diff --git a/docs/simple-inventory.md b/docs/simple-inventory.md
index cb23882..6cc81a5 100644
--- a/docs/simple-inventory.md
+++ b/docs/simple-inventory.md
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ This method is useful for enforcing uniqueness; that is, preventing doubles or d
 
 Instance methods, unlike static methods, are called directly on the inventory object, so you replace `<inventory>` with the variable you're using to store / reference the inventory instance you want to work on.  See the examples for the methods below if that confuses you.
 
-Of particular note to authors: `<inventory>.has()`, `<inventory>.hasAll()`, and `<inventory>.toArray()`
+Of particular note to authors: `<inventory>.has()`, `<inventory>.hasAll()`, `<inventory>.toArray()`, `<inventory>.count()`, and `<inventory>.isEmpty()`.
 
 ##### `<inventory>.pickUp()`
 
@@ -634,6 +634,46 @@ This method returns an array made up of the items in the calling inventory.  Use
 <<= _items.join(', ')>> /% shows 'uh oh' %/
 ```
 
+##### `<inventory>.count()`
+
+**Return Value**: Integer.
+
+**Syntax**: `<inventory>.count([item])`
+
+This method returns the total number of items in the inventory. If you pass it a string corresponding to an item name, it will instead check for how many duplicates of that item are in the inventory.
+
+**Arguments**:
+
+* **item**: (optional) the item to count duplicates of.
+
+**Usage**:
+```
+/% create an array based on the inventory %/
+<<newinventory '$inv' 'this' 'that' 'the other' 'another' 'that'>>
+
+<<= $inv.count()>> /% 5 %/
+<<= $inv.count('this')>> /% 1 %/
+<<= $inv.count('that')>> /% 2 %/
+```
+
+##### `<inventory>.isEmpty()`
+
+**Return Value**: Boolean.
+
+**Syntax**: `<inventory>.isEmpty()`
+
+This method returns whether or not the inventory is empty (has zero items in it). You can also compare `<inventory>.count()` to `0` to achieve similar results.
+
+**Usage**:
+```
+/% check if the inventory is empty %/
+<<if $inventory.isEmpty()>>
+    You aren't carrying anything.
+<<else>>
+    You have some things on you.
+<</if>>
+```
+
 ##### `<inventory>.sort()`
 
 **Return Value**: This inventory (chainable).
diff --git a/scripts/minified/simple-inventory.min.js b/scripts/minified/simple-inventory.min.js
index 383aa14..2e705b0 100644
--- a/scripts/minified/simple-inventory.min.js
+++ b/scripts/minified/simple-inventory.min.js
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 // simple-inventory.min.js, for SugarCube 2, by Chapel
-;setup.simpleInv={},setup.simpleInv.options={tryGlobal:!0,defaultStrings:{empty:"The inventory is empty...",listDrop:"Discard",separator:"\n"}},setup.simpleInv.attachEvent=function(i,t,n,r){$(document).trigger({type:"initialized"===r?":inventory-init":":inventory-update",instance:i,receiving:t,moved:n,context:r})},setup.simpleInv.inventory=function(i){"use strict";if(i=i?(i=[].slice.call(arguments)).flatten():[],!(this instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory))return new setup.simpleInv.inventory(i);i=(this.inv=i).length?i:null,setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,i,"initialized")},setup.simpleInv.inventory.is=function(i){return i instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory},setup.simpleInv.inventory.log=function(i){return setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(i)?"Inventory.log() -> "+i.toArray().join(" - "):"Inventory.log() -> object is not an inventory..."},setup.simpleInv.inventory.removeDuplicates=function(i){if(setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(i)){var t,n=i.toArray();return t=[],n.forEach(function(i){t.includes(i)||t.push(i)}),t}},setup.simpleInv.inventory.getUID=function(i,t){var n=Math.random().toString(36).substring(7);return arguments.length<2&&(i=Math.random().toString(36).substring(7),t=random(99)),"simple-inv-"+t+"-"+Date.now()+"-"+i.replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9]/g,"")+"-"+n},setup.simpleInv.inventory.prototype={transfer:function(i){if(arguments.length<2)return this;if(!(i instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory))return this;for(var t=[].slice.call(arguments),n=[],r=0,e=(t=t.slice(1).flatten()).length;r<e;r++)this.inv.includes(t[r])&&(this.inv.delete(t[r]),n.push(t[r]));return n.length&&(i.inv=i.inv.concat(n),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,i,n,"transfer")),this},has:function(){var i=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten();return!(!i||!i.length)&&this.inv.includesAny(i)},hasAll:function(){var i=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten();return!(!i||!i.length)&&this.inv.includesAll(i)},pickUp:function(i){var t,n=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten(),r=this;return n&&n.length&&("unique"!