diff --git a/source/graphics/ColladaManager.cpp b/source/graphics/ColladaManager.cpp
index 1e199d454e..d17613c554 100644
--- a/source/graphics/ColladaManager.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/ColladaManager.cpp
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ VfsPath CColladaManager::GetLoadableFilename(const VfsPath& pathnameNoExtension,
 	const wchar_t* realDaePath = wcsstr(realDaeBuf, L"mods/");
 
 	// cachedPmdVfsPath is "cache/mods/whatever/art/meshes/whatever_{hash}.pmd"
-	VfsPath cachedPmdVfsPath = Path::Join(L"cache/", realDaePath);
+	VfsPath cachedPmdVfsPath = Path::Join("cache", VfsPath(realDaePath));
 	cachedPmdVfsPath = Path::ChangeExtension(cachedPmdVfsPath, extension);
 
 	// If it's not in the cache, we'll have to create it first
diff --git a/source/graphics/ObjectBase.cpp b/source/graphics/ObjectBase.cpp
index de8de656a1..35a5e9d4a9 100644
--- a/source/graphics/ObjectBase.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/ObjectBase.cpp
@@ -142,11 +142,11 @@ bool CObjectBase::Load(const VfsPath& pathname)
 
 					if (option_name == el_mesh)
 					{
-						currentVariant->m_ModelFilename = Path::Join(L"art/meshes", option.GetText().FromUTF8());
+						currentVariant->m_ModelFilename = Path::Join("art/meshes", option.GetText().FromUTF8());
 					}
 					else if (option_name == el_texture)
 					{
-						currentVariant->m_TextureFilename = Path::Join(L"art/textures/skins", option.GetText().FromUTF8());
+						currentVariant->m_TextureFilename = Path::Join("art/textures/skins", option.GetText().FromUTF8());
 					}
 					else if (option_name == el_decal)
 					{
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ bool CObjectBase::Load(const VfsPath& pathname)
 								}
 								else if (ae.Name == at_file)
 								{
-									anim.m_FileName = Path::Join(L"art/animation", ae.Value.FromUTF8());
+									anim.m_FileName = Path::Join("art/animation", ae.Value.FromUTF8());
 								}
 								else if (ae.Name == at_speed)
 								{
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ bool CObjectBase::Load(const VfsPath& pathname)
 		}
 		else if (child_name == el_material)
 		{
-			m_Material = Path::Join(L"art/materials", child.GetText().FromUTF8());
+			m_Material = Path::Join("art/materials", child.GetText().FromUTF8());
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/graphics/ObjectManager.cpp b/source/graphics/ObjectManager.cpp
index 687ab752a0..16c45719db 100644
--- a/source/graphics/ObjectManager.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/ObjectManager.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ CObjectBase* CObjectManager::FindObjectBase(const CStrW& objectname)
 
 	CObjectBase* obj = new CObjectBase(*this);
 
-	VfsPath pathname = Path::Join(L"art/actors/", objectname);
+	VfsPath pathname = Path::Join("art/actors/", objectname);
 
 	if (obj->Load(pathname))
 	{
diff --git a/source/graphics/TerrainTextureManager.cpp b/source/graphics/TerrainTextureManager.cpp
index fcfd64e65e..8bca56603a 100644
--- a/source/graphics/TerrainTextureManager.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/TerrainTextureManager.cpp
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ void CTerrainTextureManager::RecurseDirectory(const CTerrainPropertiesPtr& paren
 	CTerrainPropertiesPtr props;
 
 	// Load terrains.xml first, if it exists
-	VfsPath pathname = Path::Join(path, L"terrains.xml");
+	VfsPath pathname = Path::Join(path, "terrains.xml");
 	if (VfsFileExists(pathname))
 		props = GetPropertiesFromFile(parentProps, pathname);
 	
diff --git a/source/graphics/TextureManager.cpp b/source/graphics/TextureManager.cpp
index e46230dd5f..5ad1842305 100644
--- a/source/graphics/TextureManager.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/TextureManager.cpp
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ public:
 		CTexturePtr texture = CreateTexture(textureProps);
 		CTextureConverter::Settings settings = GetConverterSettings(texture);
 
-		if (!m_TextureConverter.ConvertTexture(texture, sourcePath, Path::Join(L"cache", archiveCachePath), settings))
+		if (!m_TextureConverter.ConvertTexture(texture, sourcePath, Path::Join("cache", archiveCachePath), settings))
 			return false;
 
 		while (true)
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ public:
 		VfsPath p;
 		for (fs::wpath::iterator it = srcPath.begin(); it != srcPath.end(); ++it)
 		{
-			VfsPath settingsPath = Path::Join(p, L"textures.xml");
+			VfsPath settingsPath = Path::Join(p, "textures.xml");
 			m_HotloadFiles[settingsPath].insert(texture);
 			CTextureConverter::SettingsFile* f = GetSettingsFile(settingsPath);
 			if (f)
diff --git a/source/graphics/tests/test_MeshManager.h b/source/graphics/tests/test_MeshManager.h
index 7a8d9f8cf2..044526607d 100644
--- a/source/graphics/tests/test_MeshManager.h
+++ b/source/graphics/tests/test_MeshManager.h
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@
 #include "ps/CLogger.h"
 #include "ps/XML/RelaxNG.h"
 
-static NativePath MOD_PATH(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.mesh"));
-static NativePath CACHE_PATH(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+static NativePath MOD_PATH(Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.mesh"));
+static NativePath CACHE_PATH(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 
 const wchar_t* srcDAE = L"collada/sphere.dae";
 const wchar_t* srcPMD = L"collada/sphere.pmd";
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class TestMeshManager : public CxxTest::TestSuite
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20*MiB);
 
 		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", MOD_PATH));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"collada/", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"tests/collada"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"collada/", Path::Join(DataDir(), "tests/collada"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
 
