diff --git a/overviewer_core/__init__.py b/overviewer_core/__init__.py
index c3d3680..e69de29 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/__init__.py
+++ b/overviewer_core/__init__.py
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-# c_overviewer must be imported first, because it imports other
-# modules; leaving this out can lead to bad dependency loops
-
-try:
-    import c_overviewer
-except ImportError:
-    pass
diff --git a/overviewer_core/rendermodes.py b/overviewer_core/rendermodes.py
index e3386a3..0c988d2 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/rendermodes.py
+++ b/overviewer_core/rendermodes.py
@@ -16,6 +16,29 @@
 from PIL import Image
 import textures
 
+class RenderPrimitive(object):
+    options = {}
+    name = None
+    def __init__(self, **kwargs):
+        if self.name is None:
+            raise RuntimeError("RenderPrimitive cannot be used directly")
+        
+        self.option_values = {}
+        for key, val in kwargs.iteritems():
+            if not key in self.options:
+                raise ValueError("primitive `{0}' has no option `{1}'".format(self.name, key))
+            self.option_values[key] = val
+
+class Base(RenderPrimitive):
+    options = {
+        "edge_opacity": "darkness of the edge lines, from 0.0 to 1.0 (default: 0.15)",
+        "min_depth": "lowest level of blocks to render (default: 0)",
+        "max_depth": "highest level of blocks to render (default: 127)",
+        "height_fading": "darken or lighten blocks based on height (default: False)",
+        "nether": "if True, remove the roof of the map. Useful on nether maps. (defualt: False)",
+    }
+    name = "base"
+
 # Render 3 blending masks for lighting
 # first is top (+Z), second is left (-X), third is right (+Y)
 def generate_facemasks():
diff --git a/overviewer_core/src/iterate.c b/overviewer_core/src/iterate.c
index 22cfabd..f1e7bc2 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/src/iterate.c
+++ b/overviewer_core/src/iterate.c
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "overviewer.h"
 
 static PyObject *textures = NULL;
-static PyObject *support = NULL;
 
 unsigned int max_blockid = 0;
 unsigned int max_data = 0;
@@ -47,11 +46,6 @@ PyObject *init_chunk_render(void) {
         return NULL;
     }
     
-    support = PyImport_ImportModule("overviewer_core.rendermodes");
-    if (!support) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    
     tmp = PyObject_GetAttrString(textures, "max_blockid");
     if (!tmp)
         return NULL;
@@ -388,7 +382,7 @@ chunk_render(PyObject *self, PyObject *args) {
     RenderState state;
     PyObject *regionset;
     int chunkx, chunkz;
-    const char* rendermode_name = NULL;
+    PyObject *modeobj;
     PyObject *blockmap;
 
     int xoff, yoff;
@@ -406,14 +400,11 @@ chunk_render(PyObject *self, PyObject *args) {
 
     PyObject *t = NULL;
     
-    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args, "OiiOiisO",  &state.regionset, &state.chunkx, &state.chunkz, &state.img, &xoff, &yoff, &rendermode_name, &state.textures))
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTuple(args, "OiiOiiOO",  &state.regionset, &state.chunkx, &state.chunkz, &state.img, &xoff, &yoff, &modeobj, &state.textures))
         return NULL;
     
-    /* rendermode support */
-    state.support = support;
-    
     /* set up the render mode */
-    state.rendermode = rendermode = render_mode_create(rendermode_name, &state);
+    state.rendermode = rendermode = render_mode_create(modeobj, &state);
     if (rendermode == NULL) {
         return NULL; // note that render_mode_create will
                      // set PyErr.  No need to set it here
diff --git a/overviewer_core/src/overviewer.h b/overviewer_core/src/overviewer.h
index 1155724..517bb5b 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/src/overviewer.h
+++ b/overviewer_core/src/overviewer.h
@@ -79,9 +79,6 @@ typedef struct {
     /* the Texture object */
     PyObject *textures;
     
