diff --git a/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServiceRunner.vb b/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServiceRunner.vb
index 0d8c5d8..f132c07 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServiceRunner.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServiceRunner.vb
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Class BackgroundServiceRunner
                 ' Delay a bit before we start (or continue) work.
                 Await Task.Delay(Interval * 1000, WorkerCancel.Token)
 
-                ' Start background tasks.
+                ' Execute background tasks.
                 Dim tasks As New List(Of Task)
                 For Each service In Workers
                     tasks.Add(service.OnTick(_tickCount))
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/BirthdayRoleUpdate.vb b/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/BirthdayRoleUpdate.vb
index fac7736..3cfa0f7 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/BirthdayRoleUpdate.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/BirthdayRoleUpdate.vb
@@ -58,23 +58,25 @@ Class BirthdayRoleUpdate
         Dim channel As SocketTextChannel = Nothing
         Dim announce As (String, String)
         Dim announceping As Boolean
-        SyncLock BotInstance.KnownGuilds
-            If Not BotInstance.KnownGuilds.ContainsKey(guild.Id) Then Return 0
-            Dim gs = BotInstance.KnownGuilds(guild.Id)
-            tz = gs.TimeZone
-            users = gs.Users
-            announce = gs.AnnounceMessages
-            announceping = gs.AnnouncePing
 
-            If gs.AnnounceChannelId.HasValue Then channel = guild.GetTextChannel(gs.AnnounceChannelId.Value)
-            If gs.RoleId.HasValue Then role = guild.GetRole(gs.RoleId.Value)
+        If Not BotInstance.GuildCache.ContainsKey(guild.Id) Then Return 0 ' guild not yet fully loaded; skip processing
+
+        Dim gs = BotInstance.GuildCache(guild.Id)
+        With gs
+            tz = .TimeZone
+            users = .Users
+            announce = .AnnounceMessages
+            announceping = .AnnouncePing
+
+            If .AnnounceChannelId.HasValue Then channel = guild.GetTextChannel(gs.AnnounceChannelId.Value)
+            If .RoleId.HasValue Then role = guild.GetRole(gs.RoleId.Value)
             If role Is Nothing Then
-                gs.RoleWarningNonexist = True
+                .RoleWarningNonexist = True
                 Return 0
             Else
-                gs.RoleWarningNonexist = False
+                .RoleWarningNonexist = False
             End If
-        End SyncLock
+        End With
 
         ' Determine who's currently having a birthday
         Dim birthdays = GetGuildCurrentBirthdays(users, tz)
@@ -100,9 +102,7 @@ Class BirthdayRoleUpdate
 
         ' Update warning flag
         Dim updateError = Not correctRolePermissions Or gotForbidden
-        SyncLock BotInstance.KnownGuilds
-            BotInstance.KnownGuilds(guild.Id).RoleWarningPermission = updateError
-        End SyncLock
+        BotInstance.GuildCache(guild.Id).RoleWarningPermission = updateError
         ' Quit now if the warning flag was set. Announcement data is not available.
         If updateError Then Return 0
 
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/GuildStatistics.vb b/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/GuildStatistics.vb
index bd55f3d..82233b8 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/GuildStatistics.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/BackgroundServices/GuildStatistics.vb
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ Class GuildStatistics
     End Sub
 
     Public Overrides Async Function OnTick(tick As Integer) As Task
-        ' Activate roughly every 5 hours (interval: 45)
-        If tick Mod 400 <> 2 Then Return
+        ' Activate roughly every 2 hours (interval: 45)
+        If tick Mod 160 <> 2 Then Return
 
         Dim count = BotInstance.DiscordClient.Guilds.Count
         Log($"Currently in {count} guild(s).")
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vb b/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vb
index 47685bd..1787f3d 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vb
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-Imports BirthdayBot.CommandsCommon
+Imports System.Collections.Concurrent
+Imports BirthdayBot.CommandsCommon
 Imports Discord
 Imports Discord.Net
 Imports Discord.WebSocket
@@ -25,13 +26,12 @@ Class BirthdayBot
         End Get
     End Property
 
-    ''' <summary>SyncLock when using. The lock object is itself.</summary>
-    Friend ReadOnly Property KnownGuilds As Dictionary(Of ULong, GuildStateInformation)
+    Friend ReadOnly Property GuildCache As ConcurrentDictionary(Of ULong, GuildStateInformation)
 