==i&&"unique"!==n[0]||(n=n.splice(1),t=[],n.forEach(function(i){r.inv.includes(i)||t.push(i)}),n=t),this.inv=this.inv.concat(n),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,n,"pickup")),this},drop:function(){var t,i=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten(),n=this;if(i&&i.length){var r=[];i.forEach(function(i){n.has(i)&&(r.push(i),t=n.inv.indexOf(i),n.inv.deleteAt(t))}),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,r,"drop")}return this},sort:function(){return this.inv=this.inv.sort(),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,null,"sort"),this},show:function(i){return i&&"string"==typeof i||(i=setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.separator),this.inv.length?this.inv.join(i):setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.empty},empty:function(){var i=clone(this.inv);return this.inv=[],setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,i,"drop"),this},toArray:function(){return this.inv},linkedList:function(o,l){o&&o instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory||(o=!1);var i=this.toArray(),u=this,v=$(document.createElement("span"));return i&&i.length?i.forEach(function(i,t,n){var r=$(document.createElement("span")),e=$(document.createElement("a")),s=l||setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.drop,a=setup.simpleInv.inventory.getUID(i,t);e.wiki(s).addClass("simple-inv drop-link"),e.ariaClick(function(){o?u.transfer(o,i):u.drop(i),$("#"+a).empty()}),r.attr("id",a).addClass("simple-inv link-listing").wiki(i+" ").append(e),t<n.length-1&&r.wiki("<br />"),v.append(r)}):v.wiki(setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.empty),v},constructor:setup.simpleInv.inventory,toJSON:function(){return JSON.reviveWrapper("new setup.simpleInv.inventory("+JSON.stringify(this.inv)+")")},clone:function(){return new setup.simpleInv.inventory(this.inv)}},setup.simpleInv.options.tryGlobal&&(window.Inventory=window.Inventory||setup.simpleInv.inventory),Macro.add("newinventory",{handler:function(){if(1!==this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');Wikifier.setValue(i,new setup.simpleInv.inventory(this.args.slice(1).flatten()))}}),Macro.add("pickup",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<2)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.pickUp(this.args.slice(1).flatten())}}),Macro.add("drop",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<2)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.drop(this.args.slice(1).flatten())}}),Macro.add("transfer",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<3)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");var n=this.args[1].trim();if("$"!==n[0]&&"_"!==n[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[1]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var r=Wikifier.getValue(n);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(r))return this.error("variable "+n+" is not an inventory!");t.transfer(r,this.args.slice(2).flatten())}}),Macro.add("dropall",{handler:function(){if(1!==this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.empty()}}),Macro.add("clear","dropall",!1),Macro.add("sort",{handler:function(){if(1!==this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.sort()}}),Macro.add("inventory",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<1||2<this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");var n=$(document.createElement("span")),r=!!this.args[1]&&this.args[1];n.wiki(t.show(r)).addClass("macro-"+this.name).appendTo(this.output)}}),Macro.add("linkedinventory",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<2||3<this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=!1,t=this.args[1].trim(),n="string"==typeof this.args[0]&&this.args[0];if(!n)return this.error("first argument should be the link text");if("$"!==t[0]&&"_"!==t[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[1]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var r=Util.slugify(t);r=this.name+"-"+r;var e=Wikifier.getValue(t);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(e))return this.error("variable "+t+" is not an inventory!");if(2<this.args.length){var s=this.args[2].trim();if("$"!==s[0]&&"_"!==s[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[2]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');if(i=Wikifier.getValue(s),!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(i))return this.error("variable "+s+" is not an inventory!")}e.linkedList(i,n).attr("id",r).addClass("macro-"+this.name).appendTo(this.output)}});
