Fix modstore/favourites hang by adding asynchronous lua job support

21 files changed, 1571 insertions, 116 deletions

diff --git a/src/guiEngine.cpp b/src/guiEngine.cpp
index d5f528f3b..7acc00ef1 100644
--- a/src/guiEngine.cpp
+++ b/src/guiEngine.cpp
@@ -286,6 +286,8 @@ void GUIEngine::run()
 			cloudPostProcess();
 		else
 			sleep_ms(25);
+
+		m_script->Step();
 	}
 }
 
@@ -576,3 +578,9 @@ void GUIEngine::stopSound(s32 handle)
 {
 	m_sound_manager->stopSound(handle);
 }
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+unsigned int GUIEngine::DoAsync(std::string serialized_fct,
+		std::string serialized_params) {
+	return m_script->DoAsync(serialized_fct,serialized_params);
+}
diff --git a/src/guiEngine.h b/src/guiEngine.h
index 484459395..6b1281546 100644
--- a/src/guiEngine.h
+++ b/src/guiEngine.h
@@ -166,6 +166,9 @@ public:
 		return m_scriptdir;
 	}
 
+	/** pass async callback to scriptengine **/
+	unsigned int DoAsync(std::string serialized_fct,std::string serialized_params);
+
 private:
 
 	/** find and run the main menu script */
@@ -244,7 +247,7 @@ private:
 	 * @param url url to download
 	 * @param target file to store to
 	 */
-	bool downloadFile(std::string url,std::string target);
+	static bool downloadFile(std::string url,std::string target);
 
 	/** array containing pointers to current specified texture layers */
 	video::ITexture*		m_textures[TEX_LAYER_MAX];
diff --git a/src/jthread/CMakeLists.txt b/src/jthread/CMakeLists.txt
index aa438eaaf..6c29671e6 100644
--- a/src/jthread/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/jthread/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -2,10 +2,12 @@ if( UNIX )
 	set(JTHREAD_SRCS
 		${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/pthread/jmutex.cpp
 		${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/pthread/jthread.cpp
+		${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/pthread/jsemaphore.cpp
 		PARENT_SCOPE)
 else( UNIX )
 	set(JTHREAD_SRCS
 		${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/win32/jmutex.cpp
 		${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/win32/jthread.cpp
+		${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/win32/jsemaphore.cpp
 		PARENT_SCOPE)
 endif( UNIX )
diff --git a/src/jthread/jsemaphore.h b/src/jthread/jsemaphore.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..70318d5da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/jthread/jsemaphore.h
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/*
+Minetest
+Copyright (C) 2013 sapier, < sapier AT gmx DOT net >
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 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 Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along
+with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+*/
+
+#ifndef JSEMAPHORE_H_
+#define JSEMAPHORE_H_
+
+#if defined(WIN32)
+#include <windows.h>
+#define MAX_SEMAPHORE_COUNT 1024
+#else
+#include <pthread.h>
+#include <semaphore.h>
+#endif
+
+class JSemaphore {
+public:
+	JSemaphore();
+	~JSemaphore();
+	JSemaphore(int initval);
+
+	void Post();
+	void Wait();
+
+	int GetValue();
+
+private:
+#if defined(WIN32)
+	HANDLE m_hSemaphore;
+#else
+	sem_t m_semaphore;
+#endif
+};
+
+#endif /* JSEMAPHORE_H_ */
diff --git a/src/jthread/jthread.h b/src/jthread/jthread.h
index ec1eafaeb..92b05f1c5 100644
--- a/src/jthread/jthread.h
+++ b/src/jthread/jthread.h
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ public:
 	JThread();
 	virtual ~JThread();
 	int Start();
+	void Stop();
 	int Kill();
 	virtual void *Thread() = 0;
 	bool IsRunning();
@@ -63,12 +64,12 @@ private:
 	HANDLE threadhandle;
 #else // pthread type threads
 	static void *TheThread(void *param);
-	
+
 	pthread_t threadid;
 #endif // WIN32
 	void *retval;
 	bool running;
-	
+
 	JMutex runningmutex;
 	JMutex continuemutex,continuemutex2;
 	bool mutexinit;
diff --git a/src/jthread/pthread/jsemaphore.cpp b/src/jthread/pthread/jsemaphore.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..963ac83cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/jthread/pthread/jsemaphore.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+/*
+Minetest
+Copyright (C) 2013 sapier, < sapier AT gmx DOT net >
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 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 Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along
+with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+*/
+#include "jthread/jsemaphore.h"
+
+JSemaphore::JSemaphore() {
+	sem_init(&m_semaphore,0,0);
+}
+
+JSemaphore::~JSemaphore() {
+	sem_destroy(&m_semaphore);
+}
+
+JSemaphore::JSemaphore(int initval) {
+	sem_init(&m_semaphore,0,initval);
+}
+
+void JSemaphore::Post() {
+	sem_post(&m_semaphore);
+}
+
+void JSemaphore::Wait() {
+	sem_wait(&m_semaphore);
+}
+
+int JSemaphore::GetValue() {
+
+	int retval = 0;
+	sem_getvalue(&m_semaphore,&retval);
+
+	return retval;
+}
+
diff --git a/src/jthread/pthread/jthread.cpp b/src/jthread/pthread/jthread.cpp
index 0ef250825..2980e26b1 100644
--- a/src/jthread/pthread/jthread.cpp
+++ b/src/jthread/pthread/jthread.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@ JThread::~JThread()
 	Kill();
 }
 
+void JThread::Stop() {
+	runningmutex.Lock();
+	running = false;
+	runningmutex.Unlock();
+}
+
 int JThread::Start()
 {
 	int status;
@@ -65,7 +71,7 @@ int JThread::Start()
 		}
 		mutexinit = true;
 	}
-	
+
 	runningmutex.Lock();
 	if (running)
 	{
@@ -73,27 +79,27 @@ int JThread::Start()
 		return ERR_JTHREAD_ALREADYRUNNING;
 	}
 	runningmutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	pthread_attr_t attr;
 	pthread_attr_init(&attr);
 	pthread_attr_setdetachstate(&attr,PTHREAD_CREATE_DETACHED);
-	
+
 	continuemutex.Lock();
-	status = pthread_create(&threadid,&attr,TheThread,this);	
+	status = pthread_create(&threadid,&attr,TheThread,this);
 	pthread_attr_destroy(&attr);
 	if (status != 0)
 	{
 		continuemutex.Unlock();
 		return ERR_JTHREAD_CANTSTARTTHREAD;
 	}
-	
+
 	/* Wait until 'running' is set */
-	
-	runningmutex.Lock();			
+
+	runningmutex.Lock();
 	while (!running)
 	{
 		runningmutex.Unlock();
-		
+
 		struct timespec req,rem;
 
 		req.tv_sec = 0;
@@ -103,9 +109,9 @@ int JThread::Start()
 		runningmutex.Lock();
 	}
 	runningmutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	continuemutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	continuemutex2.Lock();
 	continuemutex2.Unlock();
 	return 0;
@@ -113,7 +119,7 @@ int JThread::Start()
 
 int JThread::Kill()
 {
-	runningmutex.Lock();			
+	runningmutex.Lock();
 	if (!running)
 	{
 		runningmutex.Unlock();
@@ -128,8 +134,8 @@ int JThread::Kill()
 bool JThread::IsRunning()
 {
 	bool r;
-	
-	runningmutex.Lock();			
+
+	runningmutex.Lock();
 	r = running;
 	runningmutex.Unlock();
 	return r;
@@ -138,7 +144,7 @@ bool JThread::IsRunning()
 void *JThread::GetReturnValue()
 {
 	void *val;
-	
+
 	runningmutex.Lock();
 	if (running)
 		val = NULL;
@@ -157,17 +163,17 @@ void *JThread::TheThread(void *param)
 {
 	JThread *jthread;
 	void *ret;
-	
+
 	jthread = (JThread *)param;
-	
+
 	jthread->continuemutex2.Lock();
 	jthread->runningmutex.Lock();
 	jthread->running = true;
 	jthread->runningmutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	jthread->continuemutex.Lock();
 	jthread->continuemutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	ret = jthread->Thread();
 
 	jthread->runningmutex.Lock();
diff --git a/src/jthread/win32/jsemaphore.cpp b/src/jthread/win32/jsemaphore.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8eca6d247
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/jthread/win32/jsemaphore.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+/*
+Minetest
+Copyright (C) 2013 sapier, < sapier AT gmx DOT net >
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 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 Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along
+with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+*/
+#include "jthread/jsemaphore.h"
+
+JSemaphore::JSemaphore() {
+	m_hSemaphore = CreateSemaphore(
+			0,
+			0,
+			MAX_SEMAPHORE_COUNT,
+			0);
+}
+
+JSemaphore::~JSemaphore() {
+	CloseHandle(&m_hSemaphore);
+}
+
+JSemaphore::JSemaphore(int initval) {
+	m_hSemaphore = CreateSemaphore(
+			0,
+			initval,
+			MAX_SEMAPHORE_COUNT,
+			0);
+}
+
+void JSemaphore::Post() {
+	ReleaseSemaphore(
+			m_hSemaphore,
+			1,
+			0);
+}
+
+void JSemaphore::Wait() {
+	WaitForSingleObject(
+			m_hSemaphore,
+			INFINITE);
+}
+
+int JSemaphore::GetValue() {
+
+	long int retval = 0;
+	ReleaseSemaphore(
+			m_hSemaphore,
+			0,
+			&retval);
+
+	return retval;
+}
+
diff --git a/src/jthread/win32/jthread.cpp b/src/jthread/win32/jthread.cpp
index 48b83b894..1cf4f93a3 100644
--- a/src/jthread/win32/jthread.cpp
+++ b/src/jthread/win32/jthread.cpp
@@ -43,6 +43,12 @@ JThread::~JThread()
 	Kill();
 }
 
