diff --git a/source/core/StarColor.cpp b/source/core/StarColor.cpp
index 0503f19..02b359a 100644
--- a/source/core/StarColor.cpp
+++ b/source/core/StarColor.cpp
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ Color::Color(const String& name) {
     if (i != NamedColors.end())
       *this = i->second;
     else
-      throw ColorException(strf("Named color %s not found", name));
+      throw ColorException(strf("Named color %s not found", name), false);
   }
 }
 
@@ -303,30 +303,7 @@ uint32_t Color::toUint32() const {
 }
 
 Color Color::fromHex(String const& s) {
-  uint8_t cbytes[4];
-
-  if (s.utf8Size() == 3) {
-    nibbleDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 3, (char*)cbytes, 4);
-    cbytes[0] = (cbytes[0] << 4) | cbytes[0];
-    cbytes[1] = (cbytes[1] << 4) | cbytes[1];
-    cbytes[2] = (cbytes[2] << 4) | cbytes[2];
-    cbytes[3] = 255;
-  } else if (s.utf8Size() == 4) {
-    nibbleDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 4, (char*)cbytes, 4);
-    cbytes[0] = (cbytes[0] << 4) | cbytes[0];
-    cbytes[1] = (cbytes[1] << 4) | cbytes[1];
-    cbytes[2] = (cbytes[2] << 4) | cbytes[2];
-    cbytes[3] = (cbytes[3] << 4) | cbytes[3];
-  } else if (s.utf8Size() == 6) {
-    hexDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 6, (char*)cbytes, 4);
-    cbytes[3] = 255;
-  } else if (s.utf8Size() == 8) {
-    hexDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 8, (char*)cbytes, 4);
-  } else {
-    throw ColorException(strf("Improper size for hex string '%s' in Color::fromHex", s));
-  }
-
-  return Color::rgba(cbytes[0], cbytes[1], cbytes[2], cbytes[3]);
+  return Color::rgba(hexToVec4B(s));
 }
 
 Vec4B Color::toRgba() const {
@@ -624,4 +601,31 @@ Vec4B Color::hueShiftVec4B(Vec4B color, float hue) {
   }
 }
 
+Vec4B Color::hexToVec4B(String const& s) {
+  Array<uint8_t, 4> cbytes;
+
+  if (s.utf8Size() == 3) {
+    nibbleDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 3, (char*)cbytes.data(), 4);
+    cbytes[0] = (cbytes[0] << 4) | cbytes[0];
+    cbytes[1] = (cbytes[1] << 4) | cbytes[1];
+    cbytes[2] = (cbytes[2] << 4) | cbytes[2];
+    cbytes[3] = 255;
+  } else if (s.utf8Size() == 4) {
+    nibbleDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 4, (char*)cbytes.data(), 4);
+    cbytes[0] = (cbytes[0] << 4) | cbytes[0];
+    cbytes[1] = (cbytes[1] << 4) | cbytes[1];
+    cbytes[2] = (cbytes[2] << 4) | cbytes[2];
+    cbytes[3] = (cbytes[3] << 4) | cbytes[3];
+  } else if (s.utf8Size() == 6) {
+    hexDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 6, (char*)cbytes.data(), 4);
+    cbytes[3] = 255;
+  } else if (s.utf8Size() == 8) {
+    hexDecode(s.utf8Ptr(), 8, (char*)cbytes.data(), 4);
+  } else {
+    throw ColorException(strf("Improper size for hex string '%s' in Color::hexToVec4B", s), false);
+  }
+
+  return Vec4B(move(cbytes));
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/source/core/StarColor.hpp b/source/core/StarColor.hpp
index e2fe2b5..68bcc10 100644
--- a/source/core/StarColor.hpp
+++ b/source/core/StarColor.hpp
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ public:
   static Color temperature(float temp);
 
   static Vec4B hueShiftVec4B(Vec4B color, float hue);
-
+  static Vec4B Color::hexToVec4B(String const& s);
   // Black
   Color();
 
diff --git a/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp b/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp
index 1245eae..5dd82cf 100644
--- a/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp
+++ b/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp
@@ -229,6 +229,10 @@ inline size_t DirectivesGroup::hash() const {
   return hasher.digest();
 }
 
+const List<Directives>& DirectivesGroup::list() const {
+  return m_directives;
+}
+
 bool operator==(DirectivesGroup const& a, DirectivesGroup const& b) {
   return a.compare(b);
 }
@@ -237,6 +241,21 @@ bool operator!=(DirectivesGroup const& a, DirectivesGroup const& b) {
   return !a.compare(b);
 }
 
