diff --git a/debug.c b/debug.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4f9d6aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debug.c
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#include "debug.h"
+
+#if NDEBUG
+int g_debug_error_abort = 0; 
+int g_debug_log_lvl = 0;
+#else
+int g_debug_error_abort = 1;
+int g_debug_log_lvl = 3;
+#endif
diff --git a/debug.h b/debug.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1095262
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debug.h
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_debug_h
+#define _fencer_debug_h
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+#include <assert.h>
+#endif
+
+extern int g_debug_error_abort;
+extern int g_debug_log_lvl;
+
+#define LOG_INFO(...) do {\
+    if(g_debug_log_lvl < 3) break;\
+    printf("[%s:%d]  INFO | ", __FILE__, __LINE__);\
+    printf(__VA_ARGS__);\
+    printf("\n");\
+} while(0)
+
+#define LOG_ERROR(...) do {\
+    if(g_debug_log_lvl >= 1) {\
+        printf("[%s:%d]  ERROR | ", __FILE__, __LINE__);\
+        printf(__VA_ARGS__);\
+        printf("\n");\
+        fflush(stdout);\
+    }\
+    if(g_debug_error_abort != 0) abort();\
+} while(0)
+
+#define LOG_WARNING(...) do {\
+    if(g_debug_log_lvl < 2) break;\
+    printf("[%s:%d]  WARNING | ", __FILE__, __LINE__);\
+    printf(__VA_ARGS__);\
+    printf("\n");\
+} while(0)
+
+
+#define RETURN_ERROR(__VALUE, ...) do {\
+    LOG_ERROR(__VA_ARGS__);\
+    return __VALUE;\
+} while(0)
+
+#define RETURN_WARNING(__VALUE, ...) do {\
+    LOG_WARNING(__VA_ARGS__);\
+    return __VALUE;\
+} while(0)
+
+#define ASSERT_RETURN(__ASSERT, __RETURN, ...) do {\
+    if(!(__ASSERT)) {\
+        LOG_ERROR(__VA_ARGS__);\
+        return __RETURN;\
+    }\
+} while(0)
+
+#define CHECK(__ASSERT, ...) do {\
+    if(!(__ASSERT)) {\
+        LOG_ERROR(__VA_ARGS__);\
+    }\
+} while(0)
+
+#define ASSERT_RETURN_WARN(__ASSERT, __RETURN, ...) do {\
+    if(!(__ASSERT)) {\
+        LOG_WARNING(__VA_ARGS__);\
+        return __RETURN;\
+    }\
+} while(0)
+
+#endif // !_fencer_debug_h
diff --git a/dictionary.c b/dictionary.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..397297a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dictionary.c
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+#include "dictionary.h"
+#include "strutil.h"
+#include "string.h"
+#include "math.h"
+
+typedef struct Key {
+    char* key;
+    uintptr_t hash;
+} Key;
+
+Dictionary dictionary_new(size_t element_size) {
+    return (Dictionary) {
+        .element_size = element_size,
+        .list = list_init(sizeof(Key) + element_size)
+    };
+}
+
+Key* internal_dictionary_get(Dictionary* self, uintptr_t keyhash, size_t* out_index) {
+    if(self->list.len == 0) {
+        if(out_index) *out_index = 0;
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    Key* element;
+    signed long l = 0, r = self->list.len, m;
+    while(l <= r) {
+        m = floor((double)(l+r)/2.0);
+        if(out_index != NULL) *out_index = m;
+        element = list_at_unchecked(&self->list, m);
+        if(keyhash < element->hash)
+            r = m-1;
+        else if(keyhash > element->hash)
+            l = m+1;
+        else
+            return element;
+    }
+    m = m >= 0 ? (m < self->list.len ? m : self->list.len - 1) : 0;
+    return list_at_as(Key, &self->list, m);
+}
+
+void* dictionary_get_raw(Dictionary* self, const char* key) {
+    uintptr_t hash = strhash(key);
+    Key* keyblock = internal_dictionary_get(self, hash, NULL);
+    return keyblock == NULL || strcmp(key, keyblock->key) != 0
+        ? NULL
+        : ((char*)keyblock) + sizeof(Key);
+}
+
+static inline
+int dictionary_insert_kvp(Dictionary* self, Key key, void* value, size_t index) {