     Public Sub New(conf As Configuration, dc As DiscordSocketClient)
         Config = conf
         _client = dc
-        KnownGuilds = New Dictionary(Of ULong, GuildStateInformation)
+        GuildCache = New ConcurrentDictionary(Of ULong, GuildStateInformation)
 
         _worker = New BackgroundServiceRunner(Me)
 
@@ -72,20 +72,16 @@ Class BirthdayBot
         _client.Dispose()
     End Function
 
-    Private Function LoadGuild(g As SocketGuild) As Task Handles _client.JoinedGuild, _client.GuildAvailable
-        SyncLock KnownGuilds
-            If Not KnownGuilds.ContainsKey(g.Id) Then
-                Dim gi = GuildStateInformation.LoadSettingsAsync(Config.DatabaseSettings, g.Id).GetAwaiter().GetResult()
-                KnownGuilds.Add(g.Id, gi)
-            End If
-        End SyncLock
-        Return Task.CompletedTask
+    Private Async Function LoadGuild(g As SocketGuild) As Task Handles _client.JoinedGuild, _client.GuildAvailable
+        If Not GuildCache.ContainsKey(g.Id) Then
+            Dim gi = Await GuildStateInformation.LoadSettingsAsync(Config.DatabaseSettings, g.Id)
+            GuildCache.TryAdd(g.Id, gi)
+        End If
     End Function
 
     Private Function DiscardGuild(g As SocketGuild) As Task Handles _client.LeftGuild
-        SyncLock KnownGuilds
-            KnownGuilds.Remove(g.Id)
-        End SyncLock
+        Dim rm As GuildStateInformation = Nothing
+        GuildCache.TryRemove(g.Id, rm)
         Return Task.CompletedTask
     End Function
 
@@ -115,18 +111,14 @@ Class BirthdayBot
 
                 ' Ban and role warning check
                 Dim roleWarningText As String
-                SyncLock KnownGuilds
-                    Dim gi = KnownGuilds(channel.Guild.Id)
-
-                    ' Skip ban check if user is a manager
-                    If Not gi.IsUserModerator(author) Then
-                        If gi.IsUserBlockedAsync(author.Id).GetAwaiter().GetResult() Then
-                            Return
-                        End If
+                Dim gi = GuildCache(channel.Guild.Id)
+                ' Skip ban check if user is a manager
+                If Not gi.IsUserModerator(author) Then
+                    If gi.IsUserBlockedAsync(author.Id).GetAwaiter().GetResult() Then
+                        Return
                     End If
-
-                    roleWarningText = gi.IssueRoleWarning
-                End SyncLock
+                End If
+                roleWarningText = gi.IssueRoleWarning
 
