diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 56e778c0f8..611a7b625e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 ------
 
     Bug #1952: Incorrect particle lighting
+    Bug #2311: Targeted scripts are not properly supported on non-unique RefIDs
     Bug #3676: NiParticleColorModifier isn't applied properly
     Bug #5358: ForceGreeting always resets the dialogue window completely
     Bug #5363: Enchantment autocalc not always 0/1
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/scriptmanager.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/scriptmanager.hpp
index 7bdeba132c..da3454d348 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/scriptmanager.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/scriptmanager.hpp
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ namespace MWBase
 
             virtual ~ScriptManager() {}
 
-            virtual void run (const std::string& name, Interpreter::Context& interpreterContext) = 0;
+            virtual bool run (const std::string& name, Interpreter::Context& interpreterContext) = 0;
             ///< Run the script with the given name (compile first, if not compiled yet)
 
             virtual bool compile (const std::string& name) = 0;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
index 31d4a1b3c1..84f9b49844 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwbase/world.hpp
@@ -189,6 +189,8 @@ namespace MWBase
             virtual MWWorld::Ptr searchPtrViaActorId (int actorId) = 0;
             ///< Search is limited to the active cells.
 
+            virtual MWWorld::Ptr searchPtrViaRefNum (const std::string& id, const ESM::RefNum& refNum) = 0;
+
             virtual MWWorld::Ptr findContainer (const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) = 0;
             ///< Return a pointer to a liveCellRef which contains \a ptr.
             /// \note Search is limited to the active cells.
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.cpp
index 786cce072b..5dad9d6ece 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.cpp
@@ -5,83 +5,171 @@
 #include <components/esm/esmwriter.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/globalscript.hpp>
 
+#include "../mwworld/class.hpp"
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwbase/environment.hpp"
+#include "../mwbase/world.hpp"
 #include "../mwbase/scriptmanager.hpp"
 
+#include "../mwmechanics/creaturestats.hpp"
+
 #include "interpretercontext.hpp"
 
+namespace
+{
+    struct ScriptCreatingVisitor : public boost::static_visitor<ESM::GlobalScript>
+    {
+        ESM::GlobalScript operator()(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr) const
+        {
+            ESM::GlobalScript script;
+            script.mTargetRef.unset();
+            if (!ptr.isEmpty())
+            {
+                if (ptr.getCellRef().hasContentFile())
+                {
+                    script.mTargetId = ptr.getCellRef().getRefId();
+                    script.mTargetRef = ptr.getCellRef().getRefNum();
+                }
+                else if (MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayerPtr() == ptr)
+                    script.mTargetId = ptr.getCellRef().getRefId();
+            }
+            return script;
+        }
+
+        ESM::GlobalScript operator()(const std::pair<ESM::RefNum, std::string> &pair) const
+        {
+            ESM::GlobalScript script;
+            script.mTargetId = pair.second;
+            script.mTargetRef = pair.first;
+            return script;
+        }
+    };
+
+    struct PtrGettingVisitor : public boost::static_visitor<const MWWorld::Ptr*>
+    {
+        const MWWorld::Ptr* operator()(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr) const
+        {
+            return &ptr;
+        }
+
+        const MWWorld::Ptr* operator()(const std::pair<ESM::RefNum, std::string> &pair) const
+        {
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+    };
+
+    struct PtrResolvingVisitor : public boost::static_visitor<MWWorld::Ptr>
+    {
+        MWWorld::Ptr operator()(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr) const
+        {
+            return ptr;
+        }
+
+        MWWorld::Ptr operator()(const std::pair<ESM::RefNum, std::string> &pair) const
+        {
+            if (pair.second.empty())
+                return MWWorld::Ptr();
+            else if(pair.first.hasContentFile())
+                return MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->searchPtrViaRefNum(pair.second, pair.first);
+            return MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->searchPtr(pair.second, false);
+        }
+    };
+
+    class MatchPtrVisitor : public boost::static_visitor<bool>
+    {
+        const MWWorld::Ptr& mPtr;
+    public:
+        MatchPtrVisitor(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr) : mPtr(ptr) {}
+
+        bool operator()(const MWWorld::Ptr &ptr) const
+        {
+            return ptr == mPtr;
+        }
+
+        bool operator()(const std::pair<ESM::RefNum, std::string> &pair) const
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+    };
+}
+
 namespace MWScript
 {
     GlobalScriptDesc::GlobalScriptDesc() : mRunning (false) {}
 