+void JThread::Stop() {
+	runningmutex.Lock();
+	running = false;
+	runningmutex.Unlock();
+}
+
 int JThread::Start()
 {
 	if (!mutexinit)
@@ -63,7 +69,7 @@ int JThread::Start()
 				return ERR_JTHREAD_CANTINITMUTEX;
 		}		mutexinit = true;
 	}
-	
+
 	runningmutex.Lock();
 	if (running)
 	{
@@ -71,7 +77,7 @@ int JThread::Start()
 		return ERR_JTHREAD_ALREADYRUNNING;
 	}
 	runningmutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	continuemutex.Lock();
 #ifndef _WIN32_WCE
 	threadhandle = (HANDLE)_beginthreadex(NULL,0,TheThread,this,0,&threadid);
@@ -83,10 +89,10 @@ int JThread::Start()
 		continuemutex.Unlock();
 		return ERR_JTHREAD_CANTSTARTTHREAD;
 	}
-	
+
 	/* Wait until 'running' is set */
 
-	runningmutex.Lock();			
+	runningmutex.Lock();
 	while (!running)
 	{
 		runningmutex.Unlock();
@@ -94,18 +100,18 @@ int JThread::Start()
 		runningmutex.Lock();
 	}
 	runningmutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	continuemutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	continuemutex2.Lock();
 	continuemutex2.Unlock();
-		
+
 	return 0;
 }
 
 int JThread::Kill()
 {
-	runningmutex.Lock();			
+	runningmutex.Lock();
 	if (!running)
 	{
 		runningmutex.Unlock();
@@ -121,8 +127,8 @@ int JThread::Kill()
 bool JThread::IsRunning()
 {
 	bool r;
-	
-	runningmutex.Lock();			
+
+	runningmutex.Lock();
 	r = running;
 	runningmutex.Unlock();
 	return r;
@@ -131,7 +137,7 @@ bool JThread::IsRunning()
 void *JThread::GetReturnValue()
 {
 	void *val;
-	
+
 	runningmutex.Lock();
 	if (running)
 		val = NULL;
@@ -156,23 +162,23 @@ DWORD WINAPI JThread::TheThread(void *param)
 	void *ret;
 
 	jthread = (JThread *)param;
-	
+
 	jthread->continuemutex2.Lock();
 	jthread->runningmutex.Lock();
 	jthread->running = true;
 	jthread->runningmutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	jthread->continuemutex.Lock();
 	jthread->continuemutex.Unlock();
-	
+
 	ret = jthread->Thread();
-	
+
 	jthread->runningmutex.Lock();
 	jthread->running = false;
 	jthread->retval = ret;
 	CloseHandle(jthread->threadhandle);
 	jthread->runningmutex.Unlock();
-	return 0;		
+	return 0;
 }
 
 void JThread::ThreadStarted()
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 373e1ca96..2833bdcf7 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -85,6 +85,10 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "database-leveldb.h"
 #endif
 
+#if USE_CURL
+#include "curl.h"
+#endif
+
 /*
 	Settings.
 	These are loaded from the config file.
@@ -309,7 +313,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		return keyIsDown[keyCode];
 	}
-	
+
 	// Checks whether a key was down and resets the state
 	bool WasKeyDown(const KeyPress &keyCode)
 	{
@@ -361,7 +365,7 @@ public:
 
 private:
 	IrrlichtDevice *m_device;
-	
+
 	// The current state of keys
 	KeyList keyIsDown;
 	// Whether a key has been pressed or not
@@ -405,7 +409,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		return m_receiver->right_active;
 	}
-	
+
 	virtual bool getLeftClicked()
 	{
 		return m_receiver->leftclicked;
@@ -656,7 +660,7 @@ void SpeedTests()
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	
+
 	infostream<<"All of the following tests should take around 100ms each."
 			<<std::endl;
 
@@ -668,7 +672,7 @@ void SpeedTests()
 			tempf += 0.001;
 		}
 	}
-	
+
 	{
 		TimeTaker timer("Testing floating-point vector speed");
 
@@ -682,7 +686,7 @@ void SpeedTests()
 
 	{
 		TimeTaker timer("Testing std::map speed");
-		
+
 		std::map<v2s16, f32> map1;
 		tempf = -324;
 		const s16 ii=300;
@@ -702,7 +706,7 @@ void SpeedTests()
 	{
 		infostream<<"Around 5000/ms should do well here."<<std::endl;
 		TimeTaker timer("Testing mutex speed");
-		
+
 		JMutex m;
 		m.Init();
 		u32 n = 0;
@@ -753,7 +757,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	/*
 		Parse command line
 	*/
-	
+
 	// List all allowed options
 	std::map<std::string, ValueSpec> allowed_options;
 	allowed_options.insert(std::make_pair("help", ValueSpec(VALUETYPE_FLAG,
@@ -806,7 +810,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 #endif
 
 	Settings cmd_args;
-	
+
 	bool ret = cmd_args.parseCommandLine(argc, argv, allowed_options);
 
 	if(ret == false || cmd_args.getFlag("help") || cmd_args.exists("nonopt1"))
@@ -843,11 +847,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		dstream<<"Build info: "<<minetest_build_info<<std::endl;
 		return 0;
 	}
-	
+
 	/*
 		Low-level initialization
 	*/
-	
+
 	// If trace is enabled, enable logging of certain things
 	if(cmd_args.getFlag("trace")){
 		dstream<<_("Enabling trace level debug output")<<std::endl;
@@ -865,7 +869,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	porting::signal_handler_init();
 	bool &kill = *porting::signal_handler_killstatus();
-	
+
 	porting::initializePaths();
 
 	// Create user data directory
@@ -880,7 +884,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	// Debug handler
 	BEGIN_DEBUG_EXCEPTION_HANDLER
-	
+
 	// List gameids if requested
 	if(cmd_args.exists("gameid") && cmd_args.get("gameid") == "list")
 	{
@@ -890,7 +894,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			dstream<<(*i)<<std::endl;
 		return 0;
 	}
-	
+
 	// List worlds if requested
 	if(cmd_args.exists("world") && cmd_args.get("world") == "list"){
 		dstream<<_("Available worlds:")<<std::endl;
@@ -904,25 +908,25 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			" "<<_("with")<<" SER_FMT_VER_HIGHEST_READ="<<(int)SER_FMT_VER_HIGHEST_READ
 			<<", "<<minetest_build_info
 			<<std::endl;
-	
+
 	/*
 		Basic initialization
 	*/
 
 	// Initialize default settings
 	set_default_settings(g_settings);
-	
+
 	// Initialize sockets
 	sockets_init();
 	atexit(sockets_cleanup);
-	
+
 	/*
 		Read config file
 	*/
-	
+
 	// Path of configuration file in use
 	g_settings_path = "";
-	
+
 	if(cmd_args.exists("config"))
 	{
 		bool r = g_settings->readConfigFile(cmd_args.get("config").c_str());
@@ -958,12 +962,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 				break;
 			}
 		}
-		
+
 		// If no path found, use the first one (menu creates the file)
 		if(g_settings_path == "")
 			g_settings_path = filenames[0];
 	}
-	
+
 	// Initialize debug streams
 #define DEBUGFILE "debug.txt"
 #if RUN_IN_PLACE
@@ -973,7 +977,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 #endif
 	if(cmd_args.exists("logfile"))
 		logfile = cmd_args.get("logfile");
-	
+
 	log_remove_output(&main_dstream_no_stderr_log_out);
 	int loglevel = g_settings->getS32("debug_log_level");
 
