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-rw-r--r--synapse/__init__.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/_scripts/__init__.py0
-rw-r--r--synapse/_scripts/register_new_matrix_user.py215
-rw-r--r--synapse/api/auth.py37
-rw-r--r--synapse/api/constants.py13
-rw-r--r--synapse/api/errors.py25
-rw-r--r--synapse/api/filtering.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/api/urls.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/__init__.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/_base.py30
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/appservice.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/client_reader.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/event_creator.py23
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/federation_reader.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/federation_sender.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/frontend_proxy.py12
-rwxr-xr-xsynapse/app/homeserver.py75
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/media_repository.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/pusher.py29
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/synchrotron.py20
-rwxr-xr-xsynapse/app/synctl.py284
-rw-r--r--synapse/app/user_dir.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/appservice/api.py13
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/__main__.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/_base.py121
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/emailconfig.py34
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/homeserver.py5
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/jwt_config.py (renamed from synapse/config/jwt.py)0
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/logger.py17
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/registration.py14
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/repository.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/room_directory.py102
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/server.py27
-rw-r--r--synapse/crypto/context_factory.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/crypto/keyclient.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/crypto/keyring.py33
-rw-r--r--synapse/event_auth.py13
-rw-r--r--synapse/events/__init__.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/federation_base.py158
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/federation_client.py46
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/federation_server.py88
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/persistence.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/send_queue.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/transaction_queue.py75
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/transport/client.py26
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/transport/server.py34
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/appservice.py17
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/auth.py26
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/directory.py105
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py7
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py289
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/federation.py417
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/groups_local.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/message.py47
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/pagination.py24
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/profile.py36
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/receipts.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/register.py34
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room.py27
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room_list.py13
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room_member.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/search.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/sync.py293
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/typing.py23
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/user_directory.py18
-rw-r--r--synapse/http/__init__.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/http/client.py96
-rw-r--r--synapse/http/endpoint.py13
-rw-r--r--synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py610
-rw-r--r--synapse/http/request_metrics.py66
-rw-r--r--synapse/http/server.py49
-rw-r--r--synapse/http/site.py40
-rw-r--r--synapse/metrics/__init__.py108
-rw-r--r--synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py36
-rw-r--r--synapse/notifier.py35
-rw-r--r--synapse/push/emailpusher.py67
-rw-r--r--synapse/push/httppusher.py73
-rw-r--r--synapse/push/mailer.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/push/pusherpool.py135
-rw-r--r--synapse/python_dependencies.py57
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py9
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py16
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/slave/storage/keys.py14
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/tcp/protocol.py24
-rw-r--r--synapse/replication/tcp/streams.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/mail-Vector.css7
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/mail.css156
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/notif.html45
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/notif.txt16
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.html55
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.txt10
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/room.html33
-rw-r--r--synapse/res/templates/room.txt9
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/__init__.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py9
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py37
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py12
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py44
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py24
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/pusher.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py19
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v1_only/register.py11
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py16
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/auth.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/room_keys.py372
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/sync.py53
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/thirdparty.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/key/v1/server_key_resource.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/key/v2/__init__.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/key/v2/remote_key_resource.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v0/content_repository.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v1/_base.py30
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v1/download_resource.py13
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v1/media_repository.py53
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v1/media_storage.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py20
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/media/v1/storage_provider.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/server.py27
-rw-r--r--synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py203
-rw-r--r--synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py41
-rw-r--r--synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py33
-rw-r--r--synapse/state/__init__.py (renamed from synapse/state.py)382
-rw-r--r--synapse/state/v1.py303
-rw-r--r--synapse/state/v2.py544
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/__init__.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/_base.py34
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/client_ips.py34
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/deviceinbox.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/devices.py10
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/directory.py3
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/e2e_room_keys.py320
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/end_to_end_keys.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py9
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/event_federation.py38
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/events.py209
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/events_worker.py9
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/filtering.py6
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/keys.py3
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/monthly_active_users.py104
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/profile.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/pusher.py14
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/registration.py65
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/room.py58
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/roommember.py65
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/schema/delta/51/e2e_room_keys.sql39
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/signatures.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/state.py903
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/stream.py16
-rw-r--r--synapse/storage/transactions.py40
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/__init__.py56
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/async_helpers.py64
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/caches/__init__.py27
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py40
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py4
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/logcontext.py161
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/manhole.py50
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/metrics.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/retryutils.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/visibility.py30
167 files changed, 6911 insertions, 2810 deletions
diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index e62901b761..89ea9a9775 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -17,4 +17,14 @@
 """ This is a reference implementation of a Matrix home server.
 """
 
