diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1700f28e3a..14f2d8c944 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -84,6 +84,8 @@ Up requirements to Django 3.2+
   on-object Scripts. Moved `CmdScripts` and `CmdObjects` to `commands/default/building.py`.
 - Keep GMCP function case if outputfunc starts with capital letter (so `cmd_name` -> `Cmd.Name`
   but `Cmd_nAmE` -> `Cmd.nAmE`). This helps e.g Mudlet's legacy `Client_GUI` implementation)
+- Prototypes now allow setting `prototype_parent` directly to a prototype-dict.
+  This makes it easier when dynamically building in-module prototypes.
 
 ### Evennia 0.9.5 (2019-2020)
 
diff --git a/docs/source/Contribs/XYZGrid.md b/docs/source/Contribs/XYZGrid.md
index fb89b4e8e6..5b0c823d4d 100644
--- a/docs/source/Contribs/XYZGrid.md
+++ b/docs/source/Contribs/XYZGrid.md
@@ -56,6 +56,12 @@ Exits: northeast and east
    command line.  It will also make the `xyz_room` and `xyz_exit` prototypes
    available for use as prototype-parents when spawning the grid.
 3. Run `evennia xyzgrid help` for available options.
+4. (Optional): By default, the xyzgrid will only spawn module-based
+   [prototypes](Prototypes). This is an optimization and usually makes sense
+   since the grid is entirely defined outside the game anyway. If you want to
+   also make use of in-game (db-) created prototypes, add
+   `XYZGRID_USE_DB_PROTOTYPES = True` to settings.
+
 
 ## Overview
 
@@ -1002,8 +1008,8 @@ should be included as `prototype_parents` for prototypes on the map. Would it
 not be nice to be able to change these and have the change apply to all of the
 grid? You can, by adding the following to your `mygame/server/conf/settings.py`:
 
-    XYZROOM_PARENT_PROTOTYPE_OVERRIDE = {"typeclass": "myxyzroom.MyXYZRoom"}
-    XYZEXIT_PARENT_PROTOTYPE_OVERRIDE = {...}
+    XYZROOM_PROTOTYPE_OVERRIDE = {"typeclass": "myxyzroom.MyXYZRoom"}
+    XYZEXIT_PROTOTYPE_OVERRIDE = {...}
 
 
 > If you override the typeclass in your prototypes, the typeclass used  **MUST**
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/example.py b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/example.py
index 5e01268c8e..d9f357d7ab 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/example.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/example.py
@@ -23,16 +23,24 @@ from evennia.contrib.xyzgrid import xymap_legend
 # the typeclass inherits from the XYZRoom (or XYZExit)
 # if adding the evennia.contrib.xyzgrid.prototypes to
 # settings.PROTOTYPE_MODULES, one could just set the
-# prototype_parent to 'xyz_room' and 'xyz_exit' respectively
+# prototype_parent to 'xyz_room' and 'xyz_exit' here
 # instead.
 
-PARENT = {
+ROOM_PARENT = {
     "key": "An empty room",
-    "prototype_key": "xyzmap_room_map1",
-    "typeclass": "evennia.contrib.xyzgrid.xyzroom.XYZRoom",
+    "prototype_key": "xyz_exit_prototype",
+    "prototype_parent": "xyz_room",
+    # "typeclass": "evennia.contrib.xyzgrid.xyzroom.XYZRoom",
     "desc": "An empty room.",
 }
 
+EXIT_PARENT = {
+    "prototype_key": "xyz_exit_prototype",
+    "prototype_parent": "xyz_exit",
+    # "typeclass": "evennia.contrib.xyzgrid.xyzroom.XYZExit",
+    "desc": "A path to the next location.",
+}
+
 
 # ---------------------------------------- map1
 # The large tree
@@ -134,13 +142,17 @@ PROTOTYPES_MAP1 = {
         "desc": "These branches are wide enough to easily walk on. There's green all around."
     },
     # directional prototypes
-    (3, 0, 'w'): {
+    (3, 0, 'e'): {
         "desc": "A dark passage into the underworld."
     },
 }
 
