diff --git a/common/src/event.rs b/common/src/event.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8332317593
--- /dev/null
+++ b/common/src/event.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+use specs::Entity as EcsEntity;
+use std::{collections::VecDeque, ops::DerefMut, sync::Mutex};
+use vek::*;
+
+pub enum Event {
+    LandOnGround { entity: EcsEntity, vel: Vec3<f32> },
+    Explosion { pos: Vec3<f32>, radius: f32 },
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct EventBus {
+    queue: Mutex<VecDeque<Event>>,
+}
+
+impl EventBus {
+    pub fn emitter(&self) -> Emitter {
+        Emitter {
+            bus: self,
+            events: VecDeque::new(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn emit(&self, event: Event) {
+        self.queue.lock().unwrap().push_front(event);
+    }
+
+    pub fn recv_all(&self) -> impl ExactSizeIterator<Item = Event> {
+        std::mem::replace(self.queue.lock().unwrap().deref_mut(), VecDeque::new()).into_iter()
+    }
+}
+
+pub struct Emitter<'a> {
+    bus: &'a EventBus,
+    events: VecDeque<Event>,
+}
+
+impl<'a> Emitter<'a> {
+    pub fn emit(&mut self, event: Event) {
+        self.events.push_front(event);
+    }
+}
+
+impl<'a> Drop for Emitter<'a> {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        self.bus.queue.lock().unwrap().append(&mut self.events);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/common/src/lib.rs b/common/src/lib.rs
index 42f30e0e23..e128100c78 100644
--- a/common/src/lib.rs
+++ b/common/src/lib.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ extern crate log;
 pub mod assets;
 pub mod clock;
 pub mod comp;
+pub mod event;
 pub mod figure;
 pub mod msg;
 pub mod npc;
diff --git a/common/src/ray.rs b/common/src/ray.rs
index 98fb20475b..741581cbac 100644
--- a/common/src/ray.rs
+++ b/common/src/ray.rs
@@ -2,32 +2,47 @@ use crate::vol::{ReadVol, Vox};
 use vek::*;
 
 pub trait RayUntil<V: Vox> = FnMut(&V) -> bool;
+pub trait RayForEach = FnMut(Vec3<i32>);
 
-pub struct Ray<'a, V: ReadVol, F: RayUntil<V::Vox>> {
+pub struct Ray<'a, V: ReadVol, F: RayUntil<V::Vox>, G: RayForEach> {
     vol: &'a V,
     from: Vec3<f32>,
     to: Vec3<f32>,
     until: F,
+    for_each: Option<G>,
     max_iter: usize,
     ignore_error: bool,
 }
 
-impl<'a, V: ReadVol, F: RayUntil<V::Vox>> Ray<'a, V, F> {
+impl<'a, V: ReadVol, F: RayUntil<V::Vox>, G: RayForEach> Ray<'a, V, F, G> {
     pub fn new(vol: &'a V, from: Vec3<f32>, to: Vec3<f32>, until: F) -> Self {
         Self {
             vol,
             from,
             to,
             until,
+            for_each: None,
             max_iter: 100,
             ignore_error: false,
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn until(self, f: F) -> Ray<'a, V, F> {
+    pub fn until(self, f: F) -> Ray<'a, V, F, G> {
         Ray { until: f, ..self }
     }
 
+    pub fn for_each<H: RayForEach>(self, f: H) -> Ray<'a, V, F, H> {
+        Ray {
+            for_each: Some(f),
+            vol: self.vol,
+            from: self.from,
+            to: self.to,
+            until: self.until,
+            max_iter: self.max_iter,
+            ignore_error: self.ignore_error,
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn max_iter(mut self, max_iter: usize) -> Self {
         self.max_iter = max_iter;
         self
@@ -56,6 +71,11 @@ impl<'a, V: ReadVol, F: RayUntil<V::Vox>> Ray<'a, V, F> {
                 break;
             }
 
+            // for_each
+            if let Some(g) = &mut self.for_each {
+                g(ipos);
+            }
+
             match self.vol.get(ipos).map(|vox| (vox, (self.until)(vox))) {
                 Ok((vox, true)) => return (dist, Ok(Some(vox))),
                 Err(err) if !self.ignore_error => return (dist, Err(err)),
diff --git a/common/src/state.rs b/common/src/state.rs
index 0a5a4ef7af..2a19a74da9 100644
--- a/common/src/state.rs
+++ b/common/src/state.rs
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ pub use sphynx::Uid;
 
 use crate::{
     comp,
+    event::EventBus,
     msg::{EcsCompPacket, EcsResPacket},
     sys,
     terrain::{Block, TerrainChunk, TerrainMap},
@@ -42,18 +43,11 @@ pub struct DeltaTime(pub f32);
 /// lag. Ideally, we'd avoid such a situation.
 const MAX_DELTA_TIME: f32 = 1.0;
 
+#[derive(Default)]
 pub struct BlockChange {
     blocks: FxHashMap<Vec3<i32>, Block>,
 }
 
