diff --git a/src/ai/ai.cpp b/src/ai/ai.cpp
index b3f01e3..132d2f0 100644
--- a/src/ai/ai.cpp
+++ b/src/ai/ai.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ namespace ai {
   inline void validate_profile(nlohmann::json& profile) {
     for(auto& [name_key, value] : profile.items()) {
       check(value < STATE_MAX,
-        fmt::format("profile field {} has value {} greater than STATE_MAX {}", (std::string)name_key, (int)value, STATE_MAX));
+        $F("profile field {} has value {} greater than STATE_MAX {}",
+          (std::string)name_key, (int)value, STATE_MAX));
     }
   }
 
@@ -22,17 +23,17 @@ namespace ai {
     Action result(config["name"], config["cost"]);
 
     check(config.contains("needs"),
-        fmt::format("config_action: no 'needs' field", result.name));
+        $F("config_action: no 'needs' field", result.name));
     check(config.contains("effects"),
-        fmt::format("config_action: no 'effects' field", result.name));
+        $F("config_action: no 'effects' field", result.name));
 
     for(auto& [name_key, value] : config["needs"].items()) {
-      check(profile.contains(name_key), fmt::format("config_action({}): profile does not have need named {}", result.name, name_key));
+      check(profile.contains(name_key), $F("config_action({}): profile does not have need named {}", result.name, name_key));
       result.needs(profile.at(name_key), bool(value));
     }
 
     for(auto& [name_key, value] : config["effects"].items()) {
-      check(profile.contains(name_key), fmt::format("config_action({}): profile does not have effect named {}", result.name, name_key));
+      check(profile.contains(name_key), $F("config_action({}): profile does not have effect named {}", result.name, name_key));
 
       result.effect(profile.at(name_key), bool(value));
     }
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ namespace ai {
     State result;
 
     for(auto& [name_key, value] : config.items()) {
-      check(profile.contains(name_key), fmt::format("config_state: profile does not have name {}", name_key));
+      check(profile.contains(name_key), $F("config_state: profile does not have name {}", name_key));
 
       int name_id = profile.at(name_key);
       result[name_id] = bool(value);
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ namespace ai {
 
         for(auto name : action_names) {
           check(AIMGR.actions.contains(name),
-              fmt::format("ai::init(): script {} uses action {} that doesn't exist",
+              $F("ai::init(): script {} uses action {} that doesn't exist",
                 (std::string)script_name, (std::string)name));
 
           the_script.push_back(AIMGR.actions.at(name));
@@ -111,14 +112,14 @@ namespace ai {
 
   void check_valid_action(std::string name, std::string msg) {
     dbc::check(AIMGR.actions.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("{} tried to access action that doesn't exist {}",
+        $F("{} tried to access action that doesn't exist {}",
             msg, name));
   }
 
   State load_state(std::string state_name) {
     check(initialized, "you forgot to initialize the AI first.");
-    check(AIMGR.states.contains(state_name), fmt::format(
-          "ai::load_state({}): state does not exist in config",
+    check(AIMGR.states.contains(state_name),
+        $F("ai::load_state({}): state does not exist in config",
           state_name));
 
     return AIMGR.states.at(state_name);
@@ -126,15 +127,15 @@ namespace ai {
 
   Action load_action(std::string action_name) {
     check(initialized, "you forgot to initialize the AI first.");
-    check(AIMGR.actions.contains(action_name), fmt::format(
-          "ai::load_action({}): action does not exist in config",
+    check(AIMGR.actions.contains(action_name),
+        $F("ai::load_action({}): action does not exist in config",
           action_name));
     return AIMGR.actions.at(action_name);
   }
 
   std::vector<Action> load_script(std::string script_name) {
-    check(AIMGR.scripts.contains(script_name), fmt::format(
-          "ai::load_script(): no script named {} configured", script_name));
+    check(AIMGR.scripts.contains(script_name),
+        $F("ai::load_script(): no script named {} configured", script_name));
     return AIMGR.scripts.at(script_name);
   }
 
@@ -148,9 +149,8 @@ namespace ai {
   }
 
   int state_id(std::string name) {
-    check(AIMGR.profile.contains(name), fmt::format(
-          "ai::state_id({}): id is not configured in profile",
-          name));
+    check(AIMGR.profile.contains(name),
+        $F("ai::state_id({}): id is not configured in profile", name));
     return AIMGR.profile.at(name);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/algos/dinkyecs.hpp b/src/algos/dinkyecs.hpp
index 6652a88..0fd0283 100644
--- a/src/algos/dinkyecs.hpp
+++ b/src/algos/dinkyecs.hpp
@@ -69,8 +69,8 @@ namespace DinkyECS
 