+    // allocate a block of memory to insert into the list
+    char* insert_data = malloc(self->list.element_size);
+    if(insert_data == NULL)
+        return -1; // OOM
+    // fill block with key and value
+    memcpy(insert_data, &key, sizeof(Key));
+    memcpy(insert_data + sizeof(Key), value, self->element_size);
+    // decide add or insert based on current length of list
+    if(self->list.len == 0 || index >= self->list.len)
+        list_add(&self->list, insert_data);
+    else
+        list_insert(&self->list, insert_data, index);
+    // free allocated key-value block
+    free(insert_data);
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int dictionary_set_raw(Dictionary* self, const char* key, void* data) {
+    const uintptr_t keyhash = strhash(key);
+    size_t closest_index;
+    Key* closest = internal_dictionary_get(self, keyhash, &closest_index);
+    // get index of closest hash
+    // prepare key data
+    Key keydata = {
+        .hash = keyhash,
+        .key = malloc(strlen(key)+1)
+    };
+    strcpy(keydata.key, key);
+    if(closest == NULL) {
+        return dictionary_insert_kvp(self, keydata, data, closest_index);
+    } else if(closest->hash == keyhash && strcmp(closest->key, key) == 0) {
+        memcpy(closest + 1, data, self->element_size);
+        return 0;
+    } else if(keyhash < closest->hash) { // insert before
+        return dictionary_insert_kvp(self, keydata, data, closest_index);
+    } else {
+        return dictionary_insert_kvp(self, keydata, data, closest_index + 1);
+    }
+}
+
+int dictionary_erase(Dictionary* self, const char* key) {
+    const uintptr_t keyhash = strhash(key);
+    size_t index;
+    Key* element = internal_dictionary_get(self, keyhash, &index);
+    if(element->hash != keyhash || strcmp(key, element->key) != 0)
+        return -1; // not a match
+    // free the key string
+    free(element->key);
+    list_erase(&self->list, index);
+    return 0;
+}
+
+void dictionary_empty(Dictionary* self) {
+    list_empty(&self->list);
+}
+
+int dictionary_has_key(Dictionary* self, const char* key) {
+    return dictionary_get_raw(self, key) != NULL;
+}
+
+int dictionary_try_get(Dictionary* self, const char* key, void* out) {
+    void* found = dictionary_get_raw(self, key);
+    if(found == NULL)
+        return 0;
+    memmove(out, found, self->element_size);
+    return 1;
+}
diff --git a/dictionary.h b/dictionary.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c67068
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dictionary.h
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_hash_map_h
+#define _fencer_hash_map_h
+
+#include "list.h"
+
+typedef struct Dictionary {
+    List list;
+    size_t element_size;
+} Dictionary;
+
+// returns a newly initialized dictionary
+extern Dictionary dictionary_new(size_t element_size);
+// gets a voidptr to the value identified by key
+extern void* dictionary_get_raw(Dictionary* self, const char* key);
+// inserts or overwrites a new entry identified by key
+extern int dictionary_set_raw(Dictionary* self, const char* key, void* data);
+// remove entry identified by key from dictionary
+extern int dictionary_erase(Dictionary* self, const char* key);
+// clear the contents of the dictionary
+// erases all heap-allocated memory, the dictionary can be safely freed after
+extern void dictionary_empty(Dictionary* self);
+// find out if the dictionary contains a value identified by this key
+// returns 1 if the key was found
+// returns 0 if the key was not found
+extern int dictionary_has_key(Dictionary* self, const char* key);
+// try to find value identified as key in the dictionary.
+// return 1 if the value was found, 0 if not.
