diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 3600fdfb40..349671fabe 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -9,17 +9,17 @@ venv/
 ctx.c
 expected/
 settings.mk
+.vscode/launch.json
 
 # Build artifacts
 *.ld
 *.z64
-*.bin
-*.i
 *.Yay0
-bin/
-img/
-build/
-docs/doxygen/
-include/ld_addrs.h
+/build/
+/docs/doxygen/
+/include/ld_addrs.h
 
-.vscode/launch.json
+# Assets
+/bin
+/img
+/msg
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 9058c9f924..cf93519fb9 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ ELF := $(BUILD_DIR)/$(TARGET).elf
 LD_SCRIPT := $(TARGET).ld
 LD_MAP := $(BUILD_DIR)/$(TARGET).map
 ASSETS_BIN := $(BUILD_DIR)/bin/assets/assets.bin
-
+MSG_BIN := $(BUILD_DIR)/msg.bin
+GENERATED_HEADERS := include/ld_addrs.h
 
 ### Tools ###
 
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ clean:
 clean-code:
 	rm -rf $(BUILD_DIR)/src
 
-setup: clean submodules split
+setup: clean submodules split $(LD_SCRIPT)
 	make -C tools
 
 submodules:
@@ -99,10 +100,10 @@ submodules:
 
 split:
 	rm -rf bin img
-	$(SPLAT) --modes ld bin Yay0 PaperMarioMapFS img
+	$(SPLAT) --modes bin Yay0 PaperMarioMapFS PaperMarioMessages img
 
 split-%:
-	$(SPLAT) --modes ld $*
+	$(SPLAT) --modes $* --verbose
 
 split-all:
 	rm -rf bin img
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@ $(BUILD_DIR)/%.Yay0.o: $(BUILD_DIR)/%.bin.Yay0
 	$(LD) -r -b binary -o $@ $<
 
 # Compile C files
-$(BUILD_DIR)/%.c.o: %.c $(MDEPS) | include/ld_addrs.h
+$(BUILD_DIR)/%.c.o: %.c $(MDEPS) | $(GENERATED_HEADERS)
 	@mkdir -p $(shell dirname $@)
 	$(CPP) $(CPPFLAGS) -o - $(CPPMFLAGS) $< | iconv --from UTF-8 --to SHIFT-JIS | $(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o - | $(OLD_AS) $(OLDASFLAGS) -o $@ -
 
@@ -178,22 +179,30 @@ $(BUILD_DIR)/%.i8.png: %.png
 	@mkdir -p $(shell dirname $@)
 	$(PYTHON) tools/convert_image.py i8 $< $@ $(IMG_FLAGS)
 
+# Assets
 ASSET_FILES := $(foreach asset, $(ASSETS), $(BUILD_DIR)/bin/assets/$(asset))
 YAY0_ASSET_FILES := $(foreach asset, $(filter-out %_tex, $(ASSET_FILES)), $(asset).Yay0)
-
 $(BUILD_DIR)/bin/assets/%: bin/assets/%.bin
 	@mkdir -p $(shell dirname $@)
 	@cp $< $@
-
 $(ASSETS_BIN): $(ASSET_FILES) $(YAY0_ASSET_FILES) sources.mk
 	@mkdir -p $(shell dirname $@)
 	@echo "building $@"
 	@$(PYTHON) tools/build_assets_bin.py $@ $(ASSET_FILES)
-
 $(ASSETS_BIN:.bin=.o): $(ASSETS_BIN)
 	$(LD) -r -b binary -o $@ $<
 
+# Messages
+$(MSG_BIN): $(MESSAGES)
+	@mkdir -p $(shell dirname $@)
+	@echo "building $@"
+	@$(PYTHON) tools/compile_messages.py $@ /dev/null $(MESSAGES)
+$(MSG_BIN:.bin=.o): $(MSG_BIN)
+	@mkdir -p $(shell dirname $@)
+	$(LD) -r -b binary -o $@ $<
+
 $(LD_SCRIPT): $(SPLAT_YAML)
+	@mkdir -p $(shell dirname $@)
 	$(SPLAT) --modes ld
 