-__version__ = "0.33.3"
+try:
+    from twisted.internet import protocol
+    from twisted.internet.protocol import Factory
+    from twisted.names.dns import DNSDatagramProtocol
+    protocol.Factory.noisy = False
+    Factory.noisy = False
+    DNSDatagramProtocol.noisy = False
+except ImportError:
+    pass
+
+__version__ = "0.33.8"
diff --git a/synapse/_scripts/__init__.py b/synapse/_scripts/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e69de29bb2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/_scripts/__init__.py
diff --git a/synapse/_scripts/register_new_matrix_user.py b/synapse/_scripts/register_new_matrix_user.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..70cecde486
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/_scripts/register_new_matrix_user.py
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2015, 2016 OpenMarket Ltd
+# Copyright 2018 New Vector
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+from __future__ import print_function
+
+import argparse
+import getpass
+import hashlib
+import hmac
+import logging
+import sys
+
+from six.moves import input
+
+import requests as _requests
+import yaml
+
+
+def request_registration(
+    user,
+    password,
+    server_location,
+    shared_secret,
+    admin=False,
+    requests=_requests,
+    _print=print,
+    exit=sys.exit,
+):
+
+    url = "%s/_matrix/client/r0/admin/register" % (server_location,)
+
+    # Get the nonce
+    r = requests.get(url, verify=False)
+
+    if r.status_code is not 200:
+        _print("ERROR! Received %d %s" % (r.status_code, r.reason))
+        if 400 <= r.status_code < 500:
+            try:
+                _print(r.json()["error"])
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+        return exit(1)
+
+    nonce = r.json()["nonce"]
+
+    mac = hmac.new(key=shared_secret.encode('utf8'), digestmod=hashlib.sha1)
+
+    mac.update(nonce.encode('utf8'))
+    mac.update(b"\x00")
+    mac.update(user.encode('utf8'))
+    mac.update(b"\x00")
+    mac.update(password.encode('utf8'))
+    mac.update(b"\x00")
+    mac.update(b"admin" if admin else b"notadmin")
+
+    mac = mac.hexdigest()
+
+    data = {
+        "nonce": nonce,
+        "username": user,
+        "password": password,
+        "mac": mac,
+        "admin": admin,
+    }
+
+    _print("Sending registration request...")
+    r = requests.post(url, json=data, verify=False)
+
+    if r.status_code is not 200:
+        _print("ERROR! Received %d %s" % (r.status_code, r.reason))
+        if 400 <= r.status_code < 500:
+            try:
+                _print(r.json()["error"])
+            except Exception:
+                pass
+        return exit(1)
+
+    _print("Success!")
+
+
+def register_new_user(user, password, server_location, shared_secret, admin):
+    if not user:
+        try:
+            default_user = getpass.getuser()
+        except Exception:
+            default_user = None
+
+        if default_user:
+            user = input("New user localpart [%s]: " % (default_user,))
+            if not user:
+                user = default_user
+        else:
+            user = input("New user localpart: ")
+
+    if not user:
+        print("Invalid user name")
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    if not password:
+        password = getpass.getpass("Password: ")
+
+        if not password:
+            print("Password cannot be blank.")
+            sys.exit(1)
+
+        confirm_password = getpass.getpass("Confirm password: ")
+
+        if password != confirm_password:
+            print("Passwords do not match")
+            sys.exit(1)
+
+    if admin is None:
+        admin = input("Make admin [no]: ")
+        if admin in ("y", "yes", "true"):
+            admin = True
+        else:
+            admin = False
+
+    request_registration(user, password, server_location, shared_secret, bool(admin))
+
+
+def main():
+
+    logging.captureWarnings(True)
+
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description="Used to register new users with a given home server when"
+        " registration has been disabled. The home server must be"
+        " configured with the 'registration_shared_secret' option"
+        " set."
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "-u",
+        "--user",
+        default=None,
+        help="Local part of the new user. Will prompt if omitted.",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "-p",
+        "--password",
+        default=None,
+        help="New password for user. Will prompt if omitted.",
+    )
+    admin_group = parser.add_mutually_exclusive_group()
+    admin_group.add_argument(
+        "-a",
+        "--admin",
+        action="store_true",
+        help=(
+            "Register new user as an admin. "
+            "Will prompt if --no-admin is not set either."
+        ),
+    )
+    admin_group.add_argument(
+        "--no-admin",
+        action="store_true",
+        help=(
+            "Register new user as a regular user. "
+            "Will prompt if --admin is not set either."
+        ),
+    )
+
+    group = parser.add_mutually_exclusive_group(required=True)
+    group.add_argument(
+        "-c",
+        "--config",
+        type=argparse.FileType('r'),
+        help="Path to server config file. Used to read in shared secret.",
+    )
+
+    group.add_argument(
+        "-k", "--shared-secret", help="Shared secret as defined in server config file."
+    )
+
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "server_url",
+        default="https://localhost:8448",
+        nargs='?',
+        help="URL to use to talk to the home server. Defaults to "
+        " 'https://localhost:8448'.",
+    )
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if "config" in args and args.config:
+        config = yaml.safe_load(args.config)
+        secret = config.get("registration_shared_secret", None)
+        if not secret:
+            print("No 'registration_shared_secret' defined in config.")
+            sys.exit(1)
+    else:
+        secret = args.shared_secret
+
+    admin = None
+    if args.admin or args.no_admin:
+        admin = args.admin
+
+    register_new_user(args.user, args.password, args.server_url, secret, admin)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/synapse/api/auth.py b/synapse/api/auth.py
index 6502a6be7b..34382e4e3c 100644
--- a/synapse/api/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/api/auth.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import synapse.types
 from synapse import event_auth
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, JoinRules, Membership
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, Codes, ResourceLimitError
+from synapse.config.server import is_threepid_reserved
 from synapse.types import UserID
 from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR, register_cache
 from synapse.util.caches.lrucache import LruCache
@@ -775,34 +776,56 @@ class Auth(object):
             )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def check_auth_blocking(self, user_id=None):
+    def check_auth_blocking(self, user_id=None, threepid=None):
         """Checks if the user should be rejected for some external reason,
         such as monthly active user limiting or global disable flag
 
