diff --git a/bot/LionModule.py b/bot/LionModule.py
index 6e89cf5e..9c2a4671 100644
--- a/bot/LionModule.py
+++ b/bot/LionModule.py
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class LionModule(Module):
             raise SafeCancellation(details="Module '{}' is not ready.".format(self.name))
 
         # Check global user blacklist
-        if ctx.author.id in ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_users']:
+        if ctx.author.id in ctx.client.user_blacklist():
             raise SafeCancellation(details='User is blacklisted.')
 
         if ctx.guild:
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ class LionModule(Module):
                 raise SafeCancellation(details='Command channel is no longer reachable.')
 
             # Check global guild blacklist
-            if ctx.guild.id in ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_guilds']:
+            if ctx.guild.id in ctx.client.guild_blacklist():
                 raise SafeCancellation(details='Guild is blacklisted.')
 
             # Check guild's own member blacklist
diff --git a/bot/core/blacklists.py b/bot/core/blacklists.py
index 942bd012..1ca5bd9c 100644
--- a/bot/core/blacklists.py
+++ b/bot/core/blacklists.py
@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 """
 Guild, user, and member blacklists.
-
-NOTE: The pre-loading methods are not shard-optimised.
 """
 from collections import defaultdict
+import cachetools.func
 
 from data import tables
 from meta import client
@@ -11,32 +10,22 @@ from meta import client
 from .module import module
 
 
-@module.init_task
-def load_guild_blacklist(client):
+@cachetools.func.ttl_cache(ttl=300)
+def guild_blacklist():
     """
-    Load the blacklisted guilds.
+    Get the guild blacklist
     """
     rows = tables.global_guild_blacklist.select_where()
-    client.objects['blacklisted_guilds'] = set(row['guildid'] for row in rows)
-    if rows:
-        client.log(
-            "Loaded {} blacklisted guilds.".format(len(rows)),
-            context="GUILD_BLACKLIST"
-        )
+    return set(row['guildid'] for row in rows)
 
 
-@module.init_task
-def load_user_blacklist(client):
+@cachetools.func.ttl_cache(ttl=300)
+def user_blacklist():
     """
-    Load the blacklisted users.
+    Get the global user blacklist.
     """
     rows = tables.global_user_blacklist.select_where()
-    client.objects['blacklisted_users'] = set(row['userid'] for row in rows)
-    if rows:
-        client.log(
-            "Loaded {} globally blacklisted users.".format(len(rows)),
-            context="USER_BLACKLIST"
-        )
+    return set(row['userid'] for row in rows)
 
 
 @module.init_task
@@ -62,18 +51,20 @@ def load_ignored_members(client):
         )
 
 
+@module.init_task
+def attach_client_blacklists(client):
+    client.guild_blacklist = guild_blacklist
+    client.user_blacklist = user_blacklist
+
+
 @module.launch_task
 async def leave_blacklisted_guilds(client):
     """
     Launch task to leave any blacklisted guilds we are in.
-    Assumes that the blacklisted guild list has been initialised.
     """
-    # Cache to avoic repeated lookups
-    blacklisted = client.objects['blacklisted_guilds']
-
     to_leave = [
         guild for guild in client.guilds
-        if guild.id in blacklisted
+        if guild.id in guild_blacklist()
     ]
 
     for guild in to_leave:
@@ -92,7 +83,8 @@ async def check_guild_blacklist(client, guild):
     Guild join event handler to check whether the guild is blacklisted.
     If so, leaves the guild.
     """
-    if guild.id in client.objects['blacklisted_guilds']:
+    # First refresh the blacklist cache
+    if guild.id in guild_blacklist():
         await guild.leave()
         client.log(
             "Automatically left blacklisted guild '{}' (gid:{}) upon join.".format(guild.name, guild.id),
diff --git a/bot/data/__init__.py b/bot/data/__init__.py
index f048ce37..2deecc48 100644
--- a/bot/data/__init__.py
+++ b/bot/data/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
+from .conditions import Condition, NOT, Constant, NULL, NOTNULL  # noqa
 from .connection import conn  # noqa
 from .formatters import UpdateValue, UpdateValueAdd  # noqa
 from .interfaces import Table, RowTable, Row, tables  # noqa
 from .queries import insert, insert_many, select_where, update_where, upsert, delete_where  # noqa
-from .conditions import Condition, NOT, Constant, NULL, NOTNULL  # noqa
diff --git a/bot/data/conditions.py b/bot/data/conditions.py
index 4687a929..a314616e 100644
--- a/bot/data/conditions.py
+++ b/bot/data/conditions.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 from .connection import _replace_char
 