+    const MWWorld::Ptr* GlobalScriptDesc::getPtrIfPresent() const
+    {
+        return boost::apply_visitor(PtrGettingVisitor(), mTarget);
+    }
+
+    MWWorld::Ptr GlobalScriptDesc::getPtr()
+    {
+        MWWorld::Ptr ptr = boost::apply_visitor(PtrResolvingVisitor(), mTarget);
+        mTarget = ptr;
+        return ptr;
+    }
+
 
     GlobalScripts::GlobalScripts (const MWWorld::ESMStore& store)
     : mStore (store)
     {}
 
-    void GlobalScripts::addScript (const std::string& name, const std::string& targetId)
+    void GlobalScripts::addScript (const std::string& name, const MWWorld::Ptr& target)
     {
-        std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc>::iterator iter =
-            mScripts.find (::Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase (name));
+        const auto iter = mScripts.find (::Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase (name));
 
         if (iter==mScripts.end())
         {
             if (const ESM::Script *script = mStore.get<ESM::Script>().search(name))
             {
-                GlobalScriptDesc desc;
-                desc.mRunning = true;
-                desc.mLocals.configure (*script);
-                desc.mId = targetId;
-
-                mScripts.insert (std::make_pair (name, desc));
+                auto desc = std::make_shared<GlobalScriptDesc>();
+                MWWorld::Ptr ptr = target;
+                desc->mTarget = ptr;
+                desc->mRunning = true;
+                desc->mLocals.configure (*script);
+                mScripts.insert (std::make_pair(name, desc));
             }
             else
             {
                 Log(Debug::Error) << "Failed to add global script " << name << ": script record not found";
             }
         }
-        else if (!iter->second.mRunning)
+        else if (!iter->second->mRunning)
         {
-            iter->second.mRunning = true;
-            iter->second.mId = targetId;
+            iter->second->mRunning = true;
+            MWWorld::Ptr ptr = target;
+            iter->second->mTarget = ptr;
         }
     }
 
     void GlobalScripts::removeScript (const std::string& name)
     {
-        std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc>::iterator iter =
-            mScripts.find (::Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase (name));
+        const auto iter = mScripts.find (::Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase (name));
 
         if (iter!=mScripts.end())
-            iter->second.mRunning = false;
+            iter->second->mRunning = false;
     }
 
     bool GlobalScripts::isRunning (const std::string& name) const
     {
-        std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc>::const_iterator iter =
-            mScripts.find (::Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase (name));
+        const auto iter = mScripts.find (::Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase (name));
 
         if (iter==mScripts.end())
             return false;
 
-        return iter->second.mRunning;
+        return iter->second->mRunning;
     }
 
     void GlobalScripts::run()
     {
-        for (std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc>::iterator iter (mScripts.begin());
-            iter!=mScripts.end(); ++iter)
+        for (const auto& script : mScripts)
         {
-            if (iter->second.mRunning)
+            if (script.second->mRunning)
             {
-                MWWorld::Ptr ptr;
-
-                MWScript::InterpreterContext interpreterContext (
-                    &iter->second.mLocals, MWWorld::Ptr(), iter->second.mId);
-
-                MWBase::Environment::get().getScriptManager()->run (iter->first, interpreterContext);
+                MWScript::InterpreterContext context(script.second);
+                if (!MWBase::Environment::get().getScriptManager()->run(script.first, context))
+                    script.second->mRunning = false;
             }
         }
     }
@@ -129,18 +217,15 @@ namespace MWScript
 
     void GlobalScripts::write (ESM::ESMWriter& writer, Loading::Listener& progress) const
     {
-        for (std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc>::const_iterator iter (mScripts.begin());
-            iter!=mScripts.end(); ++iter)
+        for (const auto& iter : mScripts)
         {
-            ESM::GlobalScript script;
+            ESM::GlobalScript script = boost::apply_visitor (ScriptCreatingVisitor(), iter.second->mTarget);
 
