diff --git a/data/ai/scenarios/scenario-AI_Arena_small.cfg b/data/ai/scenarios/scenario-AI_Arena_small.cfg
index 618e9d043812..04a866bf7922 100644
--- a/data/ai/scenarios/scenario-AI_Arena_small.cfg
+++ b/data/ai/scenarios/scenario-AI_Arena_small.cfg
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
                     name="_replace_ai_2"
                 [/fire_event]
                 [lua]
-                    code= <<  W.fire_event {name=wesnoth.get_variable("test_id") } >>
+                    code= <<  W.fire_event {name=wml.variables["test_id"] } >>
                 [/lua]
             [/command]
         [/set_menu_item]
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
             [/fire_event]
         [/command]
         [lua]
-            code= <<  W.fire_event {name=wesnoth.get_variable("test_id") } >>
+            code= <<  W.fire_event {name=wml.variables["test_id"] } >>
         [/lua]
     [/event]
 
diff --git a/data/lua/core.lua b/data/lua/core.lua
index 37cda55e316c..332ef5d29ce7 100644
--- a/data/lua/core.lua
+++ b/data/lua/core.lua
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ if wesnoth.kernel_type() == "Game Lua Kernel" then
 	}
 
 	local function get_variable_proxy(k)
-		local v = wesnoth.get_variable(k)
+		local v = wml.variables[k]
 		if type(v) == "table" then
 			v = setmetatable({ __varname = k }, variable_mt)
 		end
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ if wesnoth.kernel_type() == "Game Lua Kernel" then
 
 	local function set_variable_proxy(k, v)
 		if getmetatable(v) == "WML variable proxy" then
-			v = wesnoth.get_variable(v.__varname)
+			v = wml.variables[v.__varname]
 		end
 		wesnoth.set_variable(k, v)
 	end
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ if wesnoth.kernel_type() == "Game Lua Kernel" then
 	--! @returns a table containing all the variable proxies (starting at index 1).
 	function wml.array_access.get_proxy(var)
 		local result = {}
-		for i = 1, wesnoth.get_variable(var .. ".length") do
+		for i = 1, wml.variables[var .. ".length"] do
 			result[i] = get_variable_proxy(string.format("%s[%d]", var, i - 1))
 		end
 		return result
diff --git a/data/lua/helper.lua b/data/lua/helper.lua
index abf3374f5238..bb5636b09c69 100644
--- a/data/lua/helper.lua
+++ b/data/lua/helper.lua
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ function helper.modify_unit(filter, vars)
 		variable = "LUA_modify_unit",
 		kill = true
 	})
-	for i = 0, wesnoth.get_variable("LUA_modify_unit.length") - 1 do
+	for i = 0, wml.variables["LUA_modify_unit.length"] - 1 do
 		local u = string.format("LUA_modify_unit[%d]", i)
 		for k, v in pairs(vars) do
 			wesnoth.set_variable(u .. '.' .. k, v)
@@ -65,8 +65,8 @@ function helper.move_unit_fake(filter, to_x, to_y)
 		variable = "LUA_move_unit",
 		kill = false
 	})
-	local from_x = wesnoth.get_variable("LUA_move_unit.x")
-	local from_y = wesnoth.get_variable("LUA_move_unit.y")
+	local from_x = wml.variables["LUA_move_unit.x"]
+	local from_y = wml.variables["LUA_move_unit.y"]
 
 	wml_actions.scroll_to({ x=from_x, y=from_y })
 
diff --git a/data/lua/location_set.lua b/data/lua/location_set.lua
index 0e938a348106..65ae05f6f23f 100644
--- a/data/lua/location_set.lua
+++ b/data/lua/location_set.lua
@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ end
 