 $(BUILD_DIR)/$(LD_SCRIPT): $(LD_SCRIPT)
diff --git a/docs/message-colors.jpg b/docs/message-colors.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..65f3ab8190
Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/message-colors.jpg differ
diff --git a/docs/messages.md b/docs/messages.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..11c8e01da8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/messages.md
@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+# `.msg` syntax
+
+## Character Set
+
+`[font=normal]`: 𝅘𝅥𝅮!#$%&'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ\[¥]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~°ÀÁÂÄÇÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏÑÒÓÔÖÙÚÛÜßàáâäçèéêëìíîïñòóôöùúûü¡¿ª♥★↑↓←→●✖“”‘’ ⒶⒷⓈ▲▼◀▶ⓁⓇⓏ
+
+`[font=title]` and `[font=subtitle]`: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ'.,0123456789©&
+
+## Tags
+
+Similar to BBCode, tags begin with `[` and end with `]`. They may take positional arguments (`value`) and named arguments (`arg=value`). The order of named arguments does not matter. Values are parsed as integers if possible, and hexidecimal integers are supported. Tag names and argument names are case-insensitive.
+
+To write a literal `[` character (and not start a tag), prefix it with a backslash; i.e. `\[`.
+
+### `[message name section= index=]...[/message]`
+
+Marks the beginning and end of a message.
+
+All parameters on the opening tag are optional.
+If `section` and/or `index` are omitted, the message will be allocated a section and/or index respectively.
+
+### `[br]`
+Line break.
+
+### `[prompt]`
+Waits for the A button to be pressed before continuing.
+
+### `[next]`
+Scrolls down the message box to begin a new 'paragraph.'
+
+### `[sleep n]`
+Waits for `n` frames before continuing.
+
+### `[color= ctx=]`
+
+Supported color names are:
+
+`ctx=normal` (default): normal red pink purple blue cyan green yellow
+
+`ctx=diary`: normal red
+
+`ctx=inspect`: dark
+
+`ctx=button`: blue green red yellow gray grey
+
+`ctx=popup`: normal red pink purple blue teal green yellow
+
+`ctx=sign`: normal red blue green
+
+To use other colors, provide `color` as an integer (e.g. `[color=0x10]`). Here are all the colors supported by the engine:
+![Message colors](message-colors.jpg)
+
+### `[/color]`
+Resets the color to what it was before the most recent `[color=]` tag. The default color at the start of the message is assumed to be `[color=normal]`, which is true for most messages.
+
+### `[a]` `[b]` `[l]` `[r]` `[z]` `[start]` `[c-up]` `[c-down]` `[c-left]` `[c-right]`
+
+Shorthand for the button prompt characters ⒶⒷⓁⓇⓏⓈ▲▼◀▶ respectively. You can override the color used with a named parameter `[a color=]`.
+
+Supported color names: blue green red yellow gray grey
+
+### `[style=]`
+
+Sets the box style to use for this message. Supported styles are:
+
+`[style=right]` `[style=left]` `[style=center]` - Standard speech bubble with the speaker coming from the given direction
+
+`[style=tattle]` - Small bubble used for overworld tattles
+
+`[style=choice x= y= w= h=]` - Box for multiple-choice options
+
+`[style=inspect]` - Internal narration box, often used when inspecting objects by pressing A
+
+`[style=sign]` `[style=lamppost]` `[style=postcard]` - Boxes with custom backgrounds
+
+`[style=popup]` - Box in center of screen that grows dynamically depending on how long the message is
+
+`[style=upgrade x= y= w= h=]` - Super Block box
+
+`[style=narrate]` - Narration; used when you obtain new partners
+
+`[style=epilogue]` - Used for post-chapter descriptions of what Mario and party did
+
+### `[font=]`
+
+Supported fonts: normal title subtitle
+
+Note that the `title` and `subtitle` fonts use a different character set to `normal`.
+
+### `[/font]`
+
+Resets the font to what it was before the most recent `[font=]` tag.
+
+### `[noskip]...[/noskip]`
+
+Disables the B button from skipping text within.
+
+### `[instant]...[/instant]`
+
+Causes all text within to appear instantly.
+
+### `[kerning=]`
+
+Modifies the spacing between letters.
+
+### `[scroll n]`
+
+Scrolls down `n` lines.
+
+### `[size x= y=]`
+
+Changes font size.
+
+### `[/size]`
+
+Resets the size back to x=10 y=10 (the default).
+
+### `[speed delay= chars=]`
+
+Changes text printing speed. `delay` is the number of frames between each print, and `chars` is the number of characters to print at once. For example, `[speed delay=5 chars=3]` would print 3 characters every 5 frames.
+
+### `[pos x= y=]`
+
+Overrides the current text printing position.
+
+`x` is optional. If only `y` is provided, the x position will not change.
+
+### `[indent n]`
+
+Indents the following text by `n` tabs.
+
+### `[up n]` and `[down n]`
+
+Moves the text printing position up/down by `n` pixels respectively.
+
+### `[image id]`
+
+Displays the given image. This requires extra setup when printing the message.
+
+There is also a 7-parameter variant of `image` that is not yet understood.
+
+### `[sprite unknown id raster]`
+
+Displays the given sprite.
+
+### `[item a b]`
+
+Displays the given world icon.
+
+### `[cursor n]` and `[option n]`
+
+Denotes the position for the hand cursor to appear and the start of the option text for choice `n` of a `[style=choice]` box.
+
+### `[choicecount=]`
+
+Sets the number of options given in this `[style=choice]` box.
+
+### `[cancel=]`
+
+Sets the option number to be selected if the user presses B.
+If this is not provided, pressing B does nothing.
+
+### Effects
+
+- `[shaky]...[/shaky]`
+- `[noise fade=]...[/noise]`
+- `[faded-shaky fade=]...[/faded-shaky]`
+- `[fade=]...[/fade]`
+- `[shout]...[/shout]` or `[shrinking]...[/shrinking]`
+- `[whisper]...[/whisper]` or `[growing]...[/growing]`
+- `[scream]...[/scream]` or `[shaky-size]...[/shaky-size]`
+- `[chortle]...[/chortle]` or `[wavy-size]...[/wavy-size]`
+- `[shadow]...[/shadow]`
+
+### `[var n]`
+
+Replaced with the value of message variable `n`. Must be set before the message is printed.
+
+### `[center=]`
+
+Centers the following text. Parameter purpose is unknown.
+
+### `[volume=]`
+
+Changes the volume of the following text.
+
+### `[sound=]`
+
+Changes the speech sound for the following text.
+
+Supported sound names: normal bowser spirit
+
+You can also use an integer for the parameter.
+
+### `[/sound]`
+
+Resets the speech sound to what it was before the most recent `[sound=]` tag.
+
+### `[note]` `[heart]` `[star]` `[circle]` `[cross]` `[arrow-up]` `[arrow-down]` `[arrow-left]` `[arrow-right]`
+
+Equivalent to the characters 𝅘𝅥𝅮♥★●✖↑↓←→ respectively.
+
+### `[raw ...]`
+
+Outputs all arguments provided as bytes, without modification.
+
+### `[func ...]`
+
+Same as `raw`, but prefixed with 0xFF.
+
+## Comments
+
+`//` line comments are allowed anywhere outside of a `[message]...[/message]` block and will be ignored.
+Block comments are not supported.
diff --git a/include/messages.h b/include/messages.h
index a7fea9666f..f580a18400 100644
--- a/include/messages.h
+++ b/include/messages.h
@@ -7,60 +7,10 @@ typedef s32 MessageID;
 