-            script.mId = iter->first;
+            script.mId = iter.first;
 
-            iter->second.mLocals.write (script.mLocals, iter->first);
+            iter.second->mLocals.write (script.mLocals, iter.first);
 
-            script.mRunning = iter->second.mRunning ? 1 : 0;
-
-            script.mTargetId = iter->second.mId;
+            script.mRunning = iter.second->mRunning ? 1 : 0;
 
             writer.startRecord (ESM::REC_GSCR);
             script.save (writer);
@@ -155,8 +240,7 @@ namespace MWScript
             ESM::GlobalScript script;
             script.load (reader);
 
-            std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc>::iterator iter =
-                mScripts.find (script.mId);
+            auto iter = mScripts.find (script.mId);
 
             if (iter==mScripts.end())
             {
@@ -164,8 +248,12 @@ namespace MWScript
                 {
                     try
                     {
-                        GlobalScriptDesc desc;
-                        desc.mLocals.configure (*scriptRecord);
+                        auto desc = std::make_shared<GlobalScriptDesc>();
+                        if (!script.mTargetId.empty())
+                        {
+                            desc->mTarget = std::make_pair(script.mTargetRef, script.mTargetId);
+                        }
+                        desc->mLocals.configure (*scriptRecord);
 
                         iter = mScripts.insert (std::make_pair (script.mId, desc)).first;
                     }
@@ -182,9 +270,8 @@ namespace MWScript
                     return true;
             }
 
-            iter->second.mRunning = script.mRunning!=0;
-            iter->second.mLocals.read (script.mLocals, script.mId);
-            iter->second.mId = script.mTargetId;
+            iter->second->mRunning = script.mRunning!=0;
+            iter->second->mLocals.read (script.mLocals, script.mId);
 
             return true;
         }
@@ -195,18 +282,28 @@ namespace MWScript
     Locals& GlobalScripts::getLocals (const std::string& name)
     {
         std::string name2 = ::Misc::StringUtils::lowerCase (name);
-        std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc>::iterator iter = mScripts.find (name2);
+        auto iter = mScripts.find (name2);
 
         if (iter==mScripts.end())
         {
             const ESM::Script *script = mStore.get<ESM::Script>().find (name);
 
-            GlobalScriptDesc desc;
-            desc.mLocals.configure (*script);
+            auto desc = std::make_shared<GlobalScriptDesc>();
+            desc->mLocals.configure (*script);
 
             iter = mScripts.insert (std::make_pair (name2, desc)).first;
         }
 
-        return iter->second.mLocals;
+        return iter->second->mLocals;
+    }
+
+    void GlobalScripts::updatePtrs(const MWWorld::Ptr& base, const MWWorld::Ptr& updated)
+    {
+        MatchPtrVisitor visitor(base);
+        for (const auto& script : mScripts)
+        {
+            if (boost::apply_visitor (visitor, script.second->mTarget))
+                script.second->mTarget = updated;
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.hpp
index 9b7aa0514e..36d89a7eb7 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/globalscripts.hpp
@@ -1,17 +1,24 @@
 #ifndef GAME_SCRIPT_GLOBALSCRIPTS_H
 #define GAME_SCRIPT_GLOBALSCRIPTS_H
 
+#include <boost/variant/variant.hpp>
+
 #include <string>
 #include <map>
+#include <memory>
+#include <utility>
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 
 #include "locals.hpp"
 
+#include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
+
 namespace ESM
 {
     class ESMWriter;
     class ESMReader;
+    struct RefNum;
 }
 
 namespace Loading
@@ -30,21 +37,25 @@ namespace MWScript
     {
         bool mRunning;
         Locals mLocals;
-        std::string mId; // ID used to start targeted script (empty if not a targeted script)
+        boost::variant<MWWorld::Ptr, std::pair<ESM::RefNum, std::string> > mTarget; // Used to start targeted script
 