-    /* the rendermode support module (rendermodes.py) */
-    PyObject *support;
-    
     /* the block position and type, and the block array */
     int x, y, z;
     unsigned char block;
diff --git a/overviewer_core/src/rendermode-normal.c b/overviewer_core/src/primitives/base.c
similarity index 87%
rename from overviewer_core/src/rendermode-normal.c
rename to overviewer_core/src/primitives/base.c
index 39bc679..2ed70fc 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/src/rendermode-normal.c
+++ b/overviewer_core/src/primitives/base.c
@@ -15,33 +15,53 @@
  * with the Overviewer.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include "overviewer.h"
+#include "../overviewer.h"
+
+typedef struct {
+    /* coordinates of the chunk, inside its region file */
+    int chunk_x, chunk_y;
+    /* biome data for the region */
+    PyObject *biome_data;
+    /* grasscolor and foliagecolor lookup tables */
+    PyObject *grasscolor, *foliagecolor, *watercolor;
+    /* biome-compatible grass/leaf textures */
+    PyObject *grass_texture;
+    
+    /* black and white colors for height fading */
+    PyObject *black_color, *white_color;
+    
+    float edge_opacity;
+    unsigned int min_depth;
+    unsigned int max_depth;
+    int height_fading;
+    int nether;
+} PrimitiveBase;
 
 static int
-rendermode_normal_start(void *data, RenderState *state, PyObject *options) {
-    RenderModeNormal *self = (RenderModeNormal *)data;
+base_start(void *data, RenderState *state, PyObject *support) {
+    PrimitiveBase *self = (PrimitiveBase *)data;
     
     /* load up the given options, first */
     
     self->edge_opacity = 0.15;
-    if (!render_mode_parse_option(options, "edge_opacity", "f", &(self->edge_opacity)))
+    if (!render_mode_parse_option(support, "edge_opacity", "f", &(self->edge_opacity)))
         return 1;
     
     self->min_depth = 0;
-    if (!render_mode_parse_option(options, "min_depth", "I", &(self->min_depth)))
+    if (!render_mode_parse_option(support, "min_depth", "I", &(self->min_depth)))
         return 1;
 
     self->max_depth = 127;
-    if (!render_mode_parse_option(options, "max_depth", "I", &(self->max_depth)))
+    if (!render_mode_parse_option(support, "max_depth", "I", &(self->max_depth)))
         return 1;
 
     self->height_fading = 0;
     /* XXX skip height fading */
-    /*if (!render_mode_parse_option(options, "height_fading", "i", &(self->height_fading)))
+    /*if (!render_mode_parse_option(support, "height_fading", "i", &(self->height_fading)))
       return 1;*/
     
     self->nether = 0;
-    if (!render_mode_parse_option(options, "nether", "i", &(self->nether)))
+    if (!render_mode_parse_option(support, "nether", "i", &(self->nether)))
         return 1;
     
     /*if (self->height_fading) {
@@ -95,8 +115,8 @@ rendermode_normal_start(void *data, RenderState *state, PyObject *options) {
 }
 
 static void
-rendermode_normal_finish(void *data, RenderState *state) {
-    RenderModeNormal *self = (RenderModeNormal *)data;
+base_finish(void *data, RenderState *state) {
+    PrimitiveBase *self = (PrimitiveBase *)data;
     
     Py_XDECREF(self->biome_data);
     Py_XDECREF(self->foliagecolor);
@@ -108,7 +128,7 @@ rendermode_normal_finish(void *data, RenderState *state) {
 }
 
 static int
-rendermode_normal_occluded(void *data, RenderState *state, int x, int y, int z) {
+base_occluded(void *data, RenderState *state, int x, int y, int z) {
     if ( (x != 0) && (y != 15) && (z != 127) &&
          !render_mode_hidden(state->rendermode, x-1, y, z) &&
          !render_mode_hidden(state->rendermode, x, y, z+1) &&
@@ -123,8 +143,8 @@ rendermode_normal_occluded(void *data, RenderState *state, int x, int y, int z)
 }
 