+from meta import sharding
+
 
 class Condition:
     """
@@ -70,5 +72,21 @@ class Constant(Condition):
         conditions.append("{} {}".format(key, self.value))
 
 
+class SHARDID(Condition):
+    __slots__ = ('shardid', 'shard_count')
+
+    def __init__(self, shardid, shard_count):
+        self.shardid = shardid
+        self.shard_count = shard_count
+
+    def apply(self, key, values, conditions):
+        if self.shard_count > 1:
+            conditions.append("({} >> 22) %% {} = {}".format(key, self.shard_count, _replace_char))
+            values.append(self.shardid)
+
+
+THIS_SHARD = SHARDID(sharding.shard_number, sharding.shard_count)
+
+
 NULL = Constant('IS NULL')
 NOTNULL = Constant('IS NOT NULL')
diff --git a/bot/main.py b/bot/main.py
index ac818e36..066bf86e 100644
--- a/bot/main.py
+++ b/bot/main.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from meta import client, conf, log
+from meta import client, conf, log, sharding
 
 from data import tables
 
@@ -7,7 +7,12 @@ import core # noqa
 import modules  # noqa
 
 # Load and attach app specific data
-client.appdata = core.data.meta.fetch_or_create(conf.bot['data_appid'])
+if sharding.sharded:
+    appname = f"{conf.bot['data_appid']}_{sharding.shard_count}_{sharding.shard_number}"
+else:
+    appname = conf.bot['data_appid']
+client.appdata = core.data.meta.fetch_or_create(appname)
+
 client.data = tables
 
 # Initialise all modules
diff --git a/bot/meta/__init__.py b/bot/meta/__init__.py
index dd852d4f..eab9c7b8 100644
--- a/bot/meta/__init__.py
+++ b/bot/meta/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from .logger import log, logger
 from .client import client
 from .config import conf
-from .logger import log, logger
+from .args import args
+from . import sharding
diff --git a/bot/meta/args.py b/bot/meta/args.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c2dd70d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bot/meta/args.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+import argparse
+
+from constants import CONFIG_FILE
+
+# ------------------------------
+# Parsed commandline arguments
+# ------------------------------
+parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+parser.add_argument('--conf',
+                    dest='config',
+                    default=CONFIG_FILE,
+                    help="Path to configuration file.")
+parser.add_argument('--shard',
+                    dest='shard',
+                    default=None,
+                    type=int,
+                    help="Shard number to run, if applicable.")
+
+args = parser.parse_args()
diff --git a/bot/meta/client.py b/bot/meta/client.py
index 5310171d..50414aa8 100644
--- a/bot/meta/client.py
+++ b/bot/meta/client.py
@@ -1,16 +1,19 @@
 from discord import Intents
 from cmdClient.cmdClient import cmdClient
 
-from .config import Conf
+from .config import conf
+from .sharding import shard_number, shard_count
 
-from constants import CONFIG_FILE
-
-# Initialise config
-conf = Conf(CONFIG_FILE)
 
 # Initialise client
 owners = [int(owner) for owner in conf.bot.getlist('owners')]
 intents = Intents.all()
 intents.presences = False
-client = cmdClient(prefix=conf.bot['prefix'], owners=owners, intents=intents)
+client = cmdClient(
+    prefix=conf.bot['prefix'],
+    owners=owners,
+    intents=intents,
+    shard_id=shard_number,
+    shard_count=shard_count
+)
 client.conf = conf
diff --git a/bot/meta/config.py b/bot/meta/config.py
index a94d2b1a..ca779924 100644
--- a/bot/meta/config.py
+++ b/bot/meta/config.py
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 import configparser as cfgp
 