-for prot in PROTOTYPES_MAP1.values():
-    prot['prototype_parent'] = PARENT
+for key, prot in PROTOTYPES_MAP1.items():
+    if len(key) == 2:
+        # we don't want to give exits the room typeclass!
+        prot['prototype_parent'] = ROOM_PARENT
+    else:
+        prot['prototype_parent'] = EXIT_PARENT
 
 
 XYMAP_DATA_MAP1 = {
@@ -253,8 +265,12 @@ PROTOTYPES_MAP2 = {
 
 # this is required by the prototypes, but we add it all at once so we don't
 # need to add it to every line above
-for prot in PROTOTYPES_MAP2.values():
-    prot['prototype_parent'] = PARENT
+for key, prot in PROTOTYPES_MAP2.items():
+    if len(key) == 2:
+        # we don't want to give exits the room typeclass!
+        prot['prototype_parent'] = ROOM_PARENT
+    else:
+        prot['prototype_parent'] = EXIT_PARENT
 
 
 XYMAP_DATA_MAP2 = {
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/launchcmd.py b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/launchcmd.py
index c69c1d26a5..b84380920d 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/launchcmd.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/launchcmd.py
@@ -18,9 +18,11 @@ Use `evennia xyzgrid help` for usage help.
 
 from os.path import join as pathjoin
 from django.conf import settings
+import evennia
 from evennia.utils import ansi
 from evennia.contrib.xyzgrid.xyzgrid import get_xyzgrid
 
+
 _HELP_SHORT = """
 evennia xyzgrid help | list | init | add | spawn | initpath | delete [<options>]
  Manages the XYZ grid. Use 'xyzgrid help <option>' for documentation.
@@ -161,6 +163,8 @@ _TOPICS_MAP = {
     "delete": _HELP_DELETE
 }
 
+evennia._init()
+
 def _option_help(*suboptions):
     """
     Show help <command> aid.
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/tests.py b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/tests.py
index 59f1a942ec..d4576b8f82 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/tests.py
@@ -1057,19 +1057,21 @@ class TestMapStressTest(TestCase):
         return f"{edge}\n{(l1 + l2) * Ysize}{l1}\n\n{edge}"
 
     @parameterized.expand([
-        ((10, 10), 0.01),
-        ((100, 100), 1),
+        ((10, 10), 0.03),
+        ((100, 100), 5),
     ])
     def test_grid_creation(self, gridsize, max_time):
         """
         Test of grid-creataion performance for Nx, Ny grid.
 
         """
+        # import cProfile
         Xmax, Ymax = gridsize
         grid = self._get_grid(Xmax, Ymax)
-        t0 = time()
         mapobj = xymap.XYMap({'map': grid}, Z="testmap")
+        t0 = time()
         mapobj.parse()
+        # cProfile.runctx('mapobj.parse()', globals(), locals())
         t1 = time()
         self.assertLess(t1 - t0, max_time, f"Map creation of ({Xmax}x{Ymax}) grid slower "
                         f"than expected {max_time}s.")
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap.py b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap.py
index c02df9448c..0d4e4ae838 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap.py
@@ -109,10 +109,15 @@ from django.conf import settings
 from evennia.utils.utils import variable_from_module, mod_import, is_iter
 from evennia.utils import logger
 from evennia.prototypes import prototypes as protlib
+from evennia.prototypes.spawner import flatten_prototype
 
 from .utils import MapError, MapParserError, BIGVAL
 from . import xymap_legend
 
+_NO_DB_PROTOTYPES = True
+if hasattr(settings, "XYZGRID_USE_DB_PROTOTYPES"):
+    _NO_DB_PROTOTYPES = not settings.XYZGRID_USE_DB_PROTOTYPES
+
 _CACHE_DIR = settings.CACHE_DIR
 _LOADED_PROTOTYPES = None
 _XYZROOMCLASS = None
@@ -351,8 +356,9 @@ class XYMap:
             if not prototype or isinstance(prototype, dict):
                 # nothing more to do
                 continue
-            # we need to load the prototype dict onto each for ease of access
-            proto = protlib.search_prototype(prototype, require_single=True)[0]
+            # we need to load the prototype dict onto each for ease of access. Note that
+            proto = protlib.search_prototype(prototype, require_single=True,
+                                             no_db=_NO_DB_PROTOTYPES)[0]
             node_or_link_class.prototype = proto
 