       for(auto [eid, is_set] : $constants) {
         dbc::check(is_set == true, "is_set was not true? WHAT?!");
-        dbc::check(eid <= entity_count, fmt::format(
-              "eid {} is not less than entity_count {}", eid, entity_count));
+        dbc::check(eid <= entity_count,
+            $F("eid {} is not less than entity_count {}", eid, entity_count));
 
         for(const auto &[tid, eid_map] : $components) {
           auto &their_map = to_world.$components[tid];
@@ -146,8 +146,7 @@ namespace DinkyECS
       Comp &get_the() {
         auto comp_id = std::type_index(typeid(Comp));
         dbc::check($facts->contains(comp_id),
-            fmt::format("!!!! ATTEMPT to access world fact that hasn't "
-              "been set yet: {}",
+            $F("!!!! ATTEMPT to access world fact that hasn't been set yet: {}",
               typeid(Comp).name()));
 
         // use .at to get std::out_of_range if fact not set
diff --git a/src/algos/pathing.cpp b/src/algos/pathing.cpp
index 73954ae..5d7d10e 100644
--- a/src/algos/pathing.cpp
+++ b/src/algos/pathing.cpp
@@ -17,10 +17,10 @@ inline void add_neighbors(PointList &neighbors, Matrix &closed, size_t y, size_t
 void Pathing::compute_paths(Matrix &walls) {
   INVARIANT();
   dbc::check(walls[0].size() == $width,
-      fmt::format("Pathing::compute_paths called with walls.width={} but paths $width={}", walls[0].size(), $width));
+      $F("Pathing::compute_paths called with walls.width={} but paths $width={}", walls[0].size(), $width));
 
   dbc::check(walls.size() == $height,
-      fmt::format("Pathing::compute_paths called with walls.height={} but paths $height={}", walls[0].size(), $height));
+      $F("Pathing::compute_paths called with walls.height={} but paths $height={}", walls[0].size(), $height));
 
   // Initialize the new array with every pixel at limit distance
   matrix::assign($paths, WALL_PATH_LIMIT);
diff --git a/src/algos/stats.cpp b/src/algos/stats.cpp
index ca97211..52ccc7d 100644
--- a/src/algos/stats.cpp
+++ b/src/algos/stats.cpp
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 void Stats::dump(std::string msg)
 {
-  dbc::log(fmt::format("{}: sum: {}, sumsq: {}, n: {}, "
+  dbc::log($F("{}: sum: {}, sumsq: {}, n: {}, "
             "min: {}, max: {}, mean: {}, stddev: {}",
             msg, sum, sumsq, n, min, max, mean(),
             stddev()));
diff --git a/src/boss/fight.cpp b/src/boss/fight.cpp
index c9a913a..fce2f78 100644
--- a/src/boss/fight.cpp
+++ b/src/boss/fight.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ namespace boss {
   {
     $host_combat = $world->get_if<components::Combat>(player_id);
     dbc::check($host_combat,
-        fmt::format("No combat for host with player_id={}", player_id));
+        $F("No combat for host with player_id={}", player_id));
     $ui.init();
   }
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ namespace boss {
     using combat::BattleHostState;
 
     dbc::check(data.type() == typeid(components::CombatResult),
-        fmt::format("Boss Fight wrong any data={}", data.type().name()));
+        $F("Boss Fight wrong any data={}", data.type().name()));
 
     auto result = std::any_cast<components::CombatResult>(data);
 
diff --git a/src/dbc.cpp b/src/dbc.cpp
index 6b17faf..be045c9 100644
--- a/src/dbc.cpp
+++ b/src/dbc.cpp
@@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ void dbc::log(const string &message, const std::source_location location) {
 }
 
 void dbc::sentinel(const string &message, const std::source_location location) {
-  string err = fmt::format("[SENTINEL!] {}", message);
+  string err = $F("[SENTINEL!] {}", message);
   dbc::log(err, location);
   throw dbc::SentinelError{err};
 }
 
 void dbc::pre(const string &message, bool test, const std::source_location location) {
   if(!test) {
-    string err = fmt::format("[PRE!] {}", message);
+    string err = $F("[PRE!] {}", message);
     dbc::log(err, location);
     throw dbc::PreCondError{err};
   }
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ void dbc::pre(const string &message, std::function<bool()> tester, const std::so
 
 void dbc::post(const string &message, bool test, const std::source_location location) {
   if(!test) {
-    string err = fmt::format("[POST!] {}", message);
+    string err = $F("[POST!] {}", message);
     dbc::log(err, location);
     throw dbc::PostCondError{err};
   }
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ void dbc::post(const string &message, std::function<bool()> tester, const std::s
 
 void dbc::check(bool test, const string &message, const std::source_location location) {
   if(!test) {
-    string err = fmt::format("[CHECK!] {}\n", message);
+    string err = $F("[CHECK!] {}\n", message);
     dbc::log(err, location);
     throw dbc::CheckError{err};
   }
diff --git a/src/dbc.hpp b/src/dbc.hpp
index b85deda..b2d054a 100644
--- a/src/dbc.hpp
+++ b/src/dbc.hpp
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
 #include <functional>
 #include <source_location>
 
