(t._s), _b(0), _e(_s.size())
+    {}
+    SString::SString(const ZString& z)
+    {
+        *this = XString(z);
+    }
+    SString::SString(const XString& x)
+    {
+        const FString *f = x.base();
+        const char *xb = &*x.begin();
+        const char *xe = &*x.end();
+        const char *fb = f ? &*f->begin() : nullptr;
+        //const char *fe = f ? &*f->end() : nullptr;
+        if (f)
+            *this = SString(*f, xb - fb, xe - fb);
+        else
+            *this = FString(x);
+    }
+
+    SString::SString(FString f, size_t b, size_t e)
+    : _s(std::move(f)), _b(b), _e(e)
+    {}
+    SString::SString(XPair p)
+    : _s(p), _b(0), _e(p.size())
+    {}
+
+    SString::iterator SString::begin() const
+    {
+        return &_s.begin()[_b];
+    }
+    SString::iterator SString::end() const
+    {
+        return &_s.begin()[_e];
+    }
+    const FString *SString::base() const
+    {
+        return &_s;
+    }
+
+    SS SS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b + o, _e); }
+    SS SS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b, _b + o); }
+    SS SS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
+    { return SS(_s, _e - no, _e); }
+    SS SS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b, _e - no); }
+    SS SS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b + it - begin(), _e); }
+    SS SS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b, _b + it - begin()); }
+    SS SS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b + o, _b + o + l); }
+    SS SS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b + b, _b + e); }
+    SS SS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
+    { return SS(_s, _b + b - begin(), _b + e - begin()); }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/sstring.hpp b/src/strings/sstring.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f55f9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/sstring.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_SSTRING_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_SSTRING_HPP
+//    strings/sstring.hpp - A full slice of an FString.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+#include "fstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    /// An owning string that represents a arbitrary slice of an FString.
+    /// Not guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
+    class SString : public _crtp_string<SString, SString, XPair>
+    {
+        FString _s;
+        size_t _b, _e;
+    public:
+        SString();
+        SString(FString f);
+        SString(TString t);
+        //SString(const SString&);
+        SString(const ZString&);
+        SString(const XString&);
+        template<uint8_t n>
+        SString(const VString<n>& v);
+        template<size_t n>
+        SString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
+        template<size_t n>
+        SString(const char (&s)[n]);
+        //template<class It>
+        //SString(It b, It e) : _s(b, e), _b(0), _e(_s.size()) {}
+        SString(FString f, size_t b, size_t e);
+        SString(XPair p);
+
+        iterator begin() const;
+        iterator end() const;
+        const FString *base() const;
+
+        SString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
+        SString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
+        SString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
+        SString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
+        SString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
+        SString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
+        SString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
+        SString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
+        SString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
+    };
+} // namespace strings
+
+#include "sstring.tcc"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_SSTRING_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/sstring.tcc b/src/strings/sstring.tcc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4be33dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/sstring.tcc
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+//    strings/sstring.tcc - Inline functions for fstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    SString::SString(const VString<n>& v)
+    : _s(v), _b(0), _e(_s.size())
+    {}
+
+    template<size_t n>
+    SString::SString(const char (&s)[n])
+    : _s(s), _b(0), _e(_s.size())
+    {}
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/common/strings2_test.cpp b/src/strings/strings2_test.cpp
index fa4dc6f..3f8662a 100644
--- a/src/common/strings2_test.cpp
+++ b/src/strings/strings2_test.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#include "strings.hpp"
+#include "all.hpp"
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
 
diff --git a/src/common/strings_test.cpp b/src/strings/strings_test.cpp
index fa04f1c..b7a7d39 100644
--- a/src/common/strings_test.cpp
+++ b/src/strings/strings_test.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#include "strings.hpp"
+#include "all.hpp"
 
 #include <algorithm>
 
@@ -228,6 +228,24 @@ TYPED_TEST_P(StringTest, convert)
     EXPECT_EQ(v, v3);
     EXPECT_EQ(l, l3);
     EXPECT_EQ(hi, hi3);
+
+    TypeParam f4(f);
+    TypeParam t4(t);
+    TypeParam s4(s);
+    TypeParam z4(z);
+    TypeParam x4(x);
+    TypeParam v4(v);
+    TypeParam l4(l);
+    TypeParam hi4(hi);