 static int
-rendermode_normal_hidden(void *data, RenderState *state, int x, int y, int z) {
-    RenderModeNormal *self = (RenderModeNormal *)data;
+base_hidden(void *data, RenderState *state, int x, int y, int z) {
+    PrimitiveBase *self = (PrimitiveBase *)data;
     
     if (z > self->max_depth || z < self->min_depth) {
         return 1;
@@ -154,8 +174,8 @@ rendermode_normal_hidden(void *data, RenderState *state, int x, int y, int z) {
 }
 
 static void
-rendermode_normal_draw(void *data, RenderState *state, PyObject *src, PyObject *mask, PyObject *mask_light) {
-    RenderModeNormal *self = (RenderModeNormal *)data;
+base_draw(void *data, RenderState *state, PyObject *src, PyObject *mask, PyObject *mask_light) {
+    PrimitiveBase *self = (PrimitiveBase *)data;
 
     /* draw the block! */
     alpha_over(state->img, src, mask, state->imgx, state->imgy, 0, 0);
@@ -360,24 +380,11 @@ rendermode_normal_draw(void *data, RenderState *state, PyObject *src, PyObject *
     }
 }
 
-const RenderModeOption rendermode_normal_options[] = {
-    {"edge_opacity", "darkness of the edge lines, from 0.0 to 1.0 (default: 0.15)"},
-    {"min_depth", "lowest level of blocks to render (default: 0)"},
-    {"max_depth", "highest level of blocks to render (default: 127)"},
-    {"height_fading", "darken or lighten blocks based on height (default: False)"},
-    {"nether", "if True, remove the roof of the map. Useful on nether maps. (default: False)"},
-    {NULL, NULL}
-};
-
-RenderModeInterface rendermode_normal = {
-    "normal", "Normal",
-    "nothing special, just render the blocks",
-    rendermode_normal_options,
-    NULL,
-    sizeof(RenderModeNormal),
-    rendermode_normal_start,
-    rendermode_normal_finish,
-    rendermode_normal_occluded,
-    rendermode_normal_hidden,
-    rendermode_normal_draw,
+RenderPrimitiveInterface primitive_base = {
+    "base", sizeof(PrimitiveBase),
+    base_start,
+    base_finish,
+    base_occluded,
+    base_hidden,
+    base_draw,
 };
diff --git a/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.c b/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.c
index f26f629..fe69983 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.c
+++ b/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.c
@@ -19,97 +19,166 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdarg.h>
 
-/* list of all render modes, ending in NULL
-   all of these will be available to the user, so DON'T include modes
-   that are only useful as a base for other modes. */
-static RenderModeInterface *render_modes[] = {
-    &rendermode_normal,
-    &rendermode_lighting,
-    &rendermode_smooth_lighting,
-    &rendermode_cave,
+extern RenderPrimitiveInterface primitive_base;
+
+/* list of all render primitives, ending in NULL
+   all of these will be available to the user, so DON'T include primitives
+   that are only useful as a base for other primitives. */
+static RenderPrimitiveInterface *render_primitives[] = {
+    &primitive_base,
+    //&rendermode_lighting,
+    //&rendermode_smooth_lighting,
+    //&rendermode_cave,
     
-    &rendermode_spawn,
-    &rendermode_mineral,
+    //&rendermode_spawn,
+    //&rendermode_mineral,
     NULL
 };
 
 /* rendermode encapsulation */
 
-RenderMode *render_mode_create(const char *mode, RenderState *state) {
-    PyObject *options;
-    RenderMode *ret = NULL;
-    RenderModeInterface *iface = NULL;
+/* helper to create a single primitive */
+RenderPrimitive *render_primitive_create(PyObject *prim, RenderState *state) {
+    RenderPrimitive *ret = NULL;
+    RenderPrimitiveInterface *iface = NULL;
     unsigned int i;
+    PyObject *pyname;
+    const char* name;
+
+    pyname = PyObject_GetAttrString(prim, "name");
+    if (!pyname)
+        return NULL;
+    name = PyString_AsString(pyname);
     
