then i ran the 1.3 patch (the latter one that includes 1.3 and 1.3a combined). the first time i tried to run 1.3 only (without 1.3a), my system crashed during updating of world.rez i think.

so, what can i do, now that we know i did install 1.2 first, then 1.3(a)? i gather the "invalid text" parts relate to the location or the day, so my save files read funny. i even tried creating a new team and then saving, same problem.

i did create a backup (as prompted by 1.3a patch process).

thank you again for your help. i can play the game fine despite the "invalid text", but then again, my new team is only upto sturmford beethoven sewer area, so i don't know if further in the game i may get problems.

with my original 1.2 team (which remained intact after patching 1.3), the town portal to thronheim places me in temple area where altar thing is (which is as intended, right?).