 #define MESSAGE_ID(section, index) ((section << 0x10) + index)
 
-// 00 Introduction
-// 01 Postgame Celebration
-// 02 Toad Town Gate Sector
-// 03 Toad Town Castle Sector
-// 04 Toad Town Bridge Sector
-// 05 Toad Town Train Sector
-// 06 Toad Town Warehouse Sector
-// 07 Toad Town Docks Sector
-// 08 Minigames
-// 09 Castle Grounds
-// 0A Shooting Star Summit
-// 0B Chapter 0
-// 0C Chapter 1
-// 0D Chapter 2
-// 0E Chapter 3
-// 0F Chapter 4
-// 10 Chapter 5
-// 11 Chapter 6
-// 12 Chapter 7
-// 13 Bowser's Castle
-// 14 Peach Segments
-// 15 Koopa Koot Favors
-// 16 Russ T Advice
-// 17 News Bulletin
-// 18 Gossip Bulletin
-
-// 19 Map Tattles
 #define MessageID_TATTLE_KMR_03 MESSAGE_ID(0x19, 0x3B)
 #define MessageID_TATTLE_KMR_12 MESSAGE_ID(0x19, 0x40)
 
-// 1A NPC Tattles
-// 1B Entity Tattles
-// 1C Enemy Tattles
-
-// 1D Menus I
 #define MessageID_SIGN_MUSHROOM_GOOMBA_TRAP MESSAGE_ID(0x1D, 0x167)
 #define MessageID_SIGN_GOOMBA_KINGS_FORTRESS_AHEAD MESSAGE_ID(0x1D, 0x168)
 
-// 1E Choices
-// 1F Menus II
-// 20 Party Letters + Luigi's Diary
-// 21 Advice Fortunes
-// 22 Treasure Fortunes
-// 23 Item Descriptions I
-// 24 Item Descriptions II
-// 25 Item Descriptions III
-// 26 Item Names
-// 27 Shop Messages
-// 28 Partner Descriptions
-// 29 Enemy Names
-// 2A Mario Moves
-// 2B Partner Moves
-// 2C Quiz Questions
-// 2D Quiz Options
-// 2E Credits
-
 #endif
diff --git a/include/types.h b/include/types.h
index ac7a5dcf3d..298e297e4d 100644
--- a/include/types.h
+++ b/include/types.h
@@ -11,6 +11,6 @@
 #define UNK_ARGS
 
 typedef s32 FormationID;
-#define FORMATION_ID(section, stage, index) (section << 16) + (stage << 8) + index
+#define FORMATION_ID(section, stage, index) ((section << 16) + (stage << 8) + index)
 
 #endif
diff --git a/sources.mk b/sources.mk
index f2c0e86888..2d3efdad4e 100644
--- a/sources.mk
+++ b/sources.mk
@@ -56,5 +56,7 @@ ASSETS := \
 	title_data \
 	party_kurio party_kameki party_pinki party_pareta party_resa party_akari party_opuku party_pokopi
 