+
+    EXPECT_EQ(f, f4);
+    EXPECT_EQ(t, t4);
+    EXPECT_EQ(s, s4);
+    EXPECT_EQ(z, z4);
+    EXPECT_EQ(x, x4);
+    EXPECT_EQ(v, v4);
+    EXPECT_EQ(l, l4);
+    EXPECT_EQ(hi, hi4);
 }
 
 REGISTER_TYPED_TEST_CASE_P(StringTest,
@@ -244,7 +262,7 @@ TEST(VStringTest, basic)
     EXPECT_EQ(5, hi.size());
     EXPECT_EQ(hi, hi);
     // truncation
-    VString<5> hi2(ZString::really_construct_from_a_pointer, "Hello, world!");
+    VString<5> hi2(strings::really_construct_from_a_pointer, "Hello, world!");
     EXPECT_EQ(5, hi2.size());
     EXPECT_EQ(hi, hi2);
     // short
diff --git a/src/strings/tstring.cpp b/src/strings/tstring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9decc61
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/tstring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+#include "tstring.hpp"
+//    strings/tstring.cpp - Functions for tstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "sstring.hpp"
+#include "zstring.hpp"
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    TString::TString()
+    : _s(), _o()
+    {}
+    TString::TString(FString b, size_t i)
+    : _s(std::move(b)), _o(i)
+    {}
+    TString::TString(const SString& s)
+    {
+        *this = XString(s);
+    }
+    TString::TString(const ZString& z)
+    {
+        *this = XString(z);
+    }
+    TString::TString(const XString& x)
+    {
+        const FString *f = x.base();
+        const char *xb = &*x.begin();
+        const char *xe = &*x.end();
+        const char *fb = f ? &*f->begin() : nullptr;
+        const char *fe = f ? &*f->end() : nullptr;
+        if (f && xe == fe)
+            *this = TString(*f, xb - fb);
+        else
+            *this = FString(x);
+    }
+
+    TString::TString(XPair p)
+    : _s(p), _o(0)
+    {}
+
+    TString::iterator TString::begin() const
+    {
+        return &_s.begin()[_o];
+    }
+    TString::iterator TString::end() const
+    {
+        return &*_s.end();
+    }
+    const FString *TString::base() const
+    {
+        return &_s;
+    }
+    const char *TString::c_str() const
+    {
+        return &*begin();
+    }
+
+    TS TS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
+    { return TS(_s, _o + o); }
+    SS TS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
+    { return SS(_s, _o, _o + o); }
+    TS TS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
+    { return TS(_s, _s.size() - no); }
+    SS TS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
+    { return SS(_s, _o, _s.size() - no); }
+    TS TS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
+    { return TS(_s, _o + it - begin()); }
+    SS TS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
+    { return SS(_s, _o, _o + it - begin()); }
+    SS TS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
+    { return SS(_s, _o + o, _o + o + l); }
+    SS TS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
+    { return SS(_s, _o + b, _o + e); }
+    SS TS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
+    { return SS(_s, _o + b - begin(), _o + e - begin()); }
+
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const TString& ts)
+    {
+        return ts.c_str();
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/tstring.hpp b/src/strings/tstring.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..63f3b7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/tstring.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_TSTRING_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_TSTRING_HPP
+//    strings/tstring.hpp - A tail slice of a string.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+#include "fstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    /// An owning string that represents a tail slice of an FString.
+    /// Guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
+    class TString : public _crtp_string<TString, TString, ZPair>
+    {
+        friend class SString;
+        FString _s;
+        size_t _o;
+    public:
+        TString();
+        TString(FString b, size_t i=0);
+        //TString(const TString&)
+        TString(const SString&);
+        TString(const ZString&);
+        TString(const XString&);
+        template<uint8_t n>
+        TString(const VString<n>& v);
+        template<size_t n>
+        TString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
+        template<size_t n>
+        TString(const char (&s)[n]);
+        //template<class It>
+        //TString(It b, It e) : _s(b, e), _o(0) {}
+        TString(XPair p);
+
+        iterator begin() const;
+        iterator end() const;
+        const FString *base() const;
+        const char *c_str() const;
+
+        TString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
+        SString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
+        TString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
+        SString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
+        TString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
+        SString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
+        SString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
+        SString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
+        SString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
+    };
+
+    // cxxstdio helpers
+    // I think the conversion will happen automatically. TODO test this.
+    // Nope, it doesn't, since there's a template
+    // Actually, it might now.