     def parse(self):
@@ -492,13 +498,24 @@ class XYMap:
             if node.prototype:
                 node_coord = (node.X, node.Y)
                 # load prototype from override, or use default
-                node.prototype = self.prototypes.get(
-                    node_coord, self.prototypes.get(('*', '*'), node.prototype))
+                try:
+                    node.prototype = flatten_prototype(self.prototypes.get(
+                        node_coord,
+                        self.prototypes.get(('*', '*'), node.prototype)),
+                        no_db=_NO_DB_PROTOTYPES
+                    )
+                except Exception as err:
+                    raise MapParserError(f"Room prototype malformed: {err}", node)
                 # do the same for links (x, y, direction) coords
                 for direction, maplink in node.first_links.items():
-                    maplink.prototype = self.prototypes.get(
-                        node_coord + (direction,),
-                        self.prototypes.get(('*', '*', '*'), maplink.prototype))
+                    try:
+                        maplink.prototype = flatten_prototype(self.prototypes.get(
+                            node_coord + (direction,),
+                            self.prototypes.get(('*', '*', '*'), maplink.prototype)),
+                            no_db=_NO_DB_PROTOTYPES
+                        )
+                    except Exception as err:
+                        raise MapParserError(f"Exit prototype malformed: {err}", maplink)
 
         # store
         self.display_map = display_map
@@ -625,8 +642,8 @@ class XYMap:
         spawned = []
 
         # find existing nodes, in case some rooms need to be removed
-        map_coords = ((node.X, node.Y) for node in
-                      sorted(self.node_index_map.values(), key=lambda n: (n.Y, n.X)))
+        map_coords = [(node.X, node.Y) for node in
+                      sorted(self.node_index_map.values(), key=lambda n: (n.Y, n.X))]
         for existing_room in _XYZROOMCLASS.objects.filter_xyz(xyz=(x, y, self.Z)):
             roomX, roomY, _ = existing_room.xyz
             if (roomX, roomY) not in map_coords:
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap_legend.py b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap_legend.py
index 9958268452..6cdac41190 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap_legend.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xymap_legend.py
@@ -311,7 +311,11 @@ class MapNode:
             nodeobj = NodeTypeclass.objects.get_xyz(xyz=xyz)
         except NodeTypeclass.DoesNotExist:
             # create a new entity with proper coordinates etc
-            self.log(f"  spawning room at xyz={xyz}")
+            tclass = self.prototype['typeclass']
+            tclass = (f' ({tclass})'
+                      if tclass != 'evennia.contrib.xyzgrid.xyzroom.XYZRoom'
+                      else '')
+            self.log(f"  spawning room at xyz={xyz}{tclass}")
             nodeobj, err = NodeTypeclass.create(
                 self.prototype.get('key', 'An empty room'),
                 xyz=xyz
@@ -327,7 +331,6 @@ class MapNode:
 
         # apply prototype to node. This will not override the XYZ tags since
         # these are not in the prototype and exact=False
-
         spawner.batch_update_objects_with_prototype(
             self.prototype, objects=[nodeobj], exact=False)
 
@@ -364,8 +367,6 @@ class MapNode:
                 link.prototype['prototype_key'] = self.generate_prototype_key()
             maplinks[key.lower()] = (key, aliases, direction, link)
 