-    for (i = 0; render_modes[i] != NULL; i++) {
-        if (strcmp(render_modes[i]->name, mode) == 0) {
-            iface = render_modes[i];
+    for (i = 0; render_primitives[i] != NULL; i++) {
+        if (strcmp(render_primitives[i]->name, name) == 0) {
+            iface = render_primitives[i];
             break;
         }
     }
+    Py_DECREF(pyname);
 
     if (iface == NULL)
         return NULL;
     
-    options = PyDict_New();
-    
-    ret = calloc(1, sizeof(RenderMode));
+    ret = calloc(1, sizeof(RenderPrimitive));
     if (ret == NULL) {
-        Py_DECREF(options);
-        return PyErr_Format(PyExc_RuntimeError, "Failed to alloc a rendermode");
+        return (RenderPrimitive *)PyErr_Format(PyExc_RuntimeError, "Failed to alloc a render primitive");
     }
     
-    ret->mode = calloc(1, iface->data_size);
-    if (ret->mode == NULL) {
-        Py_DECREF(options);
+    ret->primitive = calloc(1, iface->data_size);
+    if (ret->primitive == NULL) {
         free(ret);
-        return PyErr_Format(PyExc_RuntimeError, "Failed to alloc rendermode data");
+        return (RenderPrimitive *)PyErr_Format(PyExc_RuntimeError, "Failed to alloc render primitive data");
     }
     
     ret->iface = iface;
-    ret->state = state;
     
-    if (iface->start(ret->mode, state, options)) {
-        Py_DECREF(options);
-        free(ret->mode);
+    if (iface->start(ret->primitive, state, prim)) {
+        free(ret->primitive);
         free(ret);
         return NULL;
     }
     
-    Py_DECREF(options);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+RenderMode *render_mode_create(PyObject *mode, RenderState *state) {
+    RenderMode *ret = NULL;
+    PyObject *mode_fast = NULL;
+    unsigned int i;
+    
+    mode_fast = PySequence_Fast(mode, "Mode is not a sequence type");
+    if (!mode_fast)
+        return NULL;
+
+    ret = calloc(1, sizeof(RenderMode));
+    ret->state = state;
+    ret->num_primitives = PySequence_Length(mode);
+    ret->primitives = calloc(ret->num_primitives, sizeof(RenderPrimitive*));
+    for (i = 0; i < ret->num_primitives; i++) {
+        PyObject *pyprim = PySequence_Fast_GET_ITEM(mode_fast, i);
+        RenderPrimitive *prim = render_primitive_create(pyprim, state);
+        
+        if (!prim) {
+            render_mode_destroy(ret);
+            Py_DECREF(mode_fast);
+            return NULL;
+        }
+        
+        ret->primitives[i] = prim;
+    }
+    
     return ret;
 }
 
 void render_mode_destroy(RenderMode *self) {
-    self->iface->finish(self->mode, self->state);
-    free(self->mode);
+    unsigned int i;
+    
+    for (i = 0; i < self->num_primitives; i++) {
+        RenderPrimitive *prim = self->primitives[i];
+        /* we may be destroying a half-constructed mode, so we need this
+           check */
+        if (prim) {
+            prim->iface->finish(prim->primitive, self->state);
+            free(prim->primitive);
+            free(prim);
+        }
+    }
+    free(self->primitives);
     free(self);
 }
 
 int render_mode_occluded(RenderMode *self, int x, int y, int z) {
-    return self->iface->occluded(self->mode, self->state, x, y, z);
+    unsigned int i;
+    int occluded = 0;
+    for (i = 0; i < self->num_primitives; i++) {
+        RenderPrimitive *prim = self->primitives[i];
+        occluded |= prim->iface->occluded(prim->primitive, self->state, x, y, z);
+        if (occluded)
+            return occluded;
+    }
+    return occluded;
 }
 