+MESSAGES := $(shell find msg -type f -name "*.msg")
+
 # Image settings
 $(BUILD_DIR)/img/battle/text_action_command_ratings.ia4.png: IMG_FLAGS = --flip-y
diff --git a/tools/compile_messages.py b/tools/compile_messages.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..e92d716376
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/compile_messages.py
@@ -0,0 +1,823 @@
+#! /usr/bin/python3
+
+from sys import argv
+from collections import OrderedDict
+import re
+
+class Message:
+    def __init__(self, name, section, index):
+        self.name = name
+        self.section = section
+        self.index = index
+
+        self.bytes = []
+
+def try_convert_int(s):
+    try:
+        return int(s, base=0)
+    except:
+        return s
+
+def parse_command(source):
+    if source[0] != "[":
+        return None, [], {}, source
+    source = source[1:] # "["
+
+    inside_brackets = ""
+    while source[0] != "]":
+        if source[0] == "\n":
+            return None, [], {}, source
+
+        inside_brackets += source[0]
+        source = source[1:]
+    source = source[1:] # "]"
+
+    command, *args = inside_brackets.split(" ")
+
+    positional_args = []
+    named_args = {}
+
+    if "=" in command:
+        key, value = command.split("=", 1)
+        command = key
+        named_args[key] = try_convert_int(value)
+
+    for arg in args:
+        if "=" in arg:
+            key, value = arg.split("=", 1)
+            named_args[key.lower()] = try_convert_int(value.lower())
+        else:
+            positional_args.append(try_convert_int(arg))
+
+    return command.lower(), positional_args, named_args, source
+
+def color_to_code(color, ctx="normal"):
+    COLORS = {
+        "normal": {
+            "normal": 0x0A,
+            "red": 0x20,
+            "pink": 0x21,
+            "purple": 0x22,
+            "blue": 0x23,
+            "cyan": 0x24,
+            "green": 0x25,
+            "yellow": 0x26,
+        },
+        "diary": {
+            "normal": 0x00,
+            "red": 0x07,
+        },
+        "inspect": {
+            "dark": 0x17,
+        },
+        "button": {
+            "blue": 0x10,
+            "green": 0x11,
+            "red": 0x12,
+            "yellow": 0x13,
+            "gray": 0x14,
+            "grey": 0x14,
+        },
+        "popup": {
+            "red": 0x28,
+            "pink": 0x29,
+            "purple": 0x2A,
+            "blue": 0x2B,
+            "teal": 0x2C,
+            "green": 0x2D,
+            "yellow": 0x2E,
+            "normal": 0x2F,
+        },
+        "sign": {
+            "normal": 0x18,
+            "red": 0x19,
+            "blue": 0x1A,
+            "green": 0x1B,
+        }
+    }
+
+    if type(color) is int:
+        return color
+
+    return COLORS.get(ctx, {}).get(color)
+
+CHARSET = {
+    "𝅘𝅥𝅮": 0x00,
+    "!": 0x01,
+    '"': 0x02,
+    "#": 0x03,
+    "$": 0x04,
+    "%": 0x05,
+    "&": 0x06,
+    "'": 0x07,
+    "(": 0x08,
+    ")": 0x09,
+    "*": 0x0A,
+    "+": 0x0B,
+    ",": 0x0C,
+    "-": 0x0D,
+    ".": 0x0E,
+    "/": 0x0F,
+    "0": 0x10,
+    "1": 0x11,
+    "2": 0x12,
+    "3": 0x13,
+    "4": 0x14,
+    "5": 0x15,
+    "6": 0x16,
+    "7": 0x17,
+    "8": 0x18,
+    "9": 0x19,
+    ":": 0x1A,
+    ";": 0x1B,
+    "<": 0x1C,
+    "=": 0x1D,
+    ">": 0x1E,
+    "?": 0x1F,
+    "@": 0x20,
+    "A": 0x21,
+    "B": 0x22,
+    "C": 0x23,
+    "D": 0x24,
+    "E": 0x25,
+    "F": 0x26,
+    "G": 0x27,
+    "H": 0x28,
+    "I": 0x29,
+    "J": 0x2A,
+    "K": 0x2B,
+    "L": 0x2C,
+    "M": 0x2D,
+    "N": 0x2E,
+    "O": 0x2F,
+    "P": 0x30,
+    "Q": 0x31,
+    "R": 0x32,
+    "S": 0x33,
+    "T": 0x34,
+    "U": 0x35,
+    "V": 0x36,
+    "W": 0x37,
+    "X": 0x38,
+    "Y": 0x39,
+    "Z": 0x3A,
+    "[": 0x3B,
+    "¥": 0x3C,
+    "]": 0x3D,
+    "^": 0x3E,
+    "_": 0x3F,
+    "`": 0x40,
+    "a": 0x41,
+    "b": 0x42,
+    "c": 0x43,
+    "d": 0x44,
+    "e": 0x45,
+    "f": 0x46,
+    "g": 0x47,
+    "h": 0x48,
+    "i": 0x49,
+    "j": 0x4A,
+    "k": 0x4B,
+    "l": 0x4C,
+    "m": 0x4D,
+    "n": 0x4E,
+    "o": 0x4F,
+    "p": 0x50,
+    "q": 0x51,
+    "r": 0x52,
+    "s": 0x53,
+    "t": 0x54,
+    "u": 0x55,
+    "v": 0x56,
+    "w": 0x57,
+    "x": 0x58,
+    "y": 0x59,
+    "z": 0x5A,
+    "{": 0x5B,
+    "|": 0x5C,
+    "}": 0x5D,
+    "~": 0x5E,
+    "°": 0x5F,
+    "À": 0x60,
+    "Á": 0x61,
+    "Â": 0x62,
+    "Ä": 0x63,
+    "Ç": 0x64,
+    "È": 0x65,
+    "É": 0x66,
+    "Ê": 0x67,
+    "Ë": 0x68,
+    "Ì": 0x69,
+    "Í": 0x6A,
+    "Î": 0x6B,
+    "Ï": 0x6C,
+    "Ñ": 0x6D,
+    "Ò": 0x6E,
+    "Ó": 0x6F,
+    "Ô": 0x70,
+    "Ö": 0x71,
+    "Ù": 0x72,
+    "Ú": 0x73,
+    "Û": 0x74,
+    "Ü": 0x75,
+    "ß": 0x76,
+    "à": 0x77,
+    "á": 0x78,
+    "â": 0x79,
+    "ä": 0x7A,
+    "ç": 0x7B,
+    "è": 0x7C,
+    "é": 0x7D,
+    "ê": 0x7E,
+    "ë": 0x7F,
+    "ì": 0x80,
+    "í": 0x81,
+    "î": 0x82,
+    "ï": 0x83,
+    "ñ": 0x84,
+    "ò": 0x85,
+    "ó": 0x86,
+    "ô": 0x87,
+    "ö": 0x88,
+    "ù": 0x89,
+    "ú": 0x8A,
+    "û": 0x8B,
+    "ü": 0x8C,
+    "¡": 0x8D,
+    "¿": 0x8E,
+    "ª": 0x8F,
+    "♥": 0x90,
+    "★": 0x91,
+    "↑": 0x92,
+    "↓": 0x93,
+    "←": 0x94,
+    "→": 0x95,
+    "●": 0x96,
+    "✖": 0x97,
+    "“": 0xA2,
+    "”": 0xA3,
+    "‘": 0xA4,
+    "’": 0xA5,
+    " ": 0xF7,
+    "Ⓐ": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x10, 0x98, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "Ⓑ": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x11, 0x99, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "Ⓢ": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x12, 0xA1, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "▲": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x13, 0x9D, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "▼": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x13, 0x9E, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "◀": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x13, 0x9F, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "▶": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x13, 0xA0, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "Ⓛ": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x14, 0x9A, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "Ⓡ": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x14, 0x9B, 0xFF, 0x25],
+    "Ⓩ": [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, 0x14, 0x9C, 0xFF, 0x25],
+}
+
+CHARSET_CREDITS = {
+    "A": 0x00,
+    "B": 0x01,
+    "C": 0x02,
+    "D": 0x03,
+    "E": 0x04,
+    "F": 0x05,
+    "G": 0x06,
+    "H": 0x07,
+    "I": 0x08,
+    "J": 0x09,
+    "K": 0x0A,
+    "L": 0x0B,
+    "M": 0x0C,
+    "N": 0x0D,