-        # if xyz == (8, 1, 'the large tree'):
-        #     from evennia import set_trace;set_trace()
         # remove duplicates
         linkobjs = defaultdict(list)
         for exitobj in ExitTypeclass.objects.filter_xyz(xyz=xyz):
@@ -384,7 +385,6 @@ class MapNode:
         # build all exits first run)
         differing_keys = set(maplinks.keys()).symmetric_difference(set(linkobjs.keys()))
         for differing_key in differing_keys:
-            # from evennia import set_trace;set_trace()
 
             if differing_key not in maplinks:
                 # an exit without a maplink - delete the exit-object
@@ -408,7 +408,12 @@ class MapNode:
                 if err:
                     raise RuntimeError(err)
                 linkobjs[key.lower()] = exi
-                self.log(f"  spawning/updating exit xyz={xyz}, direction={key}")
+                prot = maplinks[key.lower()][3].prototype
+                tclass = prot['typeclass']
+                tclass = (f' ({tclass})'
+                          if tclass != 'evennia.contrib.xyzgrid.xyzroom.XYZExit'
+                          else '')
+                self.log(f"  spawning/updating exit xyz={xyz}, direction={key}{tclass}")
 
         # apply prototypes to catch any changes
         for key, linkobj in linkobjs.items():
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzgrid.py b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzgrid.py
index 1b20a099b1..24f1781146 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzgrid.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzgrid.py
@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@ class XYZGrid(DefaultScript):
             map_data_list = [variable_from_module(module_path, "XYMAP_DATA")]
         # inject the python path in the map data
         for mapdata in map_data_list:
+            if not mapdata:
+                self.log(f"Could not find or load map from {module_path}.")
+                return
             mapdata['module_path'] = module_path
         return map_data_list
 
@@ -137,10 +140,14 @@ class XYZGrid(DefaultScript):
         nmaps = 0
         loaded_mapdata = {}
         changed = []
+        mapdata = self.db.map_data
+
+        if not mapdata:
+            self.db.mapdata = mapdata = {}
 
         # generate all Maps - this will also initialize their components
         # and bake any pathfinding paths (or load from disk-cache)
-        for zcoord, old_mapdata in self.db.map_data.items():
+        for zcoord, old_mapdata in mapdata.items():
 
             self.log(f"Loading map '{zcoord}'...")
 
@@ -168,7 +175,7 @@ class XYZGrid(DefaultScript):
 
         # re-store changed data
         for zcoord in changed:
-            self.db.map_data[zcoord] = loaded_mapdata['zcoord']
+            self.db.map_data[zcoord] = loaded_mapdata[zcoord]
 
         # store
         self.log(f"Loaded and linked {nmaps} map(s).")
@@ -222,7 +229,9 @@ class XYZGrid(DefaultScript):
         Clear the entire grid, including database entities, then the grid too.
 
         """
-        self.remove_map(*(zcoord for zcoord in self.db.map_data), remove_objects=True)
+        mapdata = self.db.map_data
+        if mapdata:
+            self.remove_map(*(zcoord for zcoord in self.db.map_data), remove_objects=True)
         super().delete()
 
     def spawn(self, xyz=('*', '*', '*'), directions=None):
@@ -291,6 +300,7 @@ def get_xyzgrid(print_errors=True):
         if not xyzgrid.ndb.loaded:
             xyzgrid.reload()
     except Exception as err:
+        raise
         if print_errors:
             print(err)
         else:
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzroom.py b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzroom.py
index 147d8629cb..22c9e0f34a 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzroom.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/xyzgrid/xyzroom.py
@@ -86,27 +86,20 @@ class XYZManager(ObjectManager):
                 possible with a unique combination of x,y,z).
 
         """
+        # filter by tags, then figure out of we got a single match or not
+        query = self.filter_xyz(xyz=xyz, **kwargs)
+        ncount = query.count()
+        if ncount == 1:
+            return query.first()
+
+        # error - mimic default get() behavior but with a little more info
         x, y, z = xyz
-
-        # mimic get_family
-        paths = [self.model.path] + [
-            "%s.%s" % (cls.__module__, cls.__name__) for cls in self._get_subclasses(self.model)
-        ]
-        kwargs["db_typeclass_path__in"] = paths
-
-        try:
-            return (
-                self
-                .filter(db_tags__db_key=str(x), db_tags__db_category=MAP_X_TAG_CATEGORY)
-                .filter(db_tags__db_key=str(y), db_tags__db_category=MAP_Y_TAG_CATEGORY)
-                .filter(db_tags__db_key=str(z), db_tags__db_category=MAP_Z_TAG_CATEGORY)
-                .get(**kwargs)
-            )
-        except self.model.DoesNotExist:
-            inp = (f"xyz=({x},{y},{z}), " +
-                   ",".join(f"{key}={val}" for key, val in kwargs.items()))
-            raise self.model.DoesNotExist(f"{self.model.__name__} "
-                                          f"matching query {inp} does not exist.")
+        inp = (f"Query: xyz=({x},{y},{z}), " +
+               ",".join(f"{key}={val}" for key, val in kwargs.items()))
+        if ncount > 1:
+            raise self.model.MultipleObjectsReturned(inp)
+        else:
+            raise self.model.DoesNotExist(inp)
 