         Args:
             user_id(str|None): If present, checks for presence against existing
             MAU cohort
+
+            threepid(dict|None): If present, checks for presence against configured
+            reserved threepid. Used in cases where the user is trying register
+            with a MAU blocked server, normally they would be rejected but their
+            threepid is on the reserved list. user_id and
+            threepid should never be set at the same time.
         """
+
+        # Never fail an auth check for the server notices users
+        # This can be a problem where event creation is prohibited due to blocking
+        if user_id == self.hs.config.server_notices_mxid:
+            return
+
         if self.hs.config.hs_disabled:
             raise ResourceLimitError(
                 403, self.hs.config.hs_disabled_message,
-                errcode=Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEED,
-                admin_uri=self.hs.config.admin_uri,
+                errcode=Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED,
+                admin_contact=self.hs.config.admin_contact,
                 limit_type=self.hs.config.hs_disabled_limit_type
             )
         if self.hs.config.limit_usage_by_mau is True:
-            # If the user is already part of the MAU cohort
+            assert not (user_id and threepid)
+
+            # If the user is already part of the MAU cohort or a trial user
             if user_id:
                 timestamp = yield self.store.user_last_seen_monthly_active(user_id)
                 if timestamp:
                     return
+
+                is_trial = yield self.store.is_trial_user(user_id)
+                if is_trial:
+                    return
+            elif threepid:
+                # If the user does not exist yet, but is signing up with a
+                # reserved threepid then pass auth check
+                if is_threepid_reserved(self.hs.config, threepid):
+                    return
             # Else if there is no room in the MAU bucket, bail
             current_mau = yield self.store.get_monthly_active_count()
             if current_mau >= self.hs.config.max_mau_value:
                 raise ResourceLimitError(
                     403, "Monthly Active User Limit Exceeded",
-
-                    admin_uri=self.hs.config.admin_uri,
-                    errcode=Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEED,
+                    admin_contact=self.hs.config.admin_contact,
+                    errcode=Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED,
                     limit_type="monthly_active_user"
                 )
diff --git a/synapse/api/constants.py b/synapse/api/constants.py
index 9d244059fc..9ad1939ed5 100644
--- a/synapse/api/constants.py
+++ b/synapse/api/constants.py
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ class EventTypes(object):
     Name = "m.room.name"
 
     ServerACL = "m.room.server_acl"
+    Pinned = "m.room.pinned_events"
 
 
 class RejectedReason(object):
@@ -98,9 +99,17 @@ class ThirdPartyEntityKind(object):
     LOCATION = "location"
 
 
+class RoomVersions(object):
+    V1 = "1"
+    VDH_TEST = "vdh-test-version"
+
+
 # the version we will give rooms which are created on this server
-DEFAULT_ROOM_VERSION = "1"
+DEFAULT_ROOM_VERSION = RoomVersions.V1
 
 # vdh-test-version is a placeholder to get room versioning support working and tested
 # until we have a working v2.
-KNOWN_ROOM_VERSIONS = {"1", "vdh-test-version"}
+KNOWN_ROOM_VERSIONS = {RoomVersions.V1, RoomVersions.VDH_TEST}
+
+ServerNoticeMsgType = "m.server_notice"
+ServerNoticeLimitReached = "m.server_notice.usage_limit_reached"
diff --git a/synapse/api/errors.py b/synapse/api/errors.py
index e26001ab12..48b903374d 100644
--- a/synapse/api/errors.py
+++ b/synapse/api/errors.py
@@ -56,9 +56,10 @@ class Codes(object):
     SERVER_NOT_TRUSTED = "M_SERVER_NOT_TRUSTED"
     CONSENT_NOT_GIVEN = "M_CONSENT_NOT_GIVEN"
     CANNOT_LEAVE_SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM = "M_CANNOT_LEAVE_SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM"
-    RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEED = "M_RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEED"
+    RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED = "M_RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED"
     UNSUPPORTED_ROOM_VERSION = "M_UNSUPPORTED_ROOM_VERSION"
     INCOMPATIBLE_ROOM_VERSION = "M_INCOMPATIBLE_ROOM_VERSION"
+    WRONG_ROOM_KEYS_VERSION = "M_WRONG_ROOM_KEYS_VERSION"
 
 
 class CodeMessageException(RuntimeError):
@@ -238,11 +239,11 @@ class ResourceLimitError(SynapseError):
     """
     def __init__(
         self, code, msg,
-        errcode=Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEED,
-        admin_uri=None,
+        errcode=Codes.RESOURCE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED,
+        admin_contact=None,
         limit_type=None,
     ):
-        self.admin_uri = admin_uri
+        self.admin_contact = admin_contact
         self.limit_type = limit_type
         super(ResourceLimitError, self).__init__(code, msg, errcode=errcode)
 
@@ -250,7 +251,7 @@ class ResourceLimitError(SynapseError):
         return cs_error(
             self.msg,
             self.errcode,
-            admin_uri=self.admin_uri,
+            admin_contact=self.admin_contact,
             limit_type=self.limit_type
         )
 
@@ -312,6 +313,20 @@ class LimitExceededError(SynapseError):
         )
 
 
+class RoomKeysVersionError(SynapseError):
+    """A client has tried to upload to a non-current version of the room_keys store
+    """
+    def __init__(self, current_version):
+        """
+        Args:
+            current_version (str): the current version of the store they should have used
+        """
+        super(RoomKeysVersionError, self).__init__(
+            403, "Wrong room_keys version", Codes.WRONG_ROOM_KEYS_VERSION
+        )
+        self.current_version = current_version
+
+
 class IncompatibleRoomVersionError(SynapseError):
     """A server is trying to join a room whose version it does not support."""
 
diff --git a/synapse/api/filtering.py b/synapse/api/filtering.py
index 186831e118..677c0bdd4c 100644
--- a/synapse/api/filtering.py
+++ b/synapse/api/filtering.py
@@ -172,7 +172,10 @@ USER_FILTER_SCHEMA = {
                 # events a lot easier as we can then use a negative lookbehind
                 # assertion to split '\.' If we allowed \\ then it would
                 # incorrectly split '\\.' See synapse.events.utils.serialize_event
-                "pattern": "^((?!\\\).)*$"
+                #
+                # Note that because this is a regular expression, we have to escape
+                # each backslash in the pattern.
+                "pattern": r"^((?!\\\\).)*$"
             }
         }
     },
@@ -226,7 +229,7 @@ class Filtering(object):
             jsonschema.validate(user_filter_json, USER_FILTER_SCHEMA,
                                 format_checker=FormatChecker())
         except jsonschema.ValidationError as e:
-            raise SynapseError(400, e.message)
+            raise SynapseError(400, str(e))
 
