diff --git a/source/CMakeLists.txt b/source/CMakeLists.txt
index d0fb879..68b65e8 100644
--- a/source/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -532,7 +532,10 @@ add_subdirectory(core)
 
 # Less general purpose code than core that is available to both the game and
 # application modules.
-set(STAR_BASE_INCLUDES ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/base)
+set(STAR_BASE_INCLUDES
+    ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/base
+    ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/base/scripting
+)
 add_subdirectory(base)
 
 # Platform APIs that are implemented by the application module
diff --git a/source/base/CMakeLists.txt b/source/base/CMakeLists.txt
index 8f4d18b..e813e45 100644
--- a/source/base/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/base/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -17,9 +17,11 @@ SET (star_base_HEADERS
     StarMemoryAssetSource.hpp
     StarMixer.hpp
     StarPackedAssetSource.hpp
+    StarRootBase.hpp
     StarVersion.hpp
     StarVersionOptionParser.hpp
     StarWorldGeometry.hpp
+    scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.hpp
   )
 
 SET (star_base_SOURCES
@@ -32,8 +34,10 @@ SET (star_base_SOURCES
     StarMemoryAssetSource.cpp
     StarMixer.cpp
     StarPackedAssetSource.cpp
+    StarRootBase.cpp
     StarVersionOptionParser.cpp
     StarWorldGeometry.cpp
+    scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp
   )
 
 CONFIGURE_FILE (StarVersion.cpp.in ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/StarVersion.cpp)
diff --git a/source/base/StarAssets.cpp b/source/base/StarAssets.cpp
index d4b7228..9718ec8 100644
--- a/source/base/StarAssets.cpp
+++ b/source/base/StarAssets.cpp
@@ -145,7 +145,10 @@ Assets::Assets(Settings settings, StringList assetSources) {
         ByteArray bytes;
         if (auto str = engine.luaMaybeTo<String>(data))
           bytes = ByteArray(str->utf8Ptr(), str->utf8Size());
-        else {
+        else if (auto image = engine.luaMaybeTo<Image>(data)) {
+          newFiles->set(path, std::move(*image));
+          return;
+        } else {
           auto json = engine.luaTo<Json>(data).repr();
           bytes = ByteArray(json.utf8Ptr(), json.utf8Size());
         }
@@ -855,6 +858,19 @@ ByteArray Assets::read(String const& path) const {
   throw AssetException(strf("No such asset '{}'", path));
 }
 
+ImageConstPtr Assets::readImage(String const& path) const {
+  if (auto p = m_files.ptr(path)) {
+    ImageConstPtr image;
+    if (auto memorySource = as<MemoryAssetSource>(p->source))
+      image = memorySource->image(p->sourceName);
+    if (!image)
+      image = make_shared<Image>(Image::readPng(p->source->open(p->sourceName)));
+    return image;
+  }
+  throw AssetException(strf("No such asset '{}'", path));
+}
+
+
 Json Assets::checkPatchArray(String const& path, AssetSourcePtr const& source, Json const result, JsonArray const patchData, Maybe<Json> const external) const {
   auto externalRef = external.value();
   auto newResult = result;
@@ -1140,7 +1156,7 @@ shared_ptr<Assets::AssetData> Assets::loadImage(AssetPath const& path) const {
   } else {
     auto imageData = make_shared<ImageData>();
     imageData->image = unlockDuring([&]() {
-      return make_shared<Image>(Image::readPng(open(path.basePath)));
+      return readImage(path.basePath);
     });
     imageData->frames = bestFramesSpecification(path.basePath);
 
diff --git a/source/base/StarAssets.hpp b/source/base/StarAssets.hpp
index 8cfbc52..952e024 100644
--- a/source/base/StarAssets.hpp
+++ b/source/base/StarAssets.hpp
@@ -275,6 +275,7 @@ private:
 
   IODevicePtr open(String const& basePath) const;
   ByteArray read(String const& basePath) const;
+  ImageConstPtr readImage(String const& path) const;
 
