diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/build/include/build.h b/polymer/eduke32/build/include/build.h
index a4863883f..6561afb9f 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/build/include/build.h
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/build/include/build.h
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ enum rendmode_t {
 #define MAXVOXELS 4096
 #define MAXSTATUS 1024
 #define MAXPLAYERS 16
-#define MAXBASEPALS 8
+#define MAXBASEPALS 256
 #define MAXPALOOKUPS 256
 #define MAXBLENDTABS 256
 // Maximum number of component tiles in a multi-psky:
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ EXTERN int16_t sintable[2048];
 EXTERN uint8_t palette[768];
 EXTERN int16_t numshades;
 EXTERN char *palookup[MAXPALOOKUPS];
-EXTERN uint8_t **basepaltableptr;
+extern uint8_t *basepaltable[MAXBASEPALS];
 EXTERN uint8_t paletteloaded;
 
 enum {
@@ -1045,7 +1045,7 @@ intptr_t   allocatepermanenttile(int16_t tilenume, int32_t xsiz, int32_t ysiz);
 void   copytilepiece(int32_t tilenume1, int32_t sx1, int32_t sy1, int32_t xsiz, int32_t ysiz, int32_t tilenume2, int32_t sx2, int32_t sy2);
 void   makepalookup(int32_t palnum, const char *remapbuf, int8_t r, int8_t g, int8_t b, char noFloorPal);
 //void   setvgapalette(void);
-void   setbasepaltable(uint8_t **basepaltable, uint8_t basepalcount);
+void setbasepal(int32_t id, uint8_t const *table);
 void   setbrightness(char dabrightness, uint8_t dapalid, uint8_t flags);
 void   setpalettefade(char r, char g, char b, char offset);
 void   squarerotatetile(int16_t tilenume);
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/defs.c b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/defs.c
index 89f82f29d..b08b18012 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/defs.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/defs.c
@@ -1937,7 +1937,7 @@ static int32_t defsparser(scriptfile *script)
                     scriptfile_getstring(script,&fn); break;
                 }
             }
-            if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE((unsigned)basepal >= ((unsigned)basepalcount)))
+            if (EDUKE32_PREDICT_FALSE((unsigned)basepal >= MAXBASEPALS))
             {
                 initprintf("Error: missing or invalid 'base palette number' for highpalookup definition "
                            "near line %s:%d\n", script->filename, scriptfile_getlinum(script,highpaltokptr));
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c
index dc2e6744b..e86a131a0 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine.c
@@ -2414,8 +2414,8 @@ static int32_t baktile;
 
 char apptitle[256] = "Build Engine";
 
+uint8_t *basepaltable[MAXBASEPALS] = { palette };
 static uint8_t basepalreset=1;
-uint8_t basepalcount;
 uint8_t curbasepal;
 
 static uint32_t g_lastpalettesum = 0;
@@ -9369,6 +9369,12 @@ void uninitengine(void)
             Bfree(blendtable[i]);
     Bmemset(blendtable, 0, sizeof(blendtable));
 
+    for (int i=1; i<MAXBASEPALS; i++)
+        if (basepaltable[i] != NULL)
+            Bfree(basepaltable[i]);
+    Bmemset(basepaltable, 0, sizeof(basepaltable));
+    basepaltable[0] = palette;
+
 #ifdef DYNALLOC_ARRAYS
     DO_FREE_AND_NULL(blockptr);
 #endif
@@ -15638,15 +15644,14 @@ void makepalookup(int32_t palnum, const char *remapbuf, int8_t r, int8_t g, int8
 }
 
 //
-// setbasepaltable
+// setbasepal
 //
-void setbasepaltable(uint8_t **thebasepaltable, uint8_t thebasepalcount)
+void setbasepal(int32_t id, uint8_t const * const table)
 {
-    if (thebasepalcount >= MAXBASEPALS)
-        thebasepalcount = MAXBASEPALS - 1;
+    if (basepaltable[id] == NULL)
+        basepaltable[id] = (uint8_t *)Xmalloc(768);
 
-    basepaltableptr = thebasepaltable;
-    basepalcount = thebasepalcount;
+    Bmemcpy(basepaltable[id], table, 768);
 }
 
 //
@@ -15671,7 +15676,7 @@ void setbrightness(char dabrightness, uint8_t dapalid, uint8_t flags)
 
     Bassert((flags&4)==0);
 