 
 class FilterCollection(object):
@@ -251,6 +254,7 @@ class FilterCollection(object):
             "include_leave", False
         )
         self.event_fields = filter_json.get("event_fields", [])
+        self.event_format = filter_json.get("event_format", "client")
 
     def __repr__(self):
         return "<FilterCollection %s>" % (json.dumps(self._filter_json),)
diff --git a/synapse/api/urls.py b/synapse/api/urls.py
index 71347912f1..6d9f1ca0ef 100644
--- a/synapse/api/urls.py
+++ b/synapse/api/urls.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class ConsentURIBuilder(object):
         """
         mac = hmac.new(
             key=self._hmac_secret,
-            msg=user_id,
+            msg=user_id.encode('ascii'),
             digestmod=sha256,
         ).hexdigest()
         consent_uri = "%s_matrix/consent?%s" % (
diff --git a/synapse/app/__init__.py b/synapse/app/__init__.py
index 3b6b9368b8..c3afcc573b 100644
--- a/synapse/app/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/app/__init__.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ try:
     python_dependencies.check_requirements()
 except python_dependencies.MissingRequirementError as e:
     message = "\n".join([
-        "Missing Requirement: %s" % (e.message,),
+        "Missing Requirement: %s" % (str(e),),
         "To install run:",
         "    pip install --upgrade --force \"%s\"" % (e.dependency,),
         "",
diff --git a/synapse/app/_base.py b/synapse/app/_base.py
index 7c866e246a..18584226e9 100644
--- a/synapse/app/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/app/_base.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import gc
 import logging
 import sys
 
+import psutil
 from daemonize import Daemonize
 
 from twisted.internet import error, reactor
@@ -24,12 +25,6 @@ from twisted.internet import error, reactor
 from synapse.util import PreserveLoggingContext
 from synapse.util.rlimit import change_resource_limit
 
-try:
-    import affinity
-except Exception:
-    affinity = None
-
-
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
@@ -89,15 +84,20 @@ def start_reactor(
         with PreserveLoggingContext():
             logger.info("Running")
             if cpu_affinity is not None:
-                if not affinity:
-                    quit_with_error(
-                        "Missing package 'affinity' required for cpu_affinity\n"
-                        "option\n\n"
-                        "Install by running:\n\n"
-                        "   pip install affinity\n\n"
-                    )
-                logger.info("Setting CPU affinity to %s" % cpu_affinity)
-                affinity.set_process_affinity_mask(0, cpu_affinity)
+                # Turn the bitmask into bits, reverse it so we go from 0 up
+                mask_to_bits = bin(cpu_affinity)[2:][::-1]
+
+                cpus = []
+                cpu_num = 0
+
+                for i in mask_to_bits:
+                    if i == "1":
+                        cpus.append(cpu_num)
+                    cpu_num += 1
+
+                p = psutil.Process()
+                p.cpu_affinity(cpus)
+
             change_resource_limit(soft_file_limit)
             if gc_thresholds:
                 gc.set_threshold(*gc_thresholds)
diff --git a/synapse/app/appservice.py b/synapse/app/appservice.py
index 3348a8ec6d..8559e141af 100644
--- a/synapse/app/appservice.py
+++ b/synapse/app/appservice.py
@@ -51,10 +51,7 @@ class AppserviceSlaveStore(
 
 
 class AppserviceServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = AppserviceSlaveStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = AppserviceSlaveStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -139,7 +136,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse appservice", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.appservice"
@@ -175,7 +172,6 @@ def start(config_options):
 
     def start():
         ps.get_datastore().start_profiling()
-        ps.get_state_handler().start_caching()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
 
diff --git a/synapse/app/client_reader.py b/synapse/app/client_reader.py
index ab79a45646..76aed8c60a 100644
--- a/synapse/app/client_reader.py
+++ b/synapse/app/client_reader.py
@@ -74,10 +74,7 @@ class ClientReaderSlavedStore(
 
 
 class ClientReaderServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = ClientReaderSlavedStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = ClientReaderSlavedStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -156,7 +153,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse client reader", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.client_reader"
@@ -184,7 +181,6 @@ def start(config_options):
     ss.start_listening(config.worker_listeners)
 
     def start():
-        ss.get_state_handler().start_caching()
         ss.get_datastore().start_profiling()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
diff --git a/synapse/app/event_creator.py b/synapse/app/event_creator.py
index 03d39968a8..e4a68715aa 100644
--- a/synapse/app/event_creator.py
+++ b/synapse/app/event_creator.py
@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ from synapse.replication.slave.storage.registration import SlavedRegistrationSto
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.room import RoomStore
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.transactions import SlavedTransactionStore
 from synapse.replication.tcp.client import ReplicationClientHandler
+from synapse.rest.client.v1.profile import (
+    ProfileAvatarURLRestServlet,
+    ProfileDisplaynameRestServlet,
+    ProfileRestServlet,
+)
 from synapse.rest.client.v1.room import (
     JoinRoomAliasServlet,
     RoomMembershipRestServlet,
@@ -53,6 +58,7 @@ from synapse.rest.client.v1.room import (
 )
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.storage.engines import create_engine
+from synapse.storage.user_directory import UserDirectoryStore
 from synapse.util.httpresourcetree import create_resource_tree
 from synapse.util.logcontext import LoggingContext
 from synapse.util.manhole import manhole
@@ -62,6 +68,9 @@ logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.app.event_creator")
 
 
 class EventCreatorSlavedStore(
+    # FIXME(#3714): We need to add UserDirectoryStore as we write directly
+    # rather than going via the correct worker.
+    UserDirectoryStore,
     DirectoryStore,
     SlavedTransactionStore,
     SlavedProfileStore,
@@ -81,10 +90,7 @@ class EventCreatorSlavedStore(
 
 
 class EventCreatorServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = EventCreatorSlavedStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = EventCreatorSlavedStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -101,6 +107,9 @@ class EventCreatorServer(HomeServer):
                     RoomMembershipRestServlet(self).register(resource)
                     RoomStateEventRestServlet(self).register(resource)
                     JoinRoomAliasServlet(self).register(resource)
+                    ProfileAvatarURLRestServlet(self).register(resource)
+                    ProfileDisplaynameRestServlet(self).register(resource)
+                    ProfileRestServlet(self).register(resource)
                     resources.update({
                         "/_matrix/client/r0": resource,
                         "/_matrix/client/unstable": resource,
@@ -160,7 +169,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse event creator", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.event_creator"
@@ -169,6 +178,9 @@ def start(config_options):
 
     setup_logging(config, use_worker_options=True)
 