+// if dictionary_try_get returns 0, memory at out will be unchanged,
+// if dictionary_try_get returns 1, found value will be copied into out
+extern int dictionary_try_get(Dictionary* self, const char* key, void* out);
+
+// insert or override value identified by key from a value type (supports rvalues)
+#define dictionary_set_value(Type_, Dict_, Key_, Value_)\
+{ Type_ __value = (Type_)Value_; dictionary_set_raw(Dict_, Key_, &__value); }
+
+// initialize dictionary to fit values of Type_
+#define dictionary_from_type(Type_)\
+dictionary_new(sizeof(Type_))
+// get a pointer to value identified by Key_
+#define dictionary_get_as(Type_, Dict_, Key_)\
+(Type_*)dictionary_get_raw(Dict_, Key_)
+// get dereferenced value identified by Key_
+#define dictionary_get_value(Type_, Dict_, Key_)\
+*((Type_*)dictionary_get_raw(Dict_, Key_))
+
+#endif // !_fencer_hash_map_h
diff --git a/list.c b/list.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f92ba1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/list.c
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+#include "list.h"
+#include "stdint.h"
+#include "stdlib.h"
+#include "string.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+
+#ifndef LIST_DEFAULT_RESERVE
+#define LIST_DEFAULT_RESERVE 4
+#endif
+
+List list_init(size_t element_size) {
+    List self = {
+        .element_size = element_size,
+        .cap = LIST_DEFAULT_RESERVE,
+        .len = 0,
+        .data = malloc(element_size * LIST_DEFAULT_RESERVE),
+    };
+
+    if(self.data == NULL) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Failed to allocate list with starting capacity of %d", LIST_DEFAULT_RESERVE);
+        self.cap = 0;
+    }
+
+    return self;
+}
+
+List list_copy(const List* source) {
+    List self = list_init(source->element_size);
+    list_reserve(&self, source->cap);
+    if(self.cap > 0) {
+        memcpy(self.data, source->data, source->element_size * source->len);
+        self.len = source->len;
+    } else {
+        LOG_ERROR("Failed to reserve space");
+    }
+    return self;
+}
+
+void list_empty(List* self) {
+    if(self->data == NULL || self->cap == 0)
+        return;
+    self->data = NULL;
+    self->cap = 0;
+    self->len = 0;
+}
+
+void list_reserve(List* self, size_t at_least) {
+    if(at_least < self->cap)
+        return;
+
+    size_t new_cap = self->cap > 0 ? self->cap : LIST_DEFAULT_RESERVE;
+    while(at_least >= new_cap) {
+        new_cap *= 2;
+    }
+
+    void* new;
+    if(self->data == NULL)
+        new = malloc(new_cap * self->element_size);
+    else
+        new = realloc(self->data, new_cap * self->element_size);
+    ASSERT_RETURN(new != NULL,, "Failed to reserve space for %zu extra elements in list", new_cap);
+
+    self->data = new;
+    self->cap = new_cap;
+}
+
+void* list_at_unchecked(List* self, size_t at) {
+    union {
+        uint8_t* as_byte;
+        void* as_void;
+    } data = {
+        .as_void = self->data
+    };
+
+    return data.as_byte + self->element_size * at;
+}
+
+void* list_at(List* self, size_t at) {
+    ASSERT_RETURN(at < self->len, NULL, "Index %zu out of bounds", at);
+    return list_at_unchecked(self, at);
+}
+
+size_t list_add(List* self, void* item) {
+    list_reserve(self, self->len + 1);
+    union {
+        uint8_t* as_byte;
+        void* as_void;
+    } data = {
+        .as_void = self->data
+    };
+
+    uint8_t* into = data.as_byte + (self->element_size * self->len);
+
+    memcpy(into, item, self->element_size);
+    ++self->len;
+
+    return self->len - 1;
+}
+
+void list_insert(List* self, void* item, size_t at) {
+    list_reserve(self, self->len + 1);
+
+    if(at >= self->len) {
+        list_add(self, item);
+        return;
+    }
+    
+    union {
+        uint8_t* as_byte;
+        void* as_void;
+    } data = {
+        .as_void = self->data
+    };
+    uint8_t* from = data.as_byte + (self->element_size * at);
+    uint8_t* into = data.as_byte + (self->element_size * (at + 1));
+    uint8_t* end = data.as_byte + (self->element_size * self->len);
+    memmove(into, from, end - from);
