diff --git a/tale/base.py b/tale/base.py
index a6057d60..504cce2a 100644
--- a/tale/base.py
+++ b/tale/base.py
@@ -997,7 +997,7 @@ def set_stats_from_race(self) -> None:
         self.size = r.size
         self.hp = r.hp
         self.max_hp = r.hp
-        self.unarmed_attack = Weapon(name=r.unarmed_attack.name)
+        self.unarmed_attack = Weapon(r.unarmed_attack.name, weapon_type=WeaponType.UNARMED)
 
     def get_weapon_skill(self, weapon_type: WeaponType) -> int:
         return self.weapon_skills.get(weapon_type, 0)
diff --git a/tale/parse_utils.py b/tale/parse_utils.py
index ba35eb4a..ce56db54 100644
--- a/tale/parse_utils.py
+++ b/tale/parse_utils.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 from tale.story import GameMode, MoneyType, TickMethod, StoryConfig
 from tale.weapon_type import WeaponType
 from tale.wearable import WearLocation
-from tale.zone import Zone
 import json
 import re
 import sys
@@ -86,7 +85,7 @@ def location_from_json(json_object: dict):
     location.built = json_object.get('built', True)
     return location
 
-def load_items(json_items: [], locations = {}) -> dict:
+def load_items(json_items: list, locations = {}) -> dict:
     """
         Loads and returns a dict of items from a supplied json dict
         Inserts into locations if supplied and has location
@@ -131,7 +130,7 @@ def load_items(json_items: [], locations = {}) -> dict:
             _insert(new_item, locations, item['location'])
     return items
 
-def load_npcs(json_npcs: [], locations = {}) -> dict:
+def load_npcs(json_npcs: list, locations = {}) -> dict:
     """
         Loads npcs and returns a dict from a supplied json dict
         May be custom classes, but be sure the class is available
@@ -636,7 +635,7 @@ def load_stats(json_stats: dict) -> Stats:
     stats.strength = json_stats['strength']
     stats.dexterity = json_stats['dexterity']
     if json_stats.get('unarmed_attack'):
-        stats.unarmed_attack = UnarmedAttack[json_stats['unarmed_attack'].upper()]
+        stats.unarmed_attack = Weapon(UnarmedAttack[json_stats['unarmed_attack'].upper()], WeaponType.UNARMED)
     if json_stats['weapon_skills']:
         json_skills = json_stats['weapon_skills']
         stats.weapon_skills = {}
diff --git a/tests/test_llm_ext.py b/tests/test_llm_ext.py
index 5dc50ca0..031b8f4a 100644
--- a/tests/test_llm_ext.py
+++ b/tests/test_llm_ext.py
@@ -75,6 +75,12 @@ def test_character_card(self):
         assert('knife' in json_card['items'])
         assert(eval(json_card['wielding']) == knife.to_dict())
 
+        npc.wielding = None
+        card = npc.character_card
+        json_card = json.loads(card)
+        assert(eval(json_card['wielding']) == npc.stats.unarmed_attack.to_dict())
+
+
     def test_wearing(self):
         npc = LivingNpc(name='test', gender='m', age=42, personality='')
         hat = Item("hat", "hat", descr="A big hat.")
diff --git a/tests/test_parse_utils.py b/tests/test_parse_utils.py
index b96a73f8..b1b4a77f 100644
--- a/tests/test_parse_utils.py
+++ b/tests/test_parse_utils.py
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 import datetime
 import json
 from tale import json_story, mud_context, util
-from tale.base import Exit, Location, Weapon, Wearable
+from tale.base import Exit, Living, Location, Weapon, Wearable
 from tale.coord import Coord
 from tale.driver_if import IFDriver
 from tale.items.basic import Boxlike, Drink, Food, Health, Money
 from tale.story import GameMode, MoneyType
+from tale.weapon_type import WeaponType
 from tale.wearable import WearLocation
 from tale.zone import Zone
 import tale.parse_utils as parse_utils
@@ -77,6 +78,8 @@ def test_load_npcs(self):
         driver = IFDriver(screen_delay=99, gui=False, web=True, wizard_override=True)
         driver.game_clock = util.GameDateTime(datetime.datetime(year=2023, month=1, day=1), 1)
         mud_context.driver = driver
+
+
         
         locations = {}
         locations['Royal grotto'] = Location('Royal grotto', 'A small grotto, fit for a kobold king')
@@ -84,17 +87,27 @@ def test_load_npcs(self):
         npcs = parse_utils.load_npcs(npcs_json, locations)
         assert(len(npcs) == 3)
 
+
         npc = npcs['Kobbo']
         assert(npc.title == 'Kobbo the King')
         assert(npc.location == locations['Royal grotto'])
         assert(npc.aliases.pop() == 'kobbo')
+        assert(isinstance(npc.stats.unarmed_attack, Weapon))
         npc2 = npcs['generated name']
         assert(npc2.name == 'generated name')
         assert(npc2.title == 'generated name')
         assert(npc2.aliases.pop() == 'generated')
+        assert(npc2.location == locations['Royal grotto'])
         npc3 = npcs['name']
+        assert(npc3.location == locations['Royal grotto'])
         assert(npc3.name == 'name')
 
+
+        saved_npcs = parse_utils.save_npcs(npcs.values())
+
+
+
+
     def test_load_npcs_generated(self):
         driver = IFDriver(screen_delay=99, gui=False, web=True, wizard_override=True)
         driver.game_clock = util.GameDateTime(datetime.datetime(year=2023, month=1, day=1), 1)
@@ -310,3 +323,14 @@ def test_trim_response(self):
         response = '*'  
         trimmed = parse_utils.trim_response(response)
         assert(trimmed == '')      
+
+    def test_save_and_load_stats(self):
+        npc = Living('test', gender='m')
+        unarmed = npc.stats.unarmed_attack
+        npc.stats.set_weapon_skill(WeaponType.UNARMED, 10)
+        json_stats = parse_utils.save_stats(npc.stats)
+        assert(json_stats['unarmed_attack'] == 'FISTS')
+        
+        loaded_stats = parse_utils.load_stats(json_stats)
+        assert(isinstance(loaded_stats.unarmed_attack, Weapon))
+        assert(loaded_stats.get_weapon_skill(WeaponType.UNARMED) == 10)
\ No newline at end of file