         GlobalScriptDesc();
+
+        const MWWorld::Ptr* getPtrIfPresent() const; // Returns a Ptr if one has been resolved
+
+        MWWorld::Ptr getPtr(); // Resolves mTarget to a Ptr and caches the (potentially empty) result
     };
 
     class GlobalScripts
     {
             const MWWorld::ESMStore& mStore;
-            std::map<std::string, GlobalScriptDesc> mScripts;
+            std::map<std::string, std::shared_ptr<GlobalScriptDesc> > mScripts;
 
         public:
 
             GlobalScripts (const MWWorld::ESMStore& store);
 
-            void addScript (const std::string& name, const std::string& targetId = "");
+            void addScript (const std::string& name, const MWWorld::Ptr& target = MWWorld::Ptr());
 
             void removeScript (const std::string& name);
 
@@ -70,6 +81,9 @@ namespace MWScript
             Locals& getLocals (const std::string& name);
             ///< If the script \a name has not been added as a global script yet, it is added
             /// automatically, but is not set to running state.
+
+            void updatePtrs(const MWWorld::Ptr& base, const MWWorld::Ptr& updated);
+            ///< Update the Ptrs stored in mTarget. Should be called after the reference has been moved to a new cell.
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp
index 30c56406ef..58596a2f42 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #include "interpretercontext.hpp"
 
 #include <cmath>
-#include <stdexcept>
 #include <sstream>
 
 #include <components/compiler/locals.hpp>
@@ -28,26 +27,6 @@
 
 namespace MWScript
 {
-    MWWorld::Ptr InterpreterContext::getReferenceImp (
-        const std::string& id, bool activeOnly, bool doThrow)
-    {
-        if (!id.empty())
-        {
-            return MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPtr (id, activeOnly);
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            if (mReference.isEmpty() && !mTargetId.empty())
-                mReference =
-                    MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->searchPtr (mTargetId, false);
-
-            if (mReference.isEmpty() && doThrow)
-                throw std::runtime_error ("no implicit reference");
-
-            return mReference;
-        }
-    }
-
     const MWWorld::Ptr InterpreterContext::getReferenceImp (
         const std::string& id, bool activeOnly, bool doThrow) const
     {
@@ -57,12 +36,11 @@ namespace MWScript
         }
         else
         {
-            if (mReference.isEmpty() && !mTargetId.empty())
-                mReference =
-                    MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->searchPtr (mTargetId, false);
+            if (mReference.isEmpty() && mGlobalScriptDesc)
+                mReference = mGlobalScriptDesc->getPtr();
 
             if (mReference.isEmpty() && doThrow)
-                throw std::runtime_error ("no implicit reference");
+                throw MissingImplicitRefError();
 
             return mReference;
         }
@@ -80,7 +58,7 @@ namespace MWScript
         {
             const MWWorld::Ptr ptr = getReferenceImp (id, false);
 
-             id = ptr.getClass().getScript (ptr);
+            id = ptr.getClass().getScript (ptr);
 
             ptr.getRefData().setLocals (
                 *MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore().get<ESM::Script>().find (id));
@@ -109,6 +87,8 @@ namespace MWScript
         }
     }
 
+    MissingImplicitRefError::MissingImplicitRefError() : std::runtime_error("no implicit reference") {}
+
     int InterpreterContext::findLocalVariableIndex (const std::string& scriptId,
         const std::string& name, char type) const
     {
@@ -134,16 +114,21 @@ namespace MWScript
         throw std::runtime_error (stream.str().c_str());
     }
 
+    InterpreterContext::InterpreterContext (MWScript::Locals *locals, const MWWorld::Ptr& reference)
+    : mLocals (locals), mReference (reference)
+    {}
 
