Well, I put this in the beginning of OrcStronghold.c :

Code:
Item* inv_slots[13];
inv_slots = new(Item);

ENTITY* active_sword;


I also changed the string comparison if statement in my main function (inside OrcStronghold.c) to:

Code:
if(str_cmp(inv_slots[0]->floating_icon, "steel_sword.pcx"))
   {
        active_sword = ent_create ("sword.mdl", my.x, attach_weapon);
   }
   else
   {
        ent_remove(active_sword);
   }


...and I am still getting the same results. I am able to place a .pcx image of a sword in the active weapon slot of my inventory bag, but it is not arming my player with a sword attached to its hand as a result.