 		// Mount _testcache onto virtual /cache - don't use the normal cache
 		// directory because that's full of loads of cached files from the
diff --git a/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureConverter.h b/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureConverter.h
index c0fb899b31..326a1f35f5 100644
--- a/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureConverter.h
+++ b/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureConverter.h
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ public:
 
 	void setUp()
 	{
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")); // clean up in case the last test run failed
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")); // clean up in case the last test run failed
 
 		m_VFS = CreateVfs(20*MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.tex"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.tex"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")));
 
 		tex_codec_register_all();
 	}
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public:
 		tex_codec_unregister_all();
 
 		m_VFS.reset();
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 	}
 
 	void test_convert_quality()
diff --git a/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureManager.h b/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureManager.h
index 56c1a47c85..f23f80231c 100644
--- a/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureManager.h
+++ b/source/graphics/tests/test_TextureManager.h
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ public:
 
 	void setUp()
 	{
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")); // clean up in case the last test run failed
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")); // clean up in case the last test run failed
 
 		m_VFS = CreateVfs(20*MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.tex"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.tex"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(m_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")));
 
 		h_mgr_init();
 		tex_codec_register_all();
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public:
 		h_mgr_shutdown();
 
 		m_VFS.reset();
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 	}
 
 	void test_load_basic()
diff --git a/source/gui/CGUI.cpp b/source/gui/CGUI.cpp
index 24bba6c547..c7751acbd4 100644
--- a/source/gui/CGUI.cpp
+++ b/source/gui/CGUI.cpp
@@ -1578,7 +1578,7 @@ void CGUI::Xeromyces_ReadImage(XMBElement Element, CXeromyces* pFile, CGUISprite
 
 		if (attr_name == "texture")
 		{
-			image.m_TextureName = Path::Join(L"art/textures/ui", attr_value);
+			image.m_TextureName = Path::Join("art/textures/ui", attr_value);
 		}
 		else
 		if (attr_name == "size")
diff --git a/source/gui/GUIManager.cpp b/source/gui/GUIManager.cpp
index 31f876d3df..dc495e751f 100644
--- a/source/gui/GUIManager.cpp
+++ b/source/gui/GUIManager.cpp
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ void CGUIManager::LoadPage(SGUIPage& page)
 	page.gui.reset(new CGUI());
 	page.gui->Initialize();
 
-	VfsPath path = Path::Join(L"gui", page.name.c_str());
+	VfsPath path = Path::Join("gui", VfsPath(page.name.c_str()));
 	page.inputs.insert(path);
 
 	CXeromyces xero;
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ void CGUIManager::LoadPage(SGUIPage& page)
 
 		CStrW name (node.GetText().FromUTF8());
 		TIMER(name.c_str());
-		VfsPath path = Path::Join(L"gui", name.c_str());
+		VfsPath path = Path::Join("gui", VfsPath(name.c_str()));
 		page.gui->LoadXmlFile(path, page.inputs);
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/gui/GUIRenderer.cpp b/source/gui/GUIRenderer.cpp
index fd88d8a71b..73414883fb 100644
--- a/source/gui/GUIRenderer.cpp
+++ b/source/gui/GUIRenderer.cpp
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ void GUIRenderer::UpdateDrawCallCache(DrawCalls &Calls, const CStr& SpriteName,
 			// TODO: Should check (nicely) that this is a valid file?
 			SGUIImage Image;
 
-			Image.m_TextureName = Path::Join(L"art/textures/ui", wstring_from_utf8(SpriteName.substr(10)));
+			Image.m_TextureName = Path::Join("art/textures/ui", NativePathFromString(SpriteName.substr(10)));
 
 			CClientArea ca(CRect(0, 0, 0, 0), CRect(0, 0, 100, 100));
 			Image.m_Size = ca;
diff --git a/source/gui/scripting/ScriptFunctions.cpp b/source/gui/scripting/ScriptFunctions.cpp
index 5edff002c2..4712659f41 100644
--- a/source/gui/scripting/ScriptFunctions.cpp
+++ b/source/gui/scripting/ScriptFunctions.cpp
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ void ForceGC(void* cbdata)
 
 void DumpSimState(void* UNUSED(cbdata))
 {
-	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"sim_dump.txt");
+	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), "sim_dump.txt");
 	std::ofstream file (StringFromNativePath(path).c_str(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 	g_Game->GetSimulation2()->DumpDebugState(file);
 }
diff --git a/source/lib/debug.cpp b/source/lib/debug.cpp
index 6e32196785..59dfe95a65 100644
--- a/source/lib/debug.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/debug.cpp
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ LibError debug_WriteCrashlog(const wchar_t* text)
 		return ERR::REENTERED;	// NOWARN
 
 	FILE* f;
-	NativePath pathname = Path::Join(ah_get_log_dir(), L"crashlog.txt");
+	NativePath pathname = Path::Join(ah_get_log_dir(), "crashlog.txt");
 	errno_t err = _wfopen_s(&f, pathname.c_str(), L"w");
 	if(err != 0)
 	{
diff --git a/source/lib/external_libraries/dbghelp.cpp b/source/lib/external_libraries/dbghelp.cpp
index b2d9e0d175..832dee07d7 100644
--- a/source/lib/external_libraries/dbghelp.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/external_libraries/dbghelp.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ void dbghelp_ImportFunctions()
 	// application loaded.") and then the system directory, whose
 	// dbghelp.dll is too old. we therefore specify the full path
 	// to our executable directory, which contains a newer dbghelp.dll.
-	const NativePath pathname = Path::Join(wutil_DetectExecutablePath(), L"dbghelp.dll");
+	const NativePath pathname = Path::Join(wutil_DetectExecutablePath(), "dbghelp.dll");
 	HMODULE hDbghelp = LoadLibraryW(pathname.c_str());
 	debug_assert(hDbghelp);
 #define FUNC(ret, name, params) p##name = (ret (__stdcall*) params)GetProcAddress(hDbghelp, #name);
diff --git a/source/lib/file/archive/archive_zip.cpp b/source/lib/file/archive/archive_zip.cpp
index 41efeaeb01..1cfc066053 100644
--- a/source/lib/file/archive/archive_zip.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/file/archive/archive_zip.cpp
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@
 #include <time.h>
 #include <limits>
 
+#include "lib/utf8.h"
 #include "lib/bits.h"
 #include "lib/byte_order.h"
-#include "lib/utf8.h"	// wstring_from_utf8
 #include "lib/fat_time.h"
 #include "lib/path_util.h"
 #include "lib/allocators/pool.h"
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ public:
 				WARN_RETURN(ERR::CORRUPTED);
 
 			const VfsPath relativePathname(cdfh->Pathname());
-			if(relativePathname.empty() || !path_is_dir_sep(relativePathname[relativePathname.length()-1]))	// ignore directories
+			if(!Path::IsDirectory(relativePathname))
 			{
 				const NativePath name = Path::Filename(relativePathname);
 				FileInfo fileInfo(name, cdfh->USize(), cdfh->MTime());
diff --git a/source/lib/file/file_system.cpp b/source/lib/file/file_system.cpp
index 53cef07c9f..79cceb750c 100644
--- a/source/lib/file/file_system.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/file/file_system.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <string>
 
 #include "lib/path_util.h"
-#include "lib/utf8.h"	// wstring_from_utf8
 #include "lib/posix/posix_filesystem.h"
 
 
@@ -122,7 +121,7 @@ LibError CreateDirectories(const NativePath& path, mode_t mode)
 