@@ -986,13 +990,18 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		debugstreams_init(false, logfile.c_str());
 	else
 		debugstreams_init(false, NULL);
-		
+
 	infostream<<"logfile    = "<<logfile<<std::endl;
 
 	// Initialize random seed
 	srand(time(0));
 	mysrand(time(0));
 
+#if USE_CURL
+	CURLcode res = curl_global_init(CURL_GLOBAL_DEFAULT);
+	assert(res == CURLE_OK);
+#endif
+
 	/*
 		Run unit tests
 	*/
@@ -1020,7 +1029,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		port = g_settings->getU16("port");
 	if(port == 0)
 		port = 30000;
-	
+
 	// World directory
 	std::string commanded_world = "";
 	if(cmd_args.exists("world"))
@@ -1031,12 +1040,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		commanded_world = cmd_args.get("nonopt0");
 	else if(g_settings->exists("map-dir"))
 		commanded_world = g_settings->get("map-dir");
-	
+
 	// World name
 	std::string commanded_worldname = "";
 	if(cmd_args.exists("worldname"))
 		commanded_worldname = cmd_args.get("worldname");
-	
+
 	// Strip world.mt from commanded_world
 	{
 		std::string worldmt = "world.mt";
@@ -1048,7 +1057,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 					0, commanded_world.size()-worldmt.size());
 		}
 	}
-	
+
 	// If a world name was specified, convert it to a path
 	if(commanded_worldname != ""){
 		// Get information about available worlds
@@ -1268,7 +1277,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		}
 
 		server.start(port);
-		
+
 		// Run server
 		dedicated_server_loop(server, kill);
 
@@ -1280,17 +1289,17 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	/*
 		More parameters
 	*/
-	
+
 	std::string address = g_settings->get("address");
 	if(commanded_world != "")
 		address = "";
 	else if(cmd_args.exists("address"))
 		address = cmd_args.get("address");
-	
+
 	std::string playername = g_settings->get("name");
 	if(cmd_args.exists("name"))
 		playername = cmd_args.get("name");
-	
+
 	bool skip_main_menu = cmd_args.getFlag("go");
 
 	/*
@@ -1298,7 +1307,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	*/
 
 	// Resolution selection
-	
+
 	bool fullscreen = g_settings->getBool("fullscreen");
 	u16 screenW = g_settings->getU16("screenW");
 	u16 screenH = g_settings->getU16("screenH");
@@ -1312,7 +1321,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	// Determine driver
 
 	video::E_DRIVER_TYPE driverType;
-	
+
 	std::string driverstring = g_settings->get("video_driver");
 
 	if(driverstring == "null")
@@ -1419,7 +1428,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	if (device == 0)
 		return 1; // could not create selected driver.
-	
+
 	/*
 		Continue initialization
 	*/
@@ -1434,10 +1443,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	// Create time getter
 	g_timegetter = new IrrlichtTimeGetter(device);
-	
+
 	// Create game callback for menus
 	g_gamecallback = new MainGameCallback(device);
-	
+
 	/*
 		Speed tests (done after irrlicht is loaded to get timer)
 	*/
@@ -1448,7 +1457,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		device->drop();
 		return 0;
 	}
-	
+
 	device->setResizable(true);
 
 	bool random_input = g_settings->getBool("random_input")
@@ -1458,7 +1467,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		input = new RandomInputHandler();
 	else
 		input = new RealInputHandler(device, &receiver);
-	
+
 	scene::ISceneManager* smgr = device->getSceneManager();
 
 	guienv = device->getGUIEnvironment();
@@ -1488,7 +1497,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	// If font was not found, this will get us one
 	font = skin->getFont();
 	assert(font);
-	
+
 	u32 text_height = font->getDimension(L"Hello, world!").Height;
 	infostream<<"text_height="<<text_height<<std::endl;
 
@@ -1556,7 +1565,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 				Clear everything from the GUIEnvironment
 			*/
 			guienv->clear();
-			
+
 			/*
 				We need some kind of a root node to be able to add
 				custom gui elements directly on the screen.
@@ -1564,7 +1573,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 			*/
 			guiroot = guienv->addStaticText(L"",
 					core::rect<s32>(0, 0, 10000, 10000));
-			
+
 			SubgameSpec gamespec;
 			WorldSpec worldspec;
 			bool simple_singleplayer_mode = false;
@@ -1588,13 +1597,13 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 					break;
 				}
 				first_loop = false;
-				
+
 				// Cursor can be non-visible when coming from the game
 				device->getCursorControl()->setVisible(true);
 				// Some stuff are left to scene manager when coming from the game
 				// (map at least?)
 				smgr->clear();
-				
+
 				// Initialize menu data
 				MainMenuData menudata;
 				menudata.address = address;
@@ -1643,7 +1652,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 					infostream<<"Waited for other menus"<<std::endl;
 
 					GUIEngine* temp = new GUIEngine(device, guiroot, &g_menumgr,smgr,&menudata,kill);
-					
+
 					delete temp;
 					//once finished you'll never end up here
 					smgr->clear();
@@ -1683,7 +1692,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 				// Break out of menu-game loop to shut down cleanly
 				if(device->run() == false || kill == true)
 					break;
-				
+
 				current_playername = playername;
 				current_password = password;
 				current_address = address;
@@ -1705,7 +1714,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 					server["description"] = menudata.serverdescription;
 					ServerList::insert(server);
 				}
-				
+
 				// Set world path to selected one
 				if ((menudata.selected_world >= 0) &&
 					(menudata.selected_world < (int)worldspecs.size())) {
@@ -1713,7 +1722,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 					infostream<<"Selected world: "<<worldspec.name
 							<<" ["<<worldspec.path<<"]"<<std::endl;
 				}
-				
+
 				// If local game
 				if(current_address == "")
 				{
@@ -1828,11 +1837,11 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 #endif
 
 #endif // !SERVER
-	
+
 	// Update configuration file
 	if(g_settings_path != "")
 		g_settings->updateConfigFile(g_settings_path.c_str());
-	
+
 	// Print modified quicktune values
 	{
 		bool header_printed = false;
@@ -1850,9 +1859,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	}
 
 	END_DEBUG_EXCEPTION_HANDLER(errorstream)
-	
+
 	debugstreams_deinit();
-	
+
 	return retval;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt b/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt
index 08960d2ad..0b89df6a3 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ set(common_SCRIPT_LUA_API_SRCS
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_util.cpp
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_vmanip.cpp
 	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_settings.cpp
+	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/l_async_events.cpp
+	${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/marshall.c
 	PARENT_SCOPE)
 