+    memcpy(from, item, self->element_size);
+    ++self->len;
+}
+
+void list_erase(List* self, size_t at) {
+    ASSERT_RETURN(at < self->len,, "Index %zu out of bounds", at);
+
+    union {
+        uint8_t* as_byte;
+        void* as_void;
+    } data = {
+        .as_void = self->data
+    };
+
+    uint8_t* into = data.as_byte + at * self->element_size;
+    uint8_t* from = data.as_byte + (at + 1) * self->element_size;
+
+    if(at < self->len - 1)
+        memmove(into, from, (self->len - at) * self->element_size);
+    --self->len;
+
+    size_t new_cap = self->cap;
+    while(new_cap > self->len) {
+        new_cap /= 2;
+    }
+    new_cap *= 2;
+
+
+    if(new_cap == self->cap)
+        return;
+
+    void* shrunk = realloc(self->data, new_cap * self->element_size);
+    ASSERT_RETURN(shrunk != NULL || new_cap == 0,, "Failed to shrink List to %zu", new_cap);
+
+    self->data = shrunk;
+    self->cap = new_cap;
+}
+
+void* list_iterator_begin(List* self) {
+    return list_at_unchecked(self, 0);
+}
+
+void* list_iterator_end(List* self) {
+    return list_at_unchecked(self, self->len);
+}
+
+size_t list_contains(List* self, void* query) {
+    union {
+        uint8_t* as_byte;
+        void* as_void;
+    } data = {
+        .as_void = self->data
+    };
+    for(size_t i = 0; i < self->len; ++i) {
+        if(memcmp(data.as_byte + (i * self->element_size), query, self->element_size) == 0)
+            return i;
+    }
+    return self->len;
+}
diff --git a/list.h b/list.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0d34494
--- /dev/null
+++ b/list.h
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_list_h
+#define _fencer_list_h
+
+#include "stddef.h"
+
+typedef struct List List;
+struct List {
+    void* data;
+    size_t cap;
+    size_t len;
+
+    size_t element_size;
+};
+
+extern List list_init(size_t element_size);
+extern List list_copy(const List* source);
+extern void list_empty(List* list);
+
+extern void list_reserve(List* self, size_t at_least);
+extern void* list_at(List* list, size_t at);
+extern void* list_at_unchecked(List* self, size_t at);
+
+extern size_t list_add(List* self, void* item);
+extern void list_insert(List* self, void* item, size_t at);
+extern void list_erase(List* self, size_t at);
+
+extern void* list_iterator_begin(List* self);
+extern void* list_iterator_end(List* self);
+
+extern size_t list_contains(List* self, void* query);
+
+#define list_from_type(T) list_init(sizeof(T))
+#define list_foreach(T, iter, list) for(T iter = list_iterator_begin(list); iter != (T)list_iterator_end(list); ++iter)
+#define list_at_as(T, __list, __i) ((T*)(list_at(__list, __i)))
+
+#define list_iterator_begin_as(T, __list) ((T*)(list_iterator_begin(__list)))
+
+#endif // !_fencer_list_h
diff --git a/mirror.c b/mirror.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab6b794
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mirror.c
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#include "mirror.h"
+
+MirroredTypeclass* internal_mirror_get_typeclass(void* self, IMirror const* tc, const char* typeclass) {
+    return dictionary_get_raw(tc->get_typeclasses(self), typeclass);
+}
+
+const void* mirror_get_typeclass(void* data, IMirror const* tc, const char* typeclass) {
+    MirroredTypeclass* class = internal_mirror_get_typeclass(data, tc, typeclass);
+    if(class != NULL)
+        return class->typeclass;
+    else
+        return NULL;
+}
+
+void* mirror_get_function(void* data, IMirror const* tc, const char* typeclass_name) {
+    MirroredTypeclass* class = internal_mirror_get_typeclass(data, tc, typeclass_name);
+    if(class != NULL)
+        return class->function;
+    else
+        return NULL;
+}
diff --git a/mirror.h b/mirror.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..398a454
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mirror.h
@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_mirror_h
+#define _fencer_mirror_h
+
+#include "typeclass_helpers.h"
+#include "stdint.h"
+#include "string.h"
+#include "dictionary.h"
+#include "strutil.h" // included because the impl macros require strhash