 	// If we were passed a path ending with '/', strip the '/' now so that
 	// we can consistently use Path to find parent directory names
-	if(path_is_dir_sep(path[path.length()-1]))
+	if(Path::IsDirectory(path))
 		return CreateDirectories(Path::Path(path), mode);
 
 	RETURN_ERR(CreateDirectories(Path::Path(path), mode));
diff --git a/source/lib/path_util.cpp b/source/lib/path_util.cpp
index b0699e2358..fb2b5e7ccd 100644
--- a/source/lib/path_util.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/path_util.cpp
@@ -38,21 +38,13 @@ ERROR_ASSOCIATE(ERR::PATH_COMPONENT_SEPARATOR, L"path component contains dir sep
 ERROR_ASSOCIATE(ERR::PATH_NOT_FOUND, L"path not found", -1);
 
 
-bool path_is_dir_sep(wchar_t c)
+static bool path_is_dir_sep(wchar_t c)
 {
-	// note: ideally path strings would only contain '/' or even SYS_DIR_SEP.
-	// however, windows-specific code (e.g. the sound driver detection)
-	// uses these routines with '\\' strings. converting them all to
-	// '/' and then back before passing to WinAPI would be annoying.
-	// also, the self-tests verify correct operation of such strings.
-	// it would be error-prone to only test the platform's separator
-	// strings there. hence, we allow all separators here.
 	if(c == '/' || c == '\\')
 		return true;
 	return false;
 }
 
-
 // is s2 a subpath of s1, or vice versa?
 // (equal counts as subpath)
 bool path_is_subpath(const wchar_t* s1, const wchar_t* s2)
diff --git a/source/lib/path_util.h b/source/lib/path_util.h
index 23112e606e..85bae8cb06 100644
--- a/source/lib/path_util.h
+++ b/source/lib/path_util.h
@@ -54,14 +54,6 @@ namespace ERR
  **/
 LIB_API LibError path_component_validate(const wchar_t* name);
 
-/**
- * is the given character a path separator character?
- *
- * @param c character to test
- * @return bool
- **/
-LIB_API bool path_is_dir_sep(wchar_t c);
-
 /**
  * is s2 a subpath of s1, or vice versa? (equal counts as subpath)
  *
@@ -79,72 +71,106 @@ LIB_API bool path_is_subpath(const wchar_t* s1, const wchar_t* s2);
  **/
 LIB_API const wchar_t* path_name_only(const wchar_t* path);
 
-
 namespace Path {
 
-static inline NativePath Path(const NativePath& pathname)
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline bool IsDirectory(const Path_t& pathname)
+{
+	if(pathname.empty())	// (ensure back() is safe)
+		return false;	// (the VFS root directory is represented as an empty string)
+
+	// note: ideally, path strings would only contain '/' or even SYS_DIR_SEP.
+	// however, windows-specific code (e.g. the sound driver detection)
+	// uses these routines with '\\' strings. converting them all to
+	// '/' and then back before passing to OS functions would be annoying.
+	// also, the self-tests verify correct operation of such strings.
+	// it would be error-prone to only test the platform's separator
+	// strings there. hence, we allow all separators here.
+	return pathname.back() == '/' || pathname.back() == '\\';
+}
+
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t Path(const Path_t& pathname)
 {
 	size_t n = pathname.find_last_of('/');
-	if(n == NativePath::npos)
+	if(n == Path_t::npos)
 	{
 		n = pathname.find_last_of('\\');
-		if(n == NativePath::npos)
+		if(n == Path_t::npos)
 			return L"";
 	}
 	return pathname.substr(0, n);
 }
 
-static inline NativePath Filename(const NativePath& pathname)
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t Filename(const Path_t& pathname)
 {
 	size_t n = pathname.find_last_of('/');
-	if(n == NativePath::npos)
+	if(n == Path_t::npos)
 	{
 		n = pathname.find_last_of('\\');
-		if(n == NativePath::npos)
+		if(n == Path_t::npos)
 			return pathname;
 	}
 	return pathname.substr(n+1);
 }
 
-static inline NativePath Basename(const NativePath& pathname)
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t Basename(const Path_t& pathname)
 {
-	const NativePath filename = Filename(pathname);
+	const Path_t filename = Filename(pathname);
 	const size_t idxDot = filename.find_last_of('.');
-	if(idxDot == NativePath::npos)
+	if(idxDot == Path_t::npos)
 		return filename;
 	return filename.substr(0, idxDot);
 }
 
-static inline NativePath Extension(const NativePath& pathname)
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline std::wstring Extension(const Path_t& pathname)
 {
 	const size_t idxDot = pathname.find_last_of('.');
-	if(idxDot == NativePath::npos)
-		return NativePath();
+	if(idxDot == Path_t::npos)
+		return Path_t();
 	return pathname.substr(idxDot);
 }
 
-static inline NativePath Join(const NativePath& path1, const NativePath& path2)
+static inline std::wstring JoinPathStrings(const std::wstring& path1, const std::wstring& path2)
 {
-	NativePath ret = path1;
-	if(!path1.empty() && path1[path1.length()-1] != '/' && path1[path1.length()-1] != '\\')
+	std::wstring ret = path1;
+	if(!IsDirectory(path1))
 		ret += '/';
 	ret += path2;
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static inline NativePath Join(const NativePath& path1, const NativePath& path2, const NativePath& path3)
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t Join(const Path_t& path1, const Path_t& path2)
 {
-	return Join(Join(path1, path2), path3);
+	return JoinPathStrings(path1, path2);
 }
 
-static inline NativePath AddSlash(const NativePath& path)
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t Join(const Path_t& path1, const char* literal)
 {
-	return (!path.empty() && path_is_dir_sep(path[path.length()-1]))? path : path+L'/';
+	return JoinPathStrings(path1, NativePathFromString(literal));
 }
 
-static inline NativePath ChangeExtension(const NativePath& pathname, const NativePath& extension)
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t Join(const char* literal, const Path_t& path2)
 {
-	return Join(Path(pathname), Basename(Filename(pathname))+extension);
+	return JoinPathStrings(NativePathFromString(literal), path2);
+}
+
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t AddSlash(const Path_t& path)
+{
+	return IsDirectory(path)? path : path+L'/';
+}
+
+template<class Path_t>
+static inline Path_t ChangeExtension(const Path_t& pathname, const std::wstring& extension)
+{
+	return Join(Path(pathname), Basename(pathname)+extension);
 }
 