-impl Default for BlockChange {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        Self {
-            blocks: FxHashMap::default(),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 impl BlockChange {
     pub fn set(&mut self, pos: Vec3<i32>, block: Block) {
         self.blocks.insert(pos, block);
@@ -64,6 +58,7 @@ impl BlockChange {
     }
 }
 
+#[derive(Default)]
 pub struct TerrainChanges {
     pub new_chunks: FxHashSet<Vec2<i32>>,
     pub modified_chunks: FxHashSet<Vec2<i32>>,
@@ -71,17 +66,6 @@ pub struct TerrainChanges {
     pub modified_blocks: FxHashMap<Vec3<i32>, Block>,
 }
 
-impl Default for TerrainChanges {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        Self {
-            new_chunks: FxHashSet::default(),
-            modified_chunks: FxHashSet::default(),
-            removed_chunks: FxHashSet::default(),
-            modified_blocks: FxHashMap::default(),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 impl TerrainChanges {
     pub fn clear(&mut self) {
         self.new_chunks.clear();
@@ -178,6 +162,7 @@ impl State {
         ecs.add_resource(TerrainMap::new().unwrap());
         ecs.add_resource(BlockChange::default());
         ecs.add_resource(TerrainChanges::default());
+        ecs.add_resource(EventBus::default());
     }
 
     /// Register a component with the state's ECS.
@@ -330,16 +315,15 @@ impl State {
             .for_each(|(pos, block)| {
                 let _ = terrain.set(*pos, *block);
             });
-        std::mem::swap(
+        self.ecs.write_resource::<TerrainChanges>().modified_blocks = std::mem::replace(
             &mut self.ecs.write_resource::<BlockChange>().blocks,
-            &mut self.ecs.write_resource::<TerrainChanges>().modified_blocks,
-        )
+            Default::default(),
+        );
     }
 
     /// Clean up the state after a tick.
     pub fn cleanup(&mut self) {
         // Clean up data structures from the last tick.
         self.ecs.write_resource::<TerrainChanges>().clear();
-        self.ecs.write_resource::<BlockChange>().clear();
     }
 }
diff --git a/common/src/sys/phys.rs b/common/src/sys/phys.rs
index de3045b0a6..dadc527fd7 100644
--- a/common/src/sys/phys.rs
+++ b/common/src/sys/phys.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ use crate::{
         ActionState, Body, Jumping, MoveDir, OnGround, Ori, Pos, Rolling, Scale, Stats, Vel,
         Wielding,
     },
+    event::{Event, EventBus},
     state::DeltaTime,
     terrain::TerrainMap,
     vol::{ReadVol, Vox},
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
         Entities<'a>,
         ReadExpect<'a, TerrainMap>,
         Read<'a, DeltaTime>,
+        Read<'a, EventBus>,
         ReadStorage<'a, ActionState>,
         ReadStorage<'a, Scale>,
         ReadStorage<'a, Body>,
@@ -42,7 +44,6 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
         WriteStorage<'a, Pos>,
         WriteStorage<'a, Vel>,
         WriteStorage<'a, Ori>,
-        WriteStorage<'a, Stats>,
     );
 
     fn run(
@@ -51,6 +52,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
             entities,
             terrain,
             dt,
+            event_bus,
             action_states,
             scales,
             bodies,
@@ -58,11 +60,12 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
             mut positions,
             mut velocities,
             mut orientations,
-            mut stats,
         ): Self::SystemData,
     ) {
+        let mut event_emitter = event_bus.emitter();
+
         // Apply movement inputs
-        for (entity, a, scale, b, mut pos, mut vel, mut ori, mut stat) in (
+        for (entity, a, scale, b, mut pos, mut vel, mut ori) in (
             &entities,
             &action_states,
             scales.maybe(),
@@ -70,7 +73,6 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
             &mut positions,
             &mut velocities,
             &mut orientations,
-            &mut stats,
         )
             .join()
         {
@@ -210,12 +212,11 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
 
                     // When the resolution direction is pointing upwards, we must be on the ground
                     if resolve_dir.z > 0.0 && vel.0.z <= 0.0 {
-                        // Check for fall damage
-                        let falldmg = (vel.0.z / 1.5 + 6.0) as i32;
-                        if falldmg < 0 {
-                            stat.health.change_by(falldmg, HealthSource::World);
-                        }
                         on_ground = true;
+
+                        if !was_on_ground {
+                            event_emitter.emit(Event::LandOnGround { entity, vel: vel.0 });
+                        }
                     }
 
                     // When the resolution direction is non-vertical, we must be colliding with a wall
diff --git a/common/src/vol.rs b/common/src/vol.rs
index 47307344fc..266a3193a9 100644
--- a/common/src/vol.rs
+++ b/common/src/vol.rs
@@ -76,7 +76,11 @@ pub trait ReadVol: BaseVol {
         self.get(pos).unwrap()
     }
 