+
+typedef uintptr_t typeid;
+
+typedef struct {
+    const char* (*const get_typestring)(void* self);
+    typeid (*const get_typeid)(void* self);
+    Dictionary* (*const get_typeclasses)(void* self);
+} IMirror;
+
+typedef struct {
+    void* data;
+    union {
+        IMirror const* tc;
+        // this is cursed, but it allows the TC_CAST macro to work
+        IMirror const* mirror;
+    };
+} Mirror;
+
+typedef struct {
+    const void* typeclass;
+    void* function;
+} MirroredTypeclass;
+
+static inline int mirror_is_typeid(const Mirror* mirror, typeid id) {
+    return mirror->tc->get_typeid(mirror->data) == id;
+}
+static inline int mirror_is_typestring(const Mirror* mirror, const char* id) {
+    return strcmp(id, mirror->tc->get_typestring(mirror->data)) == 0;
+}
+static inline int mirror_eq(const Mirror* lhs, const Mirror* rhs) {
+    return lhs->tc->get_typeid(lhs->data) == rhs->tc->get_typeid(rhs->data);
+}
+
+extern const void* mirror_get_typeclass(void* data, IMirror const* tc, const char* typeclass);
+// get the wrapper function for a given typeclass name
+// example:
+// mirror_get_function(physics_entity.data, physics_entity.mirror, "BehaviourEntity")
+extern void* mirror_get_function(void* data, IMirror const* tc, const char* typeclass_name);
+
+// macro reexport of mirror_get_function which will cast the function so it can be called immediately
+// example:
+// MIRROR_GET_WRAP_FUNC(physics_entity.data, physics_entity.mirror, BehaviourEntity)(physics_entity.data)
+#define MIRROR_GET_WRAP_FUNC(Data_, MirrorTc_, Typeclass_)\
+((Typeclass_(*)(void*))mirror_get_function(Data_, MirrorTc_, #Typeclass_))
+
+// casting only works if the typeclass in question exposes IMirror as .mirror
+// will segfault if the Mirror does not expose To_
+// example:
+// TC_CAST(physics_entity, BehaviourEntity)
+#define TC_CAST(From_, To_)\
+MIRROR_GET_WRAP_FUNC(From_.data, From_.mirror, To_)(From_.data)
+
+#define TC_MIRRORS(From_, To_)\
+MIRROR_GET_WRAP_FUNC(From_.data, From_.mirror, To_) != NULL
+
+#define MIRROR_TRY_WRAP(Into_, Mirror_, Typeclass_){\
+    MirroredTypeclassWrapFunc fn_ = mirror_get_typeclass(Mirror_, #Typeclass_);\
+    if(fn_ != NULL) {\
+        Into_ = (TypeClass_)fn(Mirror_->data);\
+    }\
+}
+
+#define impl_Mirror_for(T, get_typestring_f, get_typeid_f, get_typeclasses_f)\
+Mirror T##_as_Mirror(T* x) {\
+    TC_FN_TYPECHECK(const char*, get_typestring_f, T*);\
+    TC_FN_TYPECHECK(typeid, get_typeid_f, T*);\
+    TC_FN_TYPECHECK(Dictionary*, get_typeclasses_f, T*);\
+    static IMirror const tc = {\
+        .get_typestring = (const char*(*const)(void*)) get_typestring_f,\
+        .get_typeid = (typeid (*const)(void*)) get_typeid_f,\
+        .get_typeclasses = (Dictionary* (*const)(void*)) get_typeclasses_f,\
+    };\
+    return (Mirror){.tc = &tc, .data = x};\
+}
+
+#define DECL_REFLECT(T)\
+extern const char* T##_get_typestring(T* self);\
+extern typeid T##_get_typeid(T* self);\
+extern Dictionary* T##_get_typeclasses(T* self);\
+decl_typeclass_impl(Mirror, T)
+
+#define START_REFLECT(T)\
+const char* T##_get_typestring(T* self) {\
+    static const char* const typestring = #T;\
+    return typestring;\
+}\
+typeid T##_get_typeid(T* self) {\
+    static char init_flag = 0;\
+    static typeid id = 0;\
+    if(!init_flag) {\
+        init_flag = 1;\
+        id = strhash(#T);\
+    }\
+    return id;\
+}\
+Dictionary* T##_get_typeclasses(T* self) {\
+    static char init_flag = 0;\
+    static Dictionary typeclasses;\
+    if(!init_flag) {\
+        init_flag = 1;\
+        typeclasses = dictionary_new(sizeof(MirroredTypeclass));\
+        MirroredTypeclass tc;\
+    REFLECT_TYPECLASS(T, Mirror)
+
+#define REFLECT_TYPECLASS(T, TypeClass_)\
+    tc = (MirroredTypeclass){\
+        .typeclass = (void*)T##_as_##TypeClass_(NULL).tc,\
+        .function = (void*)T##_as_##TypeClass_\
+    };\
+    dictionary_set_raw(&typeclasses, #TypeClass_, &tc);
+
+#define END_REFLECT(T)\
+    }\
+    return &typeclasses;\
+}\
+impl_Mirror_for(T, T##_get_typestring, T##_get_typeid, T##_get_typeclasses)