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const TString& ts);
+} // namespace strings
+
+#include "tstring.tcc"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_TSTRING_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/tstring.tcc b/src/strings/tstring.tcc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4eba13f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/tstring.tcc
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+//    strings/tstring.tcc - Inline functions for tstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    TString::TString(const VString<n>& v)
+    : _s(v), _o(0)
+    {}
+    template<size_t n>
+    TString::TString(const char (&s)[n])
+    : _s(s), _o(0)
+    {}
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/vstring.cpp b/src/strings/vstring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a0416a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/vstring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+//    strings/vstring.cpp - Functions for vstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+namespace strings
+{
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/vstring.hpp b/src/strings/vstring.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..527c2b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/vstring.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_VSTRING_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_VSTRING_HPP
+//    strings/vstring.hpp - A small string that stores its own value.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    class VString : public _crtp_string<VString<n>, VString<n>, ZPair>
+    {
+        char _data[n];
+        unsigned char _special;
+    public:
+        typedef typename _crtp_string<VString<n>, VString<n>, ZPair>::iterator iterator;
+        VString(XString x);
+        VString(FString f);
+        VString(TString t);
+        VString(SString s);
+        VString(ZString z);
+        template<uint8_t m>
+        VString(VString<m> v);
+        template<size_t m>
+        VString(char (&s)[m]) = delete;
+        template<size_t m>
+        VString(const char (&s)[m]);
+        VString(decltype(really_construct_from_a_pointer) e, const char *s);
+        VString(char c);
+        VString();
+        VString(XPair p);
+
+        iterator begin() const;
+        iterator end() const;
+        const FString *base() const;
+        const char *c_str() const;
+
+        VString oslice_t(size_t o) const { return this->xslice_t(o); }
+        VString oslice_h(size_t o) const { return this->xslice_h(o); }
+        VString orslice_t(size_t no) const { return this->xrslice_t(no); }
+        VString orslice_h(size_t no) const { return this->xrslice_h(no); }
+        VString oislice_t(iterator it) const { return this->xislice_t(it); }
+        VString oislice_h(iterator it) const { return this->xislice_h(it); }
+        VString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const { return this->xlslice(o, l); }
+        VString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const { return this->xpslice(b, e); }
+        VString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const { return this->xislice(b, e); }
+    };
+
+    // cxxstdio helpers
+    // I think the conversion will happen automatically. TODO test this.
+    // Nope, it doesn't, since there's a template
+    // Actually, it might now.
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const VString<n>& vs);
+
+    template<uint8_t len>
+    __attribute__((format(printf, 2, 0)))
+    int do_vprint(VString<len>& out, const char *fmt, va_list ap);
+} // namespace strings
+
+#include "vstring.tcc"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_VSTRING_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/vstring.tcc b/src/strings/vstring.tcc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..674b21d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/vstring.tcc
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+//    strings/vstring.tcc - Inline functions for vstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include <cassert>
+
+#include "../common/utils2.hpp"
+
+#include "fstring.hpp"
+#include "tstring.hpp"
+#include "sstring.hpp"
+#include "zstring.hpp"
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(XString x) : _data(), _special()
+    {
+        if (x.size() > n)
+            // we're hoping this doesn't happen
+            // hopefully there will be few enough users of this class
+            x = x.xslice_h(n);
+        char *e = std::copy(x.begin(), x.end(), std::begin(_data));
+        _special = std::end(_data) - e;
+        assert (_special == n - x.size()); // 0 when it needs to be
+    }
+    // poor man's delegated constructors
+    // needed for gcc 4.6 compatibility
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(FString f)
+    {
+        *this = XString(f);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(TString t)
+    {
+        *this = XString(t);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(SString s)
+    {
+        *this = XString(s);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(ZString z)
+    {
+        *this = XString(z);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    template<uint8_t m>
+    VString<n>::VString(VString<m> v)
+    {
+        static_assert(m < n, "can only grow");
+        *this = XString(v);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    template<size_t m>
+    VString<n>::VString(const char (&s)[m])
+    {
+        static_assert(m <= n + 1, "string would truncate");
+        *this = XString(s);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(decltype(really_construct_from_a_pointer) e, const char *s)
+    {
+        *this = XString(e, s, nullptr);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(char c)
+    {
+        *this = XString(&c, &c + 1, nullptr);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString()
+    {
+        *this = XString();
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    VString<n>::VString(XPair p)
+    {
+        *this = XString(p);
+    }
+
+    // hopefully this is obvious
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    typename VString<n>::iterator VString<n>::begin() const
+    {
+        return std::begin(_data);
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    typename VString<n>::iterator VString<n>::end() const
+    {
+        return std::end(_data) - _special;
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    const FString *VString<n>::base() const
+    {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    const char *VString<n>::c_str() const
+    {
+        return &*begin();
+    }
+
+    // cxxstdio helpers
+    // I think the conversion will happen automatically. TODO test this.
+    // Nope, it doesn't, since there's a template
+    // Actually, it might now.