-    InterpreterContext::InterpreterContext (
-        MWScript::Locals *locals, const MWWorld::Ptr& reference, const std::string& targetId)
-    : mLocals (locals), mReference (reference), mTargetId (targetId)
+    InterpreterContext::InterpreterContext (std::shared_ptr<GlobalScriptDesc> globalScriptDesc)
+    : mLocals (&(globalScriptDesc->mLocals))
     {
-        // If we run on a reference (local script, dialogue script or console with object
-        // selected), store the ID of that reference store it so it can be inherited by
-        // targeted scripts started from this one.
-        if (targetId.empty() && !reference.isEmpty())
-            mTargetId = reference.getCellRef().getRefId();
+        const MWWorld::Ptr* ptr = globalScriptDesc->getPtrIfPresent();
+        // A nullptr here signifies that the script's target has not yet been resolved after loading the game.
+        // Script targets are lazily resolved to MWWorld::Ptrs (which can, upon resolution, be empty)
+        // because scripts started through dialogue often don't use their implicit target.
+        if (ptr)
+            mReference = *ptr;
+        else
+            mGlobalScriptDesc = globalScriptDesc;
     }
 
     int InterpreterContext::getLocalShort (int index) const
@@ -437,7 +422,12 @@ namespace MWScript
 
     void InterpreterContext::startScript (const std::string& name, const std::string& targetId)
     {
-        MWBase::Environment::get().getScriptManager()->getGlobalScripts().addScript (name, targetId);
+        MWWorld::Ptr target;
+        if (targetId.empty())
+            target = getReference(false);
+        else
+            target = getReferenceImp(targetId);
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getScriptManager()->getGlobalScripts().addScript (name, target);
     }
 
     void InterpreterContext::stopScript (const std::string& name)
@@ -449,12 +439,7 @@ namespace MWScript
     {
         // NOTE: id may be empty, indicating an implicit reference
 
-        MWWorld::Ptr ref2;
-
-        if (id.empty())
-            ref2 = getReferenceImp();
-        else
-            ref2 = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPtr(id, false);
+        MWWorld::Ptr ref2 = getReferenceImp(id);
 
         if (ref2.getContainerStore()) // is the object contained?
         {
@@ -578,11 +563,6 @@ namespace MWScript
         return getReferenceImp ("", true, required);
     }
 
-    std::string InterpreterContext::getTargetId() const
-    {
-        return mTargetId;
-    }
-
     void InterpreterContext::updatePtr(const MWWorld::Ptr& base, const MWWorld::Ptr& updated)
     {
         if (!mReference.isEmpty() && base == mReference)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp
index 0e001d6923..1c465ee3e1 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/interpretercontext.hpp
@@ -1,8 +1,13 @@
 #ifndef GAME_SCRIPT_INTERPRETERCONTEXT_H
 #define GAME_SCRIPT_INTERPRETERCONTEXT_H
 
+#include <memory>
+#include <stdexcept>
+
 #include <components/interpreter/context.hpp>
 
+#include "globalscripts.hpp"
+
 #include "../mwworld/ptr.hpp"
 
 namespace MWSound
@@ -19,17 +24,17 @@ namespace MWScript
 {
     class Locals;
 
+    class MissingImplicitRefError : public std::runtime_error
+    {
+        public:
+            MissingImplicitRefError();
+    };
+
     class InterpreterContext : public Interpreter::Context
     {
             Locals *mLocals;
             mutable MWWorld::Ptr mReference;
-
-            std::string mTargetId;
-
-            /// If \a id is empty, a reference the script is run from is returned or in case
-            /// of a non-local script the reference derived from the target ID.
-            MWWorld::Ptr getReferenceImp (const std::string& id = "", bool activeOnly = false,
-                bool doThrow=true);
+            std::shared_ptr<GlobalScriptDesc> mGlobalScriptDesc;
 
             /// If \a id is empty, a reference the script is run from is returned or in case
             /// of a non-local script the reference derived from the target ID.
@@ -47,9 +52,9 @@ namespace MWScript
                 char type) const;
 
         public:
+            InterpreterContext (std::shared_ptr<GlobalScriptDesc> globalScriptDesc);
 