+
+#endif // !_fencer_mirror_h
diff --git a/strutil.c b/strutil.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c02490f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/strutil.c
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+#include "strutil.h"
+#include "string.h"
+
+uintptr_t strnhash(const char* s, size_t n) {
+    static const size_t shift = sizeof(uintptr_t) * 8 - 4;
+    uintptr_t hash = 0;
+    for(size_t i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
+        hash = ((hash << 4) | s[i]) ^ (((uintptr_t)0xF << shift) & hash);
+    }
+    return hash;
+}
+
+uintptr_t strhash(const char* s) {
+    return strnhash(s, strlen(s));
+}
+
+long strlast(const char* rbegin, const char* rend, char search) {
+    const char* itr = rbegin;
+    while(itr < rend && *itr != '\0')
+        if(*itr == search) return itr - rend;
+        else itr--;
+    return -1;
+}
+
+long strfirst(const char* begin, const char* end, char search) {
+    const char* itr = begin;
+    while(itr < end && *itr != '\0')
+        if(*itr == search) return itr - begin;
+        else itr++;
+    return -1;
+}
+
+long strcount(const char* begin, const char* end, char search) {
+    long count = 0;
+    for(;begin < end && *begin != '\0'; ++begin)
+        if(*begin == search) ++count;
+    return count;
+}
+
+long strfirst_pred(const char* begin, const char* end, CharPredFn pred) {
+    const char* itr = begin;
+    while(itr < end && *itr != '\0')
+        if(pred(*itr)) return itr - begin;
+        else itr++;
+    return -1;
+}
+
+long strlast_pred(const char* rbegin, const char* rend, CharPredFn pred) {
+    const char* itr = rbegin;
+    while(itr < rend && *itr != '\0')
+        if(pred(*itr)) return itr - rend;
+        else itr--;
+    return -1;
+}
diff --git a/strutil.h b/strutil.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae8592a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/strutil.h
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_strutil_h
+#define _fencer_strutil_h
+
+#include "stdlib.h"
+#include "stdint.h"
+
+typedef int(*CharPredFn)(int);
+
+extern uintptr_t strnhash(const char* s, size_t n);
+extern uintptr_t strhash(const char* s);
+extern long strlast(const char* rbegin, const char* rend, char search);
+extern long strfirst(const char* begin, const char* end, char search);
+extern long strcount(const char* begin, const char* end, char search);
+extern long strfirst_pred(const char* begin, const char* end, CharPredFn pred);
+extern long strlast_pred(const char* rbegin, const char* rend, CharPredFn pred);
+
+#endif // !_fencer_strutil_h
diff --git a/typeclass_helpers.h b/typeclass_helpers.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5f24513
--- /dev/null
+++ b/typeclass_helpers.h
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_typeclass_helpers_h
+#define _fencer_typeclass_helpers_h
+
+#define TC_FN_TYPECHECK(__Return, __Name, ...)\
+__Return (*const __Name##_)(__VA_ARGS__) = __Name; (void)__Name##_
+
+#define decl_typeclass_impl(__Typeclass, __Type)\
+extern __Typeclass __Type##_as_##__Typeclass(__Type*);
+
+#endif // !_fencer_typeclass_helpers_h
diff --git a/variant.c b/variant.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2f63dd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/variant.c
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#include "variant.h"
+#include "debug.h"
+#include "ctype.h"
+#include "string.h"
+#include "strutil.h"
+
+Variant variant_from_str(const char* str) {
+    size_t length = strlen(str);
+    if(isdigit(str[0])) {
+        // variant is a number
+        // convert to double
+        return NumberVariant(atof(str));
+    } else if(str[0] == '"') {
+        // variant should be a string
+        // format: "<content>"
+        // copy the input string without the quotes
+        size_t result_length = strfirst(str+1, str+length, '"');
+        char* string = malloc(result_length);
+        strncpy(string, str+1, result_length-1);
+        string[result_length] = '\0';
+        return StringVariant(string, result_length);