   Json readJson(String const& basePath) const;
   Json checkPatchArray(String const& path, AssetSourcePtr const& source, Json const result, JsonArray const patchData, Maybe<Json> const external) const;
diff --git a/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.cpp b/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.cpp
index 17e3749..a0c220d 100644
--- a/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.cpp
+++ b/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #include "StarMemoryAssetSource.hpp"
 #include "StarDataStreamDevices.hpp"
 #include "StarDataStreamExtra.hpp"
-#include "StarSha256.hpp"
+#include "StarImage.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -21,11 +21,17 @@ StringList MemoryAssetSource::assetPaths() const {
 
 IODevicePtr MemoryAssetSource::open(String const& path) {
   struct AssetReader : public IODevice {
-    AssetReader(ByteArrayPtr assetData, String name) : assetData(assetData), name(name) { setMode(IOMode::Read); }
+    AssetReader(char* assetData, size_t assetSize, String name) {
+      this->assetData = assetData;
+      this->assetSize = assetSize;
+      this->name = std::move(name);
+      setMode(IOMode::Read);
+    }
 
     size_t read(char* data, size_t len) override {
-      len = min<StreamOffset>(len, StreamOffset(assetData->size()) - assetPos);
-      assetData->copyTo(data, len);
+      len = min<StreamOffset>(len, StreamOffset(assetSize) - assetPos);
+      memcpy(data, assetData + assetPos, len);
+      assetPos += len;
       return len;
     }
 
@@ -33,25 +39,26 @@ IODevicePtr MemoryAssetSource::open(String const& path) {
       throw IOException("Assets IODevices are read-only");
     }
 
-    StreamOffset size() override { return assetData->size(); }
+    StreamOffset size() override { return assetSize; }
     StreamOffset pos() override { return assetPos; }
 
     String deviceName() const override { return name; }
 
     bool atEnd() override {
-      return assetPos >= assetData->size();
+      return assetPos >= assetSize;
     }
 
     void seek(StreamOffset p, IOSeek mode) override {
       if (mode == IOSeek::Absolute)
         assetPos = p;
       else if (mode == IOSeek::Relative)
-        assetPos = clamp<StreamOffset>(assetPos + p, 0, assetData->size());
+        assetPos = clamp<StreamOffset>(assetPos + p, 0, assetSize);
       else
-        assetPos = clamp<StreamOffset>(assetPos - p, 0, assetData->size());
+        assetPos = clamp<StreamOffset>(assetPos - p, 0, assetSize);
     }
 
-    ByteArrayPtr assetData;
+    char* assetData;
+    size_t assetSize;
     StreamOffset assetPos = 0;
     String name;
   };
@@ -59,8 +66,12 @@ IODevicePtr MemoryAssetSource::open(String const& path) {
   auto p = m_files.ptr(path);
   if (!p)
     throw AssetSourceException::format("Requested file '{}' does not exist in memory", path);
-
-  return make_shared<AssetReader>(*p, path);
+  else if (auto byteArray = p->ptr<ByteArray>())
+    return make_shared<AssetReader>(byteArray->ptr(), byteArray->size(), path);
+  else {
+    auto image = p->get<ImagePtr>().get();
+    return make_shared<AssetReader>((char*)image->data(), image->width() * image->height() * image->bytesPerPixel(), path);
+  }
 }
 
 bool MemoryAssetSource::empty() const {
@@ -76,15 +87,37 @@ bool MemoryAssetSource::erase(String const& path) {
 }
 
 void MemoryAssetSource::set(String const& path, ByteArray data) {
-  m_files[path] = make_shared<ByteArray>(std::move(data));
+  m_files[path] = std::move(data);
+}
+
+void MemoryAssetSource::set(String const& path, Image const& image) {
+  m_files[path] = make_shared<Image>(image);
+}
+
+void MemoryAssetSource::set(String const& path, Image&& image) {
+  m_files[path] = make_shared<Image>(std::move(image));
 }
 
