diff --git a/source/base/StarAssets.cpp b/source/base/StarAssets.cpp
index 6bd9c09..e5313ea 100644
--- a/source/base/StarAssets.cpp
+++ b/source/base/StarAssets.cpp
@@ -234,11 +234,10 @@ void Assets::queueJsons(StringList const& paths) const {
   }));
 }
 
-ImageConstPtr Assets::image(String const& path) const {
-  auto components = AssetPath::split(path);
-  validatePath(components, true, true);
+ImageConstPtr Assets::image(AssetPath const& path) const {
+  validatePath(path, true, true);
 
-  return as<ImageData>(getAsset(AssetId{AssetType::Image, move(components)}))->image;
+  return as<ImageData>(getAsset(AssetId{AssetType::Image, path}))->image;
 }
 
 void Assets::queueImages(StringList const& paths) const {
@@ -250,11 +249,10 @@ void Assets::queueImages(StringList const& paths) const {
   }));
 }
 
-ImageConstPtr Assets::tryImage(String const& path) const {
-  auto components = AssetPath::split(path);
-  validatePath(components, true, true);
+ImageConstPtr Assets::tryImage(AssetPath const& path) const {
+  validatePath(path, true, true);
 
-  if (auto imageData = as<ImageData>(tryAsset(AssetId{AssetType::Image, move(components)})))
+  if (auto imageData = as<ImageData>(tryAsset(AssetId{AssetType::Image, path})))
     return imageData->image;
   else
     return {};
diff --git a/source/base/StarAssets.hpp b/source/base/StarAssets.hpp
index f6dc70a..15b3b50 100644
--- a/source/base/StarAssets.hpp
+++ b/source/base/StarAssets.hpp
@@ -119,12 +119,12 @@ public:
   // <full-path-minus-extension>.frames or default.frames, going up to assets
   // root.  May return the same ImageConstPtr for different paths if the paths
   // are equivalent or they are aliases of other image paths.
-  ImageConstPtr image(String const& path) const;
+  ImageConstPtr image(AssetPath const& path) const;
   // Load images using background processing
   void queueImages(StringList const& paths) const;
   // Return the given image *if* it is already loaded, otherwise queue it for
   // loading.
-  ImageConstPtr tryImage(String const& path) const;
+  ImageConstPtr tryImage(AssetPath const& path) const;
 
   // Returns the best associated FramesSpecification for a given image path, if
   // it exists.  The given path must not contain sub-paths or directives, and
diff --git a/source/core/StarAssetPath.cpp b/source/core/StarAssetPath.cpp
index eb1cd4d..b49f24d 100644
--- a/source/core/StarAssetPath.cpp
+++ b/source/core/StarAssetPath.cpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ AssetPath AssetPath::split(String const& path) {
       ++i;
     }
 
-    if (!directives.empty());
+    if (!directives.empty())
       components.directives.append(move(directives));
   }
 
@@ -178,4 +178,8 @@ std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& os, AssetPath const& rhs) {
   return os;
 }
 
+size_t hash<AssetPath>::operator()(AssetPath const& s) const {
+  return hashOf(s.basePath, s.subPath, s.directives);
+}
+
 }
diff --git a/source/core/StarAssetPath.hpp b/source/core/StarAssetPath.hpp
index 3ca3f60..fd77005 100644
--- a/source/core/StarAssetPath.hpp
+++ b/source/core/StarAssetPath.hpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #define STAR_ASSET_PATH_HPP
 
 #include "StarDirectives.hpp"
+#include "StarHash.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -64,6 +65,11 @@ struct AssetPath {
 
 std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& os, AssetPath const& rhs);
 
+template <>
+struct hash<AssetPath> {
+  size_t operator()(AssetPath const& s) const;
+};
+
 }
 
 #endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp b/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp
index e486ea9..8dcf8da 100644
--- a/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp
+++ b/source/core/StarDirectives.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,16 @@ Directives::Entry::Entry(ImageOperation&& newOperation, String&& newString) {
   string = move(newString);
 }
 
+Directives::Entry::Entry(ImageOperation const& newOperation, String const& newString) {
+  operation = newOperation;
+  string = newString;
+}
+
+Directives::Entry::Entry(Entry const& other) {
+  operation = other.operation;
+  string = other.string;
+}
+
 Directives::Directives() {}
 Directives::Directives(String const& directives) {
   parse(directives);
@@ -20,6 +30,17 @@ Directives::Directives(String&& directives) {
   parse(mine);
 }
 
+Directives::Directives(const char* directives) {
+  String string(directives);
+  parse(string);
+}
+
+Directives::Directives(List<Entry>&& newEntries) {
+  entries = std::make_shared<List<Entry> const>(move(newEntries));
+  String directives = toString(); // This needs to be better
+  hash = XXH3_64bits(directives.utf8Ptr(), directives.utf8Size());
+}
+
 void Directives::parse(String const& directives) {
   List<Entry> newList;
   StringList split = directives.split('?');
@@ -41,6 +62,32 @@ void Directives::buildString(String& out) const {
   }
 }
 
+String Directives::toString() const {
+  String result;
+  buildString(result);
+  return result;
+}
+
+inline bool Directives::empty() const {
+  return entries->empty();
+}
+
+
+DataStream& operator>>(DataStream& ds, Directives& directives) {
+  String string;
+  ds.read(string);
+
+  directives.parse(string);
+
+  return ds;
+}
+
+DataStream& operator<<(DataStream& ds, Directives const& directives) {
+  ds.write(directives.toString());
+
+  return ds;
+}
+
 DirectivesGroup::DirectivesGroup() : m_count(0) {}
 DirectivesGroup::DirectivesGroup(String const& directives) {
   m_directives.emplace_back(directives);
@@ -66,10 +113,21 @@ inline bool DirectivesGroup::compare(DirectivesGroup const& other) const {
 }
 
 void DirectivesGroup::append(Directives const& directives) {
-  m_directives.push_back(directives);
+  m_directives.emplace_back(directives);
   m_count += m_directives.back().entries->size();
 }
 
+void DirectivesGroup::append(List<Directives::Entry>&& entries) {
+  size_t size = entries.size();
+  m_directives.emplace_back(move(entries));
+  m_count += size;
+}
+
+void DirectivesGroup::clear() {
+  m_directives.clear();
+  m_count = 0;
+}
+
 DirectivesGroup& DirectivesGroup::operator+=(Directives const& other) {
   append(other);
   return *this;
diff --git a/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp b/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp
index e954387..ca4364c 100644
--- a/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp
+++ b/source/core/StarDirectives.hpp
@@ -3,28 +3,40 @@
 
 #include "StarImageProcessing.hpp"
 #include "StarHash.hpp"
+#include "StarDataStream.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
+STAR_CLASS(Directives);
 STAR_CLASS(DirectivesGroup);
 STAR_EXCEPTION(DirectivesException, StarException);
 
 // Kae: My attempt at reducing memory allocation and per-frame string parsing for extremely long directives
-struct Directives {
+// entries must never be a null ptr!
+class Directives {
+public:
   struct Entry {
     ImageOperation operation;
     String string;
 
     Entry(ImageOperation&& newOperation, String&& newString);
+    Entry(ImageOperation const& newOperation, String const& newString);
+    Entry(Entry const& other);
   };
 