 }	// namespace Path
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/dir_watch_fam.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/dir_watch_fam.cpp
index f4a52398a5..e0bb0c4931 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/dir_watch_fam.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/dir_watch_fam.cpp
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ LibError dir_watch_Poll(DirWatchNotifications& notifications)
 			continue;
 		}
 		DirWatch* dirWatch = (DirWatch*)polled_notifications[i].userdata;
-		NativePath pathname = Path::Join(dirWatch->path, NativePathFromString(polled_notifications[i].filename));
+		NativePath pathname = Path::Join(dirWatch->path, polled_notifications[i].filename);
 		notifications.push_back(DirWatchNotification(pathname, type));
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/linux.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/linux.cpp
index 720adeac25..0c8553efba 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/linux.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/linux/linux.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 
 #include <cstdio>
 
-LibError sys_get_executable_name(std::wstring& pathname)
+LibError sys_get_executable_name(NativePath& pathname)
 {
 	const char* path;
 	Dl_info dl_info;
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ LibError sys_get_executable_name(std::wstring& pathname)
 		char* resolved = realpath(path, resolvedBuf);
 		if (!resolved)
 			return ERR::FAIL;
-		pathname = wstring_from_utf8(resolved);
+		pathname = NativePathFromString(resolved);
 		return INFO::OK;
 	}
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ LibError sys_get_executable_name(std::wstring& pathname)
 		char* resolved = realpath(absolute, resolvedBuf);
 		if (!resolved)
 			return ERR::NO_SYS;
-		pathname = wstring_from_utf8(resolved);
+		pathname = NativePathFromString(resolved);
 		return INFO::OK;
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/osx/osx.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/osx/osx.cpp
index 4ab4efa6a8..6723656f12 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/osx/osx.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/osx/osx.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ LibError gfx_get_video_mode(int* xres, int* yres, int* bpp, int* freq)
 }
 
 
-LibError sys_get_executable_name(std::wstring& pathname)
+LibError sys_get_executable_name(NativePath& pathname)
 {
 	static char name[PATH_MAX];
 	static bool init = false;
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ LibError sys_get_executable_name(std::wstring& pathname)
 		debug_printf(L"app bundle name: %hs\n", name);
 	}
 	
-	pathname = wstring_from_utf8(name);
+	pathname = NativePathFromString(name);
 	
 	return INFO::OK;
 }
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/unix/ufilesystem.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/unix/ufilesystem.cpp
index 21119c0cb6..0c28f95eba 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/unix/ufilesystem.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/unix/ufilesystem.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ struct wdirent* wreaddir(WDIR* wd)
 	dirent* ent = readdir(wd->d);
 	if(!ent)
 		return 0;
-	std::wstring name = wstring_from_utf8(ent->d_name);
+	NativePath name = NativePathFromString(ent->d_name);
 	wcscpy_s(wd->name, ARRAY_SIZE(wd->name), name.c_str());
 	return &wd->ent;
 }
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/mahaf.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/mahaf.cpp
index 3ea02b6df8..fd15909d29 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/mahaf.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/mahaf.cpp
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ static NativePath DriverPathname()
 #endif
 	char filename[PATH_MAX];
 	sprintf_s(filename, ARRAY_SIZE(filename), "aken%s%s.sys", bits, debug);
-	return Path::Join(wutil_ExecutablePath(), NativePathFromString(filename));
+	return Path::Join(wutil_ExecutablePath(), filename);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdbg_sym.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdbg_sym.cpp
index de8b01a984..49542d9e94 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdbg_sym.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdbg_sym.cpp
@@ -1871,7 +1871,7 @@ void wdbg_sym_WriteMinidump(EXCEPTION_POINTERS* exception_pointers)
 
 	WinScopedLock lock(WDBG_SYM_CS);
 
-	NativePath path = Path::Join(ah_get_log_dir(), L"crashlog.dmp");
+	NativePath path = Path::Join(ah_get_log_dir(), "crashlog.dmp");
 	HANDLE hFile = CreateFileW(path.c_str(), GENERIC_WRITE, FILE_SHARE_WRITE, 0, CREATE_ALWAYS, 0, 0);
 	if(hFile == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
 	{
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdir_watch.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdir_watch.cpp
index 065fb9b563..70e585619e 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdir_watch.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wdir_watch.cpp
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ class DirWatchManager
 public:
 	LibError Add(const NativePath& path, PDirWatch& dirWatch)
 	{
-		debug_assert(path_is_dir_sep(path.back()));	// must be a directory path
+		debug_assert(Path::IsDirectory(path));
 
 		// check if this is a subdirectory of a tree that's already being
 		// watched (this is much faster than issuing a new watch; it also
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wposix/wdlfcn.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wposix/wdlfcn.cpp
index 8fe832786e..1170b60893 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wposix/wdlfcn.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wposix/wdlfcn.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ void* dlopen(const char* so_name, int flags)
 {
 	debug_assert(!(flags & RTLD_GLOBAL));
 
-	NativePath pathname = Path::ChangeExtension(wstring_from_utf8(so_name), L".dll");
+	NativePath pathname = Path::ChangeExtension(NativePathFromString(so_name), L".dll");
 	HMODULE hModule = LoadLibraryW(pathname.c_str());
 	return void_from_HMODULE(hModule);
 }
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsdl.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsdl.cpp
index 24fc0b11bf..acc01c7e3a 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsdl.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsdl.cpp
@@ -1485,14 +1485,11 @@ static NativePath GetStdoutPathname()
 	wchar_t pathnameEXE[MAX_PATH];
 	const DWORD charsWritten = GetModuleFileNameW(0, pathnameEXE, ARRAY_SIZE(pathnameEXE));
 	debug_assert(charsWritten);
-	const NativePath path = Path::Path(pathnameEXE);
 
 	// add the EXE name to the filename to allow multiple executables
 	// with their own redirections. (we can't use wutil_ExecutablePath
 	// because it doesn't return the basename)
-	NativePath name = Path::Basename(pathnameEXE);
-	NativePath pathname = Path::Join(path, (name+L"_stdout.txt"));
-
+	NativePath pathname = Path::ChangeExtension(NativePath(pathnameEXE), L"_stdout.txt");
 	return pathname;
 }
 
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsnd.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsnd.cpp
index 0d4a6bdb96..afb7326ae6 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsnd.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wsnd.cpp
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ static BOOL CALLBACK DirectSoundCallback(void* guid, const wchar_t* UNUSED(descr
 
 	// note: $system\\drivers is not in LoadLibrary's search list,
 	// so we have to give the full pathname.
-	directSoundDriverPath = Path::Join(wutil_SystemPath(), L"drivers", module);
+	directSoundDriverPath = Path::Join(Path::Join(wutil_SystemPath(), "drivers"), NativePath(module));
 
 	// we assume the first "driver name" (sound card) is the one we want;
 	// stick with that and stop calling.
diff --git a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wutil.cpp b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wutil.cpp
index 54763b974a..b718f72b6c 100644
--- a/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wutil.cpp
+++ b/source/lib/sysdep/os/win/wutil.cpp
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ NativePath wutil_DetectExecutablePath()
 	wchar_t modulePathname[MAX_PATH+1] = {0};
 	const DWORD len = GetModuleFileNameW(GetModuleHandle(0), modulePathname, MAX_PATH);
 	debug_assert(len != 0);
-	return Path::Path(modulePathname);
+	return Path::Path(NativePath(modulePathname));
 }
 