+    } else if(strncmp(str, "Vector(", 7) == 0) {
+        // variant is a vector
+        // format: Vector(<x>, <y>)
+        // get the location of the brackets
+        long close_bracket = strfirst(str, str + length, ')');
+        if(close_bracket == -1) goto variant_from_str_err;
+        char buf[24]; buf[23] = '\0';
+        // copy what is within the brackets
+        // 7 is the number of characters in "Vector(", which should be skipped
+        strncpy(buf, str + 7, close_bracket - 7);
+        length = strlen(buf);
+        long comma_ind = strfirst(buf, buf+length, ',');
+        if(comma_ind == -1) goto variant_from_str_err;
+        // split the string at the comma by inserting a null terminator
+        buf[comma_ind] = '\0';
+        return VectorVariant(MakeVector(atof(buf), atof(buf + comma_ind + 1)));
+    }
+variant_from_str_err:
+    return UndefinedVariant();
+}
+
+void destroy_variant(Variant* self) {
+    destroy_contained(self);
+    free(self);
+}
+
+void destroy_contained(Variant* self) {
+    switch(self->type) {
+    default: break;
+    case Variant_String:
+        if(self->as_string != NULL)
+            free(self->as_string);
+        self->as_string = NULL;
+        break;
+    case Variant_Object:
+        free(self->as_object);
+        self->as_object = NULL;
+        break;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/variant.h b/variant.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2446d30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/variant.h
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_variant_h
+#define _fencer_variant_h
+
+#include "vmath.h"
+
+typedef enum VariantType {
+    Variant_Undefined = 0x0,
+    Variant_Number = 0x1,
+    Variant_Vector = 0x2,
+    Variant_Object = 0x3,
+    Variant_String = 0x4,
+} VariantType;
+
+typedef struct Variant {
+    VariantType type;
+    size_t string_size;
+    union {
+        double as_number;
+        Vector as_vector;
+        void* as_object;
+        char* as_string;
+    };
+} Variant;
+
+extern Variant variant_from_str(const char* str);
+extern void destroy_variant(Variant* self);
+extern void destroy_contained(Variant* self);
+
+#define NumberVariant(Value_) (Variant){.type = Variant_Number, .as_number = Value_}
+#define VectorVariant(Value_) (Variant){.type = Variant_Vector, .as_vector = Value_}
+#define ObjectVariant(Value_) (Variant){.type = Variant_Object, .as_object = Value_}
+#define StringVariant(Value_, BufSize_) (Variant){.type = Variant_String, .as_string = Value_, .string_size = BufSize_}
+#define UndefinedVariant() (Variant){.type = Variant_Undefined }
+
+#endif // !_fencer_variant_h
diff --git a/vmath.h b/vmath.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c99083
--- /dev/null
+++ b/vmath.h
@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+#ifndef _fencer_vmath_h
+#define _fencer_vmath_h
+
+#include "stddef.h"
+#include <math.h>
+
+#if defined _WIN32 && ! defined isnanf
+# define isnanf(x) _isnanf(x)
+# define HAVE_ISNANF
+#endif
+
+#if VMATH_SDL == 1
+
+#include <SDL2/SDL_rect.h>
+typedef SDL_FPoint Vector;
+typedef SDL_Point IVector;
+
+#else
+
+typedef struct Vector {
+    float x;
+    float y;
+} Vector;
+
+typedef struct IVector {
+    int x;
+    int y;
+} IVector;
+
+#endif
+
+// Vector Constant Macros
+#define ZeroVector (Vector){0.0f, 0.0f}
+#define InfinityVector (Vector){INFINITY, INFINITY}
+#define OneVector (Vector){1.0f,1.0f}
+
+#define UpVector (Vector){0.0f,-1.0f}
+#define RightVector (Vector){1.0f,0.0f}
+#define LeftVector (Vector){-1.0f,0.0f}
+#define DownVector (Vector){0.0f,1.0f}
+
+#define MakeVector(__X, __Y) (Vector){__X, __Y}
+#define VectorFrom(__A) (Vector){__A, __A}
+
+// Integer Vector Constant Macros
+#define ZeroIVector (IVector){0,0}
+#define OneIVector (IVector){1,1}
+
+#define UpIVector (IVector){-1,0}
+#define DownIVector (IVector){1,0}
+#define RightIVector (IVector){1,0}
+#define LeftIVector (IVector){-1,0}
+
+#define MakeIVector(__X, __Y) (IVector){__X, __Y}
+#define IVectorFrom(__A) (IVector){__A, __A}
+
+///
+// Floating point vector maths functions.