 
 class XYZExitManager(XYZManager):
diff --git a/evennia/prototypes/menus.py b/evennia/prototypes/menus.py
index 19f2ae4380..4dbac61063 100644
--- a/evennia/prototypes/menus.py
+++ b/evennia/prototypes/menus.py
@@ -2580,7 +2580,7 @@ def node_prototype_spawn(caller, **kwargs):
 # prototype load node
 
 
-def _prototype_load_select(caller, prototype_key):
+def _prototype_load_select(caller, prototype_key, **kwargs):
     matches = protlib.search_prototype(key=prototype_key)
     if matches:
         prototype = matches[0]
diff --git a/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py b/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py
index d95292b80b..de8d775054 100644
--- a/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py
+++ b/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py
@@ -105,17 +105,17 @@ def homogenize_prototype(prototype, custom_keys=None):
             elif protkey in ("prototype_key", "prototype_desc"):
                 prototype[protkey] = ""
 
-    attrs = list(prototype.get("attrs", []))  # break reference
-    tags = make_iter(prototype.get("tags", []))
+    homogenized = {}
     homogenized_tags = []
     homogenized_attrs = []
+    homogenized_parents = []
 
-    homogenized = {}
     for key, val in prototype.items():
         if key in reserved:
             # check all reserved keys
             if key == "tags":
                 # tags must be on form [(tag, category, data), ...]
+                tags = make_iter(prototype.get("tags", []))
                 for tag in tags:
                     if not is_iter(tag):
                         homogenized_tags.append((tag, None, None))
@@ -127,7 +127,9 @@ def homogenize_prototype(prototype, custom_keys=None):
                             homogenized_tags.append((tag[0], tag[1], None))
                         else:
                             homogenized_tags.append(tag[:3])
-            if key == "attrs":
+
+            elif key == "attrs":
+                attrs = list(prototype.get("attrs", []))  # break reference
                 for attr in attrs:
                     # attrs must be on form [(key, value, category, lockstr)]
                     if not is_iter(attr):
@@ -144,6 +146,21 @@ def homogenize_prototype(prototype, custom_keys=None):
                             homogenized_attrs.append(attr[0], attr[1], attr[2], "")
                         else:
                             homogenized_attrs.append(attr[:4])
+
+            elif key == "prototype_parent":
+                # homogenize any prototype-parents embedded directly as dicts
+                protparents = prototype.get('prototype_parent', [])
+                if isinstance(protparents, dict):
+                    protparents = [protparents]
+                for parent in make_iter(protparents):
+                    if isinstance(parent, dict):
+                        # recursively homogenize directly embedded prototype parents
+                        homogenized_parents.append(
+                            homogenize_prototype(parent, custom_keys=custom_keys))
+                    else:
+                        # normal prototype-parent names are added as-is
+                        homogenized_parents.append(parent)
+
             else:
                 # another reserved key
                 homogenized[key] = val
@@ -154,6 +171,8 @@ def homogenize_prototype(prototype, custom_keys=None):
         homogenized["attrs"] = homogenized_attrs
     if homogenized_tags:
         homogenized["tags"] = homogenized_tags
+    if homogenized_parents:
+        homogenized['prototype_parent'] = homogenized_parents
 
     # add required missing parts that had defaults before
 
@@ -460,7 +479,8 @@ def delete_prototype(prototype_key, caller=None):
     return True
 
 
-def search_prototype(key=None, tags=None, require_single=False, return_iterators=False):
+def search_prototype(key=None, tags=None, require_single=False, return_iterators=False,
+                    no_db=False):
     """
     Find prototypes based on key and/or tags, or all prototypes.
 