-
-conf = None  # type: Conf
-
-CONF_FILE = "bot/bot.conf"
+from .args import args
 
 
 class Conf:
@@ -57,3 +54,6 @@ class Conf:
     def write(self):
         with open(self.configfile, 'w') as conffile:
             self.config.write(conffile)
+
+
+conf = Conf(args.config)
diff --git a/bot/meta/logger.py b/bot/meta/logger.py
index 858b1292..a95500e4 100644
--- a/bot/meta/logger.py
+++ b/bot/meta/logger.py
@@ -9,11 +9,18 @@ from utils.lib import mail, split_text
 
 from .client import client
 from .config import conf
+from . import sharding
 
 
 # Setup the logger
 logger = logging.getLogger()
-log_fmt = logging.Formatter(fmt='[{asctime}][{levelname:^8}] {message}', datefmt='%d/%m | %H:%M:%S', style='{')
+log_fmt = logging.Formatter(
+    fmt=('[{asctime}][{levelname:^8}]' +
+         '[SHARD {}]'.format(sharding.shard_number) +
+         ' {message}'),
+    datefmt='%d/%m | %H:%M:%S',
+    style='{'
+)
 # term_handler = logging.StreamHandler(sys.stdout)
 # term_handler.setFormatter(log_fmt)
 # logger.addHandler(term_handler)
@@ -77,7 +84,11 @@ async def live_log(message, context, level):
             log_chid = conf.bot.getint('log_channel')
 
         # Generate the log messages
-        header = "[{}][{}]".format(logging.getLevelName(level), str(context))
+        if sharding.sharded:
+            header = f"[{logging.getLevelName(level)}][SHARD {sharding.shard_number}][{context}]"
+        else:
+            header = f"[{logging.getLevelName(level)}][{context}]"
+
         if len(message) > 1900:
             blocks = split_text(message, blocksize=1900, code=False)
         else:
diff --git a/bot/meta/sharding.py b/bot/meta/sharding.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ffe86a89
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bot/meta/sharding.py
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+from .args import args
+from .config import conf
+
+
+shard_number = args.shard or 0
+
+shard_count = conf.bot.getint('shard_count', 1)
+
+sharded = (shard_count > 0)
diff --git a/bot/modules/accountability/TimeSlot.py b/bot/modules/accountability/TimeSlot.py
index 9464e4e5..81cbe38d 100644
--- a/bot/modules/accountability/TimeSlot.py
+++ b/bot/modules/accountability/TimeSlot.py
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ class TimeSlot:
 
     @property
     def open_embed(self):
-        # TODO Consider adding hint to footer
         timestamp = int(self.start_time.timestamp())
 
         embed = discord.Embed(
@@ -247,6 +246,34 @@ class TimeSlot:
 
         return self
 
+    async def _reload_members(self, memberids=None):
+        """
+        Reload the timeslot members from the provided list, or data.
+        Also updates the channel overwrites if required.
+        To be used before the session has started.
+        """
+        if self.data:
+            if memberids is None:
+                member_rows = accountability_members.fetch_rows_where(slotid=self.data.slotid)
+                memberids = [row.userid for row in member_rows]
+
+            self.members = members = {
+                memberid: SlotMember(self.data.slotid, memberid, self.guild)
+                for memberid in memberids
+            }
+
+            if self.channel:
+                # Check and potentially update overwrites
+                current_overwrites = self.channel.overwrites
+                overwrites = {
+                    mem.member: self._member_overwrite
+                    for mem in members.values()
+                    if mem.member
+                }
+                overwrites[self.guild.default_role] = self._everyone_overwrite
+                if current_overwrites != overwrites:
+                    await self.channel.edit(overwrites=overwrites)
+
     def _refresh(self):
         """
         Refresh the stored data row and reload.
diff --git a/bot/modules/accountability/tracker.py b/bot/modules/accountability/tracker.py
index 24e1dc94..faa82867 100644
--- a/bot/modules/accountability/tracker.py
+++ b/bot/modules/accountability/tracker.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from discord.utils import sleep_until
 from meta import client
 from utils.interactive import discord_shield
 from data import NULL, NOTNULL, tables
-from data.conditions import LEQ
+from data.conditions import LEQ, THIS_SHARD
 from settings import GuildSettings
 