                 Try
                     If roleWarningText IsNot Nothing Then
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vbproj b/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vbproj
index 338ac7c..18a8aa5 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vbproj
+++ b/BirthdayBot/BirthdayBot.vbproj
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     <OutputType>Exe</OutputType>
     <RootNamespace>BirthdayBot</RootNamespace>
     <TargetFramework>netcoreapp2.0</TargetFramework>
-    <Version>1.1.2</Version>
+    <Version>1.2.0</Version>
     <Authors>Noiiko</Authors>
     <Company />
     <Description>Discord bot for birthday reminders.</Description>
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/Data/GuildStateInformation.vb b/BirthdayBot/Data/GuildStateInformation.vb
index 48ae930..579eff8 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/Data/GuildStateInformation.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/Data/GuildStateInformation.vb
@@ -31,22 +31,24 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public ReadOnly Property IssueRoleWarning As String
         Get
-            If DateTimeOffset.UtcNow - _roleLastWarning > RoleWarningInterval Then
-                _roleLastWarning = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow
-            Else
+            SyncLock Me
+                If DateTimeOffset.UtcNow - _roleLastWarning > RoleWarningInterval Then
+                    _roleLastWarning = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow
+                Else
+                    Return Nothing
+                End If
+
+                If RoleWarningUnset Or RoleWarningNonexist Then
+                    Return "Warning: A birthday role must be configured before this bot can function properly. " +
+                        "Update the designated role with `bb.config role (role name/ID)`."
+                End If
+                If RoleWarningPermission Then
+                    Return "Warning: This bot is unable to set the birthday role onto users. " +
+                        "Make sure that this bot has the Manage Roles permission and is not placed below the birthday role."
+                End If
+
                 Return Nothing
-            End If
-
-            If RoleWarningUnset Or RoleWarningNonexist Then
-                Return "Warning: A birthday role must be configured before this bot can function properly. " +
-                    "Update the designated role with `bb.config role (role name/ID)`."
-            End If
-            If RoleWarningPermission Then
-                Return "Warning: This bot is unable to set the birthday role onto users. " +
-                    "Make sure that this bot has the Manage Roles permission and is not placed below the birthday role."
-            End If
-
-            Return Nothing
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -65,7 +67,9 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Friend ReadOnly Property RoleWarningUnset As Boolean
         Get
-            Return _bdayRole Is Nothing
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return _bdayRole Is Nothing
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -75,9 +79,11 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     Public ReadOnly Property Users As IEnumerable(Of GuildUserSettings)
         Get
             Dim items As New List(Of GuildUserSettings)
-            For Each item In _userCache.Values
-                items.Add(item)
-            Next
+            SyncLock Me
+                For Each item In _userCache.Values
+                    items.Add(item)
+                Next
+            End SyncLock
             Return items
         End Get
     End Property
@@ -87,7 +93,9 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public ReadOnly Property RoleId As ULong?
         Get
-            Return _bdayRole
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return _bdayRole
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -96,7 +104,9 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public ReadOnly Property AnnounceChannelId As ULong?
         Get
-            Return _announceCh
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return _announceCh
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -105,7 +115,9 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public ReadOnly Property TimeZone As String
         Get
-            Return _tz
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return _tz
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -114,7 +126,9 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public ReadOnly Property IsModerated As Boolean
         Get
-            Return _moderated
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return _moderated
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -123,7 +137,9 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public ReadOnly Property ModeratorRole As ULong?
         Get
-            Return _modRole
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return _modRole
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -132,17 +148,20 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public ReadOnly Property AnnounceMessages As (String, String)
         Get
-            Return (_announceMsg, _announceMsgPl)
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return (_announceMsg, _announceMsgPl)
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
     ''' <summary>
     ''' Gets whether to ping users in the announcement message instead of displaying their names.
     ''' </summary>
-    ''' <returns></returns>
     Public ReadOnly Property AnnouncePing As Boolean
         Get
-            Return _announcePing
+            SyncLock Me
+                Return _announcePing
+            End SyncLock
         End Get
     End Property
 
@@ -174,17 +193,22 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' Gets user information from this guild. If the user doesn't exist in the backing database,
     ''' a new instance is created which is capable of adding the user to the database.
     ''' </summary>
-    ''' <param name="userId"></param>
+    ''' <remarks>
+    ''' For users with the Known property set to False, be sure to call
+    ''' <see cref="GuildUserSettings.DeleteAsync(Database)"/> if the resulting object is otherwise unused.
+    ''' </remarks>
     Public Function GetUser(userId As ULong) As GuildUserSettings
-        If _userCache.ContainsKey(userId) Then
-            Return _userCache(userId)
-        End If
+        SyncLock Me
+            If _userCache.ContainsKey(userId) Then
+                Return _userCache(userId)
+            End If
 
-        ' No result. Create a blank entry and add it to the list, in case it
-        ' gets referenced later regardless of if having been updated or not.
-        Dim blank As New GuildUserSettings(_GuildId, userId)
-        _userCache.Add(userId, blank)
-        Return blank
+            ' No result. Create a blank entry and add it to the list, in case it
+            ' gets updated and then referenced later.
+            Dim blank As New GuildUserSettings(_GuildId, userId)
+            _userCache.Add(userId, blank)
+            Return blank
+        End SyncLock
     End Function
 
     ''' <summary>
@@ -192,12 +216,13 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public Async Function DeleteUserAsync(userId As ULong) As Task
         Dim user As GuildUserSettings = Nothing
-        If _userCache.TryGetValue(userId, user) Then
-            Await user.DeleteAsync(_db)
-        Else
-            Return
-        End If
-        _userCache.Remove(userId)
+        SyncLock Me
+            If Not _userCache.TryGetValue(userId, user) Then
+                Return
+            End If
+            _userCache.Remove(userId)
+        End SyncLock
+        Await user.DeleteAsync(_db)
     End Function
 
     ''' <summary>
@@ -208,6 +233,8 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     Public Async Function IsUserBlockedAsync(userId As ULong) As Task(Of Boolean)
         If IsModerated Then Return True
 