 # Used by client only
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_async_events.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_async_events.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cc4644cdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_async_events.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,396 @@
+/*
+Minetest
+Copyright (C) 2013 sapier, <sapier AT gmx DOT net>
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 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 Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along
+with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+*/
+
+extern "C" {
+#include "lua.h"
+#include "lauxlib.h"
+#include "lualib.h"
+int luaopen_marshal(lua_State *L);
+}
+#include <stdio.h>
+
+#include "l_async_events.h"
+#include "log.h"
+#include "filesys.h"
+#include "porting.h"
+
+//TODO replace by ShadowNinja version not yet merged to master
+static int script_error_handler(lua_State *L) {
+  lua_getfield(L, LUA_GLOBALSINDEX, "debug");
+  if (!lua_istable(L, -1)) {
+    lua_pop(L, 1);
+    return 1;
+  }
+  lua_getfield(L, -1, "traceback");
+  if (!lua_isfunction(L, -1)) {
+    lua_pop(L, 2);
+    return 1;
+  }
+  lua_pushvalue(L, 1);
+  lua_pushinteger(L, 2);
+  lua_call(L, 2, 1);
+  return 1;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+static void scriptError(const char *fmt, ...)
+{
+	va_list argp;
+	va_start(argp, fmt);
+	char buf[10000];
+	vsnprintf(buf, 10000, fmt, argp);
+	va_end(argp);
+	errorstream<<"ERROR: "<<buf;
+	fprintf(stderr,"ERROR: %s\n",buf);
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+AsyncEngine::AsyncEngine() :
+	m_initDone(false),
+	m_JobIdCounter(0)
+{
+	assert(m_JobQueueMutex.Init() == 0);
+	assert(m_ResultQueueMutex.Init() == 0);
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+AsyncEngine::~AsyncEngine()
+{
+	/** request all threads to stop **/
+	for (std::vector<AsyncWorkerThread*>::iterator i= m_WorkerThreads.begin();
+			i != m_WorkerThreads.end();i++) {
+		(*i)->Stop();
+	}
+
+
+	/** wakeup all threads **/
+	for (std::vector<AsyncWorkerThread*>::iterator i= m_WorkerThreads.begin();
+				i != m_WorkerThreads.end();i++) {
+		m_JobQueueCounter.Post();
+	}
+
+	/** wait for threads to finish **/
+	for (std::vector<AsyncWorkerThread*>::iterator i= m_WorkerThreads.begin();
+			i != m_WorkerThreads.end();i++) {
+		(*i)->Wait();
+	}
+
+	/** force kill all threads **/
+	for (std::vector<AsyncWorkerThread*>::iterator i= m_WorkerThreads.begin();
+			i != m_WorkerThreads.end();i++) {
+		(*i)->Kill();
+		delete *i;
+	}
+
+	m_JobQueueMutex.Lock();
+	m_JobQueue.clear();
+	m_JobQueueMutex.Unlock();
+	m_WorkerThreads.clear();
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+bool AsyncEngine::registerFunction(const char* name, lua_CFunction fct) {
+
+	if (m_initDone) return false;
+	m_FunctionList[name] = fct;
+	return true;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void AsyncEngine::Initialize(unsigned int numengines) {
+	m_initDone = true;
+
+	for (unsigned int i=0; i < numengines; i ++) {
+
+		AsyncWorkerThread* toadd = new AsyncWorkerThread(this,i);
+		m_WorkerThreads.push_back(toadd);
+		toadd->Start();
+	}
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+unsigned int AsyncEngine::doAsyncJob(std::string fct, std::string params) {
+
+	m_JobQueueMutex.Lock();
+	LuaJobInfo toadd;
+	toadd.JobId = m_JobIdCounter++;
+	toadd.serializedFunction = fct;
+	toadd.serializedParams = params;
+
+	m_JobQueue.push_back(toadd);
+
+	m_JobQueueCounter.Post();
+
+	m_JobQueueMutex.Unlock();
+
+	return toadd.JobId;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+LuaJobInfo AsyncEngine::getJob() {
+
+	m_JobQueueCounter.Wait();
+	m_JobQueueMutex.Lock();
+
+	LuaJobInfo retval;
+
+	if (m_JobQueue.size() != 0) {
+		retval = m_JobQueue.front();
+		m_JobQueue.erase((m_JobQueue.begin()));
+	}
+	m_JobQueueMutex.Unlock();
+
+	return retval;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void AsyncEngine::putJobResult(LuaJobInfo result) {
+	m_ResultQueueMutex.Lock();
+	m_ResultQueue.push_back(result);
+	m_ResultQueueMutex.Unlock();
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void AsyncEngine::Step(lua_State *L) {
+	m_ResultQueueMutex.Lock();
+	while(!m_ResultQueue.empty()) {
+
+		LuaJobInfo jobdone = m_ResultQueue.front();
+		m_ResultQueue.erase(m_ResultQueue.begin());
+		lua_getglobal(L, "engine");
+
+		lua_getfield(L, -1, "async_event_handler");
+
+		if(lua_isnil(L, -1))
+			assert("Someone managed to destroy a async callback in engine!" == 0);
+
+		luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TFUNCTION);
+
+		lua_pushinteger(L, jobdone.JobId);
+		lua_pushlstring(L, jobdone.serializedResult.c_str(),
+							jobdone.serializedResult.length());
+
+		if(lua_pcall(L, 2, 0, 0)) {
+			scriptError("Async ENGINE step: %s", lua_tostring(L, -1));
+		}
+
+		lua_pop(L,1);
+	}
+	m_ResultQueueMutex.Unlock();
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void AsyncEngine::PushFinishedJobs(lua_State* L) {
+	//Result Table
+	m_ResultQueueMutex.Lock();
+
+	unsigned int index=1;
+	lua_newtable(L);
+	int top = lua_gettop(L);
+
+	while(!m_ResultQueue.empty()) {
+
+		LuaJobInfo jobdone = m_ResultQueue.front();
+		m_ResultQueue.erase(m_ResultQueue.begin());
+
+		lua_pushnumber(L,index);
+
+		lua_newtable(L);
+		int top_lvl2 = lua_gettop(L);
+
+		lua_pushstring(L,"jobid");
+		lua_pushnumber(L,jobdone.JobId);
+		lua_settable(L, top_lvl2);
+
+		lua_pushstring(L,"retval");
+		lua_pushstring(L, jobdone.serializedResult.c_str());
+		lua_settable(L, top_lvl2);
+
+		lua_settable(L, top);
+		index++;
+	}
+
+	m_ResultQueueMutex.Unlock();
+
+}
+/******************************************************************************/
+void AsyncEngine::PrepareEnvironment(lua_State* L, int top) {
+	for(std::map<std::string,lua_CFunction>::iterator i = m_FunctionList.begin();
+			i != m_FunctionList.end(); i++) {
+
+		lua_pushstring(L,i->first.c_str());
+		lua_pushcfunction(L,i->second);
+		lua_settable(L, top);
+
+	}
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+int async_worker_ErrorHandler(lua_State *L) {
+	lua_getfield(L, LUA_GLOBALSINDEX, "debug");
+	if (!lua_istable(L, -1)) {
+	lua_pop(L, 1);
+	return 1;
+	}
+	lua_getfield(L, -1, "traceback");
+	if (!lua_isfunction(L, -1)) {
+	lua_pop(L, 2);
+	return 1;
+	}
+	lua_pushvalue(L, 1);
+	lua_pushinteger(L, 2);
+	lua_call(L, 2, 1);
+	return 1;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+AsyncWorkerThread::AsyncWorkerThread(AsyncEngine* jobdispatcher,
+									unsigned int numthreadnumber) :
+	m_JobDispatcher(jobdispatcher),
+	m_luaerrorhandler(-1),
+	m_threadnum(numthreadnumber)
+{
+	// create luastack
+	m_LuaStack = luaL_newstate();
+
+	// load basic lua modules
+	luaL_openlibs(m_LuaStack);
+
+	// load serialization functions
+	luaopen_marshal(m_LuaStack);
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+AsyncWorkerThread::~AsyncWorkerThread() {
+
+	assert(IsRunning() == false);
+	lua_close(m_LuaStack);
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void* AsyncWorkerThread::worker_thread_main() {
+
+	//register thread for error logging
+	char number[21];
+	snprintf(number,sizeof(number),"%d",m_threadnum);
+	log_register_thread(std::string("AsyncWorkerThread_") + number);
+
+	/** prepare job lua environment **/
+	lua_newtable(m_LuaStack);
+	lua_setglobal(m_LuaStack, "engine");
+
+	lua_getglobal(m_LuaStack, "engine");
+	int top = lua_gettop(m_LuaStack);
+
+	lua_pushstring(m_LuaStack, DIR_DELIM);
+	lua_setglobal(m_LuaStack, "DIR_DELIM");
+
+	lua_pushstring(m_LuaStack,
+			std::string(porting::path_share + DIR_DELIM + "builtin").c_str());
+	lua_setglobal(m_LuaStack, "SCRIPTDIR");
+
+
+	m_JobDispatcher->PrepareEnvironment(m_LuaStack,top);
+
+	std::string asyncscript =
+	porting::path_share + DIR_DELIM + "builtin"
+			+ DIR_DELIM + "async_env.lua";
+
+	lua_pushcfunction(m_LuaStack, async_worker_ErrorHandler);
+	m_luaerrorhandler = lua_gettop(m_LuaStack);
+
+	if(!runScript(asyncscript)) {
+		infostream
+			<< "AsyncWorkderThread::worker_thread_main execution of async base environment failed!"
+			<< std::endl;
+			assert("no future with broken builtin async environment scripts" == 0);
+	}
+	/** main loop **/
+	while(IsRunning()) {
+		//wait for job
+		LuaJobInfo toprocess = m_JobDispatcher->getJob();
+
+		if (!IsRunning()) { continue; }
+
+		//first push error handler
+		lua_pushcfunction(m_LuaStack, script_error_handler);
+		int errorhandler = lua_gettop(m_LuaStack);