 from .TimeSlot import TimeSlot
@@ -67,7 +67,8 @@ async def open_next(start_time):
     """
     # Pre-fetch the new slot data, also populating the table caches
     room_data = accountability_rooms.fetch_rows_where(
-        start_at=start_time
+        start_at=start_time,
+        guildid=THIS_SHARD
     )
     guild_rows = {row.guildid: row for row in room_data}
     member_data = accountability_members.fetch_rows_where(
@@ -193,11 +194,30 @@ async def turnover():
         # TODO: (FUTURE) with high volume, we might want to start the sessions before moving the members.
         # We could break up the session starting?
 
-        # Move members of the next session over to the session channel
+        # ---------- Start next session ----------
         current_slots = [
             aguild.current_slot for aguild in AccountabilityGuild.cache.values()
             if aguild.current_slot is not None
         ]
+        slotmap = {slot.data.slotid: slot for slot in current_slots if slot.data}
+
+        # Reload the slot members in case they cancelled from another shard
+        member_data = accountability_members.fetch_rows_where(
+            slotid=list(slotmap.keys())
+        ) if slotmap else []
+        slot_memberids = {slotid: [] for slotid in slotmap}
+        for row in member_data:
+            slot_memberids[row.slotid].append(row.userid)
+        reload_tasks = (
+            slot._reload_members(memberids=slot_memberids[slotid])
+            for slotid, slot in slotmap.items()
+        )
+        await asyncio.gather(
+            *reload_tasks,
+            return_exceptions=True
+        )
+
+        # Move members of the next session over to the session channel
         movement_tasks = (
             mem.member.edit(
                 voice_channel=slot.channel,
@@ -335,6 +355,7 @@ async def _accountability_system_resume():
     open_room_data = accountability_rooms.fetch_rows_where(
         closed_at=NULL,
         start_at=LEQ(now),
+        guildid=THIS_SHARD,
         _extra="ORDER BY start_at ASC"
     )
 
@@ -450,8 +471,10 @@ async def launch_accountability_system(client):
     """
     # Load the AccountabilityGuild cache
     guilds = tables.guild_config.fetch_rows_where(
-        accountability_category=NOTNULL
+        accountability_category=NOTNULL,
+        guildid=THIS_SHARD
     )
+    # Further filter out any guilds that we aren't in
     [AccountabilityGuild(guild.guildid) for guild in guilds if client.get_guild(guild.guildid)]
     await _accountability_system_resume()
     asyncio.create_task(_accountability_loop())
diff --git a/bot/modules/economy/cointop_cmd.py b/bot/modules/economy/cointop_cmd.py
index 9d1b9b2d..81bdbad9 100644
--- a/bot/modules/economy/cointop_cmd.py
+++ b/bot/modules/economy/cointop_cmd.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ async def cmd_topcoin(ctx):
 
     # Fetch the leaderboard
     exclude = set(m.id for m in ctx.guild_settings.unranked_roles.members)
-    exclude.update(ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_users'])
+    exclude.update(ctx.client.user_blacklist())
     exclude.update(ctx.client.objects['ignored_members'][ctx.guild.id])
 
     args = {
diff --git a/bot/modules/guild_admin/reaction_roles/tracker.py b/bot/modules/guild_admin/reaction_roles/tracker.py
index f18e3c34..17a64960 100644
--- a/bot/modules/guild_admin/reaction_roles/tracker.py
+++ b/bot/modules/guild_admin/reaction_roles/tracker.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from discord import PartialEmoji
 from meta import client
 from core import Lion
 from data import Row
+from data.conditions import THIS_SHARD
 from utils.lib import utc_now
 from settings import GuildSettings
 
@@ -584,5 +585,5 @@ def load_reaction_roles(client):
     """
     Load the ReactionRoleMessages.
     """
-    rows = reaction_role_messages.fetch_rows_where()
+    rows = reaction_role_messages.fetch_rows_where(guildid=THIS_SHARD)
     ReactionRoleMessage._messages = {row.messageid: ReactionRoleMessage(row.messageid) for row in rows}
diff --git a/bot/modules/moderation/tickets/Ticket.py b/bot/modules/moderation/tickets/Ticket.py
index 4d7ec5ec..afea1eef 100644
--- a/bot/modules/moderation/tickets/Ticket.py
+++ b/bot/modules/moderation/tickets/Ticket.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import datetime
 import discord
 
 from meta import client
+from data.conditions import THIS_SHARD
 from settings import GuildSettings
 from utils.lib import FieldEnum, strfdelta, utc_now
 