+    "O": 0x0E,
+    "P": 0x0F,
+    "Q": 0x10,
+    "R": 0x11,
+    "S": 0x12,
+    "T": 0x13,
+    "U": 0x14,
+    "V": 0x15,
+    "W": 0x16,
+    "X": 0x17,
+    "Y": 0x18,
+    "Z": 0x19,
+    "'": 0x1A,
+    ".": 0x1B,
+    ",": 0x1C,
+    "0": 0x1D,
+    "1": 0x1E,
+    "2": 0x1F,
+    "3": 0x20,
+    "4": 0x21,
+    "5": 0x22,
+    "6": 0x23,
+    "7": 0x24,
+    "8": 0x25,
+    "9": 0x26,
+    "©": 0x27,
+    "&": 0x28,
+    " ": 0xF7,
+}
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    if len(argv) < 4:
+        print("usage: compile_messages.py [OUTBIN] [OUTHEADER] [INFILES]")
+        exit(1)
+
+    _, outfile, outheader, *infiles = argv
+
+    messages = []
+
+    for filename in infiles:
+        message = None
+        with open(filename, "r") as f:
+            source = f.read()
+            lineno = 1
+
+            charset = CHARSET
+            font_stack = [0]
+            sound_stack = [0]
+            color_stack = [0x0A]
+
+            while len(source) > 0:
+                if source.startswith("\n"):
+                    lineno += 1
+                    source = source[1:]
+                    continue
+
+                if message is None:
+                    if source.startswith("//"):
+                        while source[0] != "\n":
+                            source = source[1:]
+                    else:
+                        command, positional_args, named_args, source = parse_command(source)
+
+                        if not command:
+                            print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: expected [message]")
+                            exit(1)
+
+                        name = positional_args[0] if len(positional_args) > 0 else None
+                        message = Message(name, named_args.get("section"), named_args.get("index"))
+                        messages.append(message)
+                else:
+                    command, positional_args, named_args, source = parse_command(source)
+
+                    if command:
+                        if command == "/message":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFD]
+
+                            # padding
+                            while len(message.bytes) % 4 != 0:
+                                message.bytes += [0x00]
+
+                            message = None
+                        elif command == "raw":
+                            message.bytes += [*positional_args]
+                        elif command == "func":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, *positional_args]
+                        elif command == "br":
+                            message.bytes += [0xF0]
+                        elif command == "prompt":
+                            message.bytes += [0xF1]
+                        elif command == "sleep":
+                            if len(positional_args) == 0:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: {command} command requires a positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xF2, positional_args[0]]
+                        elif command == "next":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFB]
+                        elif command == "color":
+                            if "color" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: color command requires a 'color' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            color = color_to_code(**named_args)
+
+                            if color is None:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: unknown color combination {named_args}")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x05, color]
+                            color_stack.append(color)
+                        elif command == "/color":
+                            color_stack.pop()
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x05, color_stack[0]]
+                        elif command == "style":
+                            if "style" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: style command requires a 'style' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFC]
+
+                            style = named_args["style"]
+                            if type(style) is int:
+                                message.bytes += [style, *positional_args]
+                            else:
+                                if style == "right":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x01]
+                                elif style == "left":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x02]
+                                elif style == "center":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x03]
+                                elif style == "tattle":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x04]
+                                elif style == "choice":
+                                    if "w" not in named_args or "h" not in named_args or "x" not in named_args or "y" not in named_args:
+                                        print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: 'choice' style requires parameters: x, y, w, h")
+                                        exit(1)
+
+                                    message.bytes += [0x05, named_args["w"], named_args["x"], named_args["h"], named_args["y"]]
+                                elif style == "inspect":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x06]
+                                elif style == "sign":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x07]
+                                elif style == "lamppost":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x08]
+                                elif style == "postcard":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x09]
+                                elif style == "popup":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x0A]
+                                elif style == "upgrade":
+                                    if "w" not in named_args or "h" not in named_args or "x" not in named_args or "y" not in named_args:
+                                        print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: 'upgrade' style requires parameters: x, y, w, h")
+                                        exit(1)
+
+                                    message.bytes += [0x0C, named_args["w"], named_args["x"], named_args["h"], named_args["y"]]
+                                elif style == "narrate":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x0D]
+                                elif style == "epilogue":
+                                    message.bytes += [0x0E]
+                        elif command == "font":