-            InterpreterContext (MWScript::Locals *locals, const MWWorld::Ptr& reference,
-                const std::string& targetId = "");
+            InterpreterContext (MWScript::Locals *locals, const MWWorld::Ptr& reference);
             ///< The ownership of \a locals is not transferred. 0-pointer allowed.
 
             virtual int getLocalShort (int index) const;
@@ -153,8 +158,6 @@ namespace MWScript
 
             void updatePtr(const MWWorld::Ptr& base, const MWWorld::Ptr& updated);
             ///< Update the Ptr stored in mReference, if there is one stored there. Should be called after the reference has been moved to a new cell.
-
-            virtual std::string getTargetId() const;
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.cpp
index 267ff7da68..b69eb7f606 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "../mwworld/esmstore.hpp"
 
 #include "extensions.hpp"
+#include "interpretercontext.hpp"
 
 namespace MWScript
 {
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ namespace MWScript
         return false;
     }
 
-    void ScriptManager::run (const std::string& name, Interpreter::Context& interpreterContext)
+    bool ScriptManager::run (const std::string& name, Interpreter::Context& interpreterContext)
     {
         // compile script
         ScriptCollection::iterator iter = mScripts.find (name);
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                 // failed -> ignore script from now on.
                 std::vector<Interpreter::Type_Code> empty;
                 mScripts.insert (std::make_pair (name, std::make_pair (empty, Compiler::Locals())));
-                return;
+                return false;
             }
 
             iter = mScripts.find (name);
@@ -118,14 +119,19 @@ namespace MWScript
                 }
 
                 mInterpreter.run (&iter->second.first[0], iter->second.first.size(), interpreterContext);
+                return true;
+            }
+            catch (const MissingImplicitRefError& e)
+            {
+                Log(Debug::Error) << "Execution of script " << name << " failed: "  << e.what();
             }
             catch (const std::exception& e)
             {
-                Log(Debug::Error) << "Execution of script " << name << " failed:";
-                Log(Debug::Error) << e.what();
+                Log(Debug::Error) << "Execution of script " << name << " failed: "  << e.what();
 
                 iter->second.first.clear(); // don't execute again.
             }
+        return false;
     }
 
     std::pair<int, int> ScriptManager::compileAll()
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.hpp
index c22a5da81f..27567a1911 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwscript/scriptmanagerimp.hpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ namespace MWScript
                 Compiler::Context& compilerContext, int warningsMode,
                 const std::vector<std::string>& scriptBlacklist);
 
-            virtual void run (const std::string& name, Interpreter::Context& interpreterContext);
+            virtual bool run (const std::string& name, Interpreter::Context& interpreterContext);
             ///< Run the script with the given name (compile first, if not compiled yet)
 
             virtual bool compile (const std::string& name);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.cpp
index a724c9bdb0..bf107b422f 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <components/esm/esmwriter.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/defs.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/cellstate.hpp>
+#include <components/esm/cellref.hpp>
 #include <components/loadinglistener/loadinglistener.hpp>
 #include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
 
@@ -270,6 +271,37 @@ MWWorld::Ptr MWWorld::Cells::getPtr (const std::string& name)
     return Ptr();
 }
 
+MWWorld::Ptr MWWorld::Cells::getPtr (const std::string& id, const ESM::RefNum& refNum)
+{
+    for (auto& pair : mInteriors)
+    {
+        Ptr ptr = getPtr(pair.second, id, refNum);
+        if (!ptr.isEmpty())
+            return ptr;
+    }
+    for (auto& pair : mExteriors)
+    {
+        Ptr ptr = getPtr(pair.second, id, refNum);
+        if (!ptr.isEmpty())
+            return ptr;
+    }
+    return Ptr();
+}
+
+MWWorld::Ptr MWWorld::Cells::getPtr(CellStore& cellStore, const std::string& id, const ESM::RefNum& refNum)
+{
+    if (cellStore.getState() == CellStore::State_Unloaded)
+        cellStore.preload();
+    if (cellStore.getState() == CellStore::State_Preloaded)
+    {
+        if (cellStore.hasId(id))
+            cellStore.load();
+        else
+            return Ptr();
+    }
+    return cellStore.searchViaRefNum(refNum);
+}
+
 void MWWorld::Cells::getExteriorPtrs(const std::string &name, std::vector<MWWorld::Ptr> &out)
 {
     const MWWorld::Store<ESM::Cell> &cells = mStore.get<ESM::Cell>();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.hpp
index 4a6d7abf6a..3e64ad9753 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cells.hpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ namespace ESM
     class ESMWriter;
     struct CellId;
     struct Cell;
+    struct RefNum;
 }
 