 int render_mode_hidden(RenderMode *self, int x, int y, int z) {
-    return self->iface->hidden(self->mode, self->state, x, y, z);
+    unsigned int i;
+    int hidden = 0;
+    for (i = 0; i < self->num_primitives; i++) {
+        RenderPrimitive *prim = self->primitives[i];
+        hidden |= prim->iface->hidden(prim->primitive, self->state, x, y, z);
+        if (hidden)
+            return hidden;
+    }
+    return hidden;
 }
 
 void render_mode_draw(RenderMode *self, PyObject *img, PyObject *mask, PyObject *mask_light) {
-    self->iface->draw(self->mode, self->state, img, mask, mask_light);
+    unsigned int i;
+    for (i = 0; i < self->num_primitives; i++) {
+        RenderPrimitive *prim = self->primitives[i];
+        prim->iface->draw(prim->primitive, self->state, img, mask, mask_light);
+    }
 }
 
 /* options parse helper */
-int render_mode_parse_option(PyObject *dict, const char *name, const char *format, ...) {
+int render_mode_parse_option(PyObject *support, const char *name, const char *format, ...) {
     va_list ap;
-    PyObject *item;
+    PyObject *item, *dict;
     int ret;
     
-    if (dict == NULL || name == NULL)
+    if (support == NULL || name == NULL)
+        return 1;
+    
+    dict = PyObject_GetAttrString(support, "option_values");
+    if (!dict)
         return 1;
     
     item = PyDict_GetItemString(dict, name);
-    if (item == NULL)
+    if (item == NULL) {
+        Py_DECREF(dict);
         return 1;
+    };
     
     /* make sure the item we're parsing is a tuple
        for VaParse to work correctly */
@@ -124,6 +193,7 @@ int render_mode_parse_option(PyObject *dict, const char *name, const char *forma
     va_end(ap);
     
     Py_DECREF(item);
+    Py_DECREF(dict);
     
     if (!ret) {
         PyObject *errtype, *errvalue, *errtraceback;
diff --git a/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.h b/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.h
index 930f82e..add5bf9 100644
--- a/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.h
+++ b/overviewer_core/src/rendermodes.h
@@ -16,20 +16,14 @@
  */
 
 /*
- * To make a new render mode (the C part, at least):
+ * To make a new render primitive (the C part, at least):
  *
  *     * add a data struct and extern'd interface declaration below
  *
- *     * fill in this interface struct in rendermode-(yourmode).c
- *         (see rendermodes-normal.c for an example: the "normal" mode)
+ *     * fill in this interface struct in primitives/(yourmode).c
+ *         (see primitives/base.c for an example: the "base" primitive)
  *
- *     * if you want to derive from (say) the "normal" mode, put
- *       a RenderModeNormal entry at the top of your data struct, and
- *       be sure to call your parent's functions in your own!
- *         (see rendermode-night.c for a simple example derived from
- *          the "lighting" mode)
- *
- *     * add your mode to the list in rendermodes.c
+ *     * add your primitive to the list in rendermodes.c
  */
 
 #ifndef __RENDERMODES_H_INCLUDED__
@@ -38,30 +32,14 @@
 #include <Python.h>
 #include "overviewer.h"
 
+/* render primitive interface */
 typedef struct {
-    const char *name;
-    const char *description;
-} RenderModeOption;
-
-/* rendermode interface */
-typedef struct _RenderModeInterface RenderModeInterface;
-struct _RenderModeInterface {
     /* the name of this mode */
-    const char *name;
-    /* the label to use in the map */
-    const char *label;
-    /* the short description of this render mode */
-    const char *description;
-    
-    /* a NULL-terminated list of render mode options, or NULL */
-    RenderModeOption *options;
-    
-    /* the rendermode this is derived from, or NULL */
-    RenderModeInterface *parent;
+    const char *name;    
     /* the size of the local storage for this rendermode */
     unsigned int data_size;
     