+                            if "font" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: font command requires a 'font' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            font = named_args["font"]
+
+                            if font == "normal":
+                                font = 0
+                            elif font == "title":
+                                font = 3
+                            elif font == "subtitle":
+                                font = 4
+
+                            if type(font) is not int:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: unknown font '{font}'")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x00, font]
+                            font_stack.append(font)
+
+                            if font == 3 or font == 4:
+                                charset = CHARSET_CREDITS
+                            else:
+                                charset = CHARSET
+                        elif command == "/font":
+                            font_stack.pop()
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x00, font_stack[0]]
+
+                            if font == 3 or font == 4:
+                                charset = CHARSET_CREDITS
+                            else:
+                                charset = CHARSET
+                        elif command == "noskip":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x07]
+                        elif command == "/noskip":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x08]
+                        elif command == "instant":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x09]
+                        elif command == "/instant":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x0A]
+                        elif command == "kerning":
+                            if "kerning" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: kerning command requires a 'kerning' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x0B, named_args["kerning"]]
+                        elif command == "scroll":
+                            if len(positional_args) == 0:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: scroll command requires a positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x0C, positional_args[0]]
+                        elif command == "size":
+                            if "x" not in named_args or "y" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: size command requires parameters: x, y")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x0D, named_args["x"], named_args["y"]]
+                        elif command == "/size":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x0E]
+                        elif command == "speed":
+                            if "delay" not in named_args or "chars" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: speed command requires parameters: delay, chars")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x0F, named_args["delay"], named_args["chars"]]
+                        elif command == "pos":
+                            if "y" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: pos command requires parameter: y (x is optional)")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            if "x" in named_args:
+                                message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x10, named_args["x"], named_args["y"]]
+                            else:
+                                message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x11, named_args["y"]]
+                        elif command == "indent":
+                            if len(positional_args) == 0:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: indent command requires a positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x12, positional_args[0]]
+                        elif command == "down":
+                            if len(positional_args) == 0:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: down command requires a positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x13, positional_args[0]]
+                        elif command == "up":
+                            if len(positional_args) == 0:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: up command requires a positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x14, positional_args[0]]
+                        elif command == "image":
+                            if len(positional_args) == 1:
+                                message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x15, positional_args[0]]
+                            elif len(positional_args) == 7:
+                                message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x18, *positional_args]
+                            else:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: image command requires 1 or 7 positional parameters")
+                                exit(1)
+                        elif command == "sprite":
+                            if len(positional_args) != 3:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: sprite command requires 3 positional parameters")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x16, *positional_args]
+                        elif command == "item":
+                            if len(positional_args) != 2:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: item command requires 2 positional parameters")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x17, *positional_args]
+                        elif command == "cursor":
+                            if len(positional_args) != 1:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: cursor command requires 1 positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x1E, *positional_args]
+                        elif command == "option":
+                            if len(positional_args) != 1:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: option command requires 1 positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x21, *positional_args]
+                        elif command == "choice":
+                            if len(positional_args) != 1:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: choice command requires 1 positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x1E, positional_args[0], 0xFF, 0x21, positional_args[0]]
+                        elif command == "choicecount":
+                            if "choicecount" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: choicecount command requires a 'choicecount' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x1F, named_args["choicecount"]]
+                        elif command == "cancel":