 namespace Loading
@@ -41,6 +42,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
             Ptr getPtrAndCache (const std::string& name, CellStore& cellStore);
 
+            Ptr getPtr(CellStore& cellStore, const std::string& id, const ESM::RefNum& refNum);
+
             void writeCell (ESM::ESMWriter& writer, CellStore& cell) const;
 
         public:
@@ -62,6 +65,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
             /// @note name must be lower case
             Ptr getPtr (const std::string& name);
 
+            Ptr getPtr(const std::string& id, const ESM::RefNum& refNum);
+
             void rest (double hours);
             void recharge (float duration);
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
index 607551f7de..599f345b8a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 #include <components/esm/cellstate.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/cellid.hpp>
+#include <components/esm/cellref.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/esmreader.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/esmwriter.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/objectstate.hpp>
@@ -435,6 +436,32 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return Ptr();
     }
 
+    class RefNumSearchVisitor
+    {
+        const ESM::RefNum& mRefNum;
+    public:
+        RefNumSearchVisitor(const ESM::RefNum& refNum) : mRefNum(refNum) {}
+
+        Ptr mFound;
+
+        bool operator()(const Ptr& ptr)
+        {
+            if (ptr.getCellRef().getRefNum() == mRefNum)
+            {
+                mFound = ptr;
+                return false;
+            }
+            return true;
+        }
+    };
+
+    Ptr CellStore::searchViaRefNum (const ESM::RefNum& refNum)
+    {
+        RefNumSearchVisitor searchVisitor(refNum);
+        forEach(searchVisitor);
+        return searchVisitor.mFound;
+    }
+
     float CellStore::getWaterLevel() const
     {
         if (isExterior())
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp
index 371867631b..edd8577ae0 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/cellstore.hpp
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ namespace ESM
     struct CellState;
     struct FogState;
     struct CellId;
+    struct RefNum;
 }
 
 namespace MWWorld
@@ -242,6 +243,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
             Ptr searchViaActorId (int id);
             ///< Will return an empty Ptr if cell is not loaded.
 
+            Ptr searchViaRefNum (const ESM::RefNum& refNum);
+            ///< Will return an empty Ptr if cell is not loaded. Does not check references in
+            /// containers.
+            /// @note Triggers CellStore hasState flag.
+
             float getWaterLevel() const;
 
             bool movedHere(const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr) const;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
index a623a5d52f..8caec9876b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include <components/esm/esmreader.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/esmwriter.hpp>
 #include <components/esm/cellid.hpp>
+#include <components/esm/cellref.hpp>
 
 #include <components/misc/constants.hpp>
 #include <components/misc/resourcehelpers.hpp>
@@ -752,6 +753,11 @@ namespace MWWorld
         return mWorldScene->searchPtrViaActorId (actorId);
     }
 
+    Ptr World::searchPtrViaRefNum (const std::string& id, const ESM::RefNum& refNum)
+    {
+        return mCells.getPtr (id, refNum);
+    }
+
     struct FindContainerVisitor
     {
         ConstPtr mContainedPtr;
@@ -1290,6 +1296,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
                     mRendering->updatePtr(ptr, newPtr);
                     MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->updatePtr (ptr, newPtr);
                     mPhysics->updatePtr(ptr, newPtr);
+                    MWBase::Environment::get().getScriptManager()->getGlobalScripts().updatePtrs(ptr, newPtr);
 
                     MWBase::MechanicsManager *mechMgr = MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager();
                     mechMgr->updateCell(ptr, newPtr);
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
index fd36e5ba21..7b6d2afdcd 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/worldimp.hpp
@@ -297,6 +297,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
             Ptr searchPtrViaActorId (int actorId) override;
             ///< Search is limited to the active cells.
 