+DataStream& operator>>(DataStream& ds, DirectivesGroup& directivesGroup) {
+  String string;
+  ds.read(string);
+
+  directivesGroup = move(DirectivesGroup(move(string)));
+
+  return ds;
+}
+
+DataStream& operator<<(DataStream& ds, DirectivesGroup const& directivesGroup) {
+  ds.write(directivesGroup.toString());
+
+  return ds;
+}
+
 size_t hash<DirectivesGroup>::operator()(DirectivesGroup const& s) const {
   return s.hash();
 }
diff --git a/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp b/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp
index 440b33a..dafa2a0 100644
--- a/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp
+++ b/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp
@@ -73,9 +73,13 @@ public:
   void applyExistingImage(Image& image) const;
   
   inline size_t hash() const;
+  const List<Directives>& list() const;
 
   friend bool operator==(DirectivesGroup const& a, DirectivesGroup const& b);
   friend bool operator!=(DirectivesGroup const& a, DirectivesGroup const& b);
+
+  friend DataStream& operator>>(DataStream& ds, DirectivesGroup& directives);
+  friend DataStream& operator<<(DataStream& ds, DirectivesGroup const& directives);
 private:
   void buildString(String& string, const DirectivesGroup& directives) const;
 
diff --git a/source/core/StarException.hpp b/source/core/StarException.hpp
index b427511..7e6fe3e 100644
--- a/source/core/StarException.hpp
+++ b/source/core/StarException.hpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ public:
   StarException() noexcept;
   virtual ~StarException() noexcept;
 
-  explicit StarException(std::string message) noexcept;
+  explicit StarException(std::string message, bool genStackTrace = true) noexcept;
   explicit StarException(std::exception const& cause) noexcept;
   StarException(std::string message, std::exception const& cause) noexcept;
 
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ public:
   friend OutputProxy outputException(std::exception const& e, bool fullStacktrace);
 
 protected:
-  StarException(char const* type, std::string message) noexcept;
+  StarException(char const* type, std::string message, bool genStackTrace = true) noexcept;
   StarException(char const* type, std::string message, std::exception const& cause) noexcept;
 
 private:
@@ -68,22 +68,22 @@ void fatalException(std::exception const& e, bool showStackTrace);
   {}
 #endif
 
-#define STAR_EXCEPTION(ClassName, BaseName)                                                                     \
-  class ClassName : public BaseName {                                                                           \
-  public:                                                                                                       \
-    template <typename... Args>                                                                                 \
-    static ClassName format(char const* fmt, Args const&... args) {                                             \
-      return ClassName(strf(fmt, args...));                                                                     \
-    }                                                                                                           \
-    ClassName() : BaseName(#ClassName, std::string()) {}                                                        \
-    explicit ClassName(std::string message) : BaseName(#ClassName, move(message)) {}                            \
-    explicit ClassName(std::exception const& cause) : BaseName(#ClassName, std::string(), cause) {}             \
-    ClassName(std::string message, std::exception const& cause) : BaseName(#ClassName, move(message), cause) {} \
-                                                                                                                \
-  protected:                                                                                                    \
-    ClassName(char const* type, std::string message) : BaseName(type, move(message)) {}                         \
-    ClassName(char const* type, std::string message, std::exception const& cause)                               \
-      : BaseName(type, move(message), cause) {}                                                                 \
+#define STAR_EXCEPTION(ClassName, BaseName)                                                                                \
+  class ClassName : public BaseName {                                                                                      \
+  public:                                                                                                                  \
+    template <typename... Args>                                                                                            \
+    static ClassName format(char const* fmt, Args const&... args) {                                                        \
+      return ClassName(strf(fmt, args...));                                                                                \
+    }                                                                                                                      \
+    ClassName() : BaseName(#ClassName, std::string()) {}                                                                   \
+    explicit ClassName(std::string message, bool genStackTrace = true) : BaseName(#ClassName, move(message), genStackTrace) {}    \
+    explicit ClassName(std::exception const& cause) : BaseName(#ClassName, std::string(), cause) {}                        \
+    ClassName(std::string message, std::exception const& cause) : BaseName(#ClassName, move(message), cause) {}            \
+                                                                                                                           \
+  protected:                                                                                                               \
+    ClassName(char const* type, std::string message, bool genStackTrace = true) : BaseName(type, move(message), genStackTrace) {} \
+    ClassName(char const* type, std::string message, std::exception const& cause)                                          \
+      : BaseName(type, move(message), cause) {}                                                                            \
   }
 
 STAR_EXCEPTION(OutOfRangeException, StarException);
diff --git a/source/core/StarException_unix.cpp b/source/core/StarException_unix.cpp
index db23c7c..578c0b4 100644
--- a/source/core/StarException_unix.cpp
+++ b/source/core/StarException_unix.cpp
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ StarException::StarException() noexcept
 
 StarException::~StarException() noexcept {}
 
-StarException::StarException(std::string message) noexcept
-  : StarException("StarException", move(message)) {}
+StarException::StarException(std::string message, bool genStackTrace) noexcept
+  : StarException("StarException", move(message), genStackTrace) {}
 
 StarException::StarException(std::exception const& cause) noexcept
   : StarException("StarException", std::string(), cause) {}
@@ -56,19 +56,19 @@ const char* StarException::what() const throw() {
   return m_whatBuffer.c_str();
 }
 
-StarException::StarException(char const* type, std::string message) noexcept {
-  auto printException = [](std::ostream& os, bool fullStacktrace, char const* type, std::string message, StackCapture stack) {
+StarException::StarException(char const* type, std::string message, bool genStackTrace) noexcept {
+  auto printException = [](std::ostream& os, bool fullStacktrace, char const* type, std::string message, Maybe<StackCapture> stack) {
     os << "(" << type << ")";
     if (!message.empty())
       os << " " << message;
 