+;setup.simpleInv={},setup.simpleInv.options={tryGlobal:!0,defaultStrings:{empty:"The inventory is empty...",listDrop:"Discard",separator:"\n"}},setup.simpleInv.attachEvent=function(i,t,n,r){$(document).trigger({type:"initialized"===r?":inventory-init":":inventory-update",instance:i,receiving:t,moved:n,context:r})},setup.simpleInv.inventory=function(i){"use strict";if(i=i?(i=[].slice.call(arguments)).flatten():[],!(this instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory))return new setup.simpleInv.inventory(i);i=(this.inv=i).length?i:null,setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,i,"initialized")},setup.simpleInv.inventory.is=function(i){return i instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory},setup.simpleInv.inventory.log=function(i){return setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(i)?"Inventory.log() -> "+i.toArray().join(" - "):"Inventory.log() -> object is not an inventory..."},setup.simpleInv.inventory.removeDuplicates=function(i){if(setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(i)){var t,n=i.toArray();return t=[],n.forEach(function(i){t.includes(i)||t.push(i)}),t}},setup.simpleInv.inventory.getUID=function(i,t){var n=Math.random().toString(36).substring(7);return arguments.length<2&&(i=Math.random().toString(36).substring(7),t=random(99)),"simple-inv-"+t+"-"+Date.now()+"-"+i.replace(/[^A-Za-z0-9]/g,"")+"-"+n},setup.simpleInv.inventory.prototype={transfer:function(i){if(arguments.length<2)return this;if(!(i instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory))return this;for(var t=[].slice.call(arguments),n=[],r=0,e=(t=t.slice(1).flatten()).length;r<e;r++)this.inv.includes(t[r])&&(this.inv.delete(t[r]),n.push(t[r]));return n.length&&(i.inv=i.inv.concat(n),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,i,n,"transfer")),this},has:function(){var i=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten();return!(!i||!i.length)&&this.inv.includesAny(i)},hasAll:function(){var i=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten();return!(!i||!i.length)&&this.inv.includesAll(i)},pickUp:function(i){var t,n=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten(),r=this;return n&&n.length&&("unique"!==i&&"unique"!==n[0]||(n=n.splice(1),t=[],n.forEach(function(i){r.inv.includes(i)||t.includes(i)||t.push(i)}),n=t),this.inv=this.inv.concat(n),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,n,"pickup")),this},drop:function(){var t,i=[].slice.call(arguments).flatten(),n=this;if(i&&i.length){var r=[];i.forEach(function(i){n.has(i)&&(r.push(i),t=n.inv.indexOf(i),n.inv.deleteAt(t))}),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,r,"drop")}return this},sort:function(){return this.inv=this.inv.sort(),setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,null,"sort"),this},show:function(i){return i&&"string"==typeof i||(i=setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.separator),this.inv.length?this.inv.join(i):setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.empty},empty:function(){var i=clone(this.inv);return this.inv=[],setup.simpleInv.attachEvent(this,null,i,"drop"),this},toArray:function(){return this.inv},count:function(t){if(t&&"string"==typeof t){var n=0;return this.toArray().forEach(function(i){i===t&&n++}),n}return this.toArray().length},isEmpty:function(){return 0===this.toArray().length},linkedList:function(o,l){o&&o instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory||(o=!1);var i=this.toArray(),u=this,v=$(document.createElement("span"));return i&&i.length?i.forEach(function(i,t,n){var r=$(document.createElement("span")),e=$(document.createElement("a")),s=l||setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.drop,a=setup.simpleInv.inventory.getUID(i,t);e.wiki(s).addClass("simple-inv drop-link"),e.ariaClick(function(){o?u.transfer(o,i):u.drop(i),$("#"+a).empty()}),r.attr("id",a).addClass("simple-inv link-listing").wiki(i+" ").append(e),t<n.length-1&&r.wiki("<br />"),v.append(r)}):v.wiki(setup.simpleInv.options.defaultStrings.empty),v},constructor:setup.simpleInv.inventory,toJSON:function(){return JSON.reviveWrapper("new setup.simpleInv.inventory("+JSON.stringify(this.inv)+")")},clone:function(){return new setup.simpleInv.inventory(this.inv)}},setup.simpleInv.options.tryGlobal&&(window.Inventory=window.Inventory||setup.simpleInv.inventory),Macro.add("newinventory",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<1)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');Wikifier.setValue(i,new setup.simpleInv.inventory(this.args.slice(1).flatten()))}}),Macro.add("pickup",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<2)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.pickUp(this.args.slice(1).flatten())}}),Macro.add("drop",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<2)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.drop(this.args.slice(1).flatten())}}),Macro.add("transfer",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<3)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");var n=this.args[1].trim();if("$"!