+            Ptr searchPtrViaRefNum (const std::string& id, const ESM::RefNum& refNum) override;
+
             MWWorld::Ptr findContainer (const MWWorld::ConstPtr& ptr) override;
             ///< Return a pointer to a liveCellRef which contains \a ptr.
             /// \note Search is limited to the active cells.
diff --git a/components/esm/globalscript.cpp b/components/esm/globalscript.cpp
index a42cdc2309..239d162f29 100644
--- a/components/esm/globalscript.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/globalscript.cpp
@@ -12,7 +12,11 @@ void ESM::GlobalScript::load (ESMReader &esm)
     mRunning = 0;
     esm.getHNOT (mRunning, "RUN_");
 
-    mTargetId = esm.getHNOString ("TARG");
+    mTargetRef.unset();
+    if (esm.peekNextSub("TARG"))
+        mTargetId = esm.getHNString ("TARG");
+    if (esm.peekNextSub("FRMR"))
+        mTargetRef.load(esm, true, "FRMR");
 }
 
 void ESM::GlobalScript::save (ESMWriter &esm) const
@@ -24,5 +28,10 @@ void ESM::GlobalScript::save (ESMWriter &esm) const
     if (mRunning)
         esm.writeHNT ("RUN_", mRunning);
 
-    esm.writeHNOString ("TARG", mTargetId);
+    if (!mTargetId.empty())
+    {
+        esm.writeHNOString ("TARG", mTargetId);
+        if (mTargetRef.hasContentFile())
+            mTargetRef.save (esm, true, "FRMR");
+    }
 }
diff --git a/components/esm/globalscript.hpp b/components/esm/globalscript.hpp
index 8b7e627953..1a1a6cf4eb 100644
--- a/components/esm/globalscript.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/globalscript.hpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #define OPENMW_ESM_GLOBALSCRIPT_H
 
 #include "locals.hpp"
+#include "cellref.hpp"
 
 namespace ESM
 {
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ namespace ESM
         Locals mLocals;
         int mRunning;
         std::string mTargetId; // for targeted scripts
+        RefNum mTargetRef;
 
         void load (ESMReader &esm);
         void save (ESMWriter &esm) const;
diff --git a/components/esm/savedgame.cpp b/components/esm/savedgame.cpp
index ea9fef4fbf..633f7c9fd0 100644
--- a/components/esm/savedgame.cpp
+++ b/components/esm/savedgame.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include "defs.hpp"
 
 unsigned int ESM::SavedGame::sRecordId = ESM::REC_SAVE;
-int ESM::SavedGame::sCurrentFormat = 5;
+int ESM::SavedGame::sCurrentFormat = 6;
 
 void ESM::SavedGame::load (ESMReader &esm)
 {
diff --git a/components/interpreter/context.hpp b/components/interpreter/context.hpp
index 4c320879e6..88fdae1280 100644
--- a/components/interpreter/context.hpp
+++ b/components/interpreter/context.hpp
@@ -108,8 +108,6 @@ namespace Interpreter
 
             virtual void setMemberFloat (const std::string& id, const std::string& name, float value, bool global)
                 = 0;
-
-            virtual std::string getTargetId() const = 0;
     };
 }
 
diff --git a/components/interpreter/scriptopcodes.hpp b/components/interpreter/scriptopcodes.hpp
index 976390eb59..c98bcd23e2 100644
--- a/components/interpreter/scriptopcodes.hpp
+++ b/components/interpreter/scriptopcodes.hpp
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ namespace Interpreter
             {
                 std::string name = runtime.getStringLiteral (runtime[0].mInteger);
                 runtime.pop();
-                runtime.getContext().startScript (name, runtime.getContext().getTargetId());
+                runtime.getContext().startScript (name);
             }
     };