+
+		lua_getglobal(m_LuaStack, "engine");
+		if(lua_isnil(m_LuaStack, -1))
+			assert("unable to find engine within async environment" == 0);
+
+		lua_getfield(m_LuaStack, -1, "job_processor");
+		if(lua_isnil(m_LuaStack, -1))
+			assert("Someone managed to destroy a async worker engine!" == 0);
+
+		luaL_checktype(m_LuaStack, -1, LUA_TFUNCTION);
+
+		//call it
+		lua_pushlstring(m_LuaStack,
+						toprocess.serializedFunction.c_str(),
+						toprocess.serializedFunction.length());
+		lua_pushlstring(m_LuaStack,
+						toprocess.serializedParams.c_str(),
+						toprocess.serializedParams.length());
+
+		if (!IsRunning()) { continue; }
+		if(lua_pcall(m_LuaStack, 2, 2, errorhandler)) {
+			scriptError("Async WORKER thread: %s\n", lua_tostring(m_LuaStack, -1));
+			toprocess.serializedResult="ERROR";
+		}
+		else {
+			//fetch result
+			const char *retval = lua_tostring(m_LuaStack, -2);
+			unsigned int lenght = lua_tointeger(m_LuaStack,-1);
+			toprocess.serializedResult = std::string(retval,lenght);
+		}
+
+		if (!IsRunning()) { continue; }
+		//put job result
+		m_JobDispatcher->putJobResult(toprocess);
+	}
+	log_deregister_thread();
+	return 0;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+bool AsyncWorkerThread::runScript(std::string script) {
+
+	int ret = 	luaL_loadfile(m_LuaStack, script.c_str()) ||
+				lua_pcall(m_LuaStack, 0, 0, m_luaerrorhandler);
+	if(ret){
+		errorstream<<"==== ERROR FROM LUA WHILE INITIALIZING ASYNC ENVIRONMENT ====="<<std::endl;
+		errorstream<<"Failed to load and run script from "<<std::endl;
+		errorstream<<script<<":"<<std::endl;
+		errorstream<<std::endl;
+		errorstream<<lua_tostring(m_LuaStack, -1)<<std::endl;
+		errorstream<<std::endl;
+		errorstream<<"=================== END OF ERROR FROM LUA ===================="<<std::endl;
+		lua_pop(m_LuaStack, 1); // Pop error message from stack
+		lua_pop(m_LuaStack, 1); // Pop the error handler from stack
+		return false;
+	}
+	return true;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void* AsyncWorkerThread::worker_thread_wrapper(void* thread) {
+	return ((AsyncWorkerThread*) thread)->worker_thread_main();
+}
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_async_events.h b/src/script/lua_api/l_async_events.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4aaf3bdfe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_async_events.h
@@ -0,0 +1,228 @@
+/*
+Minetest
+Copyright (C) 2013 sapier, <sapier AT gmx DOT net>
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 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 Lesser General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along
+with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
+51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+*/
+
+#ifndef C_ASYNC_EVENTS_H_
+#define C_ASYNC_EVENTS_H_
+
+#include <vector>
+#include <map>
+#include <unistd.h>
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+/* Includes                                                                   */
+/******************************************************************************/
+#include "jthread/jthread.h"
+#include "jthread/jmutex.h"
+#include "jthread/jsemaphore.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "lua.h"
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+/* Typedefs and macros                                                        */
+/******************************************************************************/
+#define MAINMENU_NUMBER_OF_ASYNC_THREADS                   4
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+/* forward declarations                                                       */
+/******************************************************************************/
+class AsyncEngine;
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+/* declarations                                                               */
+/******************************************************************************/
+
+/** a struct to encapsulate data required to queue a job **/
+struct LuaJobInfo {
+	/** function to be called in async environment **/
+	std::string serializedFunction;
+	/** parameter table to be passed to function **/
+	std::string serializedParams;
+	/** result of function call **/
+	std::string serializedResult;
+	/** jobid used to identify a job and match it to callback **/
+	unsigned int JobId;
+};
+
+/** class encapsulating a asynchronous working environment **/
+class AsyncWorkerThread : public JThread {
+public:
+	/**
+	 * default constructor
+	 * @param pointer to job dispatcher
+	 */
+	AsyncWorkerThread(AsyncEngine* jobdispatcher, unsigned int threadnumber);
+
+	/**
+	 * default destructor
+	 */
+	virtual ~AsyncWorkerThread();
+
+	/**
+	 * thread function
+	 */
+	void* Thread() {
+			ThreadStarted();
+			return worker_thread_wrapper(this);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * wait for thread to stop
+	 */
+	void Wait() {
+		while(IsRunning()) {
+			sleep(1);
+		}
+	}
+
+private:
+	/**
+	 * helper function to run a lua script
+	 * @param path of script
+	 */
+	bool runScript(std::string script);
+
+	/**
+	 * main function of thread
+	 */
+	void* worker_thread_main();
+
+	/**
+	 * static wrapper for thread creation
+	 * @param this pointer to the thread to be created
+	 */
+	static void* worker_thread_wrapper(void* thread);
+
+	/**
+	 * pointer to job dispatcher
+	 */
+	AsyncEngine* m_JobDispatcher;
+
+	/**
+	 * the lua stack to run at
+	 */
+	lua_State*   m_LuaStack;
+
+	/**
+	 * lua internal stack number of error handler
+	 */
+	int m_luaerrorhandler;
+
+	/**
+	 * thread number used for debug output
+	 */
+	unsigned int m_threadnum;
+
+};
+
+/** asynchornous thread and job management **/
+class AsyncEngine {
+	friend AsyncWorkerThread;
+public:
+	/**
+	 * default constructor
+	 */
+	AsyncEngine();
+	/**
+	 * default destructor
+	 */
+	~AsyncEngine();
+
+	/**
+	 * register function to be used within engines
+	 * @param name function name to be used within lua environment
+	 * @param fct c-function to be called
+	 */
+	bool registerFunction(const char* name, lua_CFunction fct);
+
+	/**
+	 * create async engine tasks and lock function registration
+	 * @param numengines number of async threads to be started
+	 */
+	void Initialize(unsigned int numengines);
+
+	/**
+	 * queue/run a async job
+	 * @param fct serialized lua function
+	 * @param params serialized parameters
+	 * @return jobid the job is queued
+	 */
+	unsigned int doAsyncJob(std::string fct, std::string params);
+
+	/**
+	 * engine step to process finished jobs
+	 *   the engine step is one way to pass events back, PushFinishedJobs another
+	 * @param L the lua environment to do the step in
+	 */
+	void Step(lua_State *L);
+
+
+	void PushFinishedJobs(lua_State* L);
+
+protected:
+	/**
+	 * Get a Job from queue to be processed
+	 *  this function blocks until a job is ready
+	 * @return a job to be processed
+	 */
+	LuaJobInfo getJob();
+
+	/**
+	 * put a Job result back to result queue
+	 * @param result result of completed job
+	 */
+	void putJobResult(LuaJobInfo result);
+
+	/**
+	 * initialize environment with current registred functions
+	 *  this function adds all functions registred by registerFunction to the
+	 *  passed lua stack
+	 * @param L lua stack to initialize
+	 * @param top stack position
+	 */
+	void PrepareEnvironment(lua_State* L, int top);
+
+private:
+
+	/** variable locking the engine against further modification **/
+	bool m_initDone;
+
+	/** internal store for registred functions **/
+	std::map<std::string,lua_CFunction> m_FunctionList;
+
+	/** internal counter to create job id's **/
+	unsigned int m_JobIdCounter;
+
+	/** mutex to protect job queue **/
+	JMutex m_JobQueueMutex;
+	/** job queue **/
+	std::vector<LuaJobInfo> m_JobQueue;
+
+	/** mutext to protect result queue **/
+	JMutex m_ResultQueueMutex;
+	/** result queue **/
+	std::vector<LuaJobInfo> m_ResultQueue;
+
+	/** list of current worker threads **/
+	std::vector<AsyncWorkerThread*> m_WorkerThreads;
+
+	/** counter semaphore for job dispatching **/
+	JSemaphore m_JobQueueCounter;
+};
+
+#endif /* C_ASYNC_EVENTS_H_ */
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_internal.h b/src/script/lua_api/l_internal.h
index 14215ee5d..5936ac046 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_internal.h
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_internal.h
@@ -30,14 +30,16 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "common/c_internal.h"
 