   Directives();
   Directives(String const& directives);
   Directives(String&& directives);
+  Directives(const char* directives);
+  Directives(List<Entry>&& entries);
 
   void parse(String const& directives);
-
   void buildString(String& out) const;
+  String toString() const;
+  inline bool empty() const;
+
+  friend DataStream& operator>>(DataStream& ds, Directives& directives);
+  friend DataStream& operator<<(DataStream& ds, Directives const& directives);
 
   std::shared_ptr<List<Entry> const> entries;
   size_t hash = 0;
@@ -41,6 +53,9 @@ public:
   inline bool empty() const;
   bool compare(DirectivesGroup const& other) const;
   void append(Directives const& other);
+  void append(List<Directives::Entry>&& entries);
+  void clear();
+
   DirectivesGroup& operator+=(Directives const& other);
 
   inline String toString() const;
diff --git a/source/frontend/StarMainInterface.cpp b/source/frontend/StarMainInterface.cpp
index 6c5dc1d..18a3b70 100644
--- a/source/frontend/StarMainInterface.cpp
+++ b/source/frontend/StarMainInterface.cpp
@@ -965,8 +965,9 @@ void MainInterface::renderBreath() {
   size_t blocks = round((10 * breath) / breathMax);
 
   if (blocks < 10) {
-    m_guiContext->drawQuad("/interface/breath/breath.png",
-        RectF::withCenter(breathBackgroundCenterPos, Vec2F(imgMetadata->imageSize("/interface/breath/breath.png")) * interfaceScale()));
+    String path = "/interface/breath/breath.png";
+    m_guiContext->drawQuad(path,
+        RectF::withCenter(breathBackgroundCenterPos, Vec2F(imgMetadata->imageSize(path)) * interfaceScale()));
     for (size_t i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
       if (i >= blocks) {
         if (blocks == 0 && Time::monotonicMilliseconds() % 500 > 250)
diff --git a/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp b/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp
index 5fd5071..0aea570 100644
--- a/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarDrawable.cpp
@@ -9,37 +9,41 @@
 
 namespace Star {
 
-void Drawable::ImagePart::addDirectives(String const& directives, bool keepImageCenterPosition) {
-  if (directives.empty())
-    return;
+Drawable::ImagePart& Drawable::ImagePart::addDirectives(Directives const& directives, bool keepImageCenterPosition) {
+  if (directives.entries->empty())
+    return *this;
 
   if (keepImageCenterPosition) {
     auto imageMetadata = Root::singleton().imageMetadataDatabase();
     Vec2F imageSize = Vec2F(imageMetadata->imageSize(image));
-    image = AssetPath::addDirectives(image, {directives});
+    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 {
-    image = AssetPath::addDirectives(image, {directives});
+    image.directives += directives;
   }
+
+  return *this;
 }
 
-void Drawable::ImagePart::removeDirectives(bool keepImageCenterPosition) {
+Drawable::ImagePart& Drawable::ImagePart::removeDirectives(bool keepImageCenterPosition) {
   if (keepImageCenterPosition) {
     auto imageMetadata = Root::singleton().imageMetadataDatabase();
     Vec2F imageSize = Vec2F(imageMetadata->imageSize(image));
-    image = AssetPath::removeDirectives(image);
+    image.directives.clear();
     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 {
-    image = AssetPath::removeDirectives(image);
+    image.directives.clear();
   }
+
+  return *this;
 }
 
 Drawable Drawable::makeLine(Line2F const& line, float lineWidth, Color const& color, Vec2F const& position) {
@@ -60,7 +64,7 @@ Drawable Drawable::makePoly(PolyF poly, Color const& color, Vec2F const& positio
   return drawable;
 }
 
-Drawable Drawable::makeImage(String image, float pixelSize, bool centered, Vec2F const& position, Color const& color) {
+Drawable Drawable::makeImage(AssetPath image, float pixelSize, bool centered, Vec2F const& position, Color const& color) {
   Drawable drawable;
   Mat3F transformation = Mat3F::identity();
   if (centered) {
@@ -120,7 +124,7 @@ Json Drawable::toJson() const {
   } else if (auto poly = part.ptr<PolyPart>()) {
     json.set("poly", jsonFromPolyF(poly->poly));
   } else if (auto image = part.ptr<ImagePart>()) {
-    json.set("image", image->image);
+    json.set("image", AssetPath::join(image->image));
     json.set("transformation", jsonFromMat3F(image->transformation));
   }
 
@@ -242,14 +246,15 @@ DataStream& operator<<(DataStream& ds, Drawable::PolyPart const& poly) {
   return ds;
 }
 
+// I need to find out if this is for network serialization or not eventually
 DataStream& operator>>(DataStream& ds, Drawable::ImagePart& image) {
-  ds >> image.image;
+  ds >> AssetPath::join(image.image);
   ds >> image.transformation;
   return ds;
 }
 
 DataStream& operator<<(DataStream& ds, Drawable::ImagePart const& image) {
-  ds << image.image;
+  ds << AssetPath::join(image.image);
   ds << image.transformation;
   return ds;
 }
diff --git a/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp b/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp
index 0109611..cf1c8c8 100644
--- a/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarDrawable.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "StarPoly.hpp"
 #include "StarColor.hpp"
 #include "StarJson.hpp"
+#include "StarAssetPath.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ struct Drawable {
   };
 
   struct ImagePart {
-    String image;
+    AssetPath image;
     // Transformation of the image in pixel space (0, 0) - (width, height) to
     // the final drawn space
     Mat3F transformation;
@@ -28,17 +29,17 @@ struct Drawable {
     // Add directives to this ImagePart, while optionally keeping the
     // transformed center of the image the same if the directives change the
     // image size.
-    void addDirectives(String const& directives, bool keepImageCenterPosition);
+    ImagePart& addDirectives(Directives const& directives, bool keepImageCenterPosition = false);
 
     // Remove directives from this ImagePart, while optionally keeping the
     // transformed center of the image the same if the directives change the
     // image size.
-    void removeDirectives(bool keepImageCenterPosition);
+    ImagePart& removeDirectives(bool keepImageCenterPosition = false);
   };
 
   static Drawable makeLine(Line2F const& line, float lineWidth, Color const& color, Vec2F const& position = Vec2F());
   static Drawable makePoly(PolyF poly, Color const& color, Vec2F const& position = Vec2F());
-  static Drawable makeImage(String image, float pixelSize, bool centered, Vec2F const& position, Color const& color = Color::White);
+  static Drawable makeImage(AssetPath image, float pixelSize, bool centered, Vec2F const& position, Color const& color = Color::White);
 