@@ -283,7 +284,8 @@ class Ticket:
 
         # Get all expiring tickets
         expiring_rows = data.tickets.select_where(
-            ticket_state=TicketState.EXPIRING
+            ticket_state=TicketState.EXPIRING,
+            guildid=THIS_SHARD
         )
 
         # Create new expiry tasks
diff --git a/bot/modules/reminders/commands.py b/bot/modules/reminders/commands.py
index 0bb98d60..c8637a04 100644
--- a/bot/modules/reminders/commands.py
+++ b/bot/modules/reminders/commands.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import asyncio
 import datetime
 import discord
 
+from meta import sharding
 from utils.lib import parse_dur, parse_ranges, multiselect_regex
 
 from .module import module
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ async def cmd_remindme(ctx, flags):
         if not rows:
             return await ctx.reply("You have no reminders to remove!")
 
-        live = Reminder.fetch(*(row.reminderid for row in rows))
+        live = [Reminder(row.reminderid) for row in rows]
 
         if not ctx.args:
             lines = []
@@ -209,7 +210,8 @@ async def cmd_remindme(ctx, flags):
         )
 
         # Schedule reminder
-        reminder.schedule()
+        if sharding.shard_number == 0:
+            reminder.schedule()
 
         # Ack
         embed = discord.Embed(
@@ -231,7 +233,7 @@ async def cmd_remindme(ctx, flags):
         if not rows:
             return await ctx.reply("You have no reminders!")
 
-        live = Reminder.fetch(*(row.reminderid for row in rows))
+        live = [Reminder(row.reminderid) for row in rows]
 
         lines = []
         num_field = len(str(len(live) - 1))
diff --git a/bot/modules/reminders/reminder.py b/bot/modules/reminders/reminder.py
index d3e4f764..67956a1d 100644
--- a/bot/modules/reminders/reminder.py
+++ b/bot/modules/reminders/reminder.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import asyncio
 import datetime
+import logging
 import discord
 
-from meta import client
+from meta import client, sharding
 from utils.lib import strfdur
 
 from .data import reminders
@@ -46,7 +47,10 @@ class Reminder:
                 cls._live_reminders[reminderid].cancel()
 
         # Remove from data
-        reminders.delete_where(reminderid=reminderids)
+        if reminderids:
+            return reminders.delete_where(reminderid=reminderids)
+        else:
+            return []
 
     @property
     def data(self):
@@ -134,10 +138,16 @@ class Reminder:
         """
         Execute the reminder.
         """
-        if self.data.userid in client.objects['blacklisted_users']:
+        if not self.data:
+            # Reminder deleted elsewhere
+            return
+
+        if self.data.userid in client.user_blacklist():
             self.delete(self.reminderid)
             return
 
+        userid = self.data.userid
+
         # Build the message embed
         embed = discord.Embed(
             title="You asked me to remind you!",
@@ -155,8 +165,26 @@ class Reminder:
                 )
             )
 
+        # Update the reminder data, and reschedule if required
+        if self.data.interval:
+            next_time = self.data.remind_at + datetime.timedelta(seconds=self.data.interval)
+            rows = reminders.update_where(
+                {'remind_at': next_time},
+                reminderid=self.reminderid
+            )
+            self.schedule()
+        else:
+            rows = self.delete(self.reminderid)
+        if not rows:
+            # Reminder deleted elsewhere
+            return
+
         # Send the message, if possible
-        user = self.user
+        if not (user := client.get_user(userid)):
+            try:
+                user = await client.fetch_user(userid)
+            except discord.HTTPException:
+                pass
         if user:
             try:
                 await user.send(embed=embed)
@@ -164,21 +192,38 @@ class Reminder:
                 # Nothing we can really do here. Maybe tell the user about their reminder next time?
                 pass
 