+        ' Block list is not cached, thus doing a database lookup
+        ' TODO cache block list?
         Using db = Await _db.OpenConnectionAsync()
             Using c = db.CreateCommand()
                 c.CommandText = $"select * from {BackingTableBans} " +
@@ -229,9 +256,11 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' </summary>
     Public Function IsUserModerator(user As SocketGuildUser) As Boolean
         If user.GuildPermissions.ManageGuild Then Return True
-        If ModeratorRole.HasValue Then
-            If user.Roles.Where(Function(r) r.Id = ModeratorRole.Value).Count > 0 Then Return True
-        End If
+        SyncLock Me
+            If ModeratorRole.HasValue Then
+                If user.Roles.Where(Function(r) r.Id = ModeratorRole.Value).Count > 0 Then Return True
+            End If
+        End SyncLock
 
         IsUserModerator = False
     End Function
@@ -240,6 +269,7 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' Adds the specified user to the block list, preventing them from issuing commands.
     ''' </summary>
     Public Async Function BlockUserAsync(userId As ULong) As Task
+        ' TODO cache block list?
         Using db = Await _db.OpenConnectionAsync()
             Using c = db.CreateCommand()
                 c.CommandText = $"insert into {BackingTableBans} (guild_id, user_id) " +
@@ -257,6 +287,7 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' Removes the specified user from the block list.
     ''' </summary>
     Public Async Function UnbanUserAsync(userId As ULong) As Task
+        ' TODO cache block list?
         Using db = Await _db.OpenConnectionAsync()
             Using c = db.CreateCommand()
                 c.CommandText = $"delete from {BackingTableBans} where " +
@@ -269,46 +300,60 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
         End Using
     End Function
 
-    Public Async Function UpdateRoleAsync(roleId As ULong) As Task
-        _bdayRole = roleId
-        _roleLastWarning = New DateTimeOffset
-        Await UpdateDatabaseAsync()
-    End Function
+    Public Sub UpdateRole(roleId As ULong)
+        SyncLock Me
+            _bdayRole = roleId
+            _roleLastWarning = New DateTimeOffset
+            UpdateDatabase()
+        End SyncLock
+    End Sub
 
-    Public Async Function UpdateAnnounceChannelAsync(channelId As ULong?) As Task
-        _announceCh = channelId
-        Await UpdateDatabaseAsync()
-    End Function
+    Public Sub UpdateAnnounceChannel(channelId As ULong?)
+        SyncLock Me
+            _announceCh = channelId
+            UpdateDatabase()
+        End SyncLock
+    End Sub
 
-    Public Async Function UpdateTimeZoneAsync(tzString As String) As Task
-        _tz = tzString
-        Await UpdateDatabaseAsync()
-    End Function
+    Public Sub UpdateTimeZone(tzString As String)
+        SyncLock Me
+            _tz = tzString
+            UpdateDatabase()
+        End SyncLock
+    End Sub
 
-    Public Async Function UpdateModeratedModeAsync(isModerated As Boolean) As Task
-        _moderated = isModerated
-        Await UpdateDatabaseAsync()
-    End Function
+    Public Sub UpdateModeratedMode(isModerated As Boolean)
+        SyncLock Me
+            _moderated = isModerated
+            UpdateDatabase()
+        End SyncLock
+    End Sub
 
-    Public Async Function UpdateModeratorRoleAsync(roleId As ULong?) As Task
-        _modRole = roleId
-        Await UpdateDatabaseAsync()
-    End Function
+    Public Sub UpdateModeratorRole(roleId As ULong?)
+        SyncLock Me
+            _modRole = roleId
+            UpdateDatabase()
+        End SyncLock
+    End Sub
 
-    Public Async Function UpdateAnnounceMessageAsync(message As String, plural As Boolean) As Task
-        If plural Then
-            _announceMsgPl = message
-        Else
-            _announceMsg = message
-        End If
+    Public Sub UpdateAnnounceMessage(message As String, plural As Boolean)
+        SyncLock Me
+            If plural Then
+                _announceMsgPl = message
+            Else
+                _announceMsg = message
+            End If
 
-        Await UpdateDatabaseAsync()
-    End Function
+            UpdateDatabase()
+        End SyncLock
+    End Sub
 