   template <typename DrawablesContainer>
   static void translateAll(DrawablesContainer& drawables, Vec2F const& translation);
diff --git a/source/game/StarHumanoid.cpp b/source/game/StarHumanoid.cpp
index acbed89..b33df4b 100644
--- a/source/game/StarHumanoid.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarHumanoid.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ HumanoidIdentity::HumanoidIdentity(Json config) {
   hairType = config.getString("hairType", "male1");
   hairDirectives = config.getString("hairDirectives", "");
   bodyDirectives = config.getString("bodyDirectives", "");
-  emoteDirectives = config.getString("emoteDirectives", bodyDirectives);
+  if (auto jEmoteDirectives = config.optString("emoteDirectives")) // Passing Directives as a default arg would be inefficient
+    emoteDirectives = jEmoteDirectives.take();
+  else
+    emoteDirectives = bodyDirectives;
+
   facialHairGroup = config.getString("facialHairGroup", "");
   facialHairType = config.getString("facialHairType", "");
   facialHairDirectives = config.getString("facialHairDirectives", "");
@@ -67,15 +71,15 @@ Json HumanoidIdentity::toJson() const {
     {"gender", GenderNames.getRight(gender)},
     {"hairGroup", hairGroup},
     {"hairType", hairType},
-    {"hairDirectives", hairDirectives},
-    {"bodyDirectives", bodyDirectives},
-    {"emoteDirectives", emoteDirectives},
+    {"hairDirectives", hairDirectives.toString()},
+    {"bodyDirectives", bodyDirectives.toString()},
+    {"emoteDirectives", emoteDirectives.toString()},
     {"facialHairGroup", facialHairGroup},
     {"facialHairType", facialHairType},
-    {"facialHairDirectives", facialHairDirectives},
+    {"facialHairDirectives", facialHairDirectives.toString()},
     {"facialMaskGroup", facialMaskGroup},
     {"facialMaskType", facialMaskType},
-    {"facialMaskDirectives", facialMaskDirectives},
+    {"facialMaskDirectives", facialMaskDirectives.toString()},
     {"personalityIdle", personality.idle},
     {"personalityArmIdle", personality.armIdle},
     {"personalityHeadOffset", jsonFromVec2F(personality.headOffset)},
@@ -300,7 +304,7 @@ HumanoidIdentity const& Humanoid::identity() const {
   return m_identity;
 }
 
-void Humanoid::setHeadArmorDirectives(String directives) {
+void Humanoid::setHeadArmorDirectives(Directives directives) {
   m_headArmorDirectives = move(directives);
 }
 
@@ -308,7 +312,7 @@ void Humanoid::setHeadArmorFrameset(String headFrameset) {
   m_headArmorFrameset = move(headFrameset);
 }
 
-void Humanoid::setChestArmorDirectives(String directives) {
+void Humanoid::setChestArmorDirectives(Directives directives) {
   m_chestArmorDirectives = move(directives);
 }
 
@@ -324,7 +328,7 @@ void Humanoid::setFrontSleeveFrameset(String frontSleeveFrameset) {
   m_frontSleeveFrameset = move(frontSleeveFrameset);
 }
 
-void Humanoid::setLegsArmorDirectives(String directives) {
+void Humanoid::setLegsArmorDirectives(Directives directives) {
   m_legsArmorDirectives = move(directives);
 }
 
@@ -332,7 +336,7 @@ void Humanoid::setLegsArmorFrameset(String legsFrameset) {
   m_legsArmorFrameset = move(legsFrameset);
 }
 
-void Humanoid::setBackArmorDirectives(String directives) {
+void Humanoid::setBackArmorDirectives(Directives directives) {
   m_backArmorDirectives = move(directives);
 }
 
@@ -340,7 +344,7 @@ void Humanoid::setBackArmorFrameset(String backFrameset) {
   m_backArmorFrameset = move(backFrameset);
 }
 
-void Humanoid::setHelmetMaskDirectives(String helmetMaskDirectives) {
+void Humanoid::setHelmetMaskDirectives(Directives helmetMaskDirectives) {
   m_helmetMaskDirectives = move(helmetMaskDirectives);
 }
 
@@ -464,7 +468,7 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
 
   int armStateSeq = getArmStateSequence();
   int bodyStateSeq = getBodyStateSequence();
-  int emoteStateSeq = m_timing.emoteStateSeq(m_emoteAnimationTimer, m_emoteState);
+  int emoteStateSeq = getEmoteStateSequence();
   float bobYOffset = getBobYOffset();
   Maybe<DancePtr> dance = getDance();
   Maybe<DanceStep> danceStep = {};
@@ -492,9 +496,10 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
     drawables.append(move(drawable));
   };
 
-  auto backArmDrawable = [&](String const& frameSet, String const& directives) -> Drawable {
-    String image = strf("%s:%s%s", frameSet, backHand.backFrame, directives);
+  auto backArmDrawable = [&](String const& frameSet, Directives const& directives) -> Drawable {
+    String image = strf("%s:%s", frameSet, backHand.backFrame);
     Drawable backArm = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, backArmFrameOffset);
+    backArm.imagePart().addDirectives(directives);
     backArm.rotate(backHand.angle, backArmFrameOffset + m_backArmRotationCenter + m_backArmOffset);
     return backArm;
   };
@@ -505,13 +510,15 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
       frameGroup = "runbackwards";
     String image;
     if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->bodyFrame)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backArmorFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame, getBackDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_backArmorFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame);
     else if (m_state == Idle)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backArmorFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle, getBackDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_backArmorFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle);
     else
-      image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_backArmorFrameset, frameGroup, bodyStateSeq, getBackDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_backArmorFrameset, frameGroup, bodyStateSeq);
 
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, Vec2F()));
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, Vec2F());
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBackDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (backHand.holdingItem && !dance.isValid()) {
@@ -535,33 +542,35 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
       String image;
       Vec2F position;
       if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->backArmFrame) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backArmFrameset, *danceStep->backArmFrame, getBodyDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_backArmFrameset, *danceStep->backArmFrame);
         position = danceStep->backArmOffset / TilePixels;
       } else if (m_state == Idle) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backArmFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle, getBodyDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_backArmFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle);
         position = m_identity.personality.armOffset / TilePixels;
       } else
-        image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_backArmFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq, getBodyDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_backArmFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq);
       auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, position);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
       if (dance.isValid())
         drawable.rotate(danceStep->backArmRotation);
-      addDrawable(drawable, m_bodyFullbright);
+      addDrawable(move(drawable), m_bodyFullbright);
     }
     if (!m_backSleeveFrameset.empty()) {
       String image;
       Vec2F position;
       if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->backArmFrame) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, *danceStep->backArmFrame, getChestDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, *danceStep->backArmFrame);
         position = danceStep->backArmOffset / TilePixels;
       } else if (m_state == Idle) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle, getChestDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle);
         position = m_identity.personality.armOffset / TilePixels;
       } else
-        image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq, getChestDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq);
       auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, position);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getChestDirectives());
       if (dance.isValid())
         drawable.rotate(danceStep->backArmRotation);
-      addDrawable(drawable);
+      addDrawable(move(drawable));
     }
   }
 
@@ -582,80 +591,99 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
     headPosition += m_headLayOffset;
 
   if (!m_headFrameset.empty() && !m_bodyHidden) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_headFrameset, getBodyDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition), m_bodyFullbright);
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_headFrameset);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable), m_bodyFullbright);
   }
 
   if (!m_emoteFrameset.empty() && !m_bodyHidden) {
-    String image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_emoteFrameset, emoteFrameBase(m_emoteState), emoteStateSeq, getEmoteDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition), m_bodyFullbright);
+    String image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_emoteFrameset, emoteFrameBase(m_emoteState), emoteStateSeq);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getEmoteDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable), m_bodyFullbright);
   }
 
   if (!m_hairFrameset.empty() && !m_bodyHidden) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_hairFrameset, getHairDirectives() + getHelmetMaskDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition), m_bodyFullbright);
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_hairFrameset);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getHairDirectives()).addDirectives(getHelmetMaskDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable), m_bodyFullbright);
   }
 
   if (!m_bodyFrameset.empty() && !m_bodyHidden) {
     String image;
     if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->bodyFrame)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_bodyFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame, getBodyDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_bodyFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame);
     else if (m_state == Idle)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_bodyFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle, getBodyDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_bodyFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle);
     else
-      image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_bodyFrameset, frameBase(m_state), bodyStateSeq, getBodyDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, {}), m_bodyFullbright);
+      image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_bodyFrameset, frameBase(m_state), bodyStateSeq);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, {});
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable), m_bodyFullbright);
   }
 