+    # This should only be done on the user directory worker or the master
+    config.update_user_directory = False
+
     events.USE_FROZEN_DICTS = config.use_frozen_dicts
 
     database_engine = create_engine(config.database_config)
@@ -190,7 +202,6 @@ def start(config_options):
     ss.start_listening(config.worker_listeners)
 
     def start():
-        ss.get_state_handler().start_caching()
         ss.get_datastore().start_profiling()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
diff --git a/synapse/app/federation_reader.py b/synapse/app/federation_reader.py
index 7d8105778d..228a297fb8 100644
--- a/synapse/app/federation_reader.py
+++ b/synapse/app/federation_reader.py
@@ -72,10 +72,7 @@ class FederationReaderSlavedStore(
 
 
 class FederationReaderServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = FederationReaderSlavedStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = FederationReaderSlavedStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -143,7 +140,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse federation reader", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.federation_reader"
@@ -171,7 +168,6 @@ def start(config_options):
     ss.start_listening(config.worker_listeners)
 
     def start():
-        ss.get_state_handler().start_caching()
         ss.get_datastore().start_profiling()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
diff --git a/synapse/app/federation_sender.py b/synapse/app/federation_sender.py
index d59007099b..e9a99d76e1 100644
--- a/synapse/app/federation_sender.py
+++ b/synapse/app/federation_sender.py
@@ -78,10 +78,7 @@ class FederationSenderSlaveStore(
 
 
 class FederationSenderServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = FederationSenderSlaveStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = FederationSenderSlaveStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -163,7 +160,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse federation sender", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.federation_sender"
@@ -204,7 +201,6 @@ def start(config_options):
 
     def start():
         ps.get_datastore().start_profiling()
-        ps.get_state_handler().start_caching()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
     _base.start_worker_reactor("synapse-federation-sender", config)
diff --git a/synapse/app/frontend_proxy.py b/synapse/app/frontend_proxy.py
index 8d484c1cd4..f5c61dec5b 100644
--- a/synapse/app/frontend_proxy.py
+++ b/synapse/app/frontend_proxy.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class PresenceStatusStubServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             "Authorization": auth_headers,
         }
         result = yield self.http_client.get_json(
-            self.main_uri + request.uri,
+            self.main_uri + request.uri.decode('ascii'),
             headers=headers,
         )
         defer.returnValue((200, result))
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class KeyUploadServlet(RestServlet):
                 "Authorization": auth_headers,
             }
             result = yield self.http_client.post_json_get_json(
-                self.main_uri + request.uri,
+                self.main_uri + request.uri.decode('ascii'),
                 body,
                 headers=headers,
             )
@@ -148,10 +148,7 @@ class FrontendProxySlavedStore(
 
 
 class FrontendProxyServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = FrontendProxySlavedStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = FrontendProxySlavedStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -231,7 +228,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse frontend proxy", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.frontend_proxy"
@@ -261,7 +258,6 @@ def start(config_options):
     ss.start_listening(config.worker_listeners)
 
     def start():
-        ss.get_state_handler().start_caching()
         ss.get_datastore().start_profiling()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
diff --git a/synapse/app/homeserver.py b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
index 005921dcf7..593e1e75db 100755
--- a/synapse/app/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import sys
 
 from six import iteritems
 
+import psutil
 from prometheus_client import Gauge
 
 from twisted.application import service
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ from synapse.rest.key.v1.server_key_resource import LocalKey
 from synapse.rest.key.v2 import KeyApiV2Resource
 from synapse.rest.media.v0.content_repository import ContentRepoResource
 from synapse.server import HomeServer
-from synapse.storage import are_all_users_on_domain
+from synapse.storage import DataStore, are_all_users_on_domain
 from synapse.storage.engines import IncorrectDatabaseSetup, create_engine
 from synapse.storage.prepare_database import UpgradeDatabaseException, prepare_database
 from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
@@ -111,6 +112,8 @@ def build_resource_for_web_client(hs):
 
 
 class SynapseHomeServer(HomeServer):
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = DataStore
+
     def _listener_http(self, config, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
         bind_addresses = listener_config["bind_addresses"]
@@ -299,12 +302,16 @@ class SynapseHomeServer(HomeServer):
         try:
             database_engine.check_database(db_conn.cursor())
         except IncorrectDatabaseSetup as e:
-            quit_with_error(e.message)
+            quit_with_error(str(e))
 
 
 # Gauges to expose monthly active user control metrics
 current_mau_gauge = Gauge("synapse_admin_mau:current", "Current MAU")
 max_mau_gauge = Gauge("synapse_admin_mau:max", "MAU Limit")
+registered_reserved_users_mau_gauge = Gauge(
+    "synapse_admin_mau:registered_reserved_users",
+    "Registered users with reserved threepids"
+)
 
 
 def setup(config_options):
@@ -322,7 +329,7 @@ def setup(config_options):
             config_options,
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     if not config:
@@ -356,13 +363,13 @@ def setup(config_options):
     logger.info("Preparing database: %s...", config.database_config['name'])
 
     try:
-        db_conn = hs.get_db_conn(run_new_connection=False)
-        prepare_database(db_conn, database_engine, config=config)
-        database_engine.on_new_connection(db_conn)
+        with hs.get_db_conn(run_new_connection=False) as db_conn:
+            prepare_database(db_conn, database_engine, config=config)
+            database_engine.on_new_connection(db_conn)
 