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    inline
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const VString<n>& vs)
+    {
+        return vs.c_str();
+    }
+
+    template<uint8_t len>
+    inline
+    int do_vprint(VString<len>& out, const char *fmt, va_list ap)
+    {
+        char buffer[len + 1];
+        vsnprintf(buffer, len + 1, fmt, ap);
+
+        out = const_(buffer);
+        return len;
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/xstring.cpp b/src/strings/xstring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..107217b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/xstring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+//    strings/xstring.cpp - Functions for xstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    XString::XString()
+    : _b(""), _e(_b), _base()
+    {}
+    XString::XString(const FString& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base())
+    {}
+    XString::XString(const TString& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base())
+    {}
+    XString::XString(const SString& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base())
+    {}
+    XString::XString(const ZString& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base())
+    {}
+
+    XString::XString(const char *b, const char *e, const FString *base_)
+    : _b(b), _e(e), _base(base_)
+    {}
+    XString::XString(decltype(really_construct_from_a_pointer) e, const char *s, const FString *base_)
+    {
+        *this = ZString(e, s, base_);
+    }
+    XString::XString(XPair p)
+    : _b(p.begin()), _e(p.end()), _base(nullptr)
+    {}
+
+    XString::iterator XString::begin() const
+    {
+        return _b;
+    }
+    XString::iterator XString::end() const
+    {
+        return _e;
+    }
+    const FString *XString::base() const
+    {
+        return _base;
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/xstring.hpp b/src/strings/xstring.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..448d0ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/xstring.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_XSTRING_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_XSTRING_HPP
+//    strings/xstring.hpp - A full borrowed slice.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    /// A non-owning string that is not guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
+    /// This should be only used as a parameter.
+    class XString : public _crtp_string<XString, FString, XPair>
+    {
+        iterator _b, _e;
+        // optional
+        const FString *_base;
+    public:
+        // do I really want this?
+        XString();
+        XString(std::nullptr_t) = delete;
+        // no MString
+        XString(const FString& s);
+        XString(const TString& s);
+        XString(const SString& s);
+        XString(const ZString& s);
+        template<uint8_t n>
+        XString(const VString<n>& s);
+        template<size_t n>
+        XString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
+        template<size_t n>
+        XString(const char (&s)[n]);
+        // mostly internal
+        XString(const char *b, const char *e, const FString *base_);
+        XString(decltype(really_construct_from_a_pointer) e, const char *s, const FString *base_);
+        XString(XPair p);
+
+        iterator begin() const;
+        iterator end() const;
+        const FString *base() const;
+
+        XString oslice_t(size_t o) const { return xslice_t(o); }
+        XString oslice_h(size_t o) const { return xslice_h(o); }
+        XString orslice_t(size_t no) const { return xrslice_t(no); }
+        XString orslice_h(size_t no) const { return xrslice_h(no); }
+        XString oislice_t(iterator it) const { return xislice_t(it); }
+        XString oislice_h(iterator it) const { return xislice_h(it); }
+        XString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const { return xlslice(o, l); }
+        XString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const { return xpslice(b, e); }
+        XString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const { return xislice(b, e); }
+    };
+} // namespace strings
+
+#include "xstring.tcc"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_XSTRING_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/xstring.tcc b/src/strings/xstring.tcc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aee87f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/xstring.tcc
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+//    strings/xstring.tcc - Inline functions for xstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    XString::XString(const VString<n>& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(nullptr)
+    {}
+    template<size_t n>
+    XString::XString(const char (&s)[n])
+    : _b(s), _e(s + strlen(s)), _base(nullptr)
+    {}
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/zstring.cpp b/src/strings/zstring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3b86b0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/zstring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+#include "zstring.hpp"
+//    strings/zstring.cpp - Functions for zstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include "xstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    ZString::ZString()
+    {
+        *this = ZString("");
+    }
+    ZString::ZString(const FString& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base())
+    {}
+    ZString::ZString(const TString& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(s.base())
+    {}
+    ZString::ZString(const char *b, const char *e, const FString *base_)