-    if (dapalid >= basepalcount)
+    if (/*(unsigned)dapalid >= MAXBASEPALS ||*/ basepaltable[dapalid] == NULL)
         dapalid = 0;
 #ifdef USE_OPENGL
     paldidchange = (curbasepal != dapalid || basepalreset);
@@ -15679,7 +15684,7 @@ void setbrightness(char dabrightness, uint8_t dapalid, uint8_t flags)
     curbasepal = dapalid;
     basepalreset = 0;
 
-    dapal = basepaltableptr[curbasepal];
+    dapal = basepaltable[curbasepal];
 
     if (!(flags&4))
     {
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine_priv.h b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine_priv.h
index 7f7113eb2..4fc7c147d 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine_priv.h
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/engine_priv.h
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ extern "C" {
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
-extern uint8_t basepalcount;
 extern uint8_t curbasepal;
 
 extern int16_t thesector[MAXWALLSB], thewall[MAXWALLSB];
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/polymer.c b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/polymer.c
index 9f38ef471..3de91dd0c 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/build/src/polymer.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/build/src/polymer.c
@@ -4917,7 +4917,7 @@ static _prbucket*   polymer_getbuildmaterial(_prmaterial* material, int16_t tile
                           0,
                           GL_RGB,
                           GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE,
-                          basepaltableptr[curbasepal]);
+                          basepaltable[curbasepal]);
             bglTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL_NEAREST);
             bglTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL_NEAREST);
             bglTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_S, glinfo.clamptoedge?GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE:GL_CLAMP);
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/anim.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/anim.c
index 8285f82af..d6dca38c0 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/anim.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/anim.c
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ int32_t G_PlayAnim(const char *fn)
         goto end_anim;
     }
 
-    basepaltable[ANIMPAL] = ANIM_GetPalette();
+    setbasepal(ANIMPAL, ANIM_GetPalette());
 
     // setpalette(0L,256L,tempbuf);
     // setbrightness(ud.brightness>>2,tempbuf,2);
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c
index 4e13da346..ddd939bf8 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/astub.c
@@ -9864,11 +9864,6 @@ int32_t ExtInit(void)
     Bsprintf(apptitle, "Mapster32 %s %s", VERSION, s_buildRev);
     autosavetimer = totalclock+120*autosave;
 
-    // This must run before the following OSD_Exec() as the cfg may
-    // e.g. contain a vid_gamma setting, resulting in a crash in
-    // setbrightness() which expects basepaltableptr to be initialized.
-    setbasepaltable(basepaltable, BASEPALCOUNT);
-
     registerosdcommands();
 
     {
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/common.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/common.c
index 93343b2aa..3164a19fe 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/common.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/common.c
@@ -1001,14 +1001,6 @@ void G_DoAutoload(const char *dirname)
 
 uint32_t PaletteIndexFullbrights[8] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2147418112 };
 
-static uint8_t water_pal[768], slime_pal[768], title_pal[768], dre_alms[768], ending_pal[768];
-
-uint8_t *basepaltable[BASEPALCOUNT] = {
-    palette, water_pal, slime_pal,
-    dre_alms, title_pal, ending_pal,
-    NULL /*anim_pal*/
-};
-
 void G_LoadLookups(void)
 {
     int32_t fp, j;
@@ -1027,13 +1019,17 @@ void G_LoadLookups(void)
         return kclose(fp);
     }
 
+    uint8_t paldata[768];
+
     for (j=1; j<=5; j++)
     {
         // Account for TITLE and REALMS swap between basepal number and on-disk order.
         int32_t basepalnum = (j == 3 || j == 4) ? 4+3-j : j;
 
-        if (kread_and_test(fp, basepaltable[basepalnum], 768))
+        if (kread_and_test(fp, paldata, 768))
             return kclose(fp);
+
+        setbasepal(basepalnum, paldata);
     }
 
     kclose(fp);
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/common_game.h b/polymer/eduke32/source/common_game.h
index 2fdb9f32e..019b5428b 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/common_game.h
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/common_game.h
@@ -124,8 +124,6 @@ void G_DoAutoload(const char *dirname);
 
 //////////
 
-extern uint8_t *basepaltable[BASEPALCOUNT];
-
 extern void G_LoadLookups(void);
 
 //////////
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/game.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/game.c
index 5951996e0..f437779ec 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/game.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/game.c
@@ -305,10 +305,10 @@ static void G_PatchStatusBar(int32_t x1, int32_t y1, int32_t x2, int32_t y2)
     rotatesprite(tx,ty,scl,0,BOTTOMSTATUSBAR,4,0,10+16+64,clx1+clofx,cly1+clofy,clx2+clofx-1,cly2+clofy-1);
 }
 