+// AKA the Fuckit macro
+#define $F(FMT, ...) fmt::format(FMT, ##__VA_ARGS__)
+
 namespace dbc {
   using std::string;
 
diff --git a/src/game/autowalker.cpp b/src/game/autowalker.cpp
index 39a34b3..6b68923 100644
--- a/src/game/autowalker.cpp
+++ b/src/game/autowalker.cpp
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ void Autowalker::handle_player_walk(ai::State& start, ai::State& goal) {
     fsm.autowalking = false;
   } else {
     close_status();
-    dbc::log(fmt::format("Unknown action: {}", player_ai.to_string()));
+    dbc::log($F("Unknown action: {}", player_ai.to_string()));
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/game/components.cpp b/src/game/components.cpp
index 09637e1..42304fe 100644
--- a/src/game/components.cpp
+++ b/src/game/components.cpp
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ namespace components {
 
   void configure_entity(DinkyECS::World& world, DinkyECS::Entity ent, json& data) {
     for (auto &i : data) {
-      dbc::check(i.contains("_type") && i["_type"].is_string(), fmt::format("component has no _type: {}", data.dump()));
-      dbc::check(MAP.contains(i["_type"]), fmt::format("MAP doesn't have type {}", std::string(i["_type"])));
+      dbc::check(i.contains("_type") && i["_type"].is_string(), $F("component has no _type: {}", data.dump()));
+      dbc::check(MAP.contains(i["_type"]), $F("MAP doesn't have type {}", std::string(i["_type"])));
       MAP.at(i["_type"])(world, ent, i);
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/game/config.cpp b/src/game/config.cpp
index 781cab7..a666051 100644
--- a/src/game/config.cpp
+++ b/src/game/config.cpp
@@ -4,14 +4,13 @@
 
 namespace settings {
   using nlohmann::json;
-  using fmt::format;
 
   std::filesystem::path Config::BASE_DIR{"."};
 
   Config::Config(const std::string src_path) : $src_path(src_path) {
     auto path_to = Config::path_to($src_path);
     dbc::check(std::filesystem::exists(path_to),
-        fmt::format("requested config file {} doesn't exist", path_to.string()));
+        $F("requested config file {} doesn't exist", path_to.string()));
     std::ifstream infile(path_to);
     $config = json::parse(infile);
   }
@@ -21,13 +20,15 @@ namespace settings {
   }
 
   json &Config::operator[](const std::string &key) {
-    dbc::check($config.contains(key), fmt::format("ERROR in config, key {} doesn't exist.", key));
+    dbc::check($config.contains(key), $F("ERROR in config, key {} doesn't exist.", key));
     return $config[key];
   }
 
   std::wstring Config::wstring(const std::string main_key, const std::string sub_key) {
-    dbc::check($config.contains(main_key), fmt::format("ERROR wstring main/key in config, main_key {} doesn't exist.", main_key));
-    dbc::check($config[main_key].contains(sub_key), fmt::format("ERROR wstring in config, main_key/key {}/{} doesn't exist.", main_key, sub_key));
+    dbc::check($config.contains(main_key),
+        $F("ERROR wstring main/key in config, main_key {} doesn't exist.", main_key));
+    dbc::check($config[main_key].contains(sub_key),
+        $F("ERROR wstring in config, main_key/key {}/{} doesn't exist.", main_key, sub_key));
 
     const std::string& str_val = $config[main_key][sub_key];
     std::wstring_convert<std::codecvt_utf8_utf16<wchar_t>> $converter;
@@ -58,8 +59,8 @@ namespace settings {
     } else {
       auto path = Config::BASE_DIR / fmt::format("assets/{}.json", name);
 
-      dbc::check(std::filesystem::exists(path), fmt::format(
-            "config file {} does not exist", path.string()));
+      dbc::check(std::filesystem::exists(path),
+          $F("config file {} does not exist", path.string()));
 
       return {path.string()};
     }
diff --git a/src/game/inventory.cpp b/src/game/inventory.cpp
index 3406b34..cc3edf4 100644
--- a/src/game/inventory.cpp
+++ b/src/game/inventory.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace inventory {
     // NOTE: this was a reference but that caused corruption, just copy
     auto slot = by_entity.at(ent);
 