 // (NB: wutil_Init is called before static ctors => use placement new)
diff --git a/source/main.cpp b/source/main.cpp
index 0eec652ed1..84f459f3c3 100644
--- a/source/main.cpp
+++ b/source/main.cpp
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ static void RunGameOrAtlas(int argc, const char* argv[])
 		Paths paths(args);
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
 		g_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", paths.Cache(), VFS_MOUNT_ARCHIVABLE);
-		g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(paths.RData(), L"mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST);
+		g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(paths.RData(), "mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST);
 
 		{
 			CReplayPlayer replay;
diff --git a/source/network/NetTurnManager.cpp b/source/network/NetTurnManager.cpp
index a84dadff19..c5725fc7e8 100644
--- a/source/network/NetTurnManager.cpp
+++ b/source/network/NetTurnManager.cpp
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ void CNetTurnManager::OnSyncError(u32 turn, const std::string& expectedHash)
 	bool ok = m_Simulation2.ComputeStateHash(hash, quick);
 	debug_assert(ok);
 
-	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"oos_dump.txt");
+	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), "oos_dump.txt");
 	std::ofstream file (StringFromNativePath(path).c_str(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 	m_Simulation2.DumpDebugState(file);
 	file.close();
diff --git a/source/network/tests/test_Net.h b/source/network/tests/test_Net.h
index 62c9ab095e..f2998e7e65 100644
--- a/source/network/tests/test_Net.h
+++ b/source/network/tests/test_Net.h
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ public:
 	void setUp()
 	{
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")));
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 
 		// Need some stuff for terrain movement costs:
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public:
 
 		CXeromyces::Terminate();
 		g_VFS.reset();
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 	}
 
 	bool clients_are_all(const std::vector<CNetClient*>& clients, uint state)
diff --git a/source/ps/ArchiveBuilder.cpp b/source/ps/ArchiveBuilder.cpp
index 0381f76eff..cd17ed9cfc 100644
--- a/source/ps/ArchiveBuilder.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/ArchiveBuilder.cpp
@@ -39,9 +39,9 @@ CArchiveBuilder::CArchiveBuilder(const std::wstring& mod, const std::wstring& te
 
 	m_VFS = CreateVfs(20*MiB);
 
-	DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(m_TempDir, L"_archivecache")); // clean up in case the last run failed
+	DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(m_TempDir, "_archivecache")); // clean up in case the last run failed
 
-	m_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(m_TempDir, L"_archivecache/"));
+	m_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(m_TempDir, "_archivecache/"));
 
 	m_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::AddSlash(mod), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST);
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ CArchiveBuilder::~CArchiveBuilder()
 {
 	m_VFS.reset();
 
-	DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(m_TempDir, L"_archivecache"));
+	DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(m_TempDir, "_archivecache"));
 
 	tex_codec_unregister_all();
 }
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ void CArchiveBuilder::Build(const std::wstring& archive)
 			debug_assert(ok);
 
 			std::wstring cachedRealPath;
-			ret = m_VFS->GetRealPath(Path::Join(L"cache", cachedPath), cachedRealPath);
+			ret = m_VFS->GetRealPath(Path::Join("cache", cachedPath), cachedRealPath);
 			debug_assert(ret == INFO::OK);
 
 			writer->AddFile(cachedRealPath, cachedPath);
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ void CArchiveBuilder::Build(const std::wstring& archive)
 			debug_assert(ok);
 
 			std::wstring cachedRealPath;
-			ret = m_VFS->GetRealPath(Path::Join(L"cache", cachedPath), cachedRealPath);
+			ret = m_VFS->GetRealPath(Path::Join("cache", cachedPath), cachedRealPath);
 			debug_assert(ret == INFO::OK);
 
 			writer->AddFile(cachedRealPath, cachedPath);
diff --git a/source/ps/CLogger.cpp b/source/ps/CLogger.cpp
index 4ba93366dd..8a90252f41 100644
--- a/source/ps/CLogger.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/CLogger.cpp
@@ -75,10 +75,10 @@ const char* html_header1 = "</h2>\n";
 
 CLogger::CLogger()
 {
-	std::wstring mainlogPath(Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"mainlog.html"));
+	NativePath mainlogPath(Path::Join(psLogDir(), "mainlog.html"));
 	m_MainLog = new std::ofstream(utf8_from_wstring(mainlogPath).c_str(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 
-	std::wstring interestinglogPath(Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"interestinglog.html"));
+	NativePath interestinglogPath(Path::Join(psLogDir(), "interestinglog.html"));
 	m_InterestingLog = new std::ofstream(utf8_from_wstring(interestinglogPath).c_str(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 
 	m_OwnsStreams = true;
diff --git a/source/ps/CacheLoader.cpp b/source/ps/CacheLoader.cpp
index 09cb6217ec..34c3eefbaa 100644
--- a/source/ps/CacheLoader.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/CacheLoader.cpp
@@ -109,10 +109,7 @@ bool CCacheLoader::CanUseArchiveCache(const VfsPath& sourcePath, const VfsPath&
 
 VfsPath CCacheLoader::ArchiveCachePath(const VfsPath& sourcePath)
 {
-	VfsPath sourceDir = Path::Path(sourcePath);
-	std::wstring sourceName = Path::Filename(sourcePath);
-
-	return Path::Join(sourceDir, sourceName + L".cached" + m_FileExtension);
+	return Path::ChangeExtension(sourcePath, Path::Extension(sourcePath) + L".cached" + m_FileExtension);
 }
 
 VfsPath CCacheLoader::LooseCachePath(const VfsPath& sourcePath, const MD5& initialHash, u32 version)
@@ -145,9 +142,7 @@ VfsPath CCacheLoader::LooseCachePath(const VfsPath& sourcePath, const MD5& initi
 		digestPrefix << std::setfill(L'0') << std::setw(2) << (int)digest[i];
 
 	// Construct the final path
-	VfsPath sourceDir = Path::Path(sourcePath);
-	std::wstring sourceName = Path::Filename(sourcePath);
-	return Path::Join(L"cache", sourceDir, sourceName + L"." + digestPrefix.str() + m_FileExtension);
+	return Path::Join("cache", Path::ChangeExtension(sourcePath, std::wstring(L".") + digestPrefix.str() + m_FileExtension));
 