-    Public Async Function UpdateAnnouncePingAsync(value As Boolean) As Task
-        _announcePing = value
-        Await UpdateDatabaseAsync()
-    End Function
+    Public Sub UpdateAnnouncePing(value As Boolean)
+        SyncLock Me
+            _announcePing = value
+            UpdateDatabase()
+        End SyncLock
+    End Sub
 
 #Region "Database"
     Public Const BackingTable = "settings"
@@ -374,8 +419,8 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
     ''' Updates the backing database with values from this instance
     ''' This is a non-asynchronous operation. That may be bad.
     ''' </summary>
-    Private Async Function UpdateDatabaseAsync() As Task
-        Using db = Await _db.OpenConnectionAsync()
+    Private Sub UpdateDatabase()
+        Using db = _db.OpenConnectionAsync().GetAwaiter().GetResult()
             Using c = db.CreateCommand()
                 c.CommandText = $"update {BackingTable} set " +
                     "role_id = @RoleId, " +
@@ -433,9 +478,9 @@ Friend Class GuildStateInformation
                 End With
                 c.Parameters.Add("@AnnouncePing", NpgsqlDbType.Boolean).Value = _announcePing
                 c.Prepare()
-                Await c.ExecuteNonQueryAsync()
+                c.ExecuteNonQuery()
             End Using
         End Using
-    End Function
+    End Sub
 #End Region
 End Class
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ListingCommands.vb b/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ListingCommands.vb
index d0869f0..f185e09 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ListingCommands.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ListingCommands.vb
@@ -24,11 +24,7 @@ Class ListingCommands
     ' Creates a file with all birthdays.
     Private Async Function CmdList(param As String(), reqChannel As SocketTextChannel, reqUser As SocketGuildUser) As Task
         ' For now, we're restricting this command to moderators only. This may turn into an option later.
-        Dim reqMod As Boolean
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            reqMod = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id).IsUserModerator(reqUser)
-        End SyncLock
-        If Not reqMod Then
+        If Not Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id).IsUserModerator(reqUser) Then
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: Only bot moderators may use this command.")
             Return
         End If
@@ -126,10 +122,7 @@ Class ListingCommands
     ''' Users currently not in the guild are not included in the result.
     ''' </summary>
     Private Async Function LoadList(guild As SocketGuild, escapeFormat As Boolean) As Task(Of List(Of ListItem))
-        Dim ping As Boolean
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            ping = Instance.KnownGuilds(guild.Id).AnnouncePing
-        End SyncLock
+        Dim ping = Instance.GuildCache(guild.Id).AnnouncePing
 
         Using db = Await BotConfig.DatabaseSettings.OpenConnectionAsync()
             Using c = db.CreateCommand()
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ManagerCommands.vb b/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ManagerCommands.vb
index a392cfe..a9a852f 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ManagerCommands.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/ManagerCommands.vb
@@ -42,11 +42,7 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
     Private Async Function CmdConfigDispatch(param As String(), reqChannel As SocketTextChannel, reqUser As SocketGuildUser) As Task
         ' Ignore those without the proper permissions.
         ' Requires either the manage guild permission or to be in the moderators role
-        Dim allowed As Boolean
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            allowed = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqUser.Guild.Id).IsUserModerator(reqUser)
-        End SyncLock
-        If Not allowed Then
+        If Not Instance.GuildCache(reqUser.Guild.Id).IsUserModerator(reqUser) Then
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: This command may only be used by bot moderators.")
             Return
         End If
@@ -88,9 +84,7 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
         ElseIf role.Id = reqChannel.Guild.EveryoneRole.Id Then
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: You cannot set that as the birthday role.")
         Else
-            SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-                Instance.KnownGuilds(guild.Id).UpdateRoleAsync(role.Id).Wait()
-            End SyncLock
+            Instance.GuildCache(guild.Id).UpdateRole(role.Id)
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync($":white_check_mark: The birthday role has been set as **{role.Name}**.")
         End If
     End Function
@@ -116,9 +110,7 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
             Return
         End If
 
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id).UpdateAnnouncePingAsync(setting).Wait()
-        End SyncLock
+        Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id).UpdateAnnouncePing(setting)
         Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(result)
     End Function
 
@@ -126,18 +118,15 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
     Private Async Function ScmdChannel(param As String(), reqChannel As SocketTextChannel) As Task
         If param.Length = 1 Then
             ' No extra parameter. Unset announcement channel.
-            SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-                Dim gi = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
+            Dim gi = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
 