 ByteArray MemoryAssetSource::read(String const& path) {
   auto p = m_files.ptr(path);
   if (!p)
     throw AssetSourceException::format("Requested file '{}' does not exist in memory", path);
+  else if (auto bytes = p->ptr<ByteArray>())
+    return *bytes;
+  else {
+    Image const* image = p->get<ImagePtr>().get();
+    return ByteArray((char const*)image->data(), image->width() * image->height() * image->bytesPerPixel());
+  }
+}
+
+ImageConstPtr MemoryAssetSource::image(String const& path) {
+  auto p = m_files.ptr(path);
+  if (!p)
+    throw AssetSourceException::format("Requested file '{}' does not exist in memory", path);
+  else if (auto imagePtr = p->ptr<ImagePtr>())
+    return *imagePtr;
   else
-    return *p->get(); // this is a double indirection, and that freaking sucks!!
+    return nullptr;
 }
 
 }
diff --git a/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.hpp b/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.hpp
index e5ef740..1fc5733 100644
--- a/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.hpp
+++ b/source/base/StarMemoryAssetSource.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 namespace Star {
 
 STAR_CLASS(MemoryAssetSource);
+STAR_CLASS(Image);
 
 class MemoryAssetSource : public AssetSource {
 public:
@@ -15,17 +16,23 @@ public:
   JsonObject metadata() const override;
   StringList assetPaths() const override;
 
+  // do not use the returned IODevice after the file is gone or bad things will happen
   IODevicePtr open(String const& path) override;
 
   bool empty() const;
   bool contains(String const& path) const;
   bool erase(String const& path);
   void set(String const& path, ByteArray data);
+  void set(String const& path, Image const& image);
+  void set(String const& path, Image&& image);
   ByteArray read(String const& path) override;
+  ImageConstPtr image(String const& path);
 private:
+  typedef Variant<ByteArray, ImagePtr> FileEntry;
+
   String m_name;
   JsonObject m_metadata;
-  StringMap<ByteArrayPtr> m_files;
+  StringMap<FileEntry> m_files;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/source/base/StarRootBase.cpp b/source/base/StarRootBase.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6bd99d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/base/StarRootBase.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#include "StarRootBase.hpp"
+
+namespace Star {
+  atomic<RootBase*> RootBase::s_singleton;
+
+  RootBase* RootBase::singletonPtr() {
+    return s_singleton.load();
+  }
+
+  RootBase& RootBase::singleton() {
+    auto ptr = s_singleton.load();
+    if (!ptr)
+      throw RootException("RootBase::singleton() called with no Root instance available");
+    else
+      return *ptr;
+  }
+
+  RootBase::RootBase() {
+    RootBase* oldRoot = nullptr;
+    if (!s_singleton.compare_exchange_strong(oldRoot, this))
+      throw RootException("Singleton Root has been constructed twice");
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/source/base/StarRootBase.hpp b/source/base/StarRootBase.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..48a6a5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/base/StarRootBase.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "StarAssets.hpp"
+
+namespace Star {
+
+STAR_CLASS(Configuration);
+
+STAR_EXCEPTION(RootException, StarException);
+
+class RootBase {
+public:
+  static RootBase* singletonPtr();
+  static RootBase& singleton();
+
+  virtual AssetsConstPtr assets() = 0;
+  virtual ConfigurationPtr configuration() = 0;
+protected:
+  RootBase();
+
+  static atomic<RootBase*> s_singleton;
+};
+
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/source/core/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp b/source/base/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp
similarity index 71%
rename from source/core/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp
rename to source/base/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp
index 83fb8d1..0f5d1e4 100644
--- a/source/core/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp
+++ b/source/base/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "StarImageLuaBindings.hpp"
 #include "StarLuaConverters.hpp"
 #include "StarImage.hpp"
+#include "StarRootBase.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -22,6 +23,15 @@ LuaMethods<Image> LuaUserDataMethods<Image>::make() {
     return image.subImage(min, size);
   });
 
+  methods.registerMethod("process", [](Image& image, String const& directives) {
+    return processImageOperations(parseImageOperations(directives), image, [](String const& path) -> Image const* {
+      if (auto root = RootBase::singletonPtr())
+        return root->assets()->image(path).get();
+      else
+        return nullptr;
+    });
+  });
+
   return methods;
 }
 
diff --git a/source/core/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.hpp b/source/base/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from source/core/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.hpp
rename to source/base/scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.hpp
diff --git a/source/core/CMakeLists.txt b/source/core/CMakeLists.txt
index eda2acc..fb31fca 100644
--- a/source/core/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/core/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -127,7 +127,6 @@ SET (star_core_HEADERS
     StarWorkerPool.hpp
     StarXXHash.hpp
     StarZSTDCompression.hpp
-    scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.hpp
     scripting/StarUtilityLuaBindings.hpp
   )
 