 	// TODO: we should probably include the mod name, once that's possible (http://trac.wildfiregames.com/ticket/564)
 }
diff --git a/source/ps/GameSetup/GameSetup.cpp b/source/ps/GameSetup/GameSetup.cpp
index 3f2ec3a233..a2d992ff98 100644
--- a/source/ps/GameSetup/GameSetup.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/GameSetup/GameSetup.cpp
@@ -454,8 +454,8 @@ static void InitVfs(const CmdLineArgs& args)
 	const size_t cacheSize = ChooseCacheSize();
 	g_VFS = CreateVfs(cacheSize);
 
-	g_VFS->Mount(L"screenshots/", Path::Join(paths.Data(), L"screenshots/"));
-	const NativePath readonlyConfig = Path::Join(paths.RData(), L"config/");
+	g_VFS->Mount(L"screenshots/", Path::Join(paths.Data(), "screenshots/"));
+	const NativePath readonlyConfig = Path::Join(paths.RData(), "config/");
 	g_VFS->Mount(L"config/", readonlyConfig);
 	if(readonlyConfig != paths.Config())
 		g_VFS->Mount(L"config/", paths.Config());
@@ -466,8 +466,8 @@ static void InitVfs(const CmdLineArgs& args)
 	if(!args.Has("onlyPublicFiles"))
 		mods.push_back("internal");
 
-	NativePath modArchivePath = Path::Join(paths.Cache(), L"mods");
-	NativePath modLoosePath = Path::Join(paths.RData(), L"mods");
+	NativePath modArchivePath = Path::Join(paths.Cache(), "mods");
+	NativePath modLoosePath = Path::Join(paths.RData(), "mods");
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < mods.size(); ++i)
 	{
 		size_t priority = i;
diff --git a/source/ps/GameSetup/Paths.cpp b/source/ps/GameSetup/Paths.cpp
index d1ce67bc50..00781b102a 100644
--- a/source/ps/GameSetup/Paths.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/GameSetup/Paths.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ Paths::Paths(const CmdLineArgs& args)
 #ifdef INSTALLED_DATADIR
 	m_rdata = WIDEN(STRINGIZE(INSTALLED_DATADIR)) L"/";
 #else
-	m_rdata = Path::Join(m_root, L"data/");
+	m_rdata = Path::Join(m_root, "data/");
 #endif
 
 	const wchar_t* subdirectoryName = args.Has("writableRoot")? 0 : L"0ad";
@@ -43,29 +43,29 @@ Paths::Paths(const CmdLineArgs& args)
 	if(!subdirectoryName)
 	{
 		m_data = m_rdata;
-		m_config = Path::Join(m_data, L"config/");
-		m_cache = Path::Join(m_data, L"cache/");
-		m_logs = Path::Join(m_root, L"logs/");
+		m_config = Path::Join(m_data, "config/");
+		m_cache = Path::Join(m_data, "cache/");
+		m_logs = Path::Join(m_root, "logs/");
 	}
 	else
 	{
 #if OS_WIN
-		const NativePath appdata = Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(wutil_AppdataPath(), subdirectoryName));
-		m_data = Path::Join(appdata, L"data/");
-		m_config = Path::Join(appdata, L"config/");
-		m_cache = Path::Join(appdata, L"cache/");
-		m_logs = Path::Join(appdata, L"logs/");
+		const NativePath appdata = Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(wutil_AppdataPath(), NativePath(subdirectoryName)));
+		m_data = Path::Join(appdata, "data/");
+		m_config = Path::Join(appdata, "config/");
+		m_cache = Path::Join(appdata, "cache/");
+		m_logs = Path::Join(appdata, "logs/");
 #else
 		const char* envHome = getenv("HOME");
 		debug_assert(envHome);
 		const NativePath home(wstring_from_utf8(envHome));
-		const NativePath xdgData = XDG_Path("XDG_DATA_HOME", home, Path::Join(home, L".local/share/", subdirectoryName));
-		const NativePath xdgConfig = XDG_Path("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", home, Path::Join(home, L".config/", subdirectoryName));
-		const NativePath xdgCache = XDG_Path("XDG_CACHE_HOME", home, Path::Join(home, L".cache/", subdirectoryName));
+		const NativePath xdgData = XDG_Path("XDG_DATA_HOME", home, Path::Join(home, ".local/share/"), subdirectoryName));
+		const NativePath xdgConfig = XDG_Path("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", home, Path::Join(home, ".config/"), subdirectoryName));
+		const NativePath xdgCache = XDG_Path("XDG_CACHE_HOME", home, Path::Join(home, ".cache/"), subdirectoryName));
 		m_data = Path::AddSlash(xdgData);
 		m_cache = Path::AddSlash(xdgCache);
-		m_config = Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(xdgConfig, L"config"));
-		m_logs = Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(xdgConfig, L"logs"));
+		m_config = Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(xdgConfig, "config"));
+		m_logs = Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(xdgConfig, "logs"));
 #endif
 	}
 }
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@ Paths::Paths(const CmdLineArgs& args)
 	if(path)
 	{
 		if(path[0] != '/')	// relative to $HOME
-			return Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(home, wstring_from_utf8(path)));
-		return Path::AddSlash(wstring_from_utf8(path));
+			return Path::AddSlash(Path::Join(home, path));
+		return Path::AddSlash(NativePathFromString(path));
 	}
 	return Path::AddSlash(defaultPath);
 }
diff --git a/source/ps/ProfileViewer.cpp b/source/ps/ProfileViewer.cpp
index d24c736430..925dce974c 100644
--- a/source/ps/ProfileViewer.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/ProfileViewer.cpp
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ void CProfileViewer::SaveToFile()
 	{
 		// Open the file. (It will be closed when the CProfileViewer
 		// destructor is called.)
-		NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"profile.txt");
+		NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), "profile.txt");
 		m->outputStream.open(utf8_from_wstring(path).c_str(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 
 		if (m->outputStream.fail())
diff --git a/source/ps/Pyrogenesis.cpp b/source/ps/Pyrogenesis.cpp
index 3c90be2c97..2cf31fd696 100644
--- a/source/ps/Pyrogenesis.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/Pyrogenesis.cpp
@@ -77,12 +77,12 @@ void psBundleLogs(FILE* f)
 	fwprintf(f, L"SVN Revision: %ls\n\n", svn_revision);
 
 	fwprintf(f, L"System info:\n\n");
-	NativePath path1 = Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"system_info.txt");
+	NativePath path1 = Path::Join(psLogDir(), "system_info.txt");
 	AppendAsciiFile(f, path1);
 	fwprintf(f, L"\n\n====================================\n\n");
 
 	fwprintf(f, L"Main log:\n\n");
-	NativePath path2 = Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"mainlog.html");
+	NativePath path2 = Path::Join(psLogDir(), "mainlog.html");
 	AppendAsciiFile(f, path2);
 	fwprintf(f, L"\n\n====================================\n\n");
 }
diff --git a/source/ps/Replay.cpp b/source/ps/Replay.cpp
index 4d1b01995c..10286a209b 100644
--- a/source/ps/Replay.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/Replay.cpp
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ CReplayLogger::CReplayLogger(ScriptInterface& scriptInterface) :
 
 	name << L"/commands.txt";
 