   if (!m_legsArmorFrameset.empty()) {
     String image;
     if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->bodyFrame)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame, getLegsDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame);
     else if (m_state == Idle)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle, getLegsDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle);
     else
-      image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, frameBase(m_state), bodyStateSeq, getLegsDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, {}));
+      image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, frameBase(m_state), bodyStateSeq);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, {});
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getLegsDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (!m_chestArmorFrameset.empty()) {
     String image;
     Vec2F position;
     if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->bodyFrame)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame, getChestDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, *danceStep->bodyFrame);
     else if (m_state == Run)
-      image = strf("%s:run%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, getChestDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:run", m_chestArmorFrameset);
     else if (m_state == Idle)
-      image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle, getChestDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, m_identity.personality.idle);
     else if (m_state == Duck)
-      image = strf("%s:duck%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, getChestDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:duck", m_chestArmorFrameset);
     else if ((m_state == Swim) || (m_state == SwimIdle))
-      image = strf("%s:swim%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, getChestDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:swim", m_chestArmorFrameset);
     else
-      image = strf("%s:chest.1%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, getChestDirectives());
+      image = strf("%s:chest.1", m_chestArmorFrameset);
     if (m_state != Duck)
       position[1] += bobYOffset;
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, position));
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, position);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getChestDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (!m_facialHairFrameset.empty() && !m_bodyHidden) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_facialHairFrameset, getFacialHairDirectives() + getHelmetMaskDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition), m_bodyFullbright);
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_facialHairFrameset);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getFacialHairDirectives()).addDirectives(getHelmetMaskDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable), m_bodyFullbright);
   }
 
   if (!m_facialMaskFrameset.empty() && !m_bodyHidden) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_facialMaskFrameset, getFacialMaskDirectives() + getHelmetMaskDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition));
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_facialMaskFrameset);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getFacialMaskDirectives()).addDirectives(getHelmetMaskDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (!m_headArmorFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_headArmorFrameset, getHeadDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition));
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_headArmorFrameset);
+    auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, headPosition);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getHeadDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
-  auto frontArmDrawable = [&](String const& frameSet, String const& directives) -> Drawable {
-    String image = strf("%s:%s%s", frameSet, frontHand.frontFrame, directives);
+  auto frontArmDrawable = [&](String const& frameSet, Directives const& directives) -> Drawable {
+    String image = strf("%s:%s", frameSet, frontHand.frontFrame);
     Drawable frontArm = Drawable::makeImage(image, 1.0f / TilePixels, true, frontArmFrameOffset);
+    frontArm.imagePart().addDirectives(directives);
     frontArm.rotate(frontHand.angle, frontArmFrameOffset + m_frontArmRotationCenter);
     return frontArm;
   };
@@ -682,14 +710,15 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
       String image;
       Vec2F position;
       if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->frontArmFrame) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_frontArmFrameset, *danceStep->frontArmFrame, getBodyDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_frontArmFrameset, *danceStep->frontArmFrame);
         position = danceStep->frontArmOffset / TilePixels;
       } else if (m_state == Idle) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_frontArmFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle, getBodyDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_frontArmFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle);
         position = m_identity.personality.armOffset / TilePixels;
       } else
-        image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_frontArmFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq, getBodyDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_frontArmFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq);
       auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, position);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
       if (dance.isValid())
         drawable.rotate(danceStep->frontArmRotation);
       addDrawable(drawable, m_bodyFullbright);
@@ -699,14 +728,15 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
       String image;
       Vec2F position;
       if (dance.isValid() && danceStep->frontArmFrame) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, *danceStep->frontArmFrame, getChestDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, *danceStep->frontArmFrame);
         position = danceStep->frontArmOffset / TilePixels;
       } else if (m_state == Idle) {
-        image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle, getChestDirectives());
+        image = strf("%s:%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, m_identity.personality.armIdle);
         position = m_identity.personality.armOffset / TilePixels;
       } else
-        image = strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq, getChestDirectives());
-      auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, position);
+        image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, frameBase(m_state), armStateSeq);
+      auto drawable = Drawable::makeImage(image, 1.0f / TilePixels, true, position);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getChestDirectives());
       if (dance.isValid())
         drawable.rotate(danceStep->frontArmRotation);
       addDrawable(drawable);
@@ -717,7 +747,7 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::render() {
     auto image = strf("%s:%d",
         m_vaporTrailFrameset,
         m_timing.genericSeq(m_animationTimer, m_vaporTrailCycle, m_vaporTrailFrames, true));
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, {}));
+    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(AssetPath::split(image), 1.0f / TilePixels, true, {}));
   }
 
   if (m_primaryHand.nonRotatedDrawables.size())
@@ -736,18 +766,19 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::renderPortrait(PortraitMode mode) const {
   List<Drawable> drawables;
   int emoteStateSeq = m_timing.emoteStateSeq(m_emoteAnimationTimer, m_emoteState);
 
-  auto addDrawable = [&](Drawable drawable) {
+  auto addDrawable = [&](Drawable&& drawable) -> Drawable& {
     if (mode != PortraitMode::Full && mode != PortraitMode::FullNeutral
       && mode != PortraitMode::FullNude && mode != PortraitMode::FullNeutralNude) {
       // TODO: make this configurable
-      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives("addmask=/humanoid/portraitMask.png;0;0", false);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(String("addmask=/humanoid/portraitMask.png;0;0"), false);
     }
     drawables.append(std::move(drawable));
+    return drawables.back();
   };
 
   bool dressed = !(mode == PortraitMode::FullNude || mode == PortraitMode::FullNeutralNude);
 
-  auto helmetMaskDirective = dressed ? getHelmetMaskDirectives() : "";
+  Directives helmetMaskDirective = dressed ? getHelmetMaskDirectives() : Directives();
 
   auto personality = m_identity.personality;
   if (mode == PortraitMode::FullNeutral || mode == PortraitMode::FullNeutralNude)
@@ -755,78 +786,105 @@ List<Drawable> Humanoid::renderPortrait(PortraitMode mode) const {
 
   if (mode != PortraitMode::Head) {
     if (!m_backArmFrameset.empty()) {
-      String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backArmFrameset, personality.armIdle, getBodyDirectives());
-      addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset));
+      String image = strf("%s:%s", m_backArmFrameset, personality.armIdle);
+      Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
+      addDrawable(move(drawable));
     }
     if (dressed && !m_backSleeveFrameset.empty()) {
-      String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, personality.armIdle, getChestDirectives());
-      addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset));
+      String image = strf("%s:%s", m_backSleeveFrameset, personality.armIdle);
+      Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getChestDirectives());
+      addDrawable(move(drawable));
     }
     if (mode != PortraitMode::Bust) {
       if (dressed && !m_backArmorFrameset.empty()) {
-        String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_backArmorFrameset, personality.idle, getBackDirectives());
-        addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {}));
+        String image = strf("%s:%s", m_backArmorFrameset, personality.idle);
+        Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {});
+        drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBackDirectives());
+        addDrawable(move(drawable));
       }
     }
   }
 