@@ -185,7 +184,6 @@ SET (star_core_SOURCES
     StarUuid.cpp
     StarWorkerPool.cpp
     StarZSTDCompression.cpp
-    scripting/StarImageLuaBindings.cpp
     scripting/StarUtilityLuaBindings.cpp
   )
 
diff --git a/source/game/StarRoot.cpp b/source/game/StarRoot.cpp
index e22f184..4d67563 100644
--- a/source/game/StarRoot.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarRoot.cpp
@@ -60,25 +60,19 @@ namespace {
   unsigned const RootLoadThreads = 4;
 }
 
-atomic<Root*> Root::s_singleton;
-
 Root* Root::singletonPtr() {
-  return s_singleton.load();
+  return dynamic_cast<Root*>(s_singleton.load());
 }
 
 Root& Root::singleton() {
-  auto ptr = s_singleton.load();
+  auto ptr = singletonPtr();
   if (!ptr)
     throw RootException("Root::singleton() called with no Root instance available");
   else
     return *ptr;
 }
 
-Root::Root(Settings settings) {
-  Root* oldRoot = nullptr;
-  if (!s_singleton.compare_exchange_strong(oldRoot, this))
-    throw RootException("Singleton Root has been constructed twice");
-
+Root::Root(Settings settings) : RootBase() {
   m_settings = std::move(settings);
   if (m_settings.runtimeConfigFile)
     m_runtimeConfigFile = toStoragePath(*m_settings.runtimeConfigFile);
diff --git a/source/game/StarRoot.hpp b/source/game/StarRoot.hpp
index 576fe41..8015362 100644
--- a/source/game/StarRoot.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarRoot.hpp
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include "StarRootBase.hpp"
 #include "StarJson.hpp"
 #include "StarLogging.hpp"
 #include "StarListener.hpp"
-#include "StarAssets.hpp"
 #include "StarConfiguration.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
-STAR_CLASS(Configuration);
 STAR_CLASS(ItemDatabase);
 STAR_CLASS(MaterialDatabase);
 STAR_CLASS(ObjectDatabase);
@@ -50,15 +49,13 @@ STAR_CLASS(CollectionDatabase);
 
 STAR_CLASS(Root);
 
-STAR_EXCEPTION(RootException, StarException);
-
 // Singleton Root object for starbound providing access to the unique
 // Configuration class, as well as the assets, root factories, and databases.
 // Root, and all members of Root, should be thread safe.  Root initialization
 // should be completed before any code dependent on Root is started in any
 // thread, and all Root dependent code in any thread should be finished before
 // letting Root destruct.
-class Root {
+class Root : public RootBase {
 public:
   struct Settings {
     Assets::Settings assetsSettings;
@@ -135,8 +132,8 @@ public:
   // All of the Root member accessors are safe to call at any time after Root
   // initialization, if they are not loaded they will load before returning.
 
-  AssetsConstPtr assets();
-  ConfigurationPtr configuration();
+  AssetsConstPtr assets() override;
+  ConfigurationPtr configuration() override;
 
   ObjectDatabaseConstPtr objectDatabase();
   PlantDatabaseConstPtr plantDatabase();
@@ -164,7 +161,6 @@ public:
   TreasureDatabaseConstPtr treasureDatabase();
   DungeonDefinitionsConstPtr dungeonDefinitions();
   TilesetDatabaseConstPtr tilesetDatabase();
-  StatisticsDatabaseConstPtr statisicsDatabase();
   StatisticsDatabaseConstPtr statisticsDatabase();
   EmoteProcessorConstPtr emoteProcessor();
   SpeciesDatabaseConstPtr speciesDatabase();
@@ -191,8 +187,6 @@ private:
   // m_configurationMutex must be held when calling
   void writeConfig();
 
-  static atomic<Root*> s_singleton;
-
   Settings m_settings;
 
   Mutex m_modsMutex;