-	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), name.str());
+	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), NativePath(name.str()));
 	CreateDirectories(Path::Path(path), 0700);
 	m_Stream = new std::ofstream(StringFromNativePath(path).c_str(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 }
diff --git a/source/ps/Util.cpp b/source/ps/Util.cpp
index 1aa7776d72..c9649fba8f 100644
--- a/source/ps/Util.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/Util.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ void WriteSystemInfo()
 	struct utsname un;
 	uname(&un);
 
-	NativePath pathname = Path::Join(psLogDir(), L"system_info.txt");
+	NativePath pathname = Path::Join(psLogDir(), "system_info.txt");
 	FILE* f;
 	errno_t err = _wfopen_s(&f, pathname.c_str(), L"w");
 	if(err != 0)
diff --git a/source/ps/World.cpp b/source/ps/World.cpp
index 5fb0d1b0b7..c589047d44 100644
--- a/source/ps/World.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/World.cpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ void CWorld::RegisterInit(const CStrW& mapFile, int playerID)
 	// Load the map, if one was specified
 	if (mapFile.length())
 	{
-		VfsPath mapfilename(Path::Join(L"maps/scenarios/", mapFile + L".pmp"));
+		VfsPath mapfilename(Path::Join("maps/scenarios", NativePath(mapFile + L".pmp")));
 		CMapReader* reader = 0;
 
 		try
diff --git a/source/ps/XML/Xeromyces.cpp b/source/ps/XML/Xeromyces.cpp
index c180198fb1..a8424d6d27 100644
--- a/source/ps/XML/Xeromyces.cpp
+++ b/source/ps/XML/Xeromyces.cpp
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ bool CXeromyces::GenerateCachedXMB(const PIVFS& vfs, const VfsPath& sourcePath,
 
 	archiveCachePath = cacheLoader.ArchiveCachePath(sourcePath);
 
-	return (ConvertFile(vfs, sourcePath, Path::Join(L"cache", archiveCachePath)) == PSRETURN_OK);
+	return (ConvertFile(vfs, sourcePath, Path::Join("cache", archiveCachePath)) == PSRETURN_OK);
 }
 
 PSRETURN CXeromyces::ConvertFile(const PIVFS& vfs, const VfsPath& filename, const VfsPath& xmbPath)
diff --git a/source/renderer/Renderer.cpp b/source/renderer/Renderer.cpp
index 69cbb341b9..543380028d 100644
--- a/source/renderer/Renderer.cpp
+++ b/source/renderer/Renderer.cpp
@@ -1624,7 +1624,7 @@ int CRenderer::LoadAlphaMaps()
 	{
 		// note: these individual textures can be discarded afterwards;
 		// we cache the composite.
-		textures[i] = ogl_tex_load(g_VFS, Path::Join(path, fnames[i]));
+		textures[i] = ogl_tex_load(g_VFS, Path::Join(path, VfsPath(fnames[i])));
 		RETURN_ERR(textures[i]);
 
 		// get its size and make sure they are all equal.
diff --git a/source/renderer/SkyManager.cpp b/source/renderer/SkyManager.cpp
index 62e58b5034..b7e5edf8e0 100644
--- a/source/renderer/SkyManager.cpp
+++ b/source/renderer/SkyManager.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ void SkyManager::LoadSkyTextures()
 {
 	for (size_t i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(m_SkyTexture); ++i)
 	{
-		VfsPath path = Path::Join(L"art/textures/skies", m_SkySet, std::wstring(s_imageNames[i])+L".dds");
+		VfsPath path = Path::Join("art/textures/skies", Path::Join(NativePath(m_SkySet), NativePath(s_imageNames[i])+L".dds"));
 
 		CTextureProperties textureProps(path);
 		textureProps.SetWrap(GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
diff --git a/source/scripting/ScriptGlue.cpp b/source/scripting/ScriptGlue.cpp
index f253a8be98..62c1dbef12 100644
--- a/source/scripting/ScriptGlue.cpp
+++ b/source/scripting/ScriptGlue.cpp
@@ -275,12 +275,17 @@ JSBool GetBuildTimestamp(JSContext* cx, uintN argc, jsval* vp)
 }
 
 #ifdef DEBUG
-void DumpHeap(const char* name, int idx, JSContext* cx)
+void DumpHeap(const char* basename, int idx, JSContext* cx)
 {
-	wchar_t buf[64];
-	swprintf_s(buf, ARRAY_SIZE(buf), L"%hs.%03d.txt", name, idx);
-	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), buf);
-	FILE* f = fopen(utf8_from_wstring(path).c_str(), "w");
+	char filename[64];
+	sprintf_s(filename, ARRAY_SIZE(filename), "%hs.%03d.txt", basename, idx);
+	NativePath pathname = Path::Join(psLogDir(), filename);
+#if OS_WIN
+	FILE* f = _wfopen(pathname.c_str(), L"w");
+#else
+	std::string pathname8 = StringFromNativePath(pathname);
+	FILE* f = fopen(pathname8.c_str(), "w");
+#endif
 	debug_assert(f);
 	JS_DumpHeap(cx, f, NULL, 0, NULL, (size_t)-1, NULL);
 	fclose(f);
diff --git a/source/simulation2/Simulation2.cpp b/source/simulation2/Simulation2.cpp
index 3b9f297e97..f8c34fc45e 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/Simulation2.cpp
+++ b/source/simulation2/Simulation2.cpp
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ void CSimulation2Impl::DumpState()
 
 	std::wstringstream name;
 	name << L"sim_log/" << getpid() << L"/" << std::setw(5) << std::setfill(L'0') << m_TurnNumber << L".txt";
-	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), name.str());
+	NativePath path = Path::Join(psLogDir(), NativePath(name.str()));
 	CreateDirectories(Path::Path(path), 0700);
 	std::ofstream file (StringFromNativePath(path).c_str(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 
diff --git a/source/simulation2/components/CCmpTemplateManager.cpp b/source/simulation2/components/CCmpTemplateManager.cpp
index 0a5b612ccd..f46cfea762 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/components/CCmpTemplateManager.cpp
+++ b/source/simulation2/components/CCmpTemplateManager.cpp
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ bool CCmpTemplateManager::LoadTemplateFile(const std::string& templateName, int
 
 	// Normal case: templateName is an XML file:
 