-    if (fullStacktrace) {
+    if (fullStacktrace && stack) {
       os << std::endl;
-      os << outputStack(stack);
+      os << outputStack(*stack);
     }
   };
 
-  m_printException = bind(printException, _1, _2, type, move(message), captureStack());
+  m_printException = bind(printException, _1, _2, type, move(message), genStackTrace ? captureStack() : Maybe<StackCapture>());
 }
 
 StarException::StarException(char const* type, std::string message, std::exception const& cause) noexcept
diff --git a/source/core/StarException_windows.cpp b/source/core/StarException_windows.cpp
index 8892eb2..ca81332 100644
--- a/source/core/StarException_windows.cpp
+++ b/source/core/StarException_windows.cpp
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ StarException::StarException() noexcept : StarException(std::string("StarExcepti
 
 StarException::~StarException() noexcept {}
 
-StarException::StarException(std::string message) noexcept : StarException("StarException", move(message)) {}
+StarException::StarException(std::string message, bool genStackTrace) noexcept : StarException("StarException", move(message), genStackTrace) {}
 
 StarException::StarException(std::exception const& cause) noexcept
     : StarException("StarException", std::string(), cause) {}
@@ -162,20 +162,20 @@ const char* StarException::what() const throw() {
   return m_whatBuffer.c_str();
 }
 
-StarException::StarException(char const* type, std::string message) noexcept {
+StarException::StarException(char const* type, std::string message, bool genStackTrace) noexcept {
   auto printException = [](
-      std::ostream& os, bool fullStacktrace, char const* type, std::string message, StackCapture stack) {
+      std::ostream& os, bool fullStacktrace, char const* type, std::string message, Maybe<StackCapture> stack) {
     os << "(" << type << ")";
     if (!message.empty())
       os << " " << message;
 
-    if (fullStacktrace) {
+    if (fullStacktrace && stack) {
       os << std::endl;
-      os << outputStack(stack);
+      os << outputStack(*stack);
     }
   };
 
-  m_printException = bind(printException, _1, _2, type, move(message), captureStack());
+  m_printException = bind(printException, _1, _2, type, move(message), genStackTrace ? captureStack() : Maybe<StackCapture>());
 }
 
 StarException::StarException(char const* type, std::string message, std::exception const& cause) noexcept
diff --git a/source/core/StarImageProcessing.cpp b/source/core/StarImageProcessing.cpp
index c2f980e..56ac130 100644
--- a/source/core/StarImageProcessing.cpp
+++ b/source/core/StarImageProcessing.cpp
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ ImageOperation imageOperationFromString(String const& string) {
     } else if (type == "replace") {
       ColorReplaceImageOperation operation;
       for (size_t i = 0; i < (bits.size() - 1) / 2; ++i)
-        operation.colorReplaceMap[Color::fromHex(bits[i * 2 + 1]).toRgba()] = Color::fromHex(bits[i * 2 + 2]).toRgba();
+        operation.colorReplaceMap[Color::hexToVec4B(bits[i * 2 + 1])] = Color::hexToVec4B(bits[i * 2 + 2]);
 
       return operation;
 
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ ImageOperation imageOperationFromString(String const& string) {
       return FlipImageOperation{FlipImageOperation::FlipXY};
 
     } else {
-      throw ImageOperationException(strf("Could not recognize ImageOperation type %s", type));
+      throw ImageOperationException(strf("Could not recognize ImageOperation type %s", type), false);
     }
   } catch (OutOfRangeException const& e) {
     throw ImageOperationException("Error reading ImageOperation", e);
diff --git a/source/game/StarArmorWearer.cpp b/source/game/StarArmorWearer.cpp
index bb091e2..fe61bad 100644
--- a/source/game/StarArmorWearer.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarArmorWearer.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 namespace Star {
 
-ArmorWearer::ArmorWearer() : m_lastNude(true), m_needsHumanoidSync(true) {
+ArmorWearer::ArmorWearer() : m_lastNude(true) {
   addNetElement(&m_headItemDataNetState);
   addNetElement(&m_chestItemDataNetState);
   addNetElement(&m_legsItemDataNetState);
@@ -25,26 +25,34 @@ ArmorWearer::ArmorWearer() : m_lastNude(true), m_needsHumanoidSync(true) {
   addNetElement(&m_chestCosmeticItemDataNetState);
   addNetElement(&m_legsCosmeticItemDataNetState);
   addNetElement(&m_backCosmeticItemDataNetState);
+
+  m_headNeedsSync = m_chestNeedsSync = m_legsNeedsSync = m_backNeedsSync = true;
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::setupHumanoidClothingDrawables(Humanoid& humanoid, bool forceNude) {
-  if (m_lastNude != forceNude)
+  bool nudeChanged = m_lastNude != forceNude;
+  if (nudeChanged)
     m_lastNude = forceNude;
-  else if (!m_needsHumanoidSync)
-    return;
 