+                            if "cancel" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: cancel command requires a 'cancel' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x20, named_args["cancel"]]
+                        elif command == "shaky":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x00]
+                        elif command == "/shaky":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x00]
+                        elif command == "wavy":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x01]
+                        elif command == "/wavy":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x01]
+                        elif command == "shaky":
+                            if "opacity" in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: shaky command doesn't accept parameter 'fade' (hint: did you mean 'faded-shaky'?)")
+                                exit(1)
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x00]
+                        elif command == "/shaky":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x00]
+                        elif command == "noise":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x03, named_args.get("fade", 3)]
+                        elif command == "/noise":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x03]
+                        elif command == "faded-shaky":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x05, named_args.get("fade", 5)]
+                        elif command == "/faded-shaky":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x05]
+                        elif command == "fade":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x07, named_args.get("fade", 7)]
+                        elif command == "/fade":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x07]
+                        elif command == "shout" or command == "shrinking":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x0A]
+                        elif command == "/shout" or command == "/shrinking":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x0A]
+                        elif command == "whisper" or command == "growing":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x0B]
+                        elif command == "/whisper" or command == "/growing":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x0B]
+                        elif command == "scream" or command == "shaky-size":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x0C]
+                        elif command == "/scream" or command == "/shaky-size":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x0C]
+                        elif command == "chortle" or command == "wavy-size":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x0D]
+                        elif command == "/chortle" or command == "/wavy-size":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x0D]
+                        elif command == "shadow":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x26, 0x0E]
+                        elif command == "/shadow":
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x27, 0x0E]
+                        elif command == "var":
+                            if len(positional_args) != 1:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: var command requires 1 positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x28, *positional_args]
+                        elif command == "center":
+                            if len(positional_args) != 1:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: center command requires 1 positional parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x29, *positional_args]
+                        elif command == "volume":
+                            if "volume" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: volume command requires a 'volume' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x2E, named_args["volume"]]
+                        elif command == "sound":
+                            if "sound" not in named_args:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: sound command requires a 'sound' parameter")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            sound = named_args["sound"]
+
+                            if sound == "normal":
+                                sound = 0
+                            elif sound == "bowser":
+                                sound = 1
+                            elif sound == "spirit":
+                                sound = 2
+
+                            if type(sound) is not int:
+                                print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: unknown sound '{sound}'")
+                                exit(1)
+
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x2F, sound]
+                            sound_stack.append(sound)
+                        elif command == "/sound":
+                            sound_stack.pop()
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x2F, sound_stack[0]]
+                        elif command == "a":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "blue"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x98, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "b":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "green"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x99, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "l":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "gray"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x9A, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "r":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "gray"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x9B, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "z":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "gray"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x9C, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "c-up":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "yellow"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x9D, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "c-down":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "yellow"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x9E, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "c-left":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "yellow"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0x9F, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "c-right":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "yellow"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0xA0, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "start":