 function methods:of_wml_var(name)
 	local values = self.values
-	for i = 0, wesnoth.get_variable(name .. ".length") - 1 do
-		local t = wesnoth.get_variable(string.format("%s[%d]", name, i))
+	for i = 0, wml.variables[name .. ".length"] - 1 do
+		local t = wml.variables[string.format("%s[%d]", name, i)]
 		local x, y = t.x, t.y
 		t.x, t.y = nil, nil
 		values[index(x, y)] = next(t) and t or true
diff --git a/data/lua/wml-flow.lua b/data/lua/wml-flow.lua
index 8e112ea98ad7..7274775dac19 100644
--- a/data/lua/wml-flow.lua
+++ b/data/lua/wml-flow.lua
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ wesnoth.wml_actions["for"] = function(cfg)
 	local first
 	if cfg.array ~= nil then
 		if cfg.reverse then
-			first = wesnoth.get_variable(cfg.array .. ".length") - 1
+			first = wml.variables[cfg.array .. ".length"] - 1
 			loop_lim.last = 0
 			loop_lim.step = -1
 		else
@@ -119,16 +119,16 @@ wesnoth.wml_actions["for"] = function(cfg)
 		if loop_lim.step then
 			sentinel = sentinel + loop_lim.step
 			if loop_lim.step > 0 then
-				return wesnoth.get_variable(i_var) < sentinel
+				return wml.variables[i_var] < sentinel
 			else
-				return wesnoth.get_variable(i_var) > sentinel
+				return wml.variables[i_var] > sentinel
 			end
 		elseif loop_lim.last < first then
 			sentinel = sentinel - 1
-			return wesnoth.get_variable(i_var) > sentinel
+			return wml.variables[i_var] > sentinel
 		else
 			sentinel = sentinel + 1
-			return wesnoth.get_variable(i_var) < sentinel
+			return wml.variables[i_var] < sentinel
 		end
 	end
 	while loop_condition() do
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ wesnoth.wml_actions["for"] = function(cfg)
 				goto exit
 			end
 		end
-		wesnoth.set_variable(i_var, wesnoth.get_variable(i_var) + loop_lim.step)
+		wesnoth.set_variable(i_var, wml.variables[i_var] + loop_lim.step)
 	end
 	::exit::
 	utils.end_var_scope(i_var, save_i)
@@ -184,12 +184,12 @@ function wml_actions.foreach(cfg)
 	local this_item = utils.start_var_scope(item_name) -- if this_item is already set
 	local i_name = cfg.index_var or "i"
 	local i = utils.start_var_scope(i_name) -- if i is already set
-	local array_length = wesnoth.get_variable(array_name .. ".length")
+	local array_length = wml.variables[array_name .. ".length"]
 
 	for index, value in ipairs(array) do
 		-- Some protection against external modification
 		-- It's not perfect, though - it'd be nice if *any* change could be detected
-		if array_length ~= wesnoth.get_variable(array_name .. ".length") then
+		if array_length ~= wml.variables[array_name .. ".length"] then
 			helper.wml_error("WML array length changed during [foreach] iteration")
 		end
 		wesnoth.set_variable(item_name, value)
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ function wml_actions.foreach(cfg)
 		end
 		-- set back the content, in case the author made some modifications
 		if not cfg.readonly then
-			array[index] = wesnoth.get_variable(item_name)
+			array[index] = wml.variables[item_name]
 		end
 	end
 	::exit::
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ function wml_actions.foreach(cfg)
 end
 
 function wml_actions.switch(cfg)
-	local var_value = wesnoth.get_variable(cfg.variable)
+	local var_value = wml.variables[cfg.variable]
 	local found = false
 
 	-- Execute all the [case]s where the value matches.
diff --git a/data/lua/wml-tags.lua b/data/lua/wml-tags.lua
index dca55b1a6e88..60101567b8a4 100644
--- a/data/lua/wml-tags.lua
+++ b/data/lua/wml-tags.lua
@@ -26,17 +26,17 @@ function wml_actions.sync_variable(cfg)
 			local res = {}
 			for name_raw in utils.split(names) do
 				local name = utils.trim(name_raw)
-				local variable_type = string.sub(name, string.len(name)) == "]" and "indexed" or ( wesnoth.get_variable(name .. ".length") > 0 and "array" or "attribute")
+				local variable_type = string.sub(name, string.len(name)) == "]" and "indexed" or ( wml.variables[name .. ".length"] > 0 and "array" or "attribute")
 				local variable_info = { name = name, type = variable_type }
 				table.insert(res, { "variable", variable_info })
 				if variable_type == "indexed" then
-					table.insert(variable_info, { "value", wesnoth.get_variable(name) } )
+					table.insert(variable_info, { "value", wml.variables[name] } )
 				elseif variable_type == "array" then
-					for i = 1, wesnoth.get_variable(name .. ".length") do
-						table.insert(variable_info, { "value",  wesnoth.get_variable(string.format("%s[%d]", name, i - 1)) } )
+					for i = 1, wml.variables[name .. ".length"] do
+						table.insert(variable_info, { "value",  wml.variables[string.format("%s[%d]", name, i - 1)] } )
 					end
 				else
-					variable_info.value = wesnoth.get_variable(name)
+					variable_info.value = wml.variables[name]
 				end
 			end
 			return res
@@ -821,7 +821,7 @@ end
 