@@ -474,6 +494,9 @@ def search_prototype(key=None, tags=None, require_single=False, return_iterators
         return_iterators (bool): Optimized return for large numbers of db-prototypes.
             If set, separate returns of module based prototypes and paginate
             the db-prototype return.
+        no_db (bool): Optimization. If set, skip querying for database-generated prototypes and only
+            include module-based prototypes. This can lead to a dramatic speedup since
+            module-prototypes are static and require no db-lookup.
 
     Return:
         matches (list): Default return, all found prototype dicts. Empty list if
@@ -525,35 +548,38 @@ def search_prototype(key=None, tags=None, require_single=False, return_iterators
         # prototype_from_object will modify the base prototype for every object
         module_prototypes = [match.copy() for match in mod_matches.values()]
 
-    # search db-stored prototypes
-
-    if tags:
-        # exact match on tag(s)
-        tags = make_iter(tags)
-        tag_categories = ["db_prototype" for _ in tags]
-        db_matches = DbPrototype.objects.get_by_tag(tags, tag_categories)
+    if no_db:
+        db_matches = []
     else:
-        db_matches = DbPrototype.objects.all()
-
-    if key:
-        # exact or partial match on key
-        exact_match = db_matches.filter(Q(db_key__iexact=key)).order_by("db_key")
-        if not exact_match and allow_fuzzy:
-            # try with partial match instead
-            db_matches = db_matches.filter(Q(db_key__icontains=key)).order_by("db_key")
+        # search db-stored prototypes
+        if tags:
+            # exact match on tag(s)
+            tags = make_iter(tags)
+            tag_categories = ["db_prototype" for _ in tags]
+            db_matches = DbPrototype.objects.get_by_tag(tags, tag_categories)
         else:
-            db_matches = exact_match
+            db_matches = DbPrototype.objects.all()
+
+        if key:
+            # exact or partial match on key
+            exact_match = db_matches.filter(Q(db_key__iexact=key)).order_by("db_key")
+            if not exact_match and allow_fuzzy:
+                # try with partial match instead
+                db_matches = db_matches.filter(Q(db_key__icontains=key)).order_by("db_key")
+            else:
+                db_matches = exact_match
+
+        # convert to prototype
+        db_ids = db_matches.values_list("id", flat=True)
+        db_matches = (
+            Attribute.objects.filter(scriptdb__pk__in=db_ids, db_key="prototype")
+            .values_list("db_value", flat=True)
+            .order_by("scriptdb__db_key")
+        )
 
-    # convert to prototype
-    db_ids = db_matches.values_list("id", flat=True)
-    db_matches = (
-        Attribute.objects.filter(scriptdb__pk__in=db_ids, db_key="prototype")
-        .values_list("db_value", flat=True)
-        .order_by("scriptdb__db_key")
-    )
     if key and require_single:
         nmodules = len(module_prototypes)
-        ndbprots = db_matches.count()
+        ndbprots = db_matches.count() if db_matches else 0
         if nmodules + ndbprots != 1:
             raise KeyError(_(
                 "Found {num} matching prototypes among {module_prototypes}.").format(
@@ -795,19 +821,29 @@ def validate_prototype(
                       err=err, protkey=protkey, typeclass=typeclass)
             )
 
-    # recursively traverse prototype_parent chain
+    if prototype_parent and isinstance(prototype_parent, dict):
+        # the protparent is already embedded as a dict;
+        prototype_parent = [prototype_parent]
 