 #define luamethod(class, name) {#name, class::l_##name}
-#define API_FCT(name) registerFunction(L,#name,l_##name,top)
+#define API_FCT(name) registerFunction(L, #name, l_##name,top)
+#define ASYNC_API_FCT(name) engine.registerFunction(#name, l_##name)
 
 #if (defined(WIN32) || defined(_WIN32_WCE))
 #define NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED
 #else
 #include "main.h"
 #include "profiler.h"
-#define NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED ScopeProfiler nolocktime(g_profiler,"Scriptapi: unlockable time",SPT_ADD)
+#define NO_MAP_LOCK_REQUIRED \
+	ScopeProfiler nolocktime(g_profiler,"Scriptapi: unlockable time",SPT_ADD)
 #endif
 
 #endif /* L_INTERNAL_H_ */
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.cpp
index 498ac0383..42ddd0b14 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "lua_api/l_mainmenu.h"
 #include "lua_api/l_internal.h"
 #include "common/c_content.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_async_events.h"
 #include "guiEngine.h"
 #include "guiMainMenu.h"
 #include "guiKeyChangeMenu.h"
@@ -200,9 +201,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_textlist_index(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_worlds(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	std::vector<WorldSpec> worlds = getAvailableWorlds();
 
 	lua_newtable(L);
@@ -237,9 +235,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_worlds(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_games(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	std::vector<SubgameSpec> games = getAvailableGames();
 
 	lua_newtable(L);
@@ -365,9 +360,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_modstore_details(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_modstore_list(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	std::string listtype = "local";
 
 	if (!lua_isnone(L,1)) {
@@ -421,9 +413,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_modstore_list(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_favorites(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	std::string listtype = "local";
 
 	if (!lua_isnone(L,1)) {
@@ -545,9 +534,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_get_favorites(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_delete_favorite(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	std::vector<ServerListSpec> servers;
 
 	std::string listtype = "local";
@@ -599,9 +585,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_show_keys_menu(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_create_world(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	const char *name	= luaL_checkstring(L, 1);
 	int gameidx			= luaL_checkinteger(L,2) -1;
 
@@ -632,9 +615,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_create_world(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_delete_world(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	int worldidx	= luaL_checkinteger(L,1) -1;
 
 	std::vector<WorldSpec> worlds = getAvailableWorlds();
@@ -962,9 +942,6 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_sound_stop(lua_State *L)
 /******************************************************************************/
 int ModApiMainMenu::l_download_file(lua_State *L)
 {
-	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
-	assert(engine != 0);
-
 	const char *url    = luaL_checkstring(L, 1);
 	const char *target = luaL_checkstring(L, 2);
 
@@ -972,7 +949,7 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_download_file(lua_State *L)
 	std::string absolute_destination = fs::RemoveRelativePathComponents(target);
 
 	if (ModApiMainMenu::isMinetestPath(absolute_destination)) {
-		if (engine->downloadFile(url,absolute_destination)) {
+		if (GUIEngine::downloadFile(url,absolute_destination)) {
 			lua_pushboolean(L,true);
 			return 1;
 		}
@@ -991,6 +968,28 @@ int ModApiMainMenu::l_gettext(lua_State *L)
 }
 
 /******************************************************************************/
+int ModApiMainMenu::l_do_async_callback(lua_State *L)
+{
+	GUIEngine* engine = getGuiEngine(L);
+
+	const char* serialized_fct_raw = luaL_checkstring(L, 1);
+	unsigned int lenght_fct = luaL_checkint(L, 2);
+
+	const char* serialized_params_raw = luaL_checkstring(L, 3);
+	unsigned int lenght_params = luaL_checkint(L, 4);
+
+	assert(serialized_fct_raw != 0);
+	assert(serialized_params_raw != 0);
+
+	std::string serialized_fct = std::string(serialized_fct_raw,lenght_fct);
+	std::string serialized_params = std::string(serialized_params_raw,lenght_params);
+
+	lua_pushinteger(L,engine->DoAsync(serialized_fct,serialized_params));
+
+	return 1;
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
 void ModApiMainMenu::Initialize(lua_State *L, int top)
 {
 	API_FCT(update_formspec);
@@ -1024,4 +1023,27 @@ void ModApiMainMenu::Initialize(lua_State *L, int top)
 	API_FCT(sound_play);
 	API_FCT(sound_stop);
 	API_FCT(gettext);
+	API_FCT(do_async_callback);
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void ModApiMainMenu::InitializeAsync(AsyncEngine& engine)
+{
+
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_worlds);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_games);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_favorites);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_modpath);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_gamepath);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_texturepath);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_dirlist);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(create_dir);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(delete_dir);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(copy_dir);
+	//ASYNC_API_FCT(extract_zip); //TODO remove dependency to GuiEngine
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_version);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(download_file);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_modstore_details);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(get_modstore_list);
+	//ASYNC_API_FCT(gettext); (gettext lib isn't threadsafe)
 }
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.h b/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.h
index d0f3d6f72..e185f0a37 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.h
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_mainmenu.h
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 
 #include "lua_api/l_base.h"
 
+class AsyncEngine;
+
 /** Implementation of lua api support for mainmenu */
 class ModApiMainMenu : public ModApiBase {
 
@@ -125,6 +127,8 @@ private:
 
 	static int l_download_file(lua_State *L);
 
+	// async
+	static int l_do_async_callback(lua_State *L);
 
 public:
 	/**
@@ -134,6 +138,8 @@ public:
 	 */
 	static void Initialize(lua_State *L, int top);
 
+	static void InitializeAsync(AsyncEngine& engine);
+
 };
 
 #endif /* L_MAINMENU_H_ */
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_util.cpp b/src/script/lua_api/l_util.cpp
index af9c19210..fe10e4f57 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_util.cpp
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_util.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 #include "lua_api/l_internal.h"
 #include "common/c_converter.h"
 #include "common/c_content.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_async_events.h"
 #include "debug.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "tool.h"
@@ -257,3 +258,18 @@ void ModApiUtil::Initialize(lua_State *L, int top)
 	API_FCT(is_yes);
 }
 
+void ModApiUtil::InitializeAsync(AsyncEngine& engine)
+{
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(debug);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(log);
+
+	//ASYNC_API_FCT(setting_set);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(setting_get);
+	//ASYNC_API_FCT(setting_setbool);
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(setting_getbool);
+	//ASYNC_API_FCT(setting_save);
+
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(parse_json);
+
+	ASYNC_API_FCT(is_yes);
+}
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/l_util.h b/src/script/lua_api/l_util.h
index bb99e1562..d91c880cf 100644
--- a/src/script/lua_api/l_util.h
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/l_util.h
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 
 #include "lua_api/l_base.h"
 
+class AsyncEngine;
+
 class ModApiUtil : public ModApiBase {
 private:
 	/*
@@ -77,6 +79,8 @@ private:
 public:
 	static void Initialize(lua_State *L, int top);
 
+	static void InitializeAsync(AsyncEngine& engine);
+
 };
 