-	VfsPath path = Path::Join(TEMPLATE_ROOT, wstring_from_utf8(templateName + ".xml"));
+	VfsPath path = Path::Join(VfsPath(TEMPLATE_ROOT), NativePathFromString(templateName + ".xml"));
 	CXeromyces xero;
 	PSRETURN ok = xero.Load(g_VFS, path);
 	if (ok != PSRETURN_OK)
diff --git a/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_Pathfinder.h b/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_Pathfinder.h
index 62e2c68ffd..2360655602 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_Pathfinder.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_Pathfinder.h
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ public:
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"cache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), "cache")));
 
 		// Need some stuff for terrain movement costs:
 		// (TODO: this ought to be independent of any graphics code)
diff --git a/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_scripts.h b/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_scripts.h
index 831787759a..b0a867d0d8 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_scripts.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_scripts.h
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public:
 	void setUp()
 	{
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST); // ignore directory-not-found errors
+		g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST); // ignore directory-not-found errors
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/simulation2/system/ComponentManager.cpp b/source/simulation2/system/ComponentManager.cpp
index ee59dbbecf..ff6b24bbae 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/system/ComponentManager.cpp
+++ b/source/simulation2/system/ComponentManager.cpp
@@ -940,7 +940,7 @@ CScriptVal CComponentManager::Script_ReadJSONFile(void* cbdata, std::string file
 {
 	CComponentManager* componentManager = static_cast<CComponentManager*> (cbdata);
 
-	NativePath path = L"simulation/data/" + wstring_from_utf8(fileName);
+	NativePath path = Path::Join("simulation/data", NativePathFromString(fileName));
 
 	return componentManager->GetScriptInterface().ReadJSONFile(path).get();
 }
diff --git a/source/simulation2/tests/test_CmpTemplateManager.h b/source/simulation2/tests/test_CmpTemplateManager.h
index 9da3486842..7c4cedcc3c 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/tests/test_CmpTemplateManager.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/tests/test_CmpTemplateManager.h
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ public:
 	void setUp()
 	{
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.sim"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.sim"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")));
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 	}
 
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		CXeromyces::Terminate();
 		g_VFS.reset();
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 	}
 
 	void test_LoadTemplate()
@@ -223,8 +223,8 @@ public:
 	void setUp()
 	{
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")));
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 	}
 
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		CXeromyces::Terminate();
 		g_VFS.reset();
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 	}
 
 	// This just attempts loading every public entity, to check there's no validation errors
diff --git a/source/simulation2/tests/test_ComponentManager.h b/source/simulation2/tests/test_ComponentManager.h
index 04ca69e6e4..67992f0cbb 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/tests/test_ComponentManager.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/tests/test_ComponentManager.h
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ public:
 	void setUp()
 	{
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.sim"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.sim"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")));
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 	}
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		CXeromyces::Terminate();
 		g_VFS.reset();
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 	}
 
 	void test_Load()
diff --git a/source/simulation2/tests/test_Serializer.h b/source/simulation2/tests/test_Serializer.h
index cbf45274c9..e016269566 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/tests/test_Serializer.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/tests/test_Serializer.h
@@ -487,8 +487,8 @@ public:
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"cache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/public"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache/", Path::Join(DataDir(), "cache")));
 
 		CTerrain terrain;
 
diff --git a/source/simulation2/tests/test_Simulation2.h b/source/simulation2/tests/test_Simulation2.h
index 09d0c0f68f..b1d2e8461c 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/tests/test_Simulation2.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/tests/test_Simulation2.h
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ public:
 	void setUp()
 	{
 		g_VFS = CreateVfs(20 * MiB);
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.sim"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"", Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.sim"), VFS_MOUNT_MUST_EXIST));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Mount(L"cache", Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache")));
 		CXeromyces::Startup();
 	}
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		CXeromyces::Terminate();
 		g_VFS.reset();
-		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"_testcache"));
+		DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "_testcache"));
 	}
 
 	void test_AddEntity()
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ public:
 	{
 		CSimulation2 sim(NULL, &m_Terrain);
 
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(CreateDirectories(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.sim/simulation/components/hotload/"), 0700));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(CreateDirectories(Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.sim/simulation/components/hotload/"), 0700));
 
 		copyFile(L"simulation/components/test-hotload1.js", L"simulation/components/hotload/hotload.js");
 		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Invalidate(L"simulation/components/hotload/hotload.js"));
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ public:
 
 		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(static_cast<ICmpTest1*> (sim.QueryInterface(ent, IID_Test1))->GetX(), 1000);
 
-		TS_ASSERT_OK(DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), L"mods/_test.sim/simulation/components/hotload/")));
+		TS_ASSERT_OK(DeleteDirectory(Path::Join(DataDir(), "mods/_test.sim/simulation/components/hotload/")));
 		TS_ASSERT_OK(g_VFS->Invalidate(L"simulation/components/hotload/hotload.js"));
 
 		TS_ASSERT_OK(sim.ReloadChangedFile(L"simulation/components/hotload/hotload.js"));
diff --git a/source/test_setup.cpp b/source/test_setup.cpp
index 36348bc95c..c6a11ac2ba 100644
--- a/source/test_setup.cpp
+++ b/source/test_setup.cpp
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ NativePath DataDir()
 {
 	NativePath path;
 	TS_ASSERT_OK(sys_get_executable_name(path));
-	return Path::Join(Path::Path(path), L"../data");
+	return Path::Join(Path::Path(path), "../data");
 }
 
 // Script-based testing setup:
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ void ScriptTestSetup(ScriptInterface& ifc)
 
 	// Load the TS_* function definitions
 	// (We don't use VFS because tests might not have the normal VFS paths loaded)
-	NativePath path = Path::Join(DataDir(), L"tests/test_setup.js");
+	NativePath path = Path::Join(DataDir(), "tests/test_setup.js");
 	std::ifstream ifs(StringFromNativePath(path).c_str());
 	debug_assert(ifs.good());
 	std::string content((std::istreambuf_iterator<char>(ifs)), std::istreambuf_iterator<char>());
diff --git a/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/MapHandlers.cpp b/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/MapHandlers.cpp
index b89b92e92a..1abda44aa0 100644
--- a/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/MapHandlers.cpp
+++ b/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/MapHandlers.cpp
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ MESSAGEHANDLER(LoadMap)
 MESSAGEHANDLER(SaveMap)
 {
 	CMapWriter writer;
-	const VfsPath pathname = Path::Join(L"maps/scenarios/", *msg->filename);
+	const VfsPath pathname = Path::Join("maps/scenarios", *msg->filename);
 	writer.SaveMap(pathname,
 		g_Game->GetWorld()->GetTerrain(),
 		g_Renderer.GetWaterManager(), g_Renderer.GetSkyManager(),