So I "un-unioned" the model types, ripped the guts out of tr_ghoul2 (while still using the rend2 cache) and: I'm now getting properly textured ghoul2 models. MD3's load for the map, but not for items or weapons. Shaders + textures now appear on the sabers. Shadows do not project onto every surface in a map for some reason. So far, only yavin1b & yavin2 load. What I did is NOT the solution, but it helps me find the cause of one of the issues.