-        # Update the reminder data, and reschedule if required
-        if self.data.interval:
-            next_time = self.data.remind_at + datetime.timedelta(seconds=self.data.interval)
-            reminders.update_where({'remind_at': next_time}, reminderid=self.reminderid)
-            self.schedule()
-        else:
-            self.delete(self.reminderid)
+
+async def reminder_poll(client):
+    """
+    One client/shard must continually poll for new or deleted reminders.
+    """
+    # TODO: Clean this up with database signals or IPC
+    while True:
+        await asyncio.sleep(60)
+
+        client.log(
+            "Running new reminder poll.",
+            context="REMINDERS",
+            level=logging.DEBUG
+        )
+
+        rids = {row.reminderid for row in reminders.fetch_rows_where()}
+
+        to_delete = (rid for rid in Reminder._live_reminders if rid not in rids)
+        Reminder.delete(*to_delete)
+
+        [Reminder(rid).schedule() for rid in rids if rid not in Reminder._live_reminders]
 
 
 @module.launch_task
 async def schedule_reminders(client):
-    rows = reminders.fetch_rows_where()
-    for row in rows:
-        Reminder(row.reminderid).schedule()
-    client.log(
-        "Scheduled {} reminders.".format(len(rows)),
-        context="LAUNCH_REMINDERS"
-    )
+    if sharding.shard_number == 0:
+        rows = reminders.fetch_rows_where()
+        for row in rows:
+            Reminder(row.reminderid).schedule()
+        client.log(
+            "Scheduled {} reminders.".format(len(rows)),
+            context="LAUNCH_REMINDERS"
+        )
+        if sharding.sharded:
+            asyncio.create_task(reminder_poll(client))
diff --git a/bot/modules/renting/rooms.py b/bot/modules/renting/rooms.py
index 3e1d19c4..a8c29876 100644
--- a/bot/modules/renting/rooms.py
+++ b/bot/modules/renting/rooms.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import datetime
 from cmdClient.lib import SafeCancellation
 
 from meta import client
+from data.conditions import THIS_SHARD
 from settings import GuildSettings
 
 from .data import rented, rented_members
@@ -276,7 +277,7 @@ class Room:
 
 @module.launch_task
 async def load_rented_rooms(client):
-    rows = rented.fetch_rows_where()
+    rows = rented.fetch_rows_where(guildid=THIS_SHARD)
     for row in rows:
         Room(row.channelid).schedule()
     client.log(
diff --git a/bot/modules/study/badges/badge_tracker.py b/bot/modules/study/badges/badge_tracker.py
index 2c0d33fb..721f3962 100644
--- a/bot/modules/study/badges/badge_tracker.py
+++ b/bot/modules/study/badges/badge_tracker.py
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ import contextlib
 
 import discord
 
-from meta import client
-from data.conditions import GEQ
+from meta import client, sharding
+from data.conditions import GEQ, THIS_SHARD
 from core.data import lions
 from utils.lib import strfdur
 from settings import GuildSettings
@@ -54,12 +54,16 @@ async def update_study_badges(full=False):
 
     # Retrieve member rows with out of date study badges
     if not full and client.appdata.last_study_badge_scan is not None:
+        # TODO: _extra here is a hack to cover for inflexible conditionals
         update_rows = new_study_badges.select_where(
+            guildid=THIS_SHARD,
             _timestamp=GEQ(client.appdata.last_study_badge_scan or 0),
-            _extra="OR session_start IS NOT NULL"
+            _extra="OR session_start IS NOT NULL AND (guildid >> 22) %% {} = {}".format(
+                sharding.shard_count, sharding.shard_number
+            )
         )
     else:
-        update_rows = new_study_badges.select_where()
+        update_rows = new_study_badges.select_where(guildid=THIS_SHARD)
 
     if not update_rows:
         client.appdata.last_study_badge_scan = datetime.datetime.utcnow()
diff --git a/bot/modules/study/stats_cmd.py b/bot/modules/study/stats_cmd.py
index 29e412e6..88bc8be5 100644
--- a/bot/modules/study/stats_cmd.py
+++ b/bot/modules/study/stats_cmd.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ async def cmd_stats(ctx):
 