+    # recursively traverse prototype_parent chain
     for protstring in make_iter(prototype_parent):
-        protstring = protstring.lower()
-        if protkey is not None and protstring == protkey:
-            _flags["errors"].append(_("Prototype {protkey} tries to parent itself.").format(
-                protkey=protkey))
-        protparent = protparents.get(protstring)
-        if not protparent:
-            _flags["errors"].append(
-                _("Prototype {protkey}'s prototype_parent '{parent}' was not found.").format(
-                    protkey=protkey, parent=protstring)
-            )
+        if isinstance(protstring, dict):
+            # an already embedded prototype_parent
+            protparent = protstring
+            protstring = None
+        else:
+            protstring = protstring.lower()
+            if protkey is not None and protstring == protkey:
+                _flags["errors"].append(_("Prototype {protkey} tries to parent itself.").format(
+                    protkey=protkey))
+            protparent = protparents.get(protstring)
+            if not protparent:
+                _flags["errors"].append(
+                    _("Prototype {protkey}'s `prototype_parent` (named '{parent}') "
+                      "was not found.").format(protkey=protkey, parent=protstring)
+                )
+
+        # check for infinite recursion
         if id(prototype) in _flags["visited"]:
             _flags["errors"].append(
                 _("{protkey} has infinite nesting of prototypes.").format(
@@ -818,9 +854,12 @@ def validate_prototype(
             raise RuntimeError(f"{_ERRSTR}: " + f"\n{_ERRSTR}: ".join(_flags["errors"]))
         _flags["visited"].append(id(prototype))
         _flags["depth"] += 1
+
+        # next step of recursive validation
         validate_prototype(
             protparent, protstring, protparents, is_prototype_base=is_prototype_base, _flags=_flags
         )
+
         _flags["visited"].pop()
         _flags["depth"] -= 1
 
diff --git a/evennia/prototypes/spawner.py b/evennia/prototypes/spawner.py
index 0e9ee7f8fa..a73919dada 100644
--- a/evennia/prototypes/spawner.py
+++ b/evennia/prototypes/spawner.py
@@ -220,10 +220,23 @@ def _get_prototype(inprot, protparents, uninherited=None, _workprot=None):
     _workprot = {} if _workprot is None else _workprot
     if "prototype_parent" in inprot:
         # move backwards through the inheritance
-        for prototype in make_iter(inprot["prototype_parent"]):
+
+        prototype_parents = inprot["prototype_parent"]
+        if isinstance(prototype_parents, dict):
+            # protparent already embedded as-is
+            prototype_parents = [prototype_parents]
+
+        for prototype in make_iter(prototype_parents):
+            if isinstance(prototype, dict):
+                # protparent already embedded as-is
+                parent_prototype = prototype
+            else:
+                # protparent given by-name
+                parent_prototype = protparents.get(prototype.lower(), {})
+
             # Build the prot dictionary in reverse order, overloading
             new_prot = _get_prototype(
-                protparents.get(prototype.lower(), {}), protparents, _workprot=_workprot
+                parent_prototype, protparents, _workprot=_workprot
             )
 
             # attrs, tags have internal structure that should be inherited separately
@@ -245,7 +258,7 @@ def _get_prototype(inprot, protparents, uninherited=None, _workprot=None):
     return _workprot
 
 
-def flatten_prototype(prototype, validate=False):
+def flatten_prototype(prototype, validate=False, no_db=False):
     """
     Produce a 'flattened' prototype, where all prototype parents in the inheritance tree have been
     merged into a final prototype.
@@ -253,6 +266,8 @@ def flatten_prototype(prototype, validate=False):
     Args:
         prototype (dict): Prototype to flatten. Its `prototype_parent` field will be parsed.
         validate (bool, optional): Validate for valid keys etc.
+        no_db (bool, optional): Don't search db-based prototypes. This can speed up
+            searching dramatically since module-based prototypes are static.
 
     Returns:
         flattened (dict): The final, flattened prototype.
@@ -261,7 +276,8 @@ def flatten_prototype(prototype, validate=False):
 
     if prototype:
         prototype = protlib.homogenize_prototype(prototype)
-        protparents = {prot["prototype_key"].lower(): prot for prot in protlib.search_prototype()}
+        protparents = {prot["prototype_key"].lower(): prot
+                       for prot in protlib.search_prototype(no_db=no_db)}
         protlib.validate_prototype(
             prototype, None, protparents, is_prototype_base=validate, strict=validate
         )