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = false;
+  bool headNeedsSync  = nudeChanged  || m_headNeedsSync;
+  bool chestNeedsSync = nudeChanged  || m_chestNeedsSync;
+  bool legsNeedsSync  = nudeChanged  || m_legsNeedsSync;
+  bool backNeedsSync  = nudeChanged  || m_backNeedsSync;
 
   bool bodyHidden = false;
   if (m_headCosmeticItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setHeadArmorFrameset(m_headCosmeticItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setHeadArmorDirectives(m_headCosmeticItem->directives());
-    humanoid.setHelmetMaskDirectives(m_headCosmeticItem->maskDirectives());
+    if (headNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setHeadArmorFrameset(m_headCosmeticItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setHeadArmorDirectives(m_headCosmeticItem->directives());
+      humanoid.setHelmetMaskDirectives(m_headCosmeticItem->maskDirectives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_headCosmeticItem->hideBody();
   } else if (m_headItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setHeadArmorFrameset(m_headItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setHeadArmorDirectives(m_headItem->directives());
-    humanoid.setHelmetMaskDirectives(m_headItem->maskDirectives());
+    if (headNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setHeadArmorFrameset(m_headItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setHeadArmorDirectives(m_headItem->directives());
+      humanoid.setHelmetMaskDirectives(m_headItem->maskDirectives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_headItem->hideBody();
   } else {
     humanoid.setHeadArmorFrameset("");
@@ -52,16 +60,20 @@ void ArmorWearer::setupHumanoidClothingDrawables(Humanoid& humanoid, bool forceN
   }
 
   if (m_chestCosmeticItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setBackSleeveFrameset(m_chestCosmeticItem->backSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setFrontSleeveFrameset(m_chestCosmeticItem->frontSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setChestArmorFrameset(m_chestCosmeticItem->bodyFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setChestArmorDirectives(m_chestCosmeticItem->directives());
+    if (chestNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setBackSleeveFrameset(m_chestCosmeticItem->backSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setFrontSleeveFrameset(m_chestCosmeticItem->frontSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setChestArmorFrameset(m_chestCosmeticItem->bodyFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setChestArmorDirectives(m_chestCosmeticItem->directives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_chestCosmeticItem->hideBody();
   } else if (m_chestItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setBackSleeveFrameset(m_chestItem->backSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setFrontSleeveFrameset(m_chestItem->frontSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setChestArmorFrameset(m_chestItem->bodyFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setChestArmorDirectives(m_chestItem->directives());
+    if (chestNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setBackSleeveFrameset(m_chestItem->backSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setFrontSleeveFrameset(m_chestItem->frontSleeveFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setChestArmorFrameset(m_chestItem->bodyFrameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setChestArmorDirectives(m_chestItem->directives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_chestItem->hideBody();
   } else {
     humanoid.setBackSleeveFrameset("");
@@ -70,29 +82,39 @@ void ArmorWearer::setupHumanoidClothingDrawables(Humanoid& humanoid, bool forceN
   }
 
   if (m_legsCosmeticItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setLegsArmorFrameset(m_legsCosmeticItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setLegsArmorDirectives(m_legsCosmeticItem->directives());
+    if (legsNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setLegsArmorFrameset(m_legsCosmeticItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setLegsArmorDirectives(m_legsCosmeticItem->directives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_legsCosmeticItem->hideBody();
   } else if (m_legsItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setLegsArmorFrameset(m_legsItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setLegsArmorDirectives(m_legsItem->directives());
+    if (legsNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setLegsArmorFrameset(m_legsItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setLegsArmorDirectives(m_legsItem->directives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_legsItem->hideBody();
   } else {
     humanoid.setLegsArmorFrameset("");
   }
 
   if (m_backCosmeticItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setBackArmorFrameset(m_backCosmeticItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setBackArmorDirectives(m_backCosmeticItem->directives());
+    if (backNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setBackArmorFrameset(m_backCosmeticItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setBackArmorDirectives(m_backCosmeticItem->directives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_backCosmeticItem->hideBody();
   } else if (m_backItem && !forceNude) {
-    humanoid.setBackArmorFrameset(m_backItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
-    humanoid.setBackArmorDirectives(m_backItem->directives());
+    if (backNeedsSync) {
+      humanoid.setBackArmorFrameset(m_backItem->frameset(humanoid.identity().gender));
+      humanoid.setBackArmorDirectives(m_backItem->directives());
+    }
     bodyHidden = bodyHidden || m_backItem->hideBody();
   } else {
     humanoid.setBackArmorFrameset("");
   }
 
+  m_headNeedsSync = m_chestNeedsSync = m_legsNeedsSync = m_backNeedsSync = false;
+
   humanoid.setBodyHidden(bodyHidden);
 }
 