 wml_actions.unstore_unit = function(cfg)
 	local variable = cfg.variable or helper.wml_error("[unstore_unit] missing required 'variable' attribute")
-	local unit_cfg = wesnoth.get_variable(variable) or helper.wml_error("[unstore_unit]: variable '" .. variable .. "' doesn't exist")
+	local unit_cfg = wml.variables[variable] or helper.wml_error("[unstore_unit]: variable '" .. variable .. "' doesn't exist")
 	if type(unit_cfg) ~= "table" or unit_cfg.type == nil then
 		helper.wml_error("[unstore_unit]: variable '" .. variable .. "' doesn't contain unit data")
 	end
diff --git a/data/lua/wml-utils.lua b/data/lua/wml-utils.lua
index 4076fd043e74..0c0ecc9cd30d 100644
--- a/data/lua/wml-utils.lua
+++ b/data/lua/wml-utils.lua
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ function utils.vwriter.init(cfg, default_variable)
 	if is_explicit_index then
 		-- explicit indexes behave always like "replace"
 	elseif mode == "append" then
-		index = wesnoth.get_variable(variable .. ".length")
+		index = wml.variables[variable .. ".length"]
 	elseif mode ~= "replace" then
 		wesnoth.set_variable(variable)
 	end
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ function utils.handle_event_commands(cfg, scope_type)
 			local from = arg.variable or
 				helper.wml_error("[insert_tag] found with no variable= field")
 
-			arg = wesnoth.get_variable(from)
+			arg = wml.variables[from]
 			if type(arg) ~= "table" then
 				-- Corner case: A missing variable is replaced
 				-- by an empty container rather than being ignored.
@@ -138,8 +138,8 @@ function utils.handle_event_commands(cfg, scope_type)
 					cmd(arg)
 					if current_exit ~= "none" then break end
 					j = j + 1
-					if j >= wesnoth.get_variable(insert_from .. ".length") then break end
-					arg = wml.tovconfig(wesnoth.get_variable(string.format("%s[%d]", insert_from, j)))
+					if j >= wml.variables[insert_from .. ".length"] then break end
+					arg = wml.tovconfig(wml.variables[string.format("%s[%d]", insert_from, j)])
 				until false
 			else
 				cmd(arg)
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ end
 --note: when using these, make sure that nothing can throw over the call to end_var_scope
 function utils.start_var_scope(name)
 	local var = wml.array_access.get(name) --containers and arrays
-	if #var == 0 then var = wesnoth.get_variable(name) end --scalars (and nil/empty)
+	if #var == 0 then var = wml.variables[name] end --scalars (and nil/empty)
 	wesnoth.set_variable(name)
 	return var
 end
diff --git a/data/lua/wml/modify_unit.lua b/data/lua/wml/modify_unit.lua
index d9bcca3b3b69..f77ab156510f 100644
--- a/data/lua/wml/modify_unit.lua
+++ b/data/lua/wml/modify_unit.lua
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ function wml_actions.modify_unit(cfg)
 	local function handle_unit(unit_num)
 		local children_handled = {}
 		local unit_path = string.format("%s[%u]", unit_variable, unit_num)
-		local this_unit = wesnoth.get_variable(unit_path)
+		local this_unit = wml.variables[unit_path]
 		wesnoth.set_variable("this_unit", this_unit)
 		handle_attributes(cfg, unit_path, true)
 