+                            color_code = color_to_code(named_args.get("color", "red"), named_args.get("ctx", "button"))
+                            message.bytes += [0xFF, 0x24, 0xFF, 0x05, color_code, 0xA1, 0xFF, 0x25]
+                        elif command == "note":
+                            message.bytes += [0x00]
+                        elif command == "heart":
+                            message.bytes += [0x90]
+                        elif command == "star":
+                            message.bytes += [0x91]
+                        elif command == "arrow-up":
+                            message.bytes += [0x92]
+                        elif command == "arrow-down":
+                            message.bytes += [0x93]
+                        elif command == "arrow-left":
+                            message.bytes += [0x94]
+                        elif command == "arrow-right":
+                            message.bytes += [0x95]
+                        elif command == "circle":
+                            message.bytes += [0x96]
+                        elif command == "cross":
+                            message.bytes += [0x97]
+                        elif command == "wait":
+                            print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: unknown command 'wait' (hint: did you mean 'prompt'?)")
+                            exit(1)
+                        elif command == "pause":
+                            print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: unknown command 'pause' (hint: did you mean 'sleep'?)")
+                            exit(1)
+                        else:
+                            print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: unknown command '{command}'")
+                            exit(1)
+                    else:
+                        if source[0] == "\\":
+                            source = source[1:]
+
+                        if source[0] in charset:
+                            data = charset[source[0]]
+
+                            if type(data) is int:
+                                message.bytes.append(data)
+                            else:
+                                message.bytes += data
+
+                            source = source[1:]
+                        else:
+                            print(f"{filename}:{lineno}: unsupported character '{source[0]}' for current font")
+                            exit(1)
+
+            if message != None:
+                print(f"{filename}: missing [/message]")
+                exit(1)
+
+    with open(outfile, "wb") as f:
+        messages.sort(key=lambda msg: bool(msg.section) + bool(msg.index))
+
+        names = OrderedDict()
+
+        sections = [] * 0x2E
+        for message in messages:
+            if message.section is None:
+                # allocate a section
+                for section_idx, section in enumerate(sections):
+                    if len(section) < 0xFFF:
+                        break
+            else:
+                section_idx = message.section
+            while len(sections) <= section_idx:
+                sections.append([])
+            section = sections[section_idx]
+
+            index = message.index if message.index is not None else len(section)
+
+            if message.name:
+                if message.name in names:
+                    print(f"warning: multiple messages with name '{message.name}'")
+
+                names[message.name] = (section_idx, index)
+
+            section.append(bytes(message.bytes))
+
+        f.seek((len(sections) + 1) * 4) # skip past table of contents
+
+        section_offsets = []
+        for section in sections:
+            message_offsets = []
+            for message in section:
+                message_offsets.append(f.tell())
+                f.write(message)
+
+            section_offset = f.tell()
+            section_offsets.append(section_offset)
+            for offset in message_offsets:
+                f.write(offset.to_bytes(4, byteorder="big"))
+            f.write(section_offset.to_bytes(4, byteorder="big"))
+
+            # padding
+            while f.tell() % 0x10 != 0:
+                f.write(b'\0\0\0\0')
+
+        f.seek(0)
+        for offset in section_offsets:
+            f.write(offset.to_bytes(4, byteorder="big"))
+        f.write(b'\0\0\0\0')
+
+        with open(outheader, "w") as f:
+            f.write(
+                "#ifndef _MESSAGE_IDS_H_\n"
+                "#define _MESSAGE_IDS_H_\n"
+                "\n"
+                '#include "messages.h"\n'
+                "\n"
+            )
+
+            for name, i in names.items():
+                section, index = i
+                f.write(f"#define MessageID_{name} MESSAGE_ID({section}, {index})\n")
+
+            f.write("\n#endif\n")
diff --git a/tools/n64splat b/tools/n64splat
index 79f47d6951..6106762b05 160000
--- a/tools/n64splat
+++ b/tools/n64splat
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 79f47d69514c39d902b7b3aee41d713670d88934
+Subproject commit 6106762b0561e40a640c11852a17bb87963c7ba8
diff --git a/tools/splat.yaml b/tools/splat.yaml
index a689c0e23e..c378e9bc56 100644
--- a/tools/splat.yaml
+++ b/tools/splat.yaml
@@ -7257,6 +7257,57 @@ segments:
   - [0x1B81E88, "Yay0"]
   - [0x1B82058, "Yay0"]
   - [0x1B82202, "bin"]
-  - [0x1E40000, "PaperMarioMapFS"]
+  - start: 0x1B83000
+    type: PaperMarioMessages
+    files:
+      - intro
+      - end/postgame
+      - toad_town/gate
+      - toad_town/castle
+      - toad_town/bridge
+      - toad_town/train
+      - toad_town/warehouse
+      - toad_town/docks
+      - toad_town/minigames
+      - castle_grounds
+      - shooting_star_summit
+      - prologue
+      - chapter1
+      - chapter2
+      - chapter3
+      - chapter4
+      - chapter5
+      - chapter6
+      - chapter7
+      - chapter8
+      - peach_interludes
+      - koopa_koot_quests
+      - advice/russ_t
+      - toad_town/bulletin_news
+      - toad_town/bulletin_gossip
+      - world/map_tattles
+      - world/npc_tattles
+      - world/entity_tattles
+      - battle/enemy_tattles
+      - ui/misc
+      - ui/choices
+      - ui/pause
+      - diary_letters
+      - advice/merlon
+      - advice/merluvlee
+      - item/descriptions_23 # TODO: difference between 23,24,25
+      - item/descriptions_24
+      - item/descriptions_25
+      - item/names
+      - shops
+      - partner_descriptions
+      - battle/enemy_names
+      - battle/mario_moves
+      - battle/partner_moves
+      - quiz/questions
+      - quiz/options
+      - end/credits
+  - [0x1C84D30, bin]
+  - [0x1E40000, PaperMarioMapFS]
   - [0x27FEE22, "bin"]
   - [0x2800000]