-    dbc::log(fmt::format("removing entity {} and slot {}", ent, slot));
+    dbc::log($F("removing entity {} and slot {}", ent, slot));
     dbc::check(by_slot.contains(slot), "entity is in by_entity but the slot is not in by_slot");
 
     // NOTE: you have to erase the entity after the slot or else you get corruption
@@ -47,16 +47,16 @@ namespace inventory {
   void Model::invariant() {
     for(auto& [slot, ent] : by_slot) {
       dbc::check(by_entity.contains(ent),
-          fmt::format("entity {} in by_slot isn't in by_entity?", ent));
+          $F("entity {} in by_slot isn't in by_entity?", ent));
       dbc::check(by_entity.at(ent) == slot,
-          fmt::format("mismatched slot {} in by_slot doesn't match entity {}", slot, ent));
+          $F("mismatched slot {} in by_slot doesn't match entity {}", slot, ent));
     }
 
     for(auto& [ent, slot] : by_entity) {
       dbc::check(by_slot.contains(slot),
-          fmt::format("slot {} in by_entity isn't in by_slot?", ent));
+          $F("slot {} in by_entity isn't in by_slot?", ent));
       dbc::check(by_slot.at(slot) == ent,
-          fmt::format("mismatched entity {} in by_entity doesn't match entity {}", ent, slot));
+          $F("mismatched entity {} in by_entity doesn't match entity {}", ent, slot));
     }
 
     dbc::check(by_slot.size() == by_entity.size(), "by_slot and by_entity have differing sizes");
diff --git a/src/game/map.cpp b/src/game/map.cpp
index 30255ca..246e599 100644
--- a/src/game/map.cpp
+++ b/src/game/map.cpp
@@ -106,10 +106,10 @@ bool Map::INVARIANT() {
 
   for(auto room : $rooms) {
     check(int(room.x) >= 0 && int(room.y) >= 0,
-        format("room invalid position {},{}",
+        $F("room invalid position {},{}",
           room.x, room.y));
     check(int(room.width) > 0 && int(room.height) > 0,
-        format("room has invalid dims {},{}",
+        $F("room has invalid dims {},{}",
           room.width, room.height));
   }
 
diff --git a/src/game/rituals.cpp b/src/game/rituals.cpp
index 3fb4a61..7833923 100644
--- a/src/game/rituals.cpp
+++ b/src/game/rituals.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ namespace ritual {
 
   void Engine::set_state(CraftingState& ritual, std::string name, bool setting) {
     dbc::check($profile.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("ritual action named {} is not in profile, look in {} config",
+        $F("ritual action named {} is not in profile, look in {} config",
           name, $config.$src_path));
 
     ritual.start.set($profile.at(name), setting);
diff --git a/src/game/sound.cpp b/src/game/sound.cpp
index eb591f8..58ca1d7 100644
--- a/src/game/sound.cpp
+++ b/src/game/sound.cpp
@@ -19,8 +19,7 @@ namespace sound {
       // get the sound from the sound map
       return SMGR.sounds.at(name);
     } else {
-      dbc::log(fmt::format("Attempted to stop {} sound but not available.",
-            name));
+      dbc::log($F("Attempted to stop {} sound but not available.", name));
       return SMGR.sounds.at("blank");
     }
   }
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@ namespace sound {
   }
 
   void load(const std::string& name, const std::string& sound_path) {
-    dbc::check(fs::exists(sound_path), fmt::format("sound file {} does not exist", sound_path));
+    dbc::check(fs::exists(sound_path), $F("sound file {} does not exist", sound_path));
 
     // create the buffer and keep in the buffer map
     auto buffer = make_shared<sf::SoundBuffer>(sound_path);
diff --git a/src/game/systems.cpp b/src/game/systems.cpp
index 57ba2aa..af05116 100644
--- a/src/game/systems.cpp
+++ b/src/game/systems.cpp
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ void System::collision() {
         world.send<game::Event>(game::Event::COMBAT_START, entity, entity);
       }
     } else {
-      dbc::log(fmt::format("UNKNOWN COLLISION TYPE {}", entity));
+      dbc::log($F("UNKNOWN COLLISION TYPE {}", entity));
     }
   }
 
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ void System::pickup() {
 
 void System::device(World &world, Entity actor, Entity item) {
   auto& device = world.get<Device>(item);
-  dbc::log(fmt::format("entity {} INTERACTED WITH DEVICE {}", actor, item));
+  dbc::log($F("entity {} INTERACTED WITH DEVICE {}", actor, item));
 
   for(auto event : device.events) {
     if(event == "STAIRS_DOWN") {
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ void System::device(World &world, Entity actor, Entity item) {
     } else if(event == "LOOT_CONTAINER") {
       world.send<game::Event>(game::Event::LOOT_CONTAINER, actor, device);
     } else {
-      dbc::log(fmt::format(
+      dbc::log($F(
             "INVALID EVENT {} for device {}",
             event, (std::string)device.config["name"]));
     }
@@ -621,13 +621,13 @@ bool System::use_item(const string& slot_name) {
       player_combat.hp = player_combat.max_hp;
     }
 