@@ -171,56 +193,56 @@ void ArmorWearer::setHeadItem(HeadArmorPtr headItem) {
   if (Item::itemsEqual(m_headItem, headItem))
     return;
   m_headItem = headItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
+  m_headNeedsSync |= !m_headCosmeticItem;
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::setHeadCosmeticItem(HeadArmorPtr headCosmeticItem) {
   if (Item::itemsEqual(m_headCosmeticItem, headCosmeticItem))
     return;
   m_headCosmeticItem = headCosmeticItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
-}
-
-void ArmorWearer::setChestCosmeticItem(ChestArmorPtr chestCosmeticItem) {
-  if (Item::itemsEqual(m_chestCosmeticItem, chestCosmeticItem))
-    return;
-  m_chestCosmeticItem = chestCosmeticItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
+  m_headNeedsSync = true;
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::setChestItem(ChestArmorPtr chestItem) {
   if (Item::itemsEqual(m_chestItem, chestItem))
     return;
   m_chestItem = chestItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
+  m_chestNeedsSync |= !m_chestCosmeticItem;
+}
+
+void ArmorWearer::setChestCosmeticItem(ChestArmorPtr chestCosmeticItem) {
+  if (Item::itemsEqual(m_chestCosmeticItem, chestCosmeticItem))
+    return;
+  m_chestCosmeticItem = chestCosmeticItem;
+  m_chestNeedsSync = true;
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::setLegsItem(LegsArmorPtr legsItem) {
   if (Item::itemsEqual(m_legsItem, legsItem))
     return;
   m_legsItem = legsItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
+  m_legsNeedsSync |= !m_legsCosmeticItem;
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::setLegsCosmeticItem(LegsArmorPtr legsCosmeticItem) {
   if (Item::itemsEqual(m_legsCosmeticItem, legsCosmeticItem))
     return;
   m_legsCosmeticItem = legsCosmeticItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
+  m_legsNeedsSync = true;
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::setBackItem(BackArmorPtr backItem) {
   if (Item::itemsEqual(m_backItem, backItem))
     return;
   m_backItem = backItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
+  m_backNeedsSync |= !m_backCosmeticItem;
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::setBackCosmeticItem(BackArmorPtr backCosmeticItem) {
   if (Item::itemsEqual(m_backCosmeticItem, backCosmeticItem))
     return;
   m_backCosmeticItem = backCosmeticItem;
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = true;
+  m_backNeedsSync = true;
 }
 
 HeadArmorPtr ArmorWearer::headItem() const {
@@ -306,26 +328,23 @@ ItemDescriptor ArmorWearer::backCosmeticItemDescriptor() const {
 void ArmorWearer::netElementsNeedLoad(bool) {
   auto itemDatabase = Root::singleton().itemDatabase();
 
-  bool changed = false;
-  if (m_headItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_headItemDataNetState.get(), m_headItem);
-  if (m_chestItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_chestItemDataNetState.get(), m_chestItem);
-  if (m_legsItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_legsItemDataNetState.get(), m_legsItem);
-  if (m_backItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_backItemDataNetState.get(), m_backItem);
-
   if (m_headCosmeticItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_headCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_headCosmeticItem);
+    m_headNeedsSync |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_headCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_headCosmeticItem);
   if (m_chestCosmeticItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_chestCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_chestCosmeticItem);
+    m_chestNeedsSync |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_chestCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_chestCosmeticItem);
   if (m_legsCosmeticItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_legsCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_legsCosmeticItem);
+    m_legsNeedsSync |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_legsCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_legsCosmeticItem);
   if (m_backCosmeticItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
-    changed |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_backCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_backCosmeticItem);
+    m_backNeedsSync |= itemDatabase->loadItem(m_backCosmeticItemDataNetState.get(), m_backCosmeticItem);
 
-  m_needsHumanoidSync = changed;
+  if (m_headItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
+    m_headNeedsSync |= !m_headCosmeticItem && itemDatabase->loadItem(m_headItemDataNetState.get(), m_headItem);
+  if (m_chestItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
+    m_chestNeedsSync |= !m_chestCosmeticItem && itemDatabase->loadItem(m_chestItemDataNetState.get(), m_chestItem);
+  if (m_legsItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
+    m_legsNeedsSync |= !m_legsCosmeticItem && itemDatabase->loadItem(m_legsItemDataNetState.get(), m_legsItem);
+  if (m_backItemDataNetState.pullUpdated())
+    m_backNeedsSync |= !m_backCosmeticItem && itemDatabase->loadItem(m_backItemDataNetState.get(), m_backItem);
 }
 
 void ArmorWearer::netElementsNeedStore() {
diff --git a/source/game/StarArmorWearer.hpp b/source/game/StarArmorWearer.hpp
index e4ddf01..3b02ab2 100644
--- a/source/game/StarArmorWearer.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarArmorWearer.hpp
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ public:
 
   void setHeadItem(HeadArmorPtr headItem);
   void setHeadCosmeticItem(HeadArmorPtr headCosmeticItem);
-  void setChestCosmeticItem(ChestArmorPtr chestCosmeticItem);
   void setChestItem(ChestArmorPtr chestItem);
+  void setChestCosmeticItem(ChestArmorPtr chestCosmeticItem);
   void setLegsItem(LegsArmorPtr legsItem);
   void setLegsCosmeticItem(LegsArmorPtr legsCosmeticItem);
   void setBackItem(BackArmorPtr backItem);
@@ -84,7 +84,10 @@ private:
   NetElementData<ItemDescriptor> m_backCosmeticItemDataNetState;
 
   bool m_lastNude;
-  bool m_needsHumanoidSync;
+  bool m_headNeedsSync;
+  bool m_chestNeedsSync;
+  bool m_legsNeedsSync;
+  bool m_backNeedsSync;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp b/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp
index aeb8cb6..90b36c5 100644
--- a/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,28 @@ Drawable::ImagePart& Drawable::ImagePart::addDirectives(Directives const& direct
   return *this;
 }
 