-    fn ray(&self, from: Vec3<f32>, to: Vec3<f32>) -> Ray<Self, fn(&Self::Vox) -> bool>
+    fn ray(
+        &self,
+        from: Vec3<f32>,
+        to: Vec3<f32>,
+    ) -> Ray<Self, fn(&Self::Vox) -> bool, fn(Vec3<i32>)>
     where
         Self: Sized,
     {
diff --git a/server/src/cmd.rs b/server/src/cmd.rs
index 022db3b9a6..9078851e6e 100644
--- a/server/src/cmd.rs
+++ b/server/src/cmd.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use crate::Server;
 use chrono::{NaiveTime, Timelike};
 use common::{
     comp,
+    event::{Event as GameEvent, EventBus},
     msg::ServerMsg,
     npc::{get_npc_name, NpcKind},
     state::TimeOfDay,
@@ -147,10 +148,16 @@ lazy_static! {
         ),
         ChatCommand::new(
             "lantern",
-            "{} ",
+            "{}",
             "/lantern : adds/remove light near player",
             handle_lantern,
         ),
+        ChatCommand::new(
+            "explosion",
+            "{}",
+            "/explosion <radius> : Explodes the ground around you",
+            handle_explosion,
+        ),
     ];
 }
 
@@ -676,6 +683,22 @@ fn handle_lantern(server: &mut Server, entity: EcsEntity, args: String, action:
     }
 }
 
+fn handle_explosion(server: &mut Server, entity: EcsEntity, args: String, action: &ChatCommand) {
+    let radius = scan_fmt!(&args, action.arg_fmt, f32).unwrap_or(8.0);
+
+    match server.state.read_component_cloned::<comp::Pos>(entity) {
+        Some(pos) => server
+            .state
+            .ecs()
+            .read_resource::<EventBus>()
+            .emit(GameEvent::Explosion { pos: pos.0, radius }),
+        None => server.clients.notify(
+            entity,
+            ServerMsg::private(String::from("You have no position!")),
+        ),
+    }
+}
+
 fn handle_tell(server: &mut Server, entity: EcsEntity, args: String, action: &ChatCommand) {
     if let Ok(alias) = scan_fmt!(&args, action.arg_fmt, String) {
         let ecs = server.state.ecs();
diff --git a/server/src/lib.rs b/server/src/lib.rs
index 804f502620..5b16e6d0ec 100644
--- a/server/src/lib.rs
+++ b/server/src/lib.rs
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@ use crate::{
 };
 use common::{
     comp,
+    event::{Event as GameEvent, EventBus},
     msg::{ClientMsg, ClientState, RequestStateError, ServerError, ServerInfo, ServerMsg},
     net::PostOffice,
-    state::{State, TimeOfDay, Uid},
+    state::{BlockChange, State, TimeOfDay, Uid},
     terrain::{block::Block, TerrainChunk, TerrainChunkSize, TerrainMap},
     vol::Vox,
     vol::{ReadVol, VolSize},
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ impl Server {
         state
             .ecs_mut()
             .add_resource(SpawnPoint(Vec3::new(16_384.0, 16_384.0, 380.0)));
+        state.ecs_mut().add_resource(EventBus::default());
 
         // Set starting time for the server.
         state.ecs_mut().write_resource::<TimeOfDay>().0 = settings.start_time;
@@ -205,6 +207,44 @@ impl Server {
         client.allow_state(ClientState::Character);
     }
 
+    /// Handle events coming through via the event bus
+    fn handle_events(&mut self) {
+        let terrain = self.state.ecs().read_resource::<TerrainMap>();
+        let mut block_change = self.state.ecs().write_resource::<BlockChange>();
+        let mut stats = self.state.ecs().write_storage::<comp::Stats>();
+
+        for event in self.state.ecs().read_resource::<EventBus>().recv_all() {
+            match event {
+                GameEvent::LandOnGround { entity, vel } => {
+                    if let Some(stats) = stats.get_mut(entity) {
+                        let falldmg = (vel.z / 1.5 + 10.0) as i32;
+                        if falldmg < 0 {
+                            stats.health.change_by(falldmg, comp::HealthSource::World);
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                GameEvent::Explosion { pos, radius } => {
+                    const RAYS: usize = 500;
+
+                    for _ in 0..RAYS {
+                        let dir = Vec3::new(
+                            rand::random::<f32>() - 0.5,
+                            rand::random::<f32>() - 0.5,
+                            rand::random::<f32>() - 0.5,
+                        )
+                        .normalized();
+
+                        let _ = terrain
+                            .ray(pos, pos + dir * radius)
+                            .until(|_| rand::random::<f32>() < 0.05)
+                            .for_each(|pos| block_change.set(pos, Block::empty()))
+                            .cast();
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     /// Execute a single server tick, handle input and update the game state by the given duration.
     pub fn tick(&mut self, _input: Input, dt: Duration) -> Result<Vec<Event>, Error> {
         // This tick function is the centre of the Veloren universe. Most server-side things are
@@ -235,6 +275,9 @@ impl Server {
         frontend_events.append(&mut self.handle_new_connections()?);
         frontend_events.append(&mut self.handle_new_messages()?);
 
+        // Handle game events
+        self.handle_events();
+
         // 4) Tick the client's LocalState.
         self.state.tick(dt);