-    dbc::log(fmt::format("player health now {}",
+    dbc::log($F("player health now {}",
           player_combat.hp));
 
     world.remove<Curative>(what);
     return true;
   } else {
-    dbc::log(fmt::format("no usable item at {}", what));
+    dbc::log($F("no usable item at {}", what));
     return false;
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp b/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp
index eb09d10..ef00b93 100644
--- a/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp
+++ b/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ void WorldBuilder::stylize_rooms() {
     auto& style = styles[Random::uniform(size_t(0), styles.size() - 1)];
 
     dbc::check(style.contains("floor"),
-        fmt::format("no floor spec in style {}", (std::string)style["name"]));
+        $F("no floor spec in style {}", (std::string)style["name"]));
     dbc::check(style.contains("walls"),
-        fmt::format("no walls spec in style {}", (std::string)style["name"]));
+        $F("no walls spec in style {}", (std::string)style["name"]));
 
     auto& floor_name = style["floor"];
     auto& wall_name = style["walls"];
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ bool WorldBuilder::find_open_spot(Point& pos_out) {
 
   matrix::dump("FAIL PLACE!", $map.walls(), pos_out.x, pos_out.y);
 
-  dbc::sentinel(fmt::format("failed to place entity in the entire map?: i={}; width={};", i, $map.width()));
+  dbc::sentinel($F("failed to place entity in the entire map?: i={}; width={};", i, $map.width()));
 
   return false;
 }
diff --git a/src/graphics/animation.cpp b/src/graphics/animation.cpp
index 268cfa7..95e5c10 100644
--- a/src/graphics/animation.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/animation.cpp
@@ -216,16 +216,16 @@ namespace animation {
 
   void Animation::set_form(const std::string& as_form) {
     dbc::check(forms.contains(as_form),
-        fmt::format("form {} does not exist in animation", as_form));
+        $F("form {} does not exist in animation", as_form));
     stop();
 
     const auto& [seq_name, tr_name] = forms.at(as_form);
 
     dbc::check(sequences.contains(seq_name),
-        fmt::format("sequences do NOT have \"{}\" name", seq_name));
+        $F("sequences do NOT have \"{}\" name", seq_name));
 
     dbc::check(transforms.contains(tr_name),
-        fmt::format("transforms do NOT have \"{}\" name", tr_name));
+        $F("transforms do NOT have \"{}\" name", tr_name));
 
     // everything good, do the update
     form_name = as_form;
@@ -255,14 +255,14 @@ namespace animation {
     auto data = json::parse(infile);
 
     dbc::check(data.contains(anim_name),
-        fmt::format("{} animation config does not have animation {}", file, anim_name));
+        $F("{} animation config does not have animation {}", file, anim_name));
 
     Animation anim;
     animation::from_json(data[anim_name], anim);
     anim.name = anim_name;
 
     dbc::check(anim.forms.contains("idle"),
-        fmt::format("animation {} must have 'idle' form", anim_name));
+        $F("animation {} must have 'idle' form", anim_name));
 
     anim.set_form("idle");
 
@@ -271,21 +271,19 @@ namespace animation {
 
   void Sequence::INVARIANT(const std::source_location location) {
     dbc::check(frames.size() == durations.size(),
-        fmt::format("frames.size={} doesn't match durations.size={}",
+        $F("frames.size={} doesn't match durations.size={}",
           frames.size(), durations.size()), location);
 
-    dbc::check(easing_duration > 0.0,
-        fmt::format("bad easing duration: {}", easing_duration), location);
+    dbc::check(easing_duration > 0.0, $F("bad easing duration: {}", easing_duration), location);
 
     dbc::check(frame_count == frames.size(),
-        fmt::format("frame_count={} doesn't match frames.size={}", frame_count, frames.size()), location);
+        $F("frame_count={} doesn't match frames.size={}", frame_count, frames.size()), location);
 
     dbc::check(frame_count == durations.size(),
-        fmt::format("frame_count={} doesn't match durations.size={}", frame_count, durations.size()), location);
+        $F("frame_count={} doesn't match durations.size={}", frame_count, durations.size()), location);
 
     dbc::check(current < durations.size(),
-      fmt::format("current={} went past end of fame durations.size={}",
-        current, durations.size()), location);
+        $F("current={} went past end of fame durations.size={}", current, durations.size()), location);
   }
 