+Drawable::ImagePart& Drawable::ImagePart::addDirectivesGroup(DirectivesGroup const& directivesGroup, bool keepImageCenterPosition) {
+  if (directivesGroup.empty())
+    return *this;
+
+  if (keepImageCenterPosition) {
+    auto imageMetadata = Root::singleton().imageMetadataDatabase();
+    Vec2F imageSize = Vec2F(imageMetadata->imageSize(image));
+    for (Directives const& directives : directivesGroup.list())
+      image.directives += directives;
+    Vec2F newImageSize = Vec2F(imageMetadata->imageSize(image));
+
+    // If we are trying to maintain the image center, PRE translate the image by
+    // the change in size / 2
+    transformation *= Mat3F::translation((imageSize - newImageSize) / 2);
+  } else {
+    for (Directives const& directives : directivesGroup.list())
+       image.directives += directives;
+  }
+
+  return *this;
+}
+
 Drawable::ImagePart& Drawable::ImagePart::removeDirectives(bool keepImageCenterPosition) {
   if (keepImageCenterPosition) {
     auto imageMetadata = Root::singleton().imageMetadataDatabase();
diff --git a/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp b/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp
index cf1c8c8..f707eec 100644
--- a/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ struct Drawable {
     // transformed center of the image the same if the directives change the
     // image size.
     ImagePart& addDirectives(Directives const& directives, bool keepImageCenterPosition = false);
+    ImagePart& addDirectivesGroup(DirectivesGroup const& directivesGroup, bool keepImageCenterPosition = false);
 
     // Remove directives from this ImagePart, while optionally keeping the
     // transformed center of the image the same if the directives change the
diff --git a/source/game/StarMonster.cpp b/source/game/StarMonster.cpp
index a4ce597..2b994d9 100644
--- a/source/game/StarMonster.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarMonster.cpp
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ void Monster::update(uint64_t) {
 void Monster::render(RenderCallback* renderCallback) {
   for (auto& drawable : m_networkedAnimator.drawables(position())) {
     if (drawable.isImage())
-      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(m_statusController->parentDirectives(), true);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectivesGroup(m_statusController->parentDirectives(), true);
     renderCallback->addDrawable(move(drawable), m_monsterVariant.renderLayer);
   }
 
diff --git a/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.cpp b/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.cpp
index aadbda6..db3524b 100644
--- a/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.cpp
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ void NetworkedAnimator::setPartTag(String const& partType, String tagName, Strin
   m_partTags[partType].set(move(tagName), move(tagValue));
 }
 
-void NetworkedAnimator::setProcessingDirectives(String const& directives) {
+void NetworkedAnimator::setProcessingDirectives(Directives const& directives) {
   m_processingDirectives.set(directives);
 }
 
@@ -562,8 +562,7 @@ List<Drawable> NetworkedAnimator::drawables(Vec2F const& position) const {
 }
 
 List<pair<Drawable, float>> NetworkedAnimator::drawablesWithZLevel(Vec2F const& position) const {
-  String baseProcessingDirectives = "?";
-  baseProcessingDirectives.append(m_processingDirectives.get());
+  List<Directives> baseProcessingDirectives = { m_processingDirectives.get() };
   for (auto& pair : m_effects) {
     auto const& effectState = pair.second;
 
@@ -571,11 +570,9 @@ List<pair<Drawable, float>> NetworkedAnimator::drawablesWithZLevel(Vec2F const&
       auto const& effect = m_effects.get(pair.first);
       if (effect.type == "flash") {
         if (effectState.timer > effect.time / 2) {
-          baseProcessingDirectives.append("?");
           baseProcessingDirectives.append(effect.directives);
         }
       } else if (effect.type == "directive") {
-        baseProcessingDirectives.append("?");
         baseProcessingDirectives.append(effect.directives);
       } else {
         throw NetworkedAnimatorException(strf("No such NetworkedAnimator effect type '%s'", effect.type));
@@ -595,10 +592,9 @@ List<pair<Drawable, float>> NetworkedAnimator::drawablesWithZLevel(Vec2F const&
         maybeZLevel = activePart.properties.value("flippedZLevel").optFloat().orMaybe(maybeZLevel);
       float zLevel = maybeZLevel.value(0.0f);
 
-      String processingDirectives = baseProcessingDirectives;
+      size_t originalDirectivesSize = baseProcessingDirectives.size();
       if (auto directives = activePart.properties.value("processingDirectives").optString()) {
-        processingDirectives.append("?");
-        processingDirectives.append(*directives);
+        baseProcessingDirectives.append(*directives);
       }
 