-        hs.run_startup_checks(db_conn, database_engine)
+            hs.run_startup_checks(db_conn, database_engine)
 
-        db_conn.commit()
+            db_conn.commit()
     except UpgradeDatabaseException:
         sys.stderr.write(
             "\nFailed to upgrade database.\n"
@@ -378,10 +385,8 @@ def setup(config_options):
 
     def start():
         hs.get_pusherpool().start()
-        hs.get_state_handler().start_caching()
         hs.get_datastore().start_profiling()
         hs.get_datastore().start_doing_background_updates()
-        hs.get_federation_client().start_get_pdu_cache()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
 
@@ -451,6 +456,10 @@ def run(hs):
         stats["homeserver"] = hs.config.server_name
         stats["timestamp"] = now
         stats["uptime_seconds"] = uptime
+        version = sys.version_info
+        stats["python_version"] = "{}.{}.{}".format(
+            version.major, version.minor, version.micro
+        )
         stats["total_users"] = yield hs.get_datastore().count_all_users()
 
         total_nonbridged_users = yield hs.get_datastore().count_nonbridged_users()
@@ -494,7 +503,6 @@ def run(hs):
 
     def performance_stats_init():
         try:
-            import psutil
             process = psutil.Process()
             # Ensure we can fetch both, and make the initial request for cpu_percent
             # so the next request will use this as the initial point.
@@ -502,12 +510,9 @@ def run(hs):
             process.cpu_percent(interval=None)
             logger.info("report_stats can use psutil")
             stats_process.append(process)
-        except (ImportError, AttributeError):
-            logger.warn(
-                "report_stats enabled but psutil is not installed or incorrect version."
-                " Disabling reporting of memory/cpu stats."
-                " Ensuring psutil is available will help matrix.org track performance"
-                " changes across releases."
+        except (AttributeError):
+            logger.warning(
+                "Unable to read memory/cpu stats. Disabling reporting."
             )
 
     def generate_user_daily_visit_stats():
@@ -522,25 +527,35 @@ def run(hs):
     clock.looping_call(generate_user_daily_visit_stats, 5 * 60 * 1000)
 
     # monthly active user limiting functionality
-    clock.looping_call(
-        hs.get_datastore().reap_monthly_active_users, 1000 * 60 * 60
-    )
-    hs.get_datastore().reap_monthly_active_users()
+    def reap_monthly_active_users():
+        return run_as_background_process(
+            "reap_monthly_active_users",
+            hs.get_datastore().reap_monthly_active_users,
+        )
+    clock.looping_call(reap_monthly_active_users, 1000 * 60 * 60)
+    reap_monthly_active_users()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def generate_monthly_active_users():
-        count = 0
+        current_mau_count = 0
+        reserved_count = 0
+        store = hs.get_datastore()
         if hs.config.limit_usage_by_mau:
-            count = yield hs.get_datastore().get_monthly_active_count()
-        current_mau_gauge.set(float(count))
+            current_mau_count = yield store.get_monthly_active_count()
+            reserved_count = yield store.get_registered_reserved_users_count()
+        current_mau_gauge.set(float(current_mau_count))
+        registered_reserved_users_mau_gauge.set(float(reserved_count))
         max_mau_gauge.set(float(hs.config.max_mau_value))
 
-    hs.get_datastore().initialise_reserved_users(
-        hs.config.mau_limits_reserved_threepids
-    )
-    generate_monthly_active_users()
+    def start_generate_monthly_active_users():
+        return run_as_background_process(
+            "generate_monthly_active_users",
+            generate_monthly_active_users,
+        )
+
+    start_generate_monthly_active_users()
     if hs.config.limit_usage_by_mau:
-        clock.looping_call(generate_monthly_active_users, 5 * 60 * 1000)
+        clock.looping_call(start_generate_monthly_active_users, 5 * 60 * 1000)
     # End of monthly active user settings
 
     if hs.config.report_stats:
@@ -556,7 +571,7 @@ def run(hs):
         clock.call_later(5 * 60, start_phone_stats_home)
 
     if hs.config.daemonize and hs.config.print_pidfile:
-        print (hs.config.pid_file)
+        print(hs.config.pid_file)
 
     _base.start_reactor(
         "synapse-homeserver",
diff --git a/synapse/app/media_repository.py b/synapse/app/media_repository.py
index fd1f6cbf7e..acc0487adc 100644
--- a/synapse/app/media_repository.py
+++ b/synapse/app/media_repository.py
@@ -60,10 +60,7 @@ class MediaRepositorySlavedStore(
 
 
 class MediaRepositoryServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = MediaRepositorySlavedStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = MediaRepositorySlavedStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -136,7 +133,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse media repository", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.media_repository"
@@ -171,7 +168,6 @@ def start(config_options):
     ss.start_listening(config.worker_listeners)
 
     def start():
-        ss.get_state_handler().start_caching()
         ss.get_datastore().start_profiling()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
diff --git a/synapse/app/pusher.py b/synapse/app/pusher.py
index a4fc7e91fa..83b0863f00 100644
--- a/synapse/app/pusher.py
+++ b/synapse/app/pusher.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from synapse.config.logger import setup_logging
 from synapse.http.site import SynapseSite
 from synapse.metrics import RegistryProxy
 from synapse.metrics.resource import METRICS_PREFIX, MetricsResource
+from synapse.replication.slave.storage._base import __func__
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.account_data import SlavedAccountDataStore
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.events import SlavedEventStore
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.pushers import SlavedPusherStore
@@ -49,39 +50,36 @@ class PusherSlaveStore(
     SlavedAccountDataStore
 ):
     update_pusher_last_stream_ordering_and_success = (
-        DataStore.update_pusher_last_stream_ordering_and_success.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore.update_pusher_last_stream_ordering_and_success)
     )
 