-    /* may return non-zero on error, last arg is options */
+    /* may return non-zero on error, last arg is the python support object */
     int (*start)(void *, RenderState *, PyObject *);
     void (*finish)(void *, RenderState *);
     /* returns non-zero to skip rendering this block because it's not visible */
@@ -71,7 +49,7 @@ struct _RenderModeInterface {
     int (*hidden)(void *, RenderState *, int, int, int);
     /* last two arguments are img and mask, from texture lookup */
     void (*draw)(void *, RenderState *, PyObject *, PyObject *, PyObject *);
-};
+} RenderPrimitiveInterface;
 
 /* A quick note about the difference between occluded and hidden:
  *
@@ -88,47 +66,32 @@ struct _RenderModeInterface {
  * example, in lighting mode it is called at most 4 times per block.
  */
 
+/* convenience wrapper for a single primitive + interface */
+typedef struct {
+    void *primitive;
+    RenderPrimitiveInterface *iface;
+} RenderPrimitive;
+
 /* wrapper for passing around rendermodes */
 struct _RenderMode {
-    void *mode;
-    RenderModeInterface *iface;
+    unsigned int num_primitives;
+    RenderPrimitive **primitives;
     RenderState *state;
 };
 
 /* functions for creating / using rendermodes */
-RenderMode *render_mode_create(const char *mode, RenderState *state);
+RenderMode *render_mode_create(PyObject *mode, RenderState *state);
 void render_mode_destroy(RenderMode *self);
 int render_mode_occluded(RenderMode *self, int x, int y, int z);
 int render_mode_hidden(RenderMode *self, int x, int y, int z);
 void render_mode_draw(RenderMode *self, PyObject *img, PyObject *mask, PyObject *mask_light);
 
 /* helper function for reading in rendermode options
-   works like PyArg_ParseTuple on a dictionary item */
-int render_mode_parse_option(PyObject *dict, const char *name, const char *format, ...);
+   works like PyArg_ParseTuple on a support object */
+int render_mode_parse_option(PyObject *support, const char *name, const char *format, ...);
 
-/* individual rendermode interface declarations follow */
-
-/* NORMAL */
-typedef struct {
-    /* coordinates of the chunk, inside its region file */
-    int chunk_x, chunk_y;
-    /* biome data for the region */
-    PyObject *biome_data;
-    /* grasscolor and foliagecolor lookup tables */
-    PyObject *grasscolor, *foliagecolor, *watercolor;
-    /* biome-compatible grass/leaf textures */
-    PyObject *grass_texture;
-    
-    /* black and white colors for height fading */
-    PyObject *black_color, *white_color;
-    
-    float edge_opacity;
-    unsigned int min_depth;
-    unsigned int max_depth;
-    int height_fading;
-    int nether;
-} RenderModeNormal;
-extern RenderModeInterface rendermode_normal;
+/* XXX individual rendermode interface declarations follow */
+#ifdef OLD_MODES
 
 /* OVERLAY */
 typedef struct {
@@ -235,5 +198,6 @@ typedef struct {
     void *minerals;
 } RenderModeMineral;
 extern RenderModeInterface rendermode_mineral;
+#endif /* OLD_MODES */
 
 #endif /* __RENDERMODES_H_INCLUDED__ */
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index db2c3d9..ef01ea4 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -149,11 +149,12 @@ except Exception:
         
 
 # used to figure out what files to compile
-render_modes = ['normal', 'lighting', 'smooth-lighting', 'cave']
-render_modes += ['overlay', 'spawn', 'mineral']
+#render_modes = ['normal', 'lighting', 'smooth-lighting', 'cave']
+#render_modes += ['overlay', 'spawn', 'mineral']
+primitives = ['base',]
 
 c_overviewer_files = ['main.c', 'composite.c', 'iterate.c', 'endian.c', 'rendermodes.c']
-c_overviewer_files += map(lambda mode: 'rendermode-%s.c' % (mode,), render_modes)
+c_overviewer_files += map(lambda mode: 'primitives/%s.c' % (mode,), primitives)
 c_overviewer_files += ['Draw.c']
 c_overviewer_includes = ['overviewer.h', 'rendermodes.h']