       Maybe<unsigned> frame;
@@ -606,8 +602,7 @@ List<pair<Drawable, float>> NetworkedAnimator::drawablesWithZLevel(Vec2F const&
         frame = activePart.activeState->frame;
 
         if (auto directives = activePart.activeState->properties.value("processingDirectives").optString()) {
-          processingDirectives.append("?");
-          processingDirectives.append(*directives);
+          baseProcessingDirectives.append(*directives);
         }
       }
 
@@ -629,9 +624,12 @@ List<pair<Drawable, float>> NetworkedAnimator::drawablesWithZLevel(Vec2F const&
       });
 
       if (!image.empty() && image[0] != ':' && image[0] != '?') {
-        image = AssetPath::relativeTo(m_relativePath, image) + processingDirectives;
+        image = AssetPath::relativeTo(m_relativePath, image);
 
         auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, centered, Vec2F());
+        auto& imagePart = drawable.imagePart();
+        for (Directives const& directives : baseProcessingDirectives)
+          imagePart.addDirectives(directives);
         drawable.transform(partTransformation(partName));
         drawable.transform(globalTransformation());
         drawable.fullbright = fullbright;
@@ -639,6 +637,8 @@ List<pair<Drawable, float>> NetworkedAnimator::drawablesWithZLevel(Vec2F const&
 
         drawables.append({move(drawable), zLevel});
       }
+
+      baseProcessingDirectives.resize(originalDirectivesSize);
     });
 
   sort(drawables, [](auto const& a, auto const& b) { return a.second < b.second; });
diff --git a/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.hpp b/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.hpp
index 17fdcad..dc6d299 100644
--- a/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarNetworkedAnimator.hpp
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ public:
   void setGlobalTag(String tagName, String tagValue);
   void setPartTag(String const& partType, String tagName, String tagValue);
 
-  void setProcessingDirectives(String const& directives);
+  void setProcessingDirectives(Directives const& directives);
   void setZoom(float zoom);
   bool flipped() const;
   float flippedRelativeCenterLine() const;
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ private:
   struct Effect {
     String type;
     float time;
-    String directives;
+    Directives directives;
 
     NetElementBool enabled;
     float timer;
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ private:
   OrderedHashMap<String, Sound> m_sounds;
   OrderedHashMap<String, Effect> m_effects;
 
-  NetElementString m_processingDirectives;
+  NetElementData<Directives> m_processingDirectives;
   NetElementFloat m_zoom;
 
   NetElementBool m_flipped;
diff --git a/source/game/StarNpc.cpp b/source/game/StarNpc.cpp
index 62b2c06..b7a07ae 100644
--- a/source/game/StarNpc.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarNpc.cpp
@@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ void Npc::render(RenderCallback* renderCallback) {
   for (auto& drawable : m_humanoid.render()) {
     drawable.translate(position());
     if (drawable.isImage())
-      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(m_statusController->parentDirectives(), true);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectivesGroup(m_statusController->parentDirectives(), true);
     renderCallback->addDrawable(move(drawable), renderLayer);
   }
 
diff --git a/source/game/StarPlayer.cpp b/source/game/StarPlayer.cpp
index 0f7484a..bb47704 100644
--- a/source/game/StarPlayer.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarPlayer.cpp
@@ -353,11 +353,11 @@ List<Drawable> Player::drawables() const {
       for (auto& drawable : m_humanoid->render()) {
         drawable.translate(position() + m_techController->parentOffset());
         if (drawable.isImage()) {
-          drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(m_techController->parentDirectives(), true);
-          drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(m_statusController->parentDirectives(), true);
+          drawable.imagePart().addDirectivesGroup(m_techController->parentDirectives(), true);
+          drawable.imagePart().addDirectivesGroup(m_statusController->parentDirectives(), true);
 
           if (auto anchor = as<LoungeAnchor>(m_movementController->entityAnchor())) {
-            if (auto directives = anchor->directives)
+            if (auto& directives = anchor->directives)
               drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(*directives, true);
           }
         }
diff --git a/source/game/StarStatusController.cpp b/source/game/StarStatusController.cpp
index 3b794f0..8e26cdc 100644
--- a/source/game/StarStatusController.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarStatusController.cpp
@@ -337,11 +337,11 @@ bool StatusController::uniqueStatusEffectActive(String const& effectName) const
   return false;
 }
 
-String StatusController::primaryDirectives() const {
+const Directives& StatusController::primaryDirectives() const {
   return m_primaryDirectives;
 }
 
-void StatusController::setPrimaryDirectives(String const& directives) {
+void StatusController::setPrimaryDirectives(Directives const& directives) {
   m_primaryDirectives = directives;
 }
 
@@ -509,11 +509,11 @@ void StatusController::tickMaster() {
       removeUniqueEffect(key);
   }
 
-  String parentDirectives = m_primaryDirectives;
-  for (auto const& pair : m_uniqueEffects) {
-    parentDirectives.append("?");
+  DirectivesGroup parentDirectives;
+  parentDirectives.append(m_primaryDirectives);
+  for (auto const& pair : m_uniqueEffects)
     parentDirectives.append(pair.second.parentDirectives);
-  }
+
   m_parentDirectives.set(move(parentDirectives));
 
   updateAnimators();
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ void StatusController::tickSlave() {
   updateAnimators();
 }
 