-                ' Extra detail: Show a unique message if a channel hadn't been set prior.
-                If Not gi.AnnounceChannelId.HasValue Then
-                    reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: There is no announcement channel set. Nothing to unset.").Wait()
-                    Return
-                End If
-
-                gi.UpdateAnnounceChannelAsync(Nothing).Wait()
-            End SyncLock
+            ' Extra detail: Show a unique message if a channel hadn't been set prior.
+            If Not gi.AnnounceChannelId.HasValue Then
+                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: There is no announcement channel set. Nothing to unset.").Wait()
+                Return
+            End If
 
+            gi.UpdateAnnounceChannel(Nothing)
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: The announcement channel has been unset.")
         Else
             ' Parameter check: This needs a channel mention to function.
@@ -156,10 +145,8 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
             End If
 
             ' Update the value
-            SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-                Dim gi = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
-                gi.UpdateAnnounceChannelAsync(chId).Wait()
-            End SyncLock
+            Dim gi = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
+            gi.UpdateAnnounceChannel(chId)
 
             ' Report the success
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync($":white_check_mark: The announcement channel is now set to <#{chId}>.")
@@ -178,9 +165,7 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
         If role Is Nothing Then
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(RoleInputError)
         Else
-            SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-                Instance.KnownGuilds(guild.Id).UpdateModeratorRoleAsync(role.Id).Wait()
-            End SyncLock
+            Instance.GuildCache(guild.Id).UpdateModeratorRole(role.Id)
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync($":white_check_mark: The moderator role is now **{role.Name}**.")
         End If
     End Function
@@ -189,17 +174,15 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
     Private Async Function ScmdZone(param As String(), reqChannel As SocketTextChannel) As Task
         If param.Length = 1 Then
             ' No extra parameter. Unset guild default time zone.
-            SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-                Dim gi = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
+            Dim gi = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
 
-                ' Extra detail: Show a unique message if there is no set zone.
-                If Not gi.AnnounceChannelId.HasValue Then
-                    reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: A default zone is not set. Nothing to unset.").Wait()
-                    Return
-                End If
+            ' Extra detail: Show a unique message if there is no set zone.
+            If Not gi.AnnounceChannelId.HasValue Then
+                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: A default zone is not set. Nothing to unset.").Wait()
+                Return
+            End If
 
-                gi.UpdateTimeZoneAsync(Nothing).Wait()
-            End SyncLock
+            gi.UpdateTimeZone(Nothing)
 
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: The default time zone preference has been removed.")
         Else
@@ -213,10 +196,7 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
             End Try
 
             ' Update value
-            SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-                Dim gi = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
-                gi.UpdateTimeZoneAsync(zone).Wait()
-            End SyncLock
+            Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id).UpdateTimeZone(zone)
 
             ' Report the success
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync($":white_check_mark: The server's time zone has been set to **{zone}**.")
@@ -238,26 +218,23 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
             Return
         End If
 
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            Dim gi = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
-            Dim isBanned = gi.IsUserBlockedAsync(inputId).GetAwaiter().GetResult()
-
-            If doBan Then
-                If Not isBanned Then
-                    gi.BlockUserAsync(inputId).Wait()
-                    reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: User has been blocked.").Wait()
-                Else
-                    reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: User is already blocked.").Wait()
-                End If
+        Dim gi = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
+        Dim isBanned = Await gi.IsUserBlockedAsync(inputId)
+        If doBan Then
+            If Not isBanned Then
+                Await gi.BlockUserAsync(inputId)
+                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: User has been blocked.").Wait()
             Else
-                If isBanned Then
-                    gi.UnbanUserAsync(inputId).Wait()
-                    reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: User is now unblocked.").Wait()
-                Else
-                    reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: The specified user has not been blocked.").Wait()
-                End If
+                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: User is already blocked.").Wait()
             End If
-        End SyncLock
+        Else
+            If isBanned Then
+                Await gi.UnbanUserAsync(inputId)
+                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: User is now unblocked.").Wait()
+            Else
+                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: The specified user has not been blocked.").Wait()
+            End If
+        End If
     End Function
 
     ' "moderated on/off" - Sets/unsets moderated mode.
@@ -278,13 +255,9 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
             Return
         End If
 