   if (!m_headFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_headFrameset, getBodyDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset));
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_headFrameset);
+    Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (!m_emoteFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image =
-        strf("%s:%s.%s%s", m_emoteFrameset, emoteFrameBase(m_emoteState), emoteStateSeq, getEmoteDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset));
+    String image = strf("%s:%s.%s", m_emoteFrameset, emoteFrameBase(m_emoteState), emoteStateSeq);
+    Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getEmoteDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (!m_hairFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_hairFrameset, getHairDirectives() + helmetMaskDirective);
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset));
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_hairFrameset);
+    Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getHairDirectives()).addDirectives(helmetMaskDirective);
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (!m_bodyFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_bodyFrameset, personality.idle, getBodyDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {}));
+    String image = strf("%s:%s", m_bodyFrameset, personality.idle);
+    Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {});
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (mode != PortraitMode::Head) {
     if (dressed && !m_legsArmorFrameset.empty()) {
-      String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, personality.idle, getLegsDirectives());
-      addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {}));
+      String image = strf("%s:%s", m_legsArmorFrameset, personality.idle);
+      Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {});
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getLegsDirectives());
+      addDrawable(move(drawable));
     }
 
     if (dressed && !m_chestArmorFrameset.empty()) {
-      String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, personality.idle, getChestDirectives());
-      addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {}));
+      String image = strf("%s:%s", m_chestArmorFrameset, personality.idle);
+      Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, {});
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getChestDirectives());
+      addDrawable(move(drawable));
     }
   }
 
   if (!m_facialHairFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_facialHairFrameset, getFacialHairDirectives() + helmetMaskDirective);
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset));
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_facialHairFrameset);
+    Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getFacialHairDirectives()).addDirectives(helmetMaskDirective);
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (!m_facialMaskFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_facialMaskFrameset, getFacialMaskDirectives() + helmetMaskDirective);
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset));
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_facialMaskFrameset);
+    Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getFacialMaskDirectives()).addDirectives(helmetMaskDirective);
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (dressed && !m_headArmorFrameset.empty()) {
-    String image = strf("%s:normal%s", m_headArmorFrameset, getHeadDirectives());
-    addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset));
+    String image = strf("%s:normal", m_headArmorFrameset);
+    Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.headOffset);
+    drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getHeadDirectives());
+    addDrawable(move(drawable));
   }
 
   if (mode != PortraitMode::Head) {
     if (!m_frontArmFrameset.empty()) {
-      String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_frontArmFrameset, personality.armIdle, getBodyDirectives());
-      addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset));
+      String image = strf("%s:%s", m_frontArmFrameset, personality.armIdle);
+      Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getBodyDirectives());
+      addDrawable(move(drawable));
     }
 
     if (dressed && !m_frontSleeveFrameset.empty()) {
-      String image = strf("%s:%s%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, personality.armIdle, getChestDirectives());
-      addDrawable(Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset));
+      String image = strf("%s:%s", m_frontSleeveFrameset, personality.armIdle);
+      Drawable drawable = Drawable::makeImage(move(image), 1.0f, true, personality.armOffset);
+      drawable.imagePart().addDirectives(getChestDirectives());
+      addDrawable(move(drawable));
     }
   }
 
@@ -1062,46 +1120,50 @@ String Humanoid::getVaporTrailFrameset() const {
   return "/humanoid/any/flames.png";
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getBodyDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getBodyDirectives() const {
   return m_identity.bodyDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getHairDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getHairDirectives() const {
   return m_identity.hairDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getEmoteDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getEmoteDirectives() const {
   return m_identity.emoteDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getFacialHairDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getFacialHairDirectives() const {
   return m_identity.facialHairDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getFacialMaskDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getFacialMaskDirectives() const {
   return m_identity.facialMaskDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getHelmetMaskDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getHelmetMaskDirectives() const {
   return m_helmetMaskDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getHeadDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getHeadDirectives() const {
   return m_headArmorDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getChestDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getChestDirectives() const {
   return m_chestArmorDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getLegsDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getLegsDirectives() const {
   return m_legsArmorDirectives;
 }
 
-String Humanoid::getBackDirectives() const {
+Directives Humanoid::getBackDirectives() const {
   return m_backArmorDirectives;
 }
 
+int Humanoid::getEmoteStateSequence() const {
+  return m_timing.emoteStateSeq(m_emoteAnimationTimer, m_emoteState);
+}
+
 int Humanoid::getArmStateSequence() const {
   int stateSeq = m_timing.stateSeq(m_animationTimer, m_state);
 
diff --git a/source/game/StarHumanoid.hpp b/source/game/StarHumanoid.hpp
index a4ef264..9850d4a 100644
--- a/source/game/StarHumanoid.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarHumanoid.hpp
@@ -60,15 +60,15 @@ struct HumanoidIdentity {
   String hairGroup;
   // Must have :normal and :climb
   String hairType;
-  String hairDirectives;
-  String bodyDirectives;
-  String emoteDirectives;
+  Directives hairDirectives;
+  Directives bodyDirectives;
+  Directives emoteDirectives;
   String facialHairGroup;
   String facialHairType;
-  String facialHairDirectives;
+  Directives facialHairDirectives;
   String facialMaskGroup;
   String facialMaskType;
-  String facialMaskDirectives;
+  Directives facialMaskDirectives;
 
   Personality personality;
   Vec4B color;
@@ -125,11 +125,11 @@ public:
   // empty string, it is disabled.
 
   // Asset directives for the head armor.
-  void setHeadArmorDirectives(String directives);
+  void setHeadArmorDirectives(Directives directives);
   // Must have :normal, climb
   void setHeadArmorFrameset(String headFrameset);
   // Asset directives for the chest, back and front arms armor.
-  void setChestArmorDirectives(String directives);
+  void setChestArmorDirectives(Directives directives);
   // Will have :run, :normal, and :duck
   void setChestArmorFrameset(String chest);
   // Same as back arm image frames
@@ -138,16 +138,16 @@ public:
   void setFrontSleeveFrameset(String frontSleeveFrameset);
 
   // Asset directives for the legs armor.
-  void setLegsArmorDirectives(String directives);
+  void setLegsArmorDirectives(Directives directives);
   // Must have :idle, :duck, :walk[1-8], :run[1-8], :jump[1-4], :fall[1-4]
   void setLegsArmorFrameset(String legsFrameset);
 
   // Asset directives for the back armor.
-  void setBackArmorDirectives(String directives);
+  void setBackArmorDirectives(Directives directives);
   // Must have :idle, :duck, :walk[1-8], :run[1-8], :jump[1-4], :fall[1-4]
   void setBackArmorFrameset(String backFrameset);
 
-  void setHelmetMaskDirectives(String helmetMaskDirectives);
+  void setHelmetMaskDirectives(Directives helmetMaskDirectives);
 
   void setBodyHidden(bool hidden);
 
@@ -260,16 +260,16 @@ private:
   String getFrontArmFromIdentity() const;
   String getVaporTrailFrameset() const;
 
-  String getBodyDirectives() const;
-  String getHairDirectives() const;
-  String getEmoteDirectives() const;
-  String getFacialHairDirectives() const;
-  String getFacialMaskDirectives() const;
-  String getHelmetMaskDirectives() const;
-  String getHeadDirectives() const;
-  String getChestDirectives() const;
-  String getLegsDirectives() const;
-  String getBackDirectives() const;
+  Directives getBodyDirectives() const;
+  Directives getHairDirectives() const;
+  Directives getEmoteDirectives() const;
+  Directives getFacialHairDirectives() const;
+  Directives getFacialMaskDirectives() const;
+  Directives getHelmetMaskDirectives() const;
+  Directives getHeadDirectives() const;
+  Directives getChestDirectives() const;
+  Directives getLegsDirectives() const;
+  Directives getBackDirectives() const;
 
   int getEmoteStateSequence() const;
   int getArmStateSequence() const;
@@ -327,14 +327,14 @@ private:
   String m_backSleeveFrameset;
   String m_frontSleeveFrameset;
   String m_headArmorFrameset;
-  String m_headArmorDirectives;
+  Directives m_headArmorDirectives;
   String m_chestArmorFrameset;
-  String m_chestArmorDirectives;
+  Directives m_chestArmorDirectives;
   String m_legsArmorFrameset;
-  String m_legsArmorDirectives;
+  Directives m_legsArmorDirectives;
   String m_backArmorFrameset;
-  String m_backArmorDirectives;
-  String m_helmetMaskDirectives;
+  Directives m_backArmorDirectives;
+  Directives m_helmetMaskDirectives;
 
