diff --git a/formspec_helpers.lua b/formspec_helpers.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6babbd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/formspec_helpers.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+
+-- helper function:
+-- create a formspec dropdown list with player names (first entry: Add player) and
+-- an option to delete players from that list
+yl_speak_up.create_dropdown_playerlist = function(player, pname,
+		table_of_names, index_selected,
+		start_x, start_y, dropdown_name,
+		field_name_for_adding_player, explain_add_player,
+		field_name_for_deleting_player, explain_delete_player)
+
+	local text = "dropdown["..tostring(start_x)..","..tostring(start_y)..";3.8;"..
+				tostring(dropdown_name)..";Add player:"
+	-- table_of_names is a table with the playernames as keys
+	-- we want to work with indices later on; in order to be able to do that reliably, we
+	-- need a defined order of names
+	local tmp_list = yl_speak_up.sort_keys(table_of_names, true)
+	for i, p in ipairs(tmp_list) do
+		text = text..","..minetest.formspec_escape(p)
+	end
+	-- has an entry been selected?
+	if(not(index_selected) or index_selected < 0 or index_selected > #tmp_list+1) then
+		index_selected = 1
+	end
+	text = text..";"..tostring(index_selected)..";]"
+	if(index_selected == 1) then
+		-- first index "Add player" selected? Then offer a field for entering the name
+		text = text.."field["..tostring(start_x + 4.0)..","..tostring(start_y + 0.3)..";3.5,0.9;"..
+				tostring(field_name_for_adding_player)..";;]"..
+				"tooltip["..tostring(field_name_for_adding_player)..";"..
+					"Enter the name of the player whom you\n"..
+					"want to grant the right to "..tostring(explain_add_player).."]"
+	else
+		text = text.."button["..tostring(start_x + 3.8)..","..tostring(start_y)..";3.5,0.9;"..
+				tostring(field_name_for_deleting_player)..";"..
+				"Remove player from list]"..
+				"tooltip["..tostring(field_name_for_deleting_player)..";"..
+					"If you click here, the player will no\n"..
+					"longer be able to "..tostring(explain_delete_player).."]"
+	end
+	return text
+end
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 96f138d..96176f2 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ dofile(modpath .. "fs_save_or_discard_or_back.lua")
 dofile(modpath .. "custrom_functions_you_can_override.lua")
 -- some helper functions for formatting text for a formspec talbe
 dofile(modpath .. "print_as_table.lua")
+-- create i.e. a dropdown list of player names
+dofile(modpath .. "formspec_helpers.lua")
 -- handle alternate text for dialogs
 dofile(modpath .. "fs_alternate_text.lua")
 -- common functions for editing preconditions and effects
diff --git a/quest_api.lua b/quest_api.lua
index 5e29f0a..a77c666 100644
--- a/quest_api.lua
+++ b/quest_api.lua
@@ -277,6 +277,7 @@ end
 
 -- the dialog data of an NPC is saved - use this to save some statistical data
 -- plus store which variables are used by this NPC
+-- TODO: show this data in a formspec to admins for maintenance
 yl_speak_up.update_stored_npc_data = function(n_id, dialog)
 	-- in order to determine the position of the NPC, we need its object
 	local pname = yl_speak_up.get_pname_for_n_id(n_id)
@@ -345,6 +346,7 @@ yl_speak_up.update_stored_npc_data = function(n_id, dialog)
 		n_id = n_id,
 		name = tostring(dialog.n_npc),
 		owner = tostring(yl_speak_up.npc_owner[ n_id ]),
+		may_edit = dialog.n_may_edit or {},
 		pos = tostring(npc_pos),
 		anz_dialogs = anz_dialogs,
 		anz_options = anz_options,