 #endif /* L_UTIL_H_ */
diff --git a/src/script/lua_api/marshall.c b/src/script/lua_api/marshall.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ef70566cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/script/lua_api/marshall.c
@@ -0,0 +1,551 @@
+/*
+* lmarshal.c
+* A Lua library for serializing and deserializing Lua values
+* Richard Hundt <richardhundt@gmail.com>
+*
+* License: MIT
+*
+* Copyright (c) 2010 Richard Hundt
+*
+* Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person
+* obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation
+* files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without
+* restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+* copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
+* copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the
+* Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following
+* conditions:
+*
+* The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be
+* included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+*
+* THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
+* EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES
+* OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
+* NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT
+* HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
+* WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING
+* FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR
+* OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+*/
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+#include "lua.h"
+#include "lualib.h"
+#include "lauxlib.h"
+
+
+#define MAR_TREF 1
+#define MAR_TVAL 2
+#define MAR_TUSR 3
+
+#define MAR_CHR 1
+#define MAR_I32 4
+#define MAR_I64 8
+
+#define MAR_MAGIC 0x8e
+#define SEEN_IDX  3
+
+typedef struct mar_Buffer {
+    size_t size;
+    size_t seek;
+    size_t head;
+    char*  data;
+} mar_Buffer;
+
+static int mar_encode_table(lua_State *L, mar_Buffer *buf, size_t *idx);
+static int mar_decode_table(lua_State *L, const char* buf, size_t len, size_t *idx);
+
+static void buf_init(lua_State *L, mar_Buffer *buf)
+{
+    buf->size = 128;
+    buf->seek = 0;
+    buf->head = 0;
+    if (!(buf->data = malloc(buf->size))) luaL_error(L, "Out of memory!");
+}
+
+static void buf_done(lua_State* L, mar_Buffer *buf)
+{
+    free(buf->data);
+}
+
+static int buf_write(lua_State* L, const char* str, size_t len, mar_Buffer *buf)
+{
+    if (len > UINT32_MAX) luaL_error(L, "buffer too long");
+    if (buf->size - buf->head < len) {
+        size_t new_size = buf->size << 1;
+        size_t cur_head = buf->head;
+        while (new_size - cur_head <= len) {
+            new_size = new_size << 1;
+        }
+        if (!(buf->data = realloc(buf->data, new_size))) {
+            luaL_error(L, "Out of memory!");
+        }
+        buf->size = new_size;
+    }
+    memcpy(&buf->data[buf->head], str, len);
+    buf->head += len;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static const char* buf_read(lua_State *L, mar_Buffer *buf, size_t *len)
+{
+    if (buf->seek < buf->head) {
+        buf->seek = buf->head;
+        *len = buf->seek;
+        return buf->data;
+    }
+    *len = 0;
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+static void mar_encode_value(lua_State *L, mar_Buffer *buf, int val, size_t *idx)
+{
+    size_t l;
+    int val_type = lua_type(L, val);
+    lua_pushvalue(L, val);
+
+    buf_write(L, (void*)&val_type, MAR_CHR, buf);
+    switch (val_type) {
+    case LUA_TBOOLEAN: {
+        int int_val = lua_toboolean(L, -1);
+        buf_write(L, (void*)&int_val, MAR_CHR, buf);
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TSTRING: {
+        const char *str_val = lua_tolstring(L, -1, &l);
+        buf_write(L, (void*)&l, MAR_I32, buf);
+        buf_write(L, str_val, l, buf);
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TNUMBER: {
+        lua_Number num_val = lua_tonumber(L, -1);
+        buf_write(L, (void*)&num_val, MAR_I64, buf);
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TTABLE: {
+        int tag, ref;
+        lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+        lua_rawget(L, SEEN_IDX);
+        if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+            ref = lua_tointeger(L, -1);
+            tag = MAR_TREF;
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&tag, MAR_CHR, buf);
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&ref, MAR_I32, buf);
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+        }
+        else {
+            mar_Buffer rec_buf;
+            lua_pop(L, 1); /* pop nil */
+            if (luaL_getmetafield(L, -1, "__persist")) {
+                tag = MAR_TUSR;
+
+                lua_pushvalue(L, -2); /* self */
+                lua_call(L, 1, 1);
+                if (!lua_isfunction(L, -1)) {
+                    luaL_error(L, "__persist must return a function");
+                }
+
+                lua_remove(L, -2); /* __persist */
+
+                lua_newtable(L);
+                lua_pushvalue(L, -2); /* callback */
+                lua_rawseti(L, -2, 1);
+
+                buf_init(L, &rec_buf);
+                mar_encode_table(L, &rec_buf, idx);
+
+                buf_write(L, (void*)&tag, MAR_CHR, buf);
+                buf_write(L, (void*)&rec_buf.head, MAR_I32, buf);
+                buf_write(L, rec_buf.data, rec_buf.head, buf);
+                buf_done(L, &rec_buf);
+                lua_pop(L, 1);
+            }
+            else {
+                tag = MAR_TVAL;
+
+                lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+                lua_pushinteger(L, (*idx)++);
+                lua_rawset(L, SEEN_IDX);
+
+                lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+                buf_init(L, &rec_buf);
+                mar_encode_table(L, &rec_buf, idx);
+                lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+                buf_write(L, (void*)&tag, MAR_CHR, buf);
+                buf_write(L, (void*)&rec_buf.head, MAR_I32, buf);
+                buf_write(L, rec_buf.data,rec_buf.head, buf);
+                buf_done(L, &rec_buf);
+            }
+        }
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TFUNCTION: {
+        int tag, ref;
+        lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+        lua_rawget(L, SEEN_IDX);
+        if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+            ref = lua_tointeger(L, -1);
+            tag = MAR_TREF;
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&tag, MAR_CHR, buf);
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&ref, MAR_I32, buf);
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+        }
+        else {
+            mar_Buffer rec_buf;
+            int i;
+            lua_Debug ar;
+            lua_pop(L, 1); /* pop nil */
+
+            lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+            lua_getinfo(L, ">nuS", &ar);
+            if (ar.what[0] != 'L') {
+                luaL_error(L, "attempt to persist a C function '%s'", ar.name);
+            }
+            tag = MAR_TVAL;
+            lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+            lua_pushinteger(L, (*idx)++);
+            lua_rawset(L, SEEN_IDX);
+
+            lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+            buf_init(L, &rec_buf);
+            lua_dump(L, (lua_Writer)buf_write, &rec_buf);
+
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&tag, MAR_CHR, buf);
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&rec_buf.head, MAR_I32, buf);
+            buf_write(L, rec_buf.data, rec_buf.head, buf);
+            buf_done(L, &rec_buf);
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+            lua_newtable(L);
+            for (i=1; i <= ar.nups; i++) {
+                lua_getupvalue(L, -2, i);
+                lua_rawseti(L, -2, i);
+            }
+
+            buf_init(L, &rec_buf);
+            mar_encode_table(L, &rec_buf, idx);
+
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&rec_buf.head, MAR_I32, buf);
+            buf_write(L, rec_buf.data, rec_buf.head, buf);
+            buf_done(L, &rec_buf);
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+        }
+
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TUSERDATA: {
+        int tag, ref;
+        lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+        lua_rawget(L, SEEN_IDX);
+        if (!lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+            ref = lua_tointeger(L, -1);
+            tag = MAR_TREF;
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&tag, MAR_CHR, buf);
+            buf_write(L, (void*)&ref, MAR_I32, buf);
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+        }
+        else {
+            mar_Buffer rec_buf;
+            lua_pop(L, 1); /* pop nil */
+            if (luaL_getmetafield(L, -1, "__persist")) {
+                tag = MAR_TUSR;
+
+                lua_pushvalue(L, -2);
+                lua_pushinteger(L, (*idx)++);
+                lua_rawset(L, SEEN_IDX);
+
+                lua_pushvalue(L, -2);
+                lua_call(L, 1, 1);
+                if (!lua_isfunction(L, -1)) {
+                    luaL_error(L, "__persist must return a function");
+                }
+                lua_newtable(L);
+                lua_pushvalue(L, -2);
+                lua_rawseti(L, -2, 1);
+                lua_remove(L, -2);
+
+                buf_init(L, &rec_buf);
+                mar_encode_table(L, &rec_buf, idx);
+
+                buf_write(L, (void*)&tag, MAR_CHR, buf);
+                buf_write(L, (void*)&rec_buf.head, MAR_I32, buf);
+		buf_write(L, rec_buf.data, rec_buf.head, buf);
+		buf_done(L, &rec_buf);
+            }
+            else {
+                luaL_error(L, "attempt to encode userdata (no __persist hook)");
+            }
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+        }
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TNIL: break;
+    default:
+        luaL_error(L, "invalid value type (%s)", lua_typename(L, val_type));
+    }
+    lua_pop(L, 1);
+}
+
+static int mar_encode_table(lua_State *L, mar_Buffer *buf, size_t *idx)
+{
+    lua_pushnil(L);
+    while (lua_next(L, -2) != 0) {
+        mar_encode_value(L, buf, -2, idx);
+        mar_encode_value(L, buf, -1, idx);
+        lua_pop(L, 1);
+    }
+    return 1;
+}
+
+#define mar_incr_ptr(l) \
+    if (((*p)-buf)+(l) > len) luaL_error(L, "bad code"); (*p) += (l);
+
+#define mar_next_len(l,T) \
+    if (((*p)-buf)+sizeof(T) > len) luaL_error(L, "bad code"); \
+    l = *(T*)*p; (*p) += sizeof(T);
+
+static void mar_decode_value
+    (lua_State *L, const char *buf, size_t len, const char **p, size_t *idx)
+{
+    size_t l;
+    char val_type = **p;
+    mar_incr_ptr(MAR_CHR);
+    switch (val_type) {
+    case LUA_TBOOLEAN:
+        lua_pushboolean(L, *(char*)*p);
+        mar_incr_ptr(MAR_CHR);
+        break;
+    case LUA_TNUMBER:
+        lua_pushnumber(L, *(lua_Number*)*p);
+        mar_incr_ptr(MAR_I64);
+        break;
+    case LUA_TSTRING:
+        mar_next_len(l, uint32_t);
+        lua_pushlstring(L, *p, l);
+        mar_incr_ptr(l);
+        break;
+    case LUA_TTABLE: {
+        char tag = *(char*)*p;
+        mar_incr_ptr(MAR_CHR);
+        if (tag == MAR_TREF) {
+            int ref;
+            mar_next_len(ref, int);
+            lua_rawgeti(L, SEEN_IDX, ref);
+        }
+        else if (tag == MAR_TVAL) {
+            mar_next_len(l, uint32_t);
+            lua_newtable(L);
+            lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+            lua_rawseti(L, SEEN_IDX, (*idx)++);
+            mar_decode_table(L, *p, l, idx);
+            mar_incr_ptr(l);
+        }
+        else if (tag == MAR_TUSR) {
+            mar_next_len(l, uint32_t);
+            lua_newtable(L);
+            mar_decode_table(L, *p, l, idx);
+            lua_rawgeti(L, -1, 1);
+            lua_call(L, 0, 1);
+            lua_remove(L, -2);
+            lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+            lua_rawseti(L, SEEN_IDX, (*idx)++);
+            mar_incr_ptr(l);
+        }
+        else {
+            luaL_error(L, "bad encoded data");
+        }
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TFUNCTION: {
+        size_t nups;
+        int i;
+        mar_Buffer dec_buf;
+        char tag = *(char*)*p;
+        mar_incr_ptr(1);
+        if (tag == MAR_TREF) {
+            int ref;
+            mar_next_len(ref, int);
+            lua_rawgeti(L, SEEN_IDX, ref);
+        }
+        else {
+            mar_next_len(l, uint32_t);
+            dec_buf.data = (char*)*p;
+            dec_buf.size = l;
+            dec_buf.head = l;
+            dec_buf.seek = 0;
+            lua_load(L, (lua_Reader)buf_read, &dec_buf, "=marshal");
+            mar_incr_ptr(l);
+
+            lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+            lua_rawseti(L, SEEN_IDX, (*idx)++);
+
+            mar_next_len(l, uint32_t);
+            lua_newtable(L);
+            mar_decode_table(L, *p, l, idx);
+            nups = lua_objlen(L, -1);
+            for (i=1; i <= nups; i++) {
+                lua_rawgeti(L, -1, i);
+                lua_setupvalue(L, -3, i);
+            }
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+            mar_incr_ptr(l);
+        }
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TUSERDATA: {
+        char tag = *(char*)*p;
+        mar_incr_ptr(MAR_CHR);
+        if (tag == MAR_TREF) {
+            int ref;
+            mar_next_len(ref, int);
+            lua_rawgeti(L, SEEN_IDX, ref);
+        }
+        else if (tag == MAR_TUSR) {
+            mar_next_len(l, uint32_t);
+            lua_newtable(L);
+            mar_decode_table(L, *p, l, idx);
+            lua_rawgeti(L, -1, 1);
+            lua_call(L, 0, 1);
+            lua_remove(L, -2);
+            lua_pushvalue(L, -1);
+            lua_rawseti(L, SEEN_IDX, (*idx)++);
+            mar_incr_ptr(l);
+        }
+        else { /* tag == MAR_TVAL */
+            lua_pushnil(L);
+        }
+        break;
+    }
+    case LUA_TNIL:
+    case LUA_TTHREAD:
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        break;
+    default:
+        luaL_error(L, "bad code");
+    }
+}
+
+static int mar_decode_table(lua_State *L, const char* buf, size_t len, size_t *idx)
+{
+    const char* p;
+    p = buf;
+    while (p - buf < len) {
+        mar_decode_value(L, buf, len, &p, idx);
+        mar_decode_value(L, buf, len, &p, idx);
+        lua_settable(L, -3);
+    }
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static int mar_encode(lua_State* L)
+{
+    const unsigned char m = MAR_MAGIC;
+    size_t idx, len;
+    mar_Buffer buf;
+
+    if (lua_isnone(L, 1)) {
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+    }
+    if (lua_isnoneornil(L, 2)) {
+        lua_newtable(L);
+    }
+    else if (!lua_istable(L, 2)) {
+        luaL_error(L, "bad argument #2 to encode (expected table)");
+    }
+    lua_settop(L, 2);
+
+    len = lua_objlen(L, 2);
+    lua_newtable(L);
+    for (idx = 1; idx <= len; idx++) {
+        lua_rawgeti(L, 2, idx);
+        if (lua_isnil(L, -1)) {
+            lua_pop(L, 1);
+            continue;
+        }
+        lua_pushinteger(L, idx);
+        lua_rawset(L, SEEN_IDX);
+    }
+    lua_pushvalue(L, 1);
+
+    buf_init(L, &buf);
+    buf_write(L, (void*)&m, 1, &buf);
+
+    mar_encode_value(L, &buf, -1, &idx);
+
+    lua_pop(L, 1);
+
+    lua_pushlstring(L, buf.data, buf.head);
+
+    buf_done(L, &buf);
+
+    lua_remove(L, SEEN_IDX);
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static int mar_decode(lua_State* L)
+{
+    size_t l, idx, len;
+    const char *p;
+    const char *s = luaL_checklstring(L, 1, &l);
+
+    if (l < 1) luaL_error(L, "bad header");
+    if (*(unsigned char *)s++ != MAR_MAGIC) luaL_error(L, "bad magic");
+    l -= 1;
+
+    if (lua_isnoneornil(L, 2)) {
+        lua_newtable(L);
+    }
+    else if (!lua_istable(L, 2)) {
+        luaL_error(L, "bad argument #2 to decode (expected table)");
+    }
+    lua_settop(L, 2);
+
+    len = lua_objlen(L, 2);
+    lua_newtable(L);
+    for (idx = 1; idx <= len; idx++) {
+        lua_rawgeti(L, 2, idx);
+        lua_rawseti(L, SEEN_IDX, idx);
+    }
+
+    p = s;
+    mar_decode_value(L, s, l, &p, &idx);
+
+    lua_remove(L, SEEN_IDX);
+    lua_remove(L, 2);
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static int mar_clone(lua_State* L)
+{
+    mar_encode(L);
+    lua_replace(L, 1);
+    mar_decode(L);
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static const luaL_reg R[] =
+{
+    {"encode",      mar_encode},
+    {"decode",      mar_decode},
+    {"clone",       mar_clone},
+    {NULL,	    NULL}
+};
+
+int luaopen_marshal(lua_State *L)
+{
+    lua_newtable(L);
+    luaL_register(L, "marshal", R);
+    return 1;
+}
+
+
+
+
+
diff --git a/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.cpp b/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.cpp
index 31581a1bf..a4619e9da 100644
--- a/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.cpp
+++ b/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.cpp
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 
 extern "C" {
 #include "lualib.h"
+	int luaopen_marshal(lua_State *L);
 }
-
+/******************************************************************************/
 MainMenuScripting::MainMenuScripting(GUIEngine* guiengine)
 {
 	setGuiEngine(guiengine);
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ MainMenuScripting::MainMenuScripting(GUIEngine* guiengine)
 	//TODO add security
 