+///
+static inline
+int veqf(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    const float e = 0.0001f;
+    return fabsf(a.x - b.x) + fabsf(a.y - b.y) < e;
+}
+static inline
+int visnanf(Vector a) {
+    return isnanf(a.x) || isnanf(a.y);
+}
+static inline
+Vector vaddf(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    return (Vector){a.x + b.x, a.y + b.y};
+}
+static inline
+Vector vsubf(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    return (Vector){a.x - b.x, a.y - b.y};
+}
+static inline
+Vector vmulff(Vector a, float b) {
+    return (Vector){a.x * b, a.y * b};
+}
+static inline
+Vector vmulf(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    return (Vector) {a.x * b.x, a.y * b.y};
+}
+static inline
+Vector vinvf(Vector a) {
+    return (Vector){-a.x, -a.y};
+}
+static inline
+Vector vperpendicularf(Vector a) {
+    return (Vector){a.y, -a.x};
+}
+static inline
+float vmagnitudef(Vector a) {
+    if(veqf(a, ZeroVector)) return 0.f;
+    a.x = fabsf(a.x);
+    a.y = fabsf(a.y);
+    return sqrtf(a.x*a.x + a.y*a.y);
+}
+static inline
+float vsqrmagnitudef(Vector a) {
+    a.x = fabsf(a.x);
+    a.y = fabsf(a.y);
+    return a.x*a.x + a.y*a.y;
+}
+static inline
+Vector vnormalizedf(Vector a) {
+    if(veqf(a, ZeroVector)) return ZeroVector;
+    return vmulff(a, 1.0f/vmagnitudef(a));
+}
+static inline
+float vdotf(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    return (a.x*b.x) + (a.y*b.y);
+}
+static inline
+float vdistancef(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    return vmagnitudef(vsubf(a, b));
+}
+static inline
+float vsqrdistf(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    return vsqrmagnitudef(vsubf(a, b));
+}
+static inline
+Vector vreciprocalf(Vector a) {
+    return (Vector){1.0f/a.x, 1.0f/a.y};
+}
+static inline
+Vector vrotatef(Vector a, float t) {
+    return (Vector){
+        cosf(t) * a.x - sinf(t) * a.y,
+        sinf(t) * a.x + cosf(t) * a.y
+    };
+}
+static inline
+float vanglebetweenf(Vector a, Vector b) {
+    return vdotf(a, b) / (vmagnitudef(a) * vmagnitudef(b));
+}
+static inline
+Vector vprojectf(Vector onto, Vector from) {
+    float dot = vdotf(onto, from);
+    return vmulff(onto, dot);
+}
+static inline
+Vector vlerpf(Vector start, Vector end, float t) {
+    if(veqf(start, end))
+        return end;
+    t = fminf(fmaxf(0.0f, t), 1.0f);
+    return vaddf(start, vmulff(vsubf(end, start), t));
+}
+static inline
+Vector vmovetowardsf(Vector start, Vector end, float delta) {
+    return vlerpf(start, end, delta / vdistancef(end, start));
+}
+static inline
+Vector vaveragef(Vector* array, size_t count) {
+    Vector acc = ZeroVector;
+    for(size_t i = 0; i < count; ++i) {
+        acc = vaddf(acc, array[i]);
+    }
+    return vmulff(acc, 1.0f/(float)count);
+}
+
+static inline
+int veqi(IVector a, IVector b) {
+    return a.x == b.x && a.y == b.y;
+}
+
+static inline
+IVector vaddi(IVector a, IVector b) {
+    return (IVector){a.x + b.x, a.y + b.y};
+}
+static inline
+IVector vsubi(IVector a, IVector b) {
+    return (IVector){a.x - b.x, a.y - b.y};
+}
+static inline
+IVector vmuli(IVector a, IVector b) {
+    return (IVector){a.x * b.x, a.y * b.y};
+}
+
+#endif // !_fencer_vmath_h