+    : _b(b), _e(e), _base(base_)
+    {}
+    ZString::ZString(decltype(really_construct_from_a_pointer), const char *s, const FString *base_)
+    : _b(s), _e(s + strlen(s)), _base(base_)
+    {}
+
+    ZString::iterator ZString::begin() const
+    {
+        return _b;
+    }
+    ZString::iterator ZString::end() const
+    {
+        return _e;
+    }
+    const FString *ZString::base() const
+    {
+        return _base;
+    }
+    const char *ZString::c_str() const
+    {
+        return &*begin();
+    }
+
+    ZS ZS::oslice_t(size_t o) const
+    { return ZS(really_construct_from_a_pointer, &begin()[o], base()); }
+    XS ZS::oslice_h(size_t o) const
+    { return XS(&*begin(), &begin()[o], base()); }
+    ZS ZS::orslice_t(size_t no) const
+    { return ZS(really_construct_from_a_pointer, &end()[-no], base()); }
+    XS ZS::orslice_h(size_t no) const
+    { return XS(&*begin(), &end()[-no], base()); }
+    ZS ZS::oislice_t(iterator it) const
+    { return ZS(really_construct_from_a_pointer, &*it, base()); }
+    XS ZS::oislice_h(iterator it) const
+    { return XS(&*begin(), &*it, base()); }
+    XS ZS::olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const
+    { return XS(&begin()[o], &begin()[o + l], base()); }
+    XS ZS::opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const
+    { return XS(&begin()[b], &begin()[e], base()); }
+    XS ZS::oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const
+    { return XS(&*b, &*e, base()); }
+
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const ZString& zs)
+    {
+        return zs.c_str();
+    }
+
+    __attribute__((format(scanf, 2, 0)))
+    int do_vscan(ZString in, const char *fmt, va_list ap)
+    {
+        return vsscanf(in.c_str(), fmt, ap);
+    }
+} // namespace strings
diff --git a/src/strings/zstring.hpp b/src/strings/zstring.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b7e7fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/zstring.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+#ifndef TMWA_STRINGS_ZSTRING_HPP
+#define TMWA_STRINGS_ZSTRING_HPP
+//    strings/zstring.hpp - A borrowed tail slice of a string.
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include <cstring>
+
+#include "base.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    /// A non-owning string that is guaranteed to be NUL-terminated.
+    /// This should be only used as a parameter.
+    class ZString : public _crtp_string<ZString, FString, ZPair>
+    {
+        iterator _b, _e;
+        // optional
+        const FString *_base;
+    public:
+        ZString();
+        // no MString
+        ZString(const FString& s);
+        ZString(const TString& s);
+        ZString(const SString&) = delete;
+        //ZString(ZString);
+        ZString(const XString&) = delete;
+        template<uint8_t n>
+        ZString(const VString<n>& s);
+        // dangerous
+        ZString(const char *b, const char *e, const FString *base_);
+        ZString(decltype(really_construct_from_a_pointer), const char *s, const FString *base_);
+        template<size_t n>
+        ZString(char (&s)[n]) = delete;
+        template<size_t n>
+        ZString(const char (&s)[n], const FString *base_=nullptr);
+
+        iterator begin() const;
+        iterator end() const;
+        const FString *base() const;
+        const char *c_str() const;
+
+        ZString oslice_t(size_t o) const;
+        XString oslice_h(size_t o) const;
+        ZString orslice_t(size_t no) const;
+        XString orslice_h(size_t no) const;
+        ZString oislice_t(iterator it) const;
+        XString oislice_h(iterator it) const;
+        XString olslice(size_t o, size_t l) const;
+        XString opslice(size_t b, size_t e) const;
+        XString oislice(iterator b, iterator e) const;
+    };
+
+    // cxxstdio helpers
+    // I think the conversion will happen automatically. TODO test this.
+    // Nope, it doesn't, since there's a template
+    // Actually, it might now.
+    const char *decay_for_printf(const ZString& zs);
+
+    __attribute__((format(scanf, 2, 0)))
+    int do_vscan(ZString in, const char *fmt, va_list ap);
+} // namespace strings
+
+#include "zstring.tcc"
+
+#endif // TMWA_STRINGS_ZSTRING_HPP
diff --git a/src/strings/zstring.tcc b/src/strings/zstring.tcc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1065b7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/strings/zstring.tcc
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+//    strings/zstring.tcc - Inline functions for zstring.hpp
+//
+//    Copyright © 2013 Ben Longbons <b.r.longbons@gmail.com>
+//
+//    This file is part of The Mana World (Athena server)
+//
+//    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+//    it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+//    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+//    (at your option) any later version.
+//
+//    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+//    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+//    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+//    GNU General Public License for more details.
+//
+//    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+//    along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+#include <cstring>
+
+#include "vstring.hpp"
+
+namespace strings
+{
+    template<uint8_t n>
+    ZString::ZString(const VString<n>& s)
+    : _b(&*s.begin()), _e(&*s.end()), _base(nullptr)
+    {}
+
+    template<size_t n>
+    ZString::ZString(const char (&s)[n], const FString *base_)
+    : _b(s), _e(s + strlen(s)), _base(base_)
+    {}
+} // namespace strings