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ function wml_actions.modify_unit(cfg)
 				else
 					mod = wml.parsed(mod)
 				end
-				local unit = wesnoth.get_variable(unit_path)
+				local unit = wml.variables[unit_path]
 				unit = wesnoth.create_unit(unit)
 				wesnoth.add_modification(unit, current_tag, mod)
 				unit = unit.__cfg;
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ function wml_actions.modify_unit(cfg)
 				local mod = current_table[2]
 				local apply_to = mod.apply_to
 				if wesnoth.effects[apply_to] then
-					local unit = wesnoth.get_variable(unit_path)
+					local unit = wml.variables[unit_path]
 					unit = wesnoth.create_unit(unit)
 					wesnoth.effects[apply_to](unit, mod)
 					unit = unit.__cfg;
@@ -78,14 +78,14 @@ function wml_actions.modify_unit(cfg)
 
 		if cfg.type then
 			if cfg.type ~= "" then wesnoth.set_variable(unit_path .. ".advances_to", cfg.type) end
-			wesnoth.set_variable(unit_path .. ".experience", wesnoth.get_variable(unit_path .. ".max_experience"))
+			wesnoth.set_variable(unit_path .. ".experience", wml.variables[unit_path .. ".max_experience"])
 		end
 		wml_actions.kill({ id = this_unit.id, animate = false })
 		wml_actions.unstore_unit { variable = unit_path }
 	end
 
 	wml_actions.store_unit { {"filter", filter}, variable = unit_variable }
-	local max_index = wesnoth.get_variable(unit_variable .. ".length") - 1
+	local max_index = wml.variables[unit_variable .. ".length"] - 1
 
 	local this_unit = utils.start_var_scope("this_unit")
 	for current_unit = 0, max_index do
diff --git a/data/lua/wml/set_variable.lua b/data/lua/wml/set_variable.lua
index 0eb2f23aaecf..b2e0ff2e7977 100644
--- a/data/lua/wml/set_variable.lua
+++ b/data/lua/wml/set_variable.lua
@@ -12,43 +12,43 @@ function wesnoth.wml_actions.set_variable(cfg)
 	end
 
 	if cfg.to_variable then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, wesnoth.get_variable(cfg.to_variable))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, wml.variables[cfg.to_variable])
 	end
 
 	if cfg.suffix then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (wesnoth.get_variable(name) or '') .. (cfg.suffix or ''))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (wml.variables[name] or '') .. (cfg.suffix or ''))
 	end
 
 	if cfg.prefix then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (cfg.prefix or '') .. (wesnoth.get_variable(name) or ''))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (cfg.prefix or '') .. (wml.variables[name] or ''))
 	end
 
 	if cfg.add then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0) + (tonumber(cfg.add) or 0))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0) + (tonumber(cfg.add) or 0))
 	end
 
 	if cfg.sub then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0) - (tonumber(cfg.sub) or 0))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0) - (tonumber(cfg.sub) or 0))
 	end
 
 	if cfg.multiply then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0) * (tonumber(cfg.multiply) or 0))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0) * (tonumber(cfg.multiply) or 0))
 	end
 
 	if cfg.divide then
 		local divide = tonumber(cfg.divide) or 0
 		if divide == 0 then helper.wml_error("division by zero on variable " .. name) end
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0) / divide)
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0) / divide)
 	end
 
 	if cfg.modulo then
 		local modulo = tonumber(cfg.modulo) or 0
 		if modulo == 0 then helper.wml_error("division by zero on variable " .. name) end
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0) % modulo)
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0) % modulo)
 	end
 
 	if cfg.abs then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, math.abs(tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, math.abs(tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0))
 	end
 
 	if cfg.root then
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ function wesnoth.wml_actions.set_variable(cfg)
 			root_fcn = function(n) return n ^ (1 / root) end
 		end
 
-		local radicand = tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0
+		local radicand = tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0
 		if radicand < 0 and root % 2 == 0 then
 			if root == 2 then
 				helper.wml_error("square root of negative number on variable " .. name)
@@ -77,11 +77,11 @@ function wesnoth.wml_actions.set_variable(cfg)
 	end
 
 	if cfg.power then
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name)) or 0) ^ (tonumber(cfg.power) or 0))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, (tonumber(wml.variables[name]) or 0) ^ (tonumber(cfg.power) or 0))
 	end
 
 	if cfg.round then
-		local var = tonumber(wesnoth.get_variable(name) or 0)
+		local var = tonumber(wml.variables[name] or 0)
 		local round_val = cfg.round
 		if round_val == "ceil" then
 			wesnoth.set_variable(name, math.ceil(var))
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ function wesnoth.wml_actions.set_variable(cfg)
 