   State m_state;
   HumanoidEmote m_emoteState;
diff --git a/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.cpp b/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.cpp
index 7c619d3..3bf8d96 100644
--- a/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 namespace Star {
 
-Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::imageSize(String const& path) const {
+Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::imageSize(AssetPath const& path) const {
   MutexLocker locker(m_mutex);
   auto i = m_sizeCache.find(path);
   if (i != m_sizeCache.end())
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::imageSize(String const& path) const {
   return size;
 }
 
-List<Vec2I> ImageMetadataDatabase::imageSpaces(String const& path, Vec2F position, float fillLimit, bool flip) const {
+List<Vec2I> ImageMetadataDatabase::imageSpaces(AssetPath const& path, Vec2F position, float fillLimit, bool flip) const {
   SpacesEntry key = make_tuple(path, Vec2I::round(position), fillLimit, flip);
 
   MutexLocker locker(m_mutex);
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ List<Vec2I> ImageMetadataDatabase::imageSpaces(String const& path, Vec2F positio
     return i->second;
   }
 
-  String filteredPath = filterProcessing(path);
+  auto filteredPath = filterProcessing(path);
   SpacesEntry filteredKey = make_tuple(filteredPath, Vec2I::round(position), fillLimit, flip);
 
   auto j = m_spacesCache.find(filteredKey);
@@ -88,14 +88,14 @@ List<Vec2I> ImageMetadataDatabase::imageSpaces(String const& path, Vec2F positio
   return spaces;
 }
 
-RectU ImageMetadataDatabase::nonEmptyRegion(String const& path) const {
+RectU ImageMetadataDatabase::nonEmptyRegion(AssetPath const& path) const {
   MutexLocker locker(m_mutex);
   auto i = m_regionCache.find(path);
   if (i != m_regionCache.end()) {
     return i->second;
   }
 
-  String filteredPath = filterProcessing(path);
+  auto filteredPath = filterProcessing(path);
   auto j = m_regionCache.find(filteredPath);
   if (j != m_regionCache.end()) {
     m_regionCache[path] = j->second;
@@ -117,12 +117,11 @@ RectU ImageMetadataDatabase::nonEmptyRegion(String const& path) const {
   return region;
 }
 
-String ImageMetadataDatabase::filterProcessing(String const& path) {
-  AssetPath components = AssetPath::split(path);
-  auto directives = move(components.directives);
-  String joined = AssetPath::join(components);
+AssetPath ImageMetadataDatabase::filterProcessing(AssetPath const& path) {
+  AssetPath newPath = { path.basePath, path.subPath, {} };
 
-  directives.forEach([&](auto const& entry) {
+  List<Directives::Entry> filtered;
+  path.directives.forEach([&](auto const& entry) {
     ImageOperation const& operation = entry.operation;
     if (!(operation.is<HueShiftImageOperation>()       ||
       operation.is<SaturationShiftImageOperation>()    ||
@@ -130,15 +129,15 @@ String ImageMetadataDatabase::filterProcessing(String const& path) {
       operation.is<FadeToColorImageOperation>()        ||
       operation.is<ScanLinesImageOperation>()          ||
       operation.is<SetColorImageOperation>())) {
-      joined += "?";
-      joined += entry.string;
+      filtered.emplace_back(entry);
     }
   });
 
-  return AssetPath::join(components);
+  newPath.directives.append(move(filtered));
+  return newPath;
 }
 
-Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::calculateImageSize(String const& path) const {
+Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::calculateImageSize(AssetPath const& path) const {
   // Carefully calculate an image's size while trying not to actually load it.
   // In error cases, this will fall back to calling Assets::image, so that image
   // can possibly produce a missing image asset or properly report the error.
@@ -149,18 +148,17 @@ Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::calculateImageSize(String const& path) const {
     return assets->image(path)->size();
   };
 
-  AssetPath components = AssetPath::split(path);
-  if (!assets->assetExists(components.basePath)) {
+  if (!assets->assetExists(path.basePath)) {
     return fallback();
   }
 
   Vec2U imageSize;
-  if (components.subPath) {
-    auto frames = assets->imageFrames(components.basePath);
+  if (path.subPath) {
+    auto frames = assets->imageFrames(path.basePath);
     if (!frames)
       return fallback();
 
-    if (auto rect = frames->getRect(*components.subPath))
+    if (auto rect = frames->getRect(*path.subPath))
       imageSize = rect->size();
     else
       return fallback();
@@ -169,13 +167,13 @@ Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::calculateImageSize(String const& path) const {
     // so we don't have to call Image::readPngMetadata on the same file more
     // than once.
     MutexLocker locker(m_mutex);
-    if (auto size = m_sizeCache.maybe(components.basePath)) {
+    if (auto size = m_sizeCache.maybe(path.basePath)) {
       imageSize = *size;
     } else {
       locker.unlock();
-      imageSize = get<0>(Image::readPngMetadata(assets->openFile(components.basePath)));
+      imageSize = get<0>(Image::readPngMetadata(assets->openFile(path.basePath)));
       locker.lock();
-      m_sizeCache[components.basePath] = imageSize;
+      m_sizeCache[path.basePath] = imageSize;
     }
   }
 
@@ -230,7 +228,7 @@ Vec2U ImageMetadataDatabase::calculateImageSize(String const& path) const {
 
   OperationSizeAdjust osa(imageSize);
 
-  bool complete = components.directives.forEachAbortable([&](auto const& entry) -> bool {
+  bool complete = path.directives.forEachAbortable([&](auto const& entry) -> bool {
     entry.operation.call(osa);
     return !osa.hasError;
   });
diff --git a/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.hpp b/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.hpp
index 1f29da6..b8e6a33 100644
--- a/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.hpp
+++ b/source/game/StarImageMetadataDatabase.hpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "StarMap.hpp"
 #include "StarString.hpp"
 #include "StarThread.hpp"
+#include "StarAssetPath.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -15,24 +16,24 @@ STAR_CLASS(ImageMetadataDatabase);
 // because they are expensive to compute and cheap to keep around.
 class ImageMetadataDatabase {
 public:
-  Vec2U imageSize(String const& path) const;
-  List<Vec2I> imageSpaces(String const& path, Vec2F position, float fillLimit, bool flip) const;
-  RectU nonEmptyRegion(String const& path) const;
+  Vec2U imageSize(AssetPath const& path) const;
+  List<Vec2I> imageSpaces(AssetPath const& path, Vec2F position, float fillLimit, bool flip) const;
+  RectU nonEmptyRegion(AssetPath const& path) const;
 
 private:
   // Removes image processing directives that don't affect image spaces /
   // non-empty regions.
-  static String filterProcessing(String const& path);
+  static AssetPath filterProcessing(AssetPath const& path);
 
-  Vec2U calculateImageSize(String const& path) const;
+  Vec2U calculateImageSize(AssetPath const& path) const;
 