   // BUG: BAAADD REMOVE
diff --git a/src/graphics/easing.cpp b/src/graphics/easing.cpp
index 64b4a00..076a681 100644
--- a/src/graphics/easing.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/easing.cpp
@@ -128,13 +128,13 @@ namespace ease2 {
 
   EaseFunc get_easing(const std::string& name) {
     dbc::check(map_of_easings.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("easing name {} does not exist", name));
+        $F("easing name {} does not exist", name));
     return map_of_easings.at(name);
   }
 
   MotionFunc get_motion(const std::string& name) {
     dbc::check(map_of_motions.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("motion name {} does not exist", name));
+        $F("motion name {} does not exist", name));
     return map_of_motions.at(name);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/graphics/palette.cpp b/src/graphics/palette.cpp
index 200c94f..286e5e4 100644
--- a/src/graphics/palette.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/palette.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace palette {
         for(auto [value, rgba] : value_specs.items()) {
           auto color_path = base_key + ":" + value;
           dbc::check(!COLOR.palettes.contains(color_path),
-              fmt::format("PALLETES config {} already has a color path {}", COLOR.config, color_path));
+              $F("PALLETES config {} already has a color path {}", COLOR.config, color_path));
 
           if(rgba.type() == json::value_t::string) {
             COLOR.pending_refs.try_emplace(color_path, rgba);
@@ -48,10 +48,10 @@ namespace palette {
 
       for(auto [color_path, ref] : COLOR.pending_refs) {
         dbc::check(COLOR.palettes.contains(ref),
-            fmt::format("In {} you have {} referring to {} but {} doesn't exist.",
+            $F("In {} you have {} referring to {} but {} doesn't exist.",
               COLOR.config, color_path, ref, ref));
         dbc::check(!COLOR.palettes.contains(color_path),
-            fmt::format("Color {} with ref {} is duplicated.", color_path, ref));
+            $F("Color {} with ref {} is duplicated.", color_path, ref));
 
         auto color = COLOR.palettes.at(ref);
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ namespace palette {
 
   sf::Color get(const string& key) {
     dbc::check(COLOR.palettes.contains(key),
-        fmt::format("COLOR {} is missing from {}", key, COLOR.config));
+        $F("COLOR {} is missing from {}", key, COLOR.config));
     return COLOR.palettes.at(key);
   }
 
diff --git a/src/graphics/scene.cpp b/src/graphics/scene.cpp
index 8ff6585..d0f4bb8 100644
--- a/src/graphics/scene.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/scene.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ namespace scene {
     for(auto& config : $scene.actors) {
       auto element = config_scene_element(config, false);
       dbc::check(!$actor_name_ids.contains(element.name),
-          fmt::format("actors key {} already exists", element.name));
+          $F("actors key {} already exists", element.name));
       $actors.push_back(element);
       $actor_name_ids.try_emplace(element.name, $actors.size() - 1);
     }
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ namespace scene {
   }
 
   Element& Engine::actor_config(const std::string& actor) {
-    dbc::check($actor_name_ids.contains(actor), fmt::format("scene does not contain actor {}", actor));
+    dbc::check($actor_name_ids.contains(actor), $F("scene does not contain actor {}", actor));
     return $actors.at($actor_name_ids.at(actor));
   }
 
diff --git a/src/graphics/shaders.cpp b/src/graphics/shaders.cpp
index 98a82be..f57f4fc 100644
--- a/src/graphics/shaders.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/shaders.cpp
@@ -41,11 +41,11 @@ namespace shaders {
         if(name == "ERROR") continue;
 
         dbc::check(!SMGR.shaders.contains(name),
-            fmt::format("shader name '{}' duplicated in assets/shaders.json", name));
+            $F("shader name '{}' duplicated in assets/shaders.json", name));
         good = load_shader(name, settings);
 
         if(!good) {
-          dbc::log(fmt::format("failed to load shader {}", name));
+          dbc::log($F("failed to load shader {}", name));
           SMGR.shaders.insert_or_assign(name, SMGR.shaders.at("ERROR"));
         }
       }
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ namespace shaders {
   std::shared_ptr<sf::Shader> get(const std::string& name) {
     dbc::check(INITIALIZED, "you forgot to shaders::init()");
     dbc::check(SMGR.shaders.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("shader name '{}' not in assets/shaders.json", name));
+        $F("shader name '{}' not in assets/shaders.json", name));
     auto& rec = SMGR.shaders.at(name);
     return rec.ptr;
   }
diff --git a/src/graphics/textures.cpp b/src/graphics/textures.cpp
index c605fd0..dc229d3 100644
--- a/src/graphics/textures.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/textures.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ namespace textures {
   void load_sprite_textures(SpriteTextureMap &mapping, json &config, bool smooth) {
     for(auto& [name, settings] : config.items()) {
       const string& path = settings["path"];
-      dbc::check(fs::exists(path), fmt::format("texture at {} doesn't exist", path));
+      dbc::check(fs::exists(path), $F("texture at {} doesn't exist", path));
       auto texture = make_shared<sf::Texture>(path);
 