 	if cfg.formula then
 		local fcn = wesnoth.compile_formula(cfg.formula)
-		wesnoth.set_variable(name, fcn(wesnoth.get_variable(name)))
+		wesnoth.set_variable(name, fcn(wml.variables[name]))
 	end
 
 	local join_child = wml.get_child(cfg, "join")
diff --git a/data/lua/wml/test_condition.lua b/data/lua/wml/test_condition.lua
index 579742776270..efc10363df21 100644
--- a/data/lua/wml/test_condition.lua
+++ b/data/lua/wml/test_condition.lua
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ local function explain(current_cfg, expect, logger)
 			end
 			explanation = string.format("%s\n\t[/%s]", explanation, tag)
 			if tag == "variable" then
-				explanation = string.format("%s\n\tNote: The variable %s currently has the value %q.", explanation, this_cfg.name, tostring(wesnoth.get_variable(this_cfg.name)))
+				explanation = string.format("%s\n\tNote: The variable %s currently has the value %q.", explanation, this_cfg.name, tostring(wml.variables[this_cfg.name]))
 			end
 			wesnoth.log(logger, explanation, true)
 			return true
diff --git a/data/multiplayer/eras.lua b/data/multiplayer/eras.lua
index 2a78978ecaa9..1b6a79327a37 100644
--- a/data/multiplayer/eras.lua
+++ b/data/multiplayer/eras.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ local T = wml.tag
 local res = {}
 
 res.quick_4mp_leaders = function(args)
-	local make_4mp_leaders_quick = wesnoth.get_variable("make_4mp_leaders_quick")
+	local make_4mp_leaders_quick = wml.variables["make_4mp_leaders_quick"]
 	if make_4mp_leaders_quick == nil then
 		make_4mp_leaders_quick = wesnoth.game_config.mp_settings and (wesnoth.game_config.mp_settings.mp_campaign == "")
 	end
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ res.quick_4mp_leaders = function(args)
 end
 
 res.turns_over_advantage = function()
-	local show_turns_over_advantage = wesnoth.get_variable("show_turns_over_advantage")
+	local show_turns_over_advantage = wml.variables["show_turns_over_advantage"]
 	if show_turns_over_advantage == nil then
 		show_turns_over_advantage = wesnoth.game_config.mp_settings and (wesnoth.game_config.mp_settings.mp_campaign == "")
 	end
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ res.turns_over_advantage = function()
 				for i, unit in ipairs( wesnoth.get_units { side = side } ) do
 					if not unit.__cfg.canrecruit then
 						wesnoth.fire("unit_worth", { id = unit.id })
-						units = units + wesnoth.get_variable("unit_worth")
+						units = units + wml.variables["unit_worth"]
 					end
 				end
 				-- Up to here
diff --git a/data/multiplayer/scenarios/2p_Dark_Forecast.lua b/data/multiplayer/scenarios/2p_Dark_Forecast.lua
index a57ce957880a..c922f3fd73cb 100644
--- a/data/multiplayer/scenarios/2p_Dark_Forecast.lua
+++ b/data/multiplayer/scenarios/2p_Dark_Forecast.lua
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ end
 -- @a base_gold_amount, gold_increment: used to cauculate the amount of gold available for each timed spawn
 -- @a units_amount, gold_per_unit_amount: used to cauculate the number of units spawned in each timed spawn
 local function create_timed_spaws(interval, num_spawns, base_gold_amount, gold_increment, units_amount, gold_per_unit_amount)
-	local configure_gold_factor = ((wesnoth.get_variable("enemey_gold_factor") or 0) + 100)/100
+	local configure_gold_factor = ((wml.variables["enemey_gold_factor"] or 0) + 100)/100
 	local random_spawn_numbers = {}
 	for i = 1, #random_spawns do
 		table.insert(random_spawn_numbers, i)
@@ -243,12 +243,12 @@ local function place_units(unittypes, x, y)
 end
 