   // Path, position, fillLimit, and flip
-  typedef tuple<String, Vec2I, float, bool> SpacesEntry;
+  typedef tuple<AssetPath, Vec2I, float, bool> SpacesEntry;
 
   mutable Mutex m_mutex;
-  mutable StringMap<Vec2U> m_sizeCache;
+  mutable HashMap<AssetPath, Vec2U> m_sizeCache;
   mutable HashMap<SpacesEntry, List<Vec2I>> m_spacesCache;
-  mutable StringMap<RectU> m_regionCache;
+  mutable HashMap<AssetPath, RectU> m_regionCache;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/source/game/StarObject.cpp b/source/game/StarObject.cpp
index 0a35ee7..0441262 100644
--- a/source/game/StarObject.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarObject.cpp
@@ -1204,8 +1204,9 @@ List<Drawable> Object::orientationDrawables(size_t orientationIndex) const {
   if (!m_orientationDrawablesCache || orientationIndex != m_orientationDrawablesCache->first) {
     m_orientationDrawablesCache = make_pair(orientationIndex, List<Drawable>());
     for (auto const& layer : orientation->imageLayers) {
-      auto drawable = layer;
-      drawable.imagePart().image = drawable.imagePart().image.replaceTags(m_imageKeys, true, "default");
+      Drawable drawable = layer;
+      auto& image = drawable.imagePart().image;
+      image = AssetPath::join(image).replaceTags(m_imageKeys, true, "default");
       if (orientation->flipImages)
         drawable.scale(Vec2F(-1, 1), drawable.boundBox(false).center() - drawable.position);
       m_orientationDrawablesCache->second.append(move(drawable));
diff --git a/source/game/StarObjectDatabase.cpp b/source/game/StarObjectDatabase.cpp
index d23b206..11c45c7 100644
--- a/source/game/StarObjectDatabase.cpp
+++ b/source/game/StarObjectDatabase.cpp
@@ -157,10 +157,11 @@ List<ObjectOrientationPtr> ObjectDatabase::parseOrientations(String const& path,
     orientation->config = orientationSettings;
 
     if (orientationSettings.contains("imageLayers")) {
-      for (auto layer : orientationSettings.get("imageLayers").iterateArray()) {
+      for (Json layer : orientationSettings.get("imageLayers").iterateArray()) {
+        if (auto image = layer.opt("image"))
+          layer = layer.set("image", AssetPath::relativeTo(path, image->toString()));
         Drawable drawable(layer.set("centered", layer.getBool("centered", false)));
         drawable.scale(1.0f / TilePixels);
-        drawable.imagePart().image = AssetPath::relativeTo(path, drawable.imagePart().image);
         orientation->imageLayers.append(drawable);
       }
     } else {
@@ -191,7 +192,7 @@ List<ObjectOrientationPtr> ObjectDatabase::parseOrientations(String const& path,
       auto spaceScanSpaces = Set<Vec2I>::from(orientation->spaces);
       for (auto const& layer : orientation->imageLayers) {
         spaceScanSpaces.addAll(root.imageMetadataDatabase()->imageSpaces(
-            layer.imagePart().image.replaceTags(StringMap<String>(), true, "default"),
+            AssetPath::join(layer.imagePart().image).replaceTags(StringMap<String>(), true, "default"),
             imagePosition,
             orientationSettings.getDouble("spaceScan"),
             orientation->flipImages));
@@ -578,8 +579,9 @@ List<Drawable> ObjectDatabase::cursorHintDrawables(World const* world, String co
 
     auto orientation = config->orientations.at(orientationIndex);
     for (auto const& layer : orientation->imageLayers) {
-      auto drawable = layer;
-      drawable.imagePart().image = drawable.imagePart().image.replaceTags(StringMap<String>(), true, "default");
+      Drawable drawable = layer;
+      auto& image = drawable.imagePart().image;
+      image = AssetPath::join(image).replaceTags(StringMap<String>(), true, "default");
       if (orientation->flipImages)
         drawable.scale(Vec2F(-1, 1), drawable.boundBox(false).center() - drawable.position);
       drawables.append(move(drawable));
diff --git a/source/game/items/StarArmors.cpp b/source/game/items/StarArmors.cpp
index 17714fb..4abcde8 100644
--- a/source/game/items/StarArmors.cpp
+++ b/source/game/items/StarArmors.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "StarRoot.hpp"
 #include "StarStoredFunctions.hpp"
 #include "StarPlayer.hpp"
+#include "StarDirectives.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ ArmorItem::ArmorItem(Json const& config, String const& directory, Json const& da
 
   m_directives = instanceValue("directives", "").toString();
   m_colorOptions = colorDirectivesFromConfig(config.getArray("colorOptions", JsonArray{""}));
-  if (m_directives.empty())
+  if (m_directives.entries->empty())
     m_directives = "?" + m_colorOptions.wrap(instanceValue("colorIndex", 0).toUInt());
   refreshIconDrawables();
 
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ List<String> const& ArmorItem::colorOptions() {
   return m_colorOptions;
 }
 
-String const& ArmorItem::directives() const {
+Directives const& ArmorItem::directives() const {
   return m_directives;
 }
 
@@ -88,9 +89,11 @@ HeadArmor::HeadArmor(Json const& config, String const& directory, Json const& da
   m_maleImage = AssetPath::relativeTo(directory, config.getString("maleFrames"));
   m_femaleImage = AssetPath::relativeTo(directory, config.getString("femaleFrames"));
 
-  m_maskDirectives = instanceValue("mask").toString();
-  if (!m_maskDirectives.empty() && !m_maskDirectives.contains("?"))
-    m_maskDirectives = "?addmask=" + AssetPath::relativeTo(directory, m_maskDirectives) + ";0;0";
+  String maskDirectivesStr = instanceValue("mask").toString();
+  if (!maskDirectivesStr.empty() && !maskDirectivesStr.contains("?"))
+    m_maskDirectives = "?addmask=" + AssetPath::relativeTo(directory, maskDirectivesStr) + ";0;0";
+  else
+    m_maskDirectives = maskDirectivesStr;
 }
 
 ItemPtr HeadArmor::clone() const {
@@ -104,7 +107,7 @@ String const& HeadArmor::frameset(Gender gender) const {
     return m_femaleImage;
 }
 
-String const& HeadArmor::maskDirectives() const {
+Directives const& HeadArmor::maskDirectives() const {
   return m_maskDirectives;
 }
 
diff --git a/source/game/items/StarArmors.hpp b/source/game/items/StarArmors.hpp
index 9438259..70bca6f 100644
--- a/source/game/items/StarArmors.hpp
+++ b/source/game/items/StarArmors.hpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public:
 
   List<String> const& colorOptions();
 
-  String const& directives() const;
+  Directives const& directives() const;
 
   bool hideBody() const;
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ private:
   List<String> m_colorOptions;
   List<PersistentStatusEffect> m_statusEffects;
   StringSet m_effectSources;
-  String m_directives;
+  Directives m_directives;
   bool m_hideBody;
   Maybe<String> m_techModule;
 };
@@ -51,14 +51,14 @@ public:
   virtual ItemPtr clone() const;
 