-void P_SetGamePalette(DukePlayer_t *player, uint8_t palid, int32_t set)
+void P_SetGamePalette(DukePlayer_t *player, uint32_t palid, int32_t set)
 {
-    if (palid >= BASEPALCOUNT)
-        palid = BASEPAL;
+    if (palid >= MAXBASEPALS)
+        palid = 0;
 
     player->palette = palid;
 
@@ -10982,9 +10982,12 @@ static inline void G_CheckGametype(void)
 static void G_PostLoadPalette(void)
 {
     // Make color index 255 of default/water/slime palette black.
-    Bmemset(&basepaltable[BASEPAL][255*3], 0, 3);
-    Bmemset(&basepaltable[WATERPAL][255*3], 0, 3);
-    Bmemset(&basepaltable[SLIMEPAL][255*3], 0, 3);
+    if (basepaltable[BASEPAL] != NULL)
+        Bmemset(&basepaltable[BASEPAL][255*3], 0, 3);
+    if (basepaltable[WATERPAL] != NULL)
+        Bmemset(&basepaltable[WATERPAL][255*3], 0, 3);
+    if (basepaltable[SLIMEPAL] != NULL)
+        Bmemset(&basepaltable[SLIMEPAL][255*3], 0, 3);
 
     generatefogpals();
 
@@ -11113,8 +11116,6 @@ static void G_Startup(void)
     if (initengine())
         G_FatalEngineError();
 
-    setbasepaltable(basepaltable, BASEPALCOUNT);
-
 #ifdef LUNATIC
     El_CreateGameState();
     C_InitQuotes();
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/game.h b/polymer/eduke32/source/game.h
index 7ba27bb20..f40d6eb02 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/game.h
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/game.h
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ void G_UpdatePlayerFromMenu(void);
 void M32RunScript(const char *s);
 void P_DoQuote(int32_t q,DukePlayer_t *p);
 extern int32_t textsc(int32_t sc);
-void P_SetGamePalette(DukePlayer_t *player,uint8_t palid,int32_t set);
+void P_SetGamePalette(DukePlayer_t *player, uint32_t palid, int32_t set);
 
 extern int32_t G_GetStringLineLength(const char *text, const char *end, const int32_t iter);
 extern int32_t G_GetStringNumLines(const char *text, const char *end, const int32_t iter);
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/lunatic/defs.ilua b/polymer/eduke32/source/lunatic/defs.ilua
index de38520e1..087fc9ca8 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/lunatic/defs.ilua
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/lunatic/defs.ilua
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ int32_t G_CheckActivatorMotion(int32_t lotag);
 int32_t A_Dodge(spritetype *s);
 int32_t A_MoveSpriteClipdist(int32_t spritenum, const vec3_t *change, uint32_t cliptype, int32_t clipdist);
 void P_DoQuote(int32_t q, DukePlayer_t *p);
-void P_SetGamePalette(DukePlayer_t *player, uint8_t palid, int32_t set);
+void P_SetGamePalette(DukePlayer_t *player, uint32_t palid, int32_t set);
 void G_AddUserQuote(const char *daquote);
 void G_ClearCameraView(DukePlayer_t *ps);
 void G_DrawTileGeneric(int32_t x, int32_t y, int32_t zoom, int32_t tilenum,
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/bstub.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/bstub.c
index a07fc1bd3..34e43020c 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/bstub.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/bstub.c
@@ -145,8 +145,6 @@ int32_t ExtPostStartupWindow(void)
         return -1;
     }
 
-    setbasepaltable(basepaltable, 1);
-
     Ken_InitMultiPsky();
 
     tiletovox[PLAYER] = nextvoxid++;
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common.c
index a31a6131e..ff4210109 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common.c
@@ -26,11 +26,6 @@ const char *G_DefFile(void)
     return defaultdeffilename;
 }
 
-uint8_t *basepaltable[1] =
-{
-    palette
-};
-
 uint32_t PaletteIndexFullbrights[8] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 };
 
 void Ken_InitMultiPsky(void)
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common_game.h b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common_game.h
index dfc853a97..6cd6ef23d 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common_game.h
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/common_game.h
@@ -4,6 +4,4 @@
 extern const char *G_DefaultGrpFile(void);
 extern const char *G_GrpFile(void);
 
-extern uint8_t *basepaltable[1];
-
 extern void Ken_InitMultiPsky(void);
diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/game.c b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/game.c
index 3394f1190..fff5360f3 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/game.c
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/source/testgame/src/game.c
@@ -526,8 +526,6 @@ int32_t app_main(int32_t argc, const char **argv)
         return -1;
     }
 
-    setbasepaltable(basepaltable, 1);
-
     Ken_InitMultiPsky();
 
     initinput();