     update_pusher_failing_since = (
-        DataStore.update_pusher_failing_since.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore.update_pusher_failing_since)
     )
 
     update_pusher_last_stream_ordering = (
-        DataStore.update_pusher_last_stream_ordering.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore.update_pusher_last_stream_ordering)
     )
 
     get_throttle_params_by_room = (
-        DataStore.get_throttle_params_by_room.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore.get_throttle_params_by_room)
     )
 
     set_throttle_params = (
-        DataStore.set_throttle_params.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore.set_throttle_params)
     )
 
     get_time_of_last_push_action_before = (
-        DataStore.get_time_of_last_push_action_before.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore.get_time_of_last_push_action_before)
     )
 
     get_profile_displayname = (
-        DataStore.get_profile_displayname.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore.get_profile_displayname)
     )
 
 
 class PusherServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = PusherSlaveStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = PusherSlaveStore
 
     def remove_pusher(self, app_id, push_key, user_id):
         self.get_tcp_replication().send_remove_pusher(app_id, push_key, user_id)
@@ -163,11 +161,11 @@ class PusherReplicationHandler(ReplicationClientHandler):
                     else:
                         yield self.start_pusher(row.user_id, row.app_id, row.pushkey)
             elif stream_name == "events":
-                self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(
+                yield self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(
                     token, token,
                 )
             elif stream_name == "receipts":
-                self.pusher_pool.on_new_receipts(
+                yield self.pusher_pool.on_new_receipts(
                     token, token, set(row.room_id for row in rows)
                 )
         except Exception:
@@ -185,7 +183,7 @@ class PusherReplicationHandler(ReplicationClientHandler):
     def start_pusher(self, user_id, app_id, pushkey):
         key = "%s:%s" % (app_id, pushkey)
         logger.info("Starting pusher %r / %r", user_id, key)
-        return self.pusher_pool._refresh_pusher(app_id, pushkey, user_id)
+        return self.pusher_pool.start_pusher_by_id(app_id, pushkey, user_id)
 
 
 def start(config_options):
@@ -194,7 +192,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse pusher", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.pusher"
@@ -231,7 +229,6 @@ def start(config_options):
     def start():
         ps.get_pusherpool().start()
         ps.get_datastore().start_profiling()
-        ps.get_state_handler().start_caching()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
 
diff --git a/synapse/app/synchrotron.py b/synapse/app/synchrotron.py
index 27e1998660..3926c7f263 100644
--- a/synapse/app/synchrotron.py
+++ b/synapse/app/synchrotron.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from synapse.http.server import JsonResource
 from synapse.http.site import SynapseSite
 from synapse.metrics import RegistryProxy
 from synapse.metrics.resource import METRICS_PREFIX, MetricsResource
-from synapse.replication.slave.storage._base import BaseSlavedStore
+from synapse.replication.slave.storage._base import BaseSlavedStore, __func__
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.account_data import SlavedAccountDataStore
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.appservice import SlavedApplicationServiceStore
 from synapse.replication.slave.storage.client_ips import SlavedClientIpStore
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ class SynchrotronPresence(object):
         and haven't come back yet. If there are poke the master about them.
         """
         now = self.clock.time_msec()
-        for user_id, last_sync_ms in self.users_going_offline.items():
+        for user_id, last_sync_ms in list(self.users_going_offline.items()):
             if now - last_sync_ms > 10 * 1000:
                 self.users_going_offline.pop(user_id, None)
                 self.send_user_sync(user_id, False, last_sync_ms)
@@ -156,9 +156,9 @@ class SynchrotronPresence(object):
         # TODO Hows this supposed to work?
         pass
 
-    get_states = PresenceHandler.get_states.__func__
-    get_state = PresenceHandler.get_state.__func__
-    current_state_for_users = PresenceHandler.current_state_for_users.__func__
+    get_states = __func__(PresenceHandler.get_states)
+    get_state = __func__(PresenceHandler.get_state)
+    current_state_for_users = __func__(PresenceHandler.current_state_for_users)
 
     def user_syncing(self, user_id, affect_presence):
         if affect_presence:
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class SynchrotronPresence(object):
         ) for row in rows]
 
         for state in states:
-            self.user_to_current_state[row.user_id] = state
+            self.user_to_current_state[state.user_id] = state
 
         stream_id = token
         yield self.notify_from_replication(states, stream_id)
@@ -249,10 +249,7 @@ class SynchrotronApplicationService(object):
 
 
 class SynchrotronServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = SynchrotronSlavedStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = SynchrotronSlavedStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -413,7 +410,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse synchrotron", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.synchrotron"
@@ -438,7 +435,6 @@ def start(config_options):
 
     def start():
         ss.get_datastore().start_profiling()
-        ss.get_state_handler().start_caching()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
 