 local function final_spawn()
-	local spawns_left = wesnoth.get_variable("fixed_spawn.length")
+	local spawns_left = wml.variables["fixed_spawn.length"]
 	if spawns_left == 0 then
 		return
 	end
 	local spawn_index = wesnoth.random(spawns_left) - 1
-	local spawn = wesnoth.get_variable(string.format("fixed_spawn[%d]", spawn_index))
+	local spawn = wml.variables[string.format("fixed_spawn[%d]", spawn_index)]
 	wesnoth.set_variable(string.format("fixed_spawn[%d]", spawn_index))
 	local types = {}
 	for tag in helper.child_range(spawn, "type") do
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ end)
 --   when they appear is defined in the 'timed_spawn' wml array. which is created at prestart
 --   which unit types get spawned is defined in the 'main_spawn' wml array which is also spawned at prestart
 on_event("new turn", function()
-	local next_spawn = wesnoth.get_variable("timed_spawn[0]")
+	local next_spawn = wml.variables["timed_spawn[0]"]
 	if wesnoth.current.turn ~= next_spawn.turn then
 		return
 	end
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ end)
 
 -- on turn 'final_turn' the first 'final spawn' appears
 on_event("new turn", function()
-	if wesnoth.current.turn ~= wesnoth.get_variable("final_turn") then
+	if wesnoth.current.turn ~= wml.variables["final_turn"] then
 		return
 	end
 	wesnoth.wml_actions.music {
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ end)
 
 -- after the first final spawn, spawn a new final spawn every 1 or 2 turns.
 on_event("new turn", function()
-	if wesnoth.current.turn ~= wesnoth.get_variable("next_final_spawn") then
+	if wesnoth.current.turn ~= wml.variables["next_final_spawn"] then
 		return
 	end
 	final_spawn()
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ end)
 
 -- The victory condition: win when there are no enemy unit after the first final spawn appeared.
 on_event("die", function()
-	if wesnoth.current.turn < wesnoth.get_variable("final_turn") then
+	if wesnoth.current.turn < wml.variables["final_turn"] then
 		return
 	end
 	if wesnoth.wml_conditionals.have_unit { side = "1,2"} then
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ end
 -- change weather at side 3 turns, TODO: consider the case that side 3 is empty.
 on_event("side 3 turn", function()
 	-- get next weather event
-	local weather_event = wesnoth.get_variable("weather_event[0]")
+	local weather_event = wml.variables["weather_event[0]"]
 	if weather_event == nil then
 		return
 	end
diff --git a/data/scenario-test.cfg b/data/scenario-test.cfg
index 7ca6249180ff..05578a195fca 100644
--- a/data/scenario-test.cfg
+++ b/data/scenario-test.cfg
@@ -3615,7 +3615,7 @@ unplagueable: $wml_unit.status.unplagueable"
                                 { "command", {
                                     { "set_variable", { name = "choice", value = "done" } } } } } }
                         })
-                        local choice = wesnoth.get_variable("choice")
+                        local choice = wml.variables["choice"]
                         -- debug :unit will reapply musthave traits, breaking these modifications for undead
                         -- if you want something more permanent, give the unit an object
                         if choice == "not_living" then
diff --git a/data/test/scenarios/ai/_main.cfg b/data/test/scenarios/ai/_main.cfg
index f661ca4796bd..4dbc827cb49f 100644
--- a/data/test/scenarios/ai/_main.cfg
+++ b/data/test/scenarios/ai/_main.cfg
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
     <<
 local H = wesnoth.require('helper')
 local expected = H.get_variable_array('expected')
-local aspect = wesnoth.get_variable('test_attribute')
+local aspect = wml.variables['test_attribute']
 if ai.aspects[aspect] ~= expected[wesnoth.current.turn].value then
 	wesnoth.set_variable('is_valid', false)
 	local msg = 'Failed on turn ' .. tostring(wesnoth.current.turn)
diff --git a/data/test/scenarios/recruit_facing.cfg b/data/test/scenarios/recruit_facing.cfg
index 8cfbb0b20a9d..6fb1389cbcfd 100644
--- a/data/test/scenarios/recruit_facing.cfg
+++ b/data/test/scenarios/recruit_facing.cfg
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
         name=recruit
         [lua]
             code =<<
-                    local temp = wesnoth.get_variable("unit")
+                    local temp = wml.variables["unit"]
                     local result = wesnoth.synchronize_choice(
                       function()
                         return { value = temp.facing }