-        Dim currentSet As Boolean
-
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            Dim gi = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
-            currentSet = gi.IsModerated
-            gi.UpdateModeratedModeAsync(modSet).Wait()
-        End SyncLock
+        Dim gi = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
+        Dim currentSet = gi.IsModerated
+        gi.UpdateModeratedMode(modSet)
 
         If currentSet = modSet Then
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync($":white_check_mark: Moderated mode is already {parameter}.")
@@ -307,9 +280,7 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
             clear = True
         End If
 
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id).UpdateAnnounceMessageAsync(newmsg, plural).Wait()
-        End SyncLock
+        Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id).UpdateAnnounceMessage(newmsg, plural)
         Const report = ":white_check_mark: The {0} birthday announcement message has been {1}."
         Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(String.Format(report, If(plural, "plural", "singular"), If(clear, "reset", "updated")))
     End Function
@@ -318,9 +289,7 @@ Friend Class ManagerCommands
     ' Execute command as another user
     Private Async Function CmdOverride(param As String(), reqChannel As SocketTextChannel, reqUser As SocketGuildUser) As Task
         ' Moderators only. As with config, silently drop if this check fails.
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            If Not Instance.KnownGuilds(reqUser.Guild.Id).IsUserModerator(reqUser) Then Return
-        End SyncLock
+        If Not Instance.GuildCache(reqUser.Guild.Id).IsUserModerator(reqUser) Then Return
 
         If param.Length <> 3 Then
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(GenericError)
diff --git a/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/UserCommands.vb b/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/UserCommands.vb
index 25e7c2f..fb104b4 100644
--- a/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/UserCommands.vb
+++ b/BirthdayBot/UserInterface/UserCommands.vb
@@ -104,11 +104,9 @@ Class UserCommands
         ' Parsing successful. Update user information.
         Dim known As Boolean ' Extra detail: Bot's response changes if the user was previously unknown.
         Try
-            SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-                Dim user = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id).GetUser(reqUser.Id)
-                known = user.IsKnown
-                user.UpdateAsync(bmonth, bday, btz, BotConfig.DatabaseSettings).Wait()
-            End SyncLock
+            Dim user = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id).GetUser(reqUser.Id)
+            known = user.IsKnown
+            Await user.UpdateAsync(bmonth, bday, btz, BotConfig.DatabaseSettings)
         Catch ex As Exception
             Log("Error", ex.ToString())
             reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: An unknown error occurred. The bot owner has been notified.").Wait()
@@ -128,21 +126,20 @@ Class UserCommands
         End If
 
         Dim btz As String = Nothing
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            Dim user = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id).GetUser(reqUser.Id)
-            If Not user.IsKnown Then
-                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: Can't set your time zone if your birth date isn't registered.").Wait()
-                Return
-            End If
+        Dim user = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id).GetUser(reqUser.Id)
+        If Not user.IsKnown Then
+            Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":x: Can't set your time zone if your birth date isn't registered.")
+            Return
+        End If
+
+        Try
+            btz = ParseTimeZone(param(1))
+        Catch ex As Exception
+            reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(ex.Message).Wait()
+            Return
+        End Try
+        Await user.UpdateAsync(user.BirthMonth, user.BirthDay, btz, BotConfig.DatabaseSettings)
 
-            Try
-                btz = ParseTimeZone(param(1))
-            Catch ex As Exception
-                reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(ex.Message).Wait()
-                Return
-            End Try
-            user.UpdateAsync(user.BirthMonth, user.BirthDay, btz, BotConfig.DatabaseSettings).Wait()
-        End SyncLock
         Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync($":white_check_mark: Your time zone has been updated to **{btz}**.")
     End Function
 
@@ -155,13 +152,10 @@ Class UserCommands
 
         ' Extra detail: Send a notification if the user isn't actually known by the bot.
         Dim known As Boolean
-        SyncLock Instance.KnownGuilds
-            Dim g = Instance.KnownGuilds(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
-            known = g.GetUser(reqUser.Id).IsKnown
-            If known Then
-                g.DeleteUserAsync(reqUser.Id).Wait()
-            End If
-        End SyncLock
+        Dim g = Instance.GuildCache(reqChannel.Guild.Id)
+        known = g.GetUser(reqUser.Id).IsKnown
+        ' Delete database and cache entry
+        Await g.DeleteUserAsync(reqUser.Id)
         If Not known Then
             Await reqChannel.SendMessageAsync(":white_check_mark: I don't have your information. Nothing to remove.")
         Else