 	luaL_openlibs(getStack());
+	luaopen_marshal(getStack());
 
 	SCRIPTAPI_PRECHECKHEADER
 
@@ -58,6 +60,7 @@ MainMenuScripting::MainMenuScripting(GUIEngine* guiengine)
 	infostream << "SCRIPTAPI: initialized mainmenu modules" << std::endl;
 }
 
+/******************************************************************************/
 void MainMenuScripting::InitializeModApi(lua_State *L, int top)
 {
 	// Initialize mod api modules
@@ -66,4 +69,23 @@ void MainMenuScripting::InitializeModApi(lua_State *L, int top)
 
 	// Register reference classes (userdata)
 	LuaSettings::Register(L);
+
+	// Register functions to async environment
+	ModApiMainMenu::InitializeAsync(m_AsyncEngine);
+	ModApiUtil::InitializeAsync(m_AsyncEngine);
+
+	// Initialize async environment
+	//TODO possibly make number of async threads configurable
+	m_AsyncEngine.Initialize(MAINMENU_NUMBER_OF_ASYNC_THREADS);
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+void MainMenuScripting::Step() {
+	m_AsyncEngine.Step(getStack());
+}
+
+/******************************************************************************/
+unsigned int MainMenuScripting::DoAsync(std::string serialized_fct,
+		std::string serialized_params) {
+	return m_AsyncEngine.doAsyncJob(serialized_fct,serialized_params);
 }
diff --git a/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.h b/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.h
index 7592c8e23..f4d78f664 100644
--- a/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.h
+++ b/src/script/scripting_mainmenu.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
 
 #include "cpp_api/s_base.h"
 #include "cpp_api/s_mainmenu.h"
+#include "lua_api/l_async_events.h"
 
 /*****************************************************************************/
 /* Scripting <-> Main Menu Interface                                         */
@@ -37,8 +38,16 @@ public:
 	// use ScriptApiBase::loadMod() or ScriptApiBase::loadScript()
 	// to load scripts
 
+	/* global step handler to pass back async events */
+	void Step();
+
+	/* pass async events from engine to async threads */
+	unsigned int DoAsync(std::string serialized_fct,
+			std::string serialized_params);
 private:
 	void InitializeModApi(lua_State *L, int top);
+
+	AsyncEngine m_AsyncEngine;
 };