       texture->setSmooth(smooth);
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ namespace textures {
       int height = settings["frame_height"];
 
       dbc::check(width % 2 == 0 && height % 2 == 0,
-          fmt::format("sprite {}:{} has invalid frame size {}:{}",
+          $F("sprite {}:{} has invalid frame size {}:{}",
             path, name, width, height));
 
       sf::Vector2i frame_size{width, height};
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ namespace textures {
       sprite->setTextureRect({{0,0}, frame_size});
 
       dbc::check(!mapping.contains(name),
-          fmt::format("duplicate sprite/icon name {}", (string)name));
+          $F("duplicate sprite/icon name {}", (string)name));
       mapping.try_emplace(name, sprite, texture, frame_size);
     }
   }
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ namespace textures {
       size_t surface_i = config["id"];
 
       dbc::check(!TMGR.name_to_id.contains(el.key()),
-          fmt::format("duplicate key in textures {}",
+          $F("duplicate key in textures {}",
             (string)el.key()));
 
       TMGR.name_to_id.insert_or_assign(el.key(), surface_i);
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ namespace textures {
       if(config.contains("ceiling")) {
         const string& name = config["ceiling"];
 
-        dbc::check(tiles.contains(name), fmt::format("invalid ceiling name {} in tile config {}", name, (string)el.key()));
+        dbc::check(tiles.contains(name), $F("invalid ceiling name {} in tile config {}", name, (string)el.key()));
 
         auto& ceiling = tiles[name];
         TMGR.ceilings[surface_i] = ceiling["id"];
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ namespace textures {
       wchar_t display = tile["display"];
 
       dbc::check(!TMGR.map_sprites.contains(display),
-          fmt::format("duplicate tile display {} in map_tiles.json", int(display)));
+          $F("duplicate tile display {} in map_tiles.json", int(display)));
 
       TMGR.map_sprites.try_emplace(display, sprite);
     }
@@ -134,14 +134,14 @@ namespace textures {
   SpriteTexture& get(const string& name, SpriteTextureMap& mapping) {
     dbc::check(initialized, "you forgot to call textures::init()");
     dbc::check(mapping.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("!!!!! textures do not contain {} sprite", name));
+        $F("!!!!! textures do not contain {} sprite", name));
 
     auto& result = mapping.at(name);
 
     dbc::check(result.sprite != nullptr,
-        fmt::format("bad sprite from textures::get named {}", name));
+        $F("bad sprite from textures::get named {}", name));
     dbc::check(result.texture != nullptr,
-        fmt::format("bad texture from textures::get named {}", name));
+        $F("bad texture from textures::get named {}", name));
 
     return result;
   }
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ namespace textures {
   sf::Image load_image(const string& filename) {
     sf::Image texture;
     bool good = texture.loadFromFile(filename);
-    dbc::check(good, fmt::format("failed to load {}", filename));
+    dbc::check(good, $F("failed to load {}", filename));
     return texture;
   }
 
@@ -190,13 +190,13 @@ namespace textures {
 
   size_t get_id(const string& name) {
     dbc::check(TMGR.name_to_id.contains(name),
-        fmt::format("there is no texture named {} in tiles.json", name));
+        $F("there is no texture named {} in tiles.json", name));
     return TMGR.name_to_id.at(name);
   }
 
   sf::Sprite& get_map_sprite(wchar_t display) {
     dbc::check(TMGR.map_sprites.contains(display),
-        fmt::format("map_sprites.json doesn't have {} sprite", int(display)));
+        $F("map_sprites.json doesn't have {} sprite", int(display)));
 
     return TMGR.map_sprites.at(display);
   }
diff --git a/src/gui/debug_ui.cpp b/src/gui/debug_ui.cpp
index dd9030e..d436934 100644
--- a/src/gui/debug_ui.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/debug_ui.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ namespace gui {
       auto player_combat = level.world->get<components::Combat>(player.entity);
       auto map = level.map;
 