     # Leaderboard ranks
     exclude = set(m.id for m in ctx.guild_settings.unranked_roles.members)
-    exclude.update(ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_users'])
+    exclude.update(ctx.client.user_blacklist())
     exclude.update(ctx.client.objects['ignored_members'][ctx.guild.id])
     if target.id in exclude:
         time_rank = None
diff --git a/bot/modules/study/top_cmd.py b/bot/modules/study/top_cmd.py
index cb4008f7..79564c1f 100644
--- a/bot/modules/study/top_cmd.py
+++ b/bot/modules/study/top_cmd.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ async def cmd_top(ctx):
 
     # Fetch the leaderboard
     exclude = set(m.id for m in ctx.guild_settings.unranked_roles.members)
-    exclude.update(ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_users'])
+    exclude.update(ctx.client.user_blacklist())
     exclude.update(ctx.client.objects['ignored_members'][ctx.guild.id])
 
     args = {
diff --git a/bot/modules/study/tracking/session_tracker.py b/bot/modules/study/tracking/session_tracker.py
index 96262f04..8158f96a 100644
--- a/bot/modules/study/tracking/session_tracker.py
+++ b/bot/modules/study/tracking/session_tracker.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from collections import defaultdict
 
 from utils.lib import utc_now
 from data import tables
+from data.conditions import THIS_SHARD
 from core import Lion
 from meta import client
 
@@ -298,7 +299,7 @@ async def session_voice_tracker(client, member, before, after):
             pending.cancel()
 
         if after.channel:
-            blacklist = client.objects['blacklisted_users']
+            blacklist = client.user_blacklist()
             guild_blacklist = client.objects['ignored_members'][guild.id]
             untracked = untracked_channels.get(guild.id).data
             start_session = (
@@ -398,7 +399,7 @@ async def _init_session_tracker(client):
     ended = 0
 
     # Grab all ongoing sessions from data
-    rows = current_sessions.fetch_rows_where()
+    rows = current_sessions.fetch_rows_where(guildid=THIS_SHARD)
 
     # Iterate through, resume or end as needed
     for row in rows:
diff --git a/bot/modules/study/tracking/time_tracker.py b/bot/modules/study/tracking/time_tracker.py
index 1cb35fa0..46f88ec7 100644
--- a/bot/modules/study/tracking/time_tracker.py
+++ b/bot/modules/study/tracking/time_tracker.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def _scan(guild):
     members = itertools.chain(*channel_members)
     # TODO filter out blacklisted users
 
-    blacklist = client.objects['blacklisted_users']
+    blacklist = client.user_blacklist()
     guild_blacklist = client.objects['ignored_members'][guild.id]
 
     for member in members:
diff --git a/bot/modules/sysadmin/blacklist.py b/bot/modules/sysadmin/blacklist.py
index 12a2ed9b..90202407 100644
--- a/bot/modules/sysadmin/blacklist.py
+++ b/bot/modules/sysadmin/blacklist.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import discord
 from cmdClient.checks import is_owner
 from cmdClient.lib import ResponseTimedOut
 
+from meta.sharding import sharded
+
 from .module import module
 
 
@@ -26,14 +28,14 @@ async def cmd_guildblacklist(ctx, flags):
     Description:
         View, add, or remove guilds from the blacklist.
     """
-    blacklist = ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_guilds']
+    blacklist = ctx.client.guild_blacklist()
 
     if ctx.args:
         # guildid parsing
         items = [item.strip() for item in ctx.args.split(',')]
         if any(not item.isdigit() for item in items):
             return await ctx.error_reply(
-                "Please provide guilds as comma seprated guild ids."
+                "Please provide guilds as comma separated guild ids."
             )
 
         guildids = set(int(item) for item in items)
@@ -80,9 +82,18 @@ async def cmd_guildblacklist(ctx, flags):
                 insert_keys=('guildid', 'ownerid', 'reason')
             )
 
