diff --git a/rogueviz/ru/classes.cpp b/rogueviz/ru/classes.cpp
index 8d712ffc..71378c61 100644
--- a/rogueviz/ru/classes.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/ru/classes.cpp
@@ -212,6 +212,8 @@ struct entity {
   void apply_portal_grav();
   bool stay_on_screen(); /* returns true if flipped */
   virtual void act() { kino(); }
+  /* for things which can act while not existing */
+  virtual void unact() { }
 
   double get_scale() { return get_scale_at(where.y); }
   virtual bool freezing() { return false; }
@@ -465,6 +467,7 @@ struct item : public entity {
   string glyph() override { return powers[id].get_glyph(); }
   color_t color() override { return powers[id].get_color(); }
   void act() override {
+    stay_on_screen();
     kino();
     if(intersect(get_pixel_bbox(), m.get_pixel_bbox())) {
       addMessage(pickup_message);
@@ -499,6 +502,25 @@ struct shopitem : public item {
   shopitem* as_shopitem() override { return this; }
   };
 
+struct loot : public item {
+  entity *owner;
+  bool dropped;
+  void act() {
+    item::act();
+    if(on_floor) {
+      auto dat = get_dat();
+      if(vel.x > 0) vel.x = max<ld>(vel.x - dat.d * dat.moda * 0.02, 0);
+      if(vel.x < 0) vel.x = min<ld>(vel.x + dat.d * dat.moda * 0.02, 0);
+      }
+    }
+  void unact() override {
+    if(!dropped && !owner->existing) {
+      where = owner->where, vel = owner->vel;
+      dropped = true; existing = true;
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
 struct missile : public entity {
   missile() { destroyed = false; }
   xy siz() override { return {4, 4}; }
diff --git a/rogueviz/ru/ru.cpp b/rogueviz/ru/ru.cpp
index 1efb49bf..18a49d19 100644
--- a/rogueviz/ru/ru.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/ru/ru.cpp
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ void playing_frame() {
 
   auto& ents = current_room->entities;
 
-  for(auto& e: ents) if(e->existing) e->act();
+  for(auto& e: ents) if(e->existing) e->act(); else e->unact();
 
   auto mb = ents.begin();
   for(auto& e: ents) if(!e->destroyed) *(mb++) = std::move(e);
diff --git a/rogueviz/ru/save.cpp b/rogueviz/ru/save.cpp
index d47952c3..53e486ea 100644
--- a/rogueviz/ru/save.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/ru/save.cpp
@@ -120,6 +120,21 @@ void load_room(fhstream& f, cell *c) {
         b->pickup_message = scanline_noblank(f);
         r.entities.emplace_back(std::move(b)); 
         }
+      else if(cap == "LOOT") {
+        auto b = std::make_unique<loot>();
+        b->qty = 1;
+        b->owner = &*r.entities.back();
+        sscanf(param.c_str(), "%d", &b->qty);
+        s = scanline_noblank(f);
+        b->id = -1;
+        b->where = xy(320, 200);
+        for(int i=0; i<isize(powers); i++) if(powers[i].name == s) b->id = i;
+        if(b->id == -1) println(hlog, "error: unknown loot name ", s), b->id = 0;
+        b->pickup_message = scanline_noblank(f);
+        b->existing = false; b->dropped = false;
+        r.entities.emplace_back(std::move(b));
+        println(hlog, "loot pushed");
+        }
       else if(cap == "SHOPITEM") {
         auto b = std::make_unique<shopitem>();
         b->qty = 1; b->qty1 = 0;