diff --git a/synapse/app/synctl.py b/synapse/app/synctl.py
deleted file mode 100755
index d658f967ba..0000000000
--- a/synapse/app/synctl.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,284 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-# Copyright 2014-2016 OpenMarket Ltd
-#
-# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-# You may obtain a copy of the License at
-#
-#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-#
-# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-# limitations under the License.
-
-import argparse
-import collections
-import errno
-import glob
-import os
-import os.path
-import signal
-import subprocess
-import sys
-import time
-
-from six import iteritems
-
-import yaml
-
-SYNAPSE = [sys.executable, "-B", "-m", "synapse.app.homeserver"]
-
-GREEN = "\x1b[1;32m"
-YELLOW = "\x1b[1;33m"
-RED = "\x1b[1;31m"
-NORMAL = "\x1b[m"
-
-
-def pid_running(pid):
-    try:
-        os.kill(pid, 0)
-        return True
-    except OSError as err:
-        if err.errno == errno.EPERM:
-            return True
-        return False
-
-
-def write(message, colour=NORMAL, stream=sys.stdout):
-    if colour == NORMAL:
-        stream.write(message + "\n")
-    else:
-        stream.write(colour + message + NORMAL + "\n")
-
-
-def abort(message, colour=RED, stream=sys.stderr):
-    write(message, colour, stream)
-    sys.exit(1)
-
-
-def start(configfile):
-    write("Starting ...")
-    args = SYNAPSE
-    args.extend(["--daemonize", "-c", configfile])
-
-    try:
-        subprocess.check_call(args)
-        write("started synapse.app.homeserver(%r)" %
-              (configfile,), colour=GREEN)
-    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
-        write(
-            "error starting (exit code: %d); see above for logs" % e.returncode,
-            colour=RED,
-        )
-
-
-def start_worker(app, configfile, worker_configfile):
-    args = [
-        "python", "-B",
-        "-m", app,
-        "-c", configfile,
-        "-c", worker_configfile
-    ]
-
-    try:
-        subprocess.check_call(args)
-        write("started %s(%r)" % (app, worker_configfile), colour=GREEN)
-    except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
-        write(
-            "error starting %s(%r) (exit code: %d); see above for logs" % (
-                app, worker_configfile, e.returncode,
-            ),
-            colour=RED,
-        )
-
-
-def stop(pidfile, app):
-    if os.path.exists(pidfile):
-        pid = int(open(pidfile).read())
-        try:
-            os.kill(pid, signal.SIGTERM)
-            write("stopped %s" % (app,), colour=GREEN)
-        except OSError as err:
-            if err.errno == errno.ESRCH:
-                write("%s not running" % (app,), colour=YELLOW)
-            elif err.errno == errno.EPERM:
-                abort("Cannot stop %s: Operation not permitted" % (app,))
-            else:
-                abort("Cannot stop %s: Unknown error" % (app,))
-
-
-Worker = collections.namedtuple("Worker", [
-    "app", "configfile", "pidfile", "cache_factor"
-])
-
-
-def main():
-
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
-
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "action",
-        choices=["start", "stop", "restart"],
-        help="whether to start, stop or restart the synapse",
-    )
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "configfile",
-        nargs="?",
-        default="homeserver.yaml",
-        help="the homeserver config file, defaults to homeserver.yaml",
-    )
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "-w", "--worker",
-        metavar="WORKERCONFIG",
-        help="start or stop a single worker",
-    )
-    parser.add_argument(
-        "-a", "--all-processes",
-        metavar="WORKERCONFIGDIR",
-        help="start or stop all the workers in the given directory"
-             " and the main synapse process",
-    )
-
-    options = parser.parse_args()
-
-    if options.worker and options.all_processes:
-        write(
-            'Cannot use "--worker" with "--all-processes"',
-            stream=sys.stderr
-        )
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-    configfile = options.configfile
-
-    if not os.path.exists(configfile):
-        write(
-            "No config file found\n"
-            "To generate a config file, run '%s -c %s --generate-config"
-            " --server-name=<server name>'\n" % (
-                " ".join(SYNAPSE), options.configfile
-            ),
-            stream=sys.stderr,
-        )
-        sys.exit(1)
-
-    with open(configfile) as stream:
-        config = yaml.load(stream)
-
-    pidfile = config["pid_file"]
-    cache_factor = config.get("synctl_cache_factor")
-    start_stop_synapse = True
-
-    if cache_factor:
-        os.environ["SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR"] = str(cache_factor)
-
-    cache_factors = config.get("synctl_cache_factors", {})
-    for cache_name, factor in iteritems(cache_factors):
-        os.environ["SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_" + cache_name.upper()] = str(factor)
-
-    worker_configfiles = []
-    if options.worker:
-        start_stop_synapse = False
-        worker_configfile = options.worker
-        if not os.path.exists(worker_configfile):
-            write(
-                "No worker config found at %r" % (worker_configfile,),
-                stream=sys.stderr,
-            )
-            sys.exit(1)
-        worker_configfiles.append(worker_configfile)
-
-    if options.all_processes:
-        # To start the main synapse with -a you need to add a worker file
-        # with worker_app == "synapse.app.homeserver"
-        start_stop_synapse = False
-        worker_configdir = options.all_processes
-        if not os.path.isdir(worker_configdir):
-            write(
-                "No worker config directory found at %r" % (worker_configdir,),
-                stream=sys.stderr,
-            )
-            sys.exit(1)
-        worker_configfiles.extend(sorted(glob.glob(
-            os.path.join(worker_configdir, "*.yaml")
-        )))
-
-    workers = []
-    for worker_configfile in worker_configfiles:
-        with open(worker_configfile) as stream:
-            worker_config = yaml.load(stream)
-        worker_app = worker_config["worker_app"]
-        if worker_app == "synapse.app.homeserver":
-            # We need to special case all of this to pick up options that may
-            # be set in the main config file or in this worker config file.
-            worker_pidfile = (
-                worker_config.get("pid_file")
-                or pidfile
-            )
-            worker_cache_factor = worker_config.get("synctl_cache_factor") or cache_factor
-            daemonize = worker_config.get("daemonize") or config.get("daemonize")
-            assert daemonize, "Main process must have daemonize set to true"
-
-            # The master process doesn't support using worker_* config.
-            for key in worker_config:
-                if key == "worker_app":  # But we allow worker_app
-                    continue
-                assert not key.startswith("worker_