   String const& frameset(Gender gender) const;
-  String const& maskDirectives() const;
+  Directives const& maskDirectives() const;
 
   virtual List<Drawable> preview(PlayerPtr const& viewer = {}) const;
 
 private:
   String m_maleImage;
   String m_femaleImage;
-  String m_maskDirectives;
+  Directives m_maskDirectives;
 };
 
 class ChestArmor : public ArmorItem, public PreviewableItem {
diff --git a/source/game/items/StarMaterialItem.cpp b/source/game/items/StarMaterialItem.cpp
index 9edd1fe..4ba1609 100644
--- a/source/game/items/StarMaterialItem.cpp
+++ b/source/game/items/StarMaterialItem.cpp
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@ MaterialItem::MaterialItem(Json const& config, String const& directory, Json con
   if (materialHueShift() != MaterialHue()) {
     auto drawables = iconDrawables();
     for (auto& d : drawables) {
-      if (d.isImage())
-        d.imagePart().addDirectives(strf("?hueshift=%s", materialHueToDegrees(m_materialHueShift)), false);
+      if (d.isImage()) {
+        String image = strf("?hueshift=%s", materialHueToDegrees(m_materialHueShift));
+        d.imagePart().addDirectives(image, false);
+      }
     }
     setIconDrawables(move(drawables));
   }
diff --git a/source/game/items/StarTools.cpp b/source/game/items/StarTools.cpp
index aef26a5..6edf3fb 100644
--- a/source/game/items/StarTools.cpp
+++ b/source/game/items/StarTools.cpp
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ List<Drawable> PaintingBeamTool::drawables() const {
   auto result = BeamItem::drawables();
   for (auto& entry : result) {
     if (entry.isImage())
-      entry.imagePart().image = entry.imagePart().image + m_colorKeys[m_colorIndex];
+      entry.imagePart().image.directives += m_colorKeys[m_colorIndex];
   }
   return result;
 }
diff --git a/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.cpp b/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.cpp
index 44b614a..afffab7 100644
--- a/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.cpp
+++ b/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.cpp
@@ -13,16 +13,16 @@ AssetTextureGroup::AssetTextureGroup(TextureGroupPtr textureGroup)
   Root::singleton().registerReloadListener(m_reloadTracker);
 }
 
-TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::loadTexture(String const& imageName) {
-  return loadTexture(imageName, false);
+TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::loadTexture(AssetPath const& imagePath) {
+  return loadTexture(imagePath, false);
 }
 
-TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::tryTexture(String const& imageName) {
-  return loadTexture(imageName, true);
+TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::tryTexture(AssetPath const& imagePath) {
+  return loadTexture(imagePath, true);
 }
 
-bool AssetTextureGroup::textureLoaded(String const& imageName) const {
-  return m_textureMap.contains(imageName);
+bool AssetTextureGroup::textureLoaded(AssetPath const& imagePath) const {
+  return m_textureMap.contains(imagePath);
 }
 
 void AssetTextureGroup::cleanup(int64_t textureTimeout) {
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ void AssetTextureGroup::cleanup(int64_t textureTimeout) {
   }
 }
 
-TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::loadTexture(String const& imageName, bool tryTexture) {
-  if (auto p = m_textureMap.ptr(imageName)) {
+TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::loadTexture(AssetPath const& imagePath, bool tryTexture) {
+  if (auto p = m_textureMap.ptr(imagePath)) {
     p->second = Time::monotonicMilliseconds();
     return p->first;
   }
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::loadTexture(String const& imageName, bool tryTextu
 
   ImageConstPtr image;
   if (tryTexture)
-    image = assets->tryImage(imageName);
+    image = assets->tryImage(imagePath);
   else
-    image = assets->image(imageName);
+    image = assets->image(imagePath);
 
   if (!image)
     return {};
@@ -72,11 +72,11 @@ TexturePtr AssetTextureGroup::loadTexture(String const& imageName, bool tryTextu
   // in the texture group for these, so we keep track of the image pointers
   // returned to deduplicate them.
   if (auto existingTexture = m_textureDeduplicationMap.value(image)) {
-    m_textureMap.add(imageName, {existingTexture, Time::monotonicMilliseconds()});
+    m_textureMap.add(imagePath, {existingTexture, Time::monotonicMilliseconds()});
     return existingTexture;
   } else {
     auto texture = m_textureGroup->create(*image);
-    m_textureMap.add(imageName, {texture, Time::monotonicMilliseconds()});
+    m_textureMap.add(imagePath, {texture, Time::monotonicMilliseconds()});
     m_textureDeduplicationMap.add(image, texture);
     return texture;
   }
diff --git a/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.hpp b/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.hpp
index 0941ad0..205a321 100644
--- a/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.hpp
+++ b/source/rendering/StarAssetTextureGroup.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include "StarBiMap.hpp"
 #include "StarListener.hpp"
 #include "StarRenderer.hpp"
+#include "StarAssetPath.hpp"
 
 namespace Star {
 
@@ -20,14 +21,14 @@ public:
 
   // Load the given texture into the texture group if it is not loaded, and
   // return the texture pointer.
-  TexturePtr loadTexture(String const& imageName);
+  TexturePtr loadTexture(AssetPath const& imagePath);
 
   // If the texture is loaded and ready, returns the texture pointer, otherwise
   // queues the texture using Assets::tryImage and returns nullptr.
-  TexturePtr tryTexture(String const& imageName);
+  TexturePtr tryTexture(AssetPath const& imagePath);
 
   // Has the texture been loaded?
-  bool textureLoaded(String const& imageName) const;
+  bool textureLoaded(AssetPath const& imagePath) const;
 
   // Frees textures that haven't been used in more than 'textureTimeout' time.
   // If Root has been reloaded, will simply clear the texture group.
@@ -37,10 +38,10 @@ private:
   // Returns the texture parameters.  If tryTexture is true, then returns none
   // if the texture is not loaded, and queues it, otherwise loads texture
   // immediately
-  TexturePtr loadTexture(String const& imageName, bool tryTexture);
+  TexturePtr loadTexture(AssetPath const& imagePath, bool tryTexture);
 
   TextureGroupPtr m_textureGroup;
-  StringMap<pair<TexturePtr, int64_t>> m_textureMap;
+  HashMap<AssetPath, pair<TexturePtr, int64_t>> m_textureMap;
   HashMap<ImageConstPtr, TexturePtr> m_textureDeduplicationMap;
   TrackerListenerPtr m_reloadTracker;
 };
diff --git a/source/windowing/StarGuiContext.cpp b/source/windowing/StarGuiContext.cpp
index 463e341..70ef67b 100644
--- a/source/windowing/StarGuiContext.cpp
+++ b/source/windowing/StarGuiContext.cpp
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ bool GuiContext::trySetCursor(Drawable const& drawable, Vec2I const& offset, int
 
   auto assets = Root::singleton().assets();
   auto& imagePath = drawable.imagePart().image;
-  return applicationController()->setCursorImage(imagePath, assets->image(imagePath), pixelRatio, offset);
+  return applicationController()->setCursorImage(AssetPath::join(imagePath), assets->image(imagePath), pixelRatio, offset);
 }
 
 RectF GuiContext::renderText(String const& s, TextPositioning const& position) {
diff --git a/source/windowing/StarImageWidget.cpp b/source/windowing/StarImageWidget.cpp
index c189eac..ef82c33 100644
--- a/source/windowing/StarImageWidget.cpp
+++ b/source/windowing/StarImageWidget.cpp
@@ -41,9 +41,10 @@ void ImageWidget::setRotation(float rotation) {
 }
 
 String ImageWidget::image() const {
-  if (!m_drawables.size())
+  if (m_drawables.empty())
     return "";
-  return m_drawables[0].imagePart().image;
+  else
+    return AssetPath::join(m_drawables[0].imagePart().image);
 }
 
 void ImageWidget::setDrawables(List<Drawable> drawables) {