-String StatusController::parentDirectives() const {
+const DirectivesGroup& StatusController::parentDirectives() const {
   return m_parentDirectives.get();
 }
 
diff --git a/source/game/StarStatusController.hpp b/source/game/StarStatusController.hpp
index 3789bff..4e9839f 100644
--- a/source/game/StarStatusController.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarStatusController.hpp
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@ public:
 
   bool uniqueStatusEffectActive(String const& effectName) const;
 
-  String primaryDirectives() const;
-  void setPrimaryDirectives(String const& directives);
+  const Directives& primaryDirectives() const;
+  void setPrimaryDirectives(Directives const& directives);
 
   // damage request and notification methods should only be called on the master controller.
   List<DamageNotification> applyDamageRequest(DamageRequest const& damageRequest);
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ public:
   void tickMaster();
   void tickSlave();
 
-  String parentDirectives() const;
+  const DirectivesGroup& parentDirectives() const;
   List<Drawable> drawables() const;
   List<LightSource> lightSources() const;
   List<OverheadBar> overheadBars();
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ private:
 
   struct UniqueEffectInstance {
     UniqueStatusEffectConfig effectConfig;
-    String parentDirectives;
+    Directives parentDirectives;
     HashSet<StatModifierGroupId> modifierGroups;
     StatScript script;
     UniqueEffectMetadataGroup::ElementId metadataId;
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ private:
   NetElementGroup m_netGroup;
   StatCollection m_statCollection;
   NetElementData<JsonObject> m_statusProperties;
-  NetElementString m_parentDirectives;
+  NetElementData<DirectivesGroup> m_parentDirectives;
 
   UniqueEffectMetadataGroup m_uniqueEffectMetadata;
   EffectAnimatorGroup m_effectAnimators;
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ private:
 
   Maybe<String> m_primaryAnimationConfig;
   StatScript m_primaryScript;
-  String m_primaryDirectives;
+  Directives m_primaryDirectives;
   EffectAnimatorGroup::ElementId m_primaryAnimatorId;
 
   List<DamageNotification> m_pendingSelfDamageNotifications;
diff --git a/source/game/StarTechController.cpp b/source/game/StarTechController.cpp
index 1734c61..7ceb54e 100644
--- a/source/game/StarTechController.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarTechController.cpp
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ Maybe<TechController::ParentState> TechController::parentState() const {
   return m_parentState.get();
 }
 
-String TechController::parentDirectives() const {
+DirectivesGroup const& TechController::parentDirectives() const {
   return m_parentDirectives.get();
 }
 
@@ -501,10 +501,11 @@ LuaCallbacks TechController::makeTechCallbacks(TechModule& techModule) {
 
   callbacks.registerCallback("setParentDirectives", [this, &techModule](Maybe<String> const& directives) {
       techModule.parentDirectives = directives.value();
-      String newParentDirectives;
+
+      DirectivesGroup newParentDirectives;
       for (auto& module : m_techModules)
-        newParentDirectives += module.parentDirectives;
-      m_parentDirectives.set(newParentDirectives);
+        newParentDirectives.append(module.parentDirectives);
+      m_parentDirectives.set(move(newParentDirectives));
     });
 
   callbacks.registerCallback("setParentHidden", [this](bool hidden) {
diff --git a/source/game/StarTechController.hpp b/source/game/StarTechController.hpp
index badc4ec..584cf5d 100644
--- a/source/game/StarTechController.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarTechController.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "StarLuaComponents.hpp"
 #include "StarLuaActorMovementComponent.hpp"
 #include "StarTechDatabase.hpp"
+#include "StarDirectives.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ public:
   void tickSlave();
 
   Maybe<ParentState> parentState() const;
-  String parentDirectives() const;
+  DirectivesGroup const& parentDirectives() const;
   Vec2F parentOffset() const;
   bool toolUsageSuppressed() const;
 
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ private:
         scriptComponent;
     bool visible;
     bool toolUsageSuppressed;
-    String parentDirectives;
+    Directives parentDirectives;
     TechAnimatorGroup::ElementId animatorId;
   };
 
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ private:
   Vec2F m_aimPosition;
 
   NetElementData<Maybe<ParentState>> m_parentState;
-  NetElementString m_parentDirectives;
+  NetElementData<DirectivesGroup> m_parentDirectives;
   NetElementFloat m_xParentOffset;
   NetElementFloat m_yParentOffset;
   NetElementBool m_parentHidden;
diff --git a/source/game/interfaces/StarLoungingEntities.hpp b/source/game/interfaces/StarLoungingEntities.hpp
index bec553c..282fe2c 100644
--- a/source/game/interfaces/StarLoungingEntities.hpp
+++ b/source/game/interfaces/StarLoungingEntities.hpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ struct LoungeAnchor : EntityAnchor {
   StringSet effectEmitters;
   Maybe<String> emote;
   Maybe<String> dance;
-  Maybe<String> directives;
+  Maybe<Directives> directives;
   JsonObject armorCosmeticOverrides;
   Maybe<String> cursorOverride;
   bool cameraFocus;