-            # Check if we are in any of these guilds
-            to_leave = (ctx.client.get_guild(guildid) for guildid in to_add)
-            to_leave = [guild for guild in to_leave if guild is not None]
+            # Leave freshly blacklisted guilds, accounting for shards
+            to_leave = []
+            for guildid in to_add:
+                guild = ctx.client.get_guild(guildid)
+                if not guild and sharded:
+                    try:
+                        guild = await ctx.client.fetch_guild(guildid)
+                    except discord.HTTPException:
+                        pass
+                if guild:
+                    to_leave.append(guild)
+
             for guild in to_leave:
                 await guild.leave()
 
@@ -102,9 +113,8 @@ async def cmd_guildblacklist(ctx, flags):
             )
 
         # Refresh the cached blacklist after modification
-        ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_guilds'] = set(
-            row['guildid'] for row in ctx.client.data.global_guild_blacklist.select_where()
-        )
+        ctx.client.guild_blacklist.cache_clear()
+        ctx.client.guild_blacklist()
     else:
         # Display the current blacklist
         # First fetch the full blacklist data
@@ -183,7 +193,7 @@ async def cmd_userblacklist(ctx, flags):
     Description:
         View, add, or remove users from the blacklist.
     """
-    blacklist = ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_users']
+    blacklist = ctx.client.user_blacklist()
 
     if ctx.args:
         # userid parsing
@@ -245,9 +255,8 @@ async def cmd_userblacklist(ctx, flags):
             )
 
         # Refresh the cached blacklist after modification
-        ctx.client.objects['blacklisted_users'] = set(
-            row['userid'] for row in ctx.client.data.global_user_blacklist.select_where()
-        )
+        ctx.client.user_blacklist.cache_clear()
+        ctx.client.user_blacklist()
     else:
         # Display the current blacklist
         # First fetch the full blacklist data
diff --git a/bot/modules/sysadmin/status.py b/bot/modules/sysadmin/status.py
index 83f02cc8..853f6410 100644
--- a/bot/modules/sysadmin/status.py
+++ b/bot/modules/sysadmin/status.py
@@ -13,19 +13,13 @@ async def update_status():
     # TODO: Make globally configurable and saveable
     global _last_update
 
-    if time.time() - _last_update < 30:
+    if time.time() - _last_update < 60:
         return
 
     _last_update = time.time()
 
-    student_count = sum(
-        len(ch.members)
-        for guild in client.guilds
-        for ch in guild.voice_channels
-    )
-    room_count = sum(
-        len([vc for vc in guild.voice_channels if vc.members])
-        for guild in client.guilds
+    student_count, room_count = client.data.current_sessions.select_one_where(
+        select_columns=("COUNT(*) AS studying_count", "COUNT(DISTINCT(channelid)) AS channel_count"),
     )
     status = "{} students in {} study rooms!".format(student_count, room_count)
 
diff --git a/bot/modules/workout/tracker.py b/bot/modules/workout/tracker.py
index 90eea397..be3438df 100644
--- a/bot/modules/workout/tracker.py
+++ b/bot/modules/workout/tracker.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from core import Lion
 from settings import GuildSettings
 from meta import client
 from data import NULL, tables
+from data.conditions import THIS_SHARD
 
 from .module import module
 from .data import workout_sessions
@@ -170,7 +171,7 @@ async def workout_voice_tracker(client, member, before, after):
 
     if member.bot:
         return
-    if member.id in client.objects['blacklisted_users']:
+    if member.id in client.user_blacklist():
         return
     if member.id in client.objects['ignored_members'][member.guild.id]:
         return
@@ -226,7 +227,8 @@ async def load_workouts(client):
     client.objects['current_workouts'] = {}  # (guildid, userid) -> Row
     # Process any incomplete workouts
     workouts = workout_sessions.fetch_rows_where(
-        duration=NULL
+        duration=NULL,
+        guildid=THIS_SHARD
     )
     count = 0
     for workout in workouts:
diff --git a/config/example-bot.conf b/config/example-bot.conf
index b2fc7a48..d2ec5dd1 100644
--- a/config/example-bot.conf
+++ b/config/example-bot.conf
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 [DEFAULT]
 log_file = bot.log
 log_channel = 
+error_channel =
 guild_log_channel = 
 
 prefix = !
@@ -10,4 +11,6 @@ owners = 413668234269818890, 389399222400712714
 database = dbname=lionbot
 data_appid = LionBot
 
+shard_count = 1
+
 lion_sync_period = 60