-      std::wstring stats = fmt::format(L"STATS\n"
+      std::wstring stats = $F(L"STATS\n"
           L"HP: {}\n"
           L"mean:{:>8.5}\n"
           L"sdev: {:>8.5}\n"
diff --git a/src/gui/dnd_loot.cpp b/src/gui/dnd_loot.cpp
index 87cad04..f3a999f 100644
--- a/src/gui/dnd_loot.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/dnd_loot.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ namespace gui {
       FSM_STATE(DNDState, INV_PICKUP, ev, data);
       FSM_STATE(DNDState, END, ev, data);
     default:
-      dbc::log(fmt::format("event received with data but state={} is not handled", int($state)));
+      dbc::log($F("event received with data but state={} is not handled", int($state)));
     }
 
     return !in_state(DNDState::END);
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ namespace gui {
       case TICK: // ignored
         break;
       default:
-        dbc::log(fmt::format("invalid event: {}", int(ev)));
+        dbc::log($F("invalid event: {}", int(ev)));
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/src/gui/event_router.cpp b/src/gui/event_router.cpp
index 855125f..9ea1b9f 100644
--- a/src/gui/event_router.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/event_router.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ namespace gui {
           set_event(game::Event::KEY_PRESS);
           break;
         default:
-          dbc::sentinel(fmt::format("invalid event: {}", int(ev)));
+          dbc::sentinel($F("invalid event: {}", int(ev)));
       }
     }
 
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ namespace gui {
           break;
         default:
           // invalid events: 1
-          dbc::sentinel(fmt::format("invalid events: {}", int(ev)));
+          dbc::sentinel($F("invalid events: {}", int(ev)));
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/gui/fsm.cpp b/src/gui/fsm.cpp
index cd3d231..9121d29 100644
--- a/src/gui/fsm.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/fsm.cpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ namespace gui {
         run_systems();
        } break;
       default:
-        dbc::log(fmt::format("In ATTACKING state, unhandled event {}", (int)ev));
+        dbc::log($F("In ATTACKING state, unhandled event {}", (int)ev));
         state(State::IDLE);
     }
   }
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ namespace gui {
   }
 
   void FSM::END(Event ev) {
-    dbc::log(fmt::format("END: received event after done: {}", int(ev)));
+    dbc::log($F("END: received event after done: {}", int(ev)));
   }
 
   sf::Vector2f FSM::mouse_position() {
@@ -469,13 +469,13 @@ namespace gui {
             auto &damage = std::any_cast<components::CombatResult&>(data);
 
             if(damage.enemy_did > 0) {
-              $map_ui.log(fmt::format(L"Enemy HIT YOU for {} damage!", damage.enemy_did));
+              $map_ui.log($F(L"Enemy HIT YOU for {} damage!", damage.enemy_did));
             } else {
               $map_ui.log(L"Enemy MISSED YOU.");
             }
 
             if(damage.player_did > 0) {
-              $map_ui.log(fmt::format(L"You HIT enemy for {} damage!", damage.player_did));
+              $map_ui.log($F(L"You HIT enemy for {} damage!", damage.player_did));
             } else {
               $map_ui.log(L"You MISSED the enemy.");
             }
@@ -544,11 +544,11 @@ namespace gui {
         case eGUI::NOOP: {
             if(data.type() == typeid(std::string)) {
               auto name = std::any_cast<std::string>(data);
-              $map_ui.log(fmt::format(L"NOOP EVENT! {},{}", evt, entity));
+              $map_ui.log($F(L"NOOP EVENT! {},{}", evt, entity));
             }
           } break;
         default:
-          dbc::log(fmt::format("Unhandled event: evt={}; enemy={}; data={}",
+          dbc::log($F("Unhandled event: evt={}; enemy={}; data={}",
                 evt, entity, data.type().name()));
           event(game::Event(evt), data);
       }
diff --git a/src/storyboard/ui.cpp b/src/storyboard/ui.cpp
index 9ac3651..d0b3726 100644
--- a/src/storyboard/ui.cpp
+++ b/src/storyboard/ui.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ namespace storyboard {
 
     std::istringstream is{time};
     is >> std::chrono::parse("%M:%S", out);
-    dbc::check(!is.fail(), fmt::format("Time parse failed: {}", time));
+    dbc::check(!is.fail(), $F("Time parse failed: {}", time));
 
     return sf::Time(out);
   }
diff --git a/tools/arena_ui.cpp b/tools/arena_ui.cpp
index 487be90..62f2784 100644
--- a/tools/arena_ui.cpp
+++ b/tools/arena_ui.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ namespace arena {
       $status.set<Rectangle>(button, {});
       $status.set<Clickable>(button, {
           [this, name](auto, auto){
-            dbc::log(fmt::format("STATUS: {}", name));
+            dbc::log($F("STATUS: {}", name));
           }
       });
       if(name == "main_status") {
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ namespace arena {
       auto region = $overlay.entity(name);
       $overlay.set<Clickable>(region, {
           [this, name](auto, auto){
-            dbc::log(fmt::format("OVERLAY: {}", name));
+            dbc::log($F("OVERLAY: {}", name));
           }
       });