==n[0]&&"_"!==n[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[1]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var r=Wikifier.getValue(n);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(r))return this.error("variable "+n+" is not an inventory!");t.transfer(r,this.args.slice(2).flatten())}}),Macro.add("dropall",{handler:function(){if(1!==this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.empty()}}),Macro.add("clear","dropall",!1),Macro.add("sort",{handler:function(){if(1!==this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");t.sort()}}),Macro.add("inventory",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<1||2<this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=this.args[0].trim();if("$"!==i[0]&&"_"!==i[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[0]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var t=Wikifier.getValue(i);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(t))return this.error("variable "+i+" is not an inventory!");var n=$(document.createElement("span")),r=!!this.args[1]&&this.args[1];n.wiki(t.show(r)).addClass("macro-"+this.name).appendTo(this.output)}}),Macro.add("linkedinventory",{handler:function(){if(this.args.length<2||3<this.args.length)return this.error("incorrect number of arguments");var i=!1,t=this.args[1].trim(),n="string"==typeof this.args[0]&&this.args[0];if(!n)return this.error("first argument should be the link text");if("$"!==t[0]&&"_"!==t[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[1]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');var r=Util.slugify(t);r=this.name+"-"+r;var e=Wikifier.getValue(t);if(!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(e))return this.error("variable "+t+" is not an inventory!");if(2<this.args.length){var s=this.args[2].trim();if("$"!==s[0]&&"_"!==s[0])return this.error('variable name "'+this.args[2]+'" is missing its sigil ($ or _)');if(i=Wikifier.getValue(s),!setup.simpleInv.inventory.is(i))return this.error("variable "+s+" is not an inventory!")}e.linkedList(i,n).attr("id",r).addClass("macro-"+this.name).appendTo(this.output)}});
 // end simple-inventory.min.js
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/simple-inventory.js b/scripts/simple-inventory.js
index 78c34aa..9e58b76 100644
--- a/scripts/simple-inventory.js
+++ b/scripts/simple-inventory.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 // simple-inventory.js, by chapel; for sugarcube 2
-// version 2.1.0
+// version 2.2.0
 
 // namespace
 setup.simpleInv = {};
@@ -140,12 +140,12 @@ setup.simpleInv.inventory.prototype = {
     pickUp : function (unique) { // add items to this inventory
         var items = [].slice.call(arguments).flatten(), inventory = this;
         if (items && items.length) {
-            if (unique === 'unique' || items[0] === 'unique') { // JS API only; items must be unique in eash inventory instance
+            if (unique === 'unique' || items[0] === 'unique') { // items must be unique in each inventory instance
                 items = items.splice(1);
                 items = (function (items) { 
                     var ret = []; // this code could use some cleanup
                     items.forEach(function (item) {
-                        if (!inventory.inv.includes(item)) {
+                        if (!inventory.inv.includes(item) && !ret.includes(item)) {
                             ret.push(item);
                         }
                     });
@@ -203,6 +203,25 @@ setup.simpleInv.inventory.prototype = {
     toArray : function () { // not super necessary
         return (this.inv);
     },
+
+    count : function (item) {
+        // if item, count the number of duplicates
+        if (item && typeof item === 'string') {
+            var cnt = 0;
+            this.toArray().forEach( function (i) {
+                if (i === item) {
+                    cnt++;
+                }
+            });
+            return cnt;
+        }
+        // else return the length
+        return this.toArray().length;
+    },
+
+    isEmpty : function () {
+        return this.toArray().length === 0;
+    },
     
     linkedList : function (loc, action) { // construct the list elements to keep the macro call clean-ish
         if (!loc || !(loc instanceof setup.simpleInv.inventory)) {
@@ -301,7 +320,7 @@ if (setup.simpleInv.options.tryGlobal) {
 Macro.add('newinventory', {
     handler : function () {
 
-        if (this.args.length !== 1) {
+        if (this.args.length < 1) {
             return this.error('incorrect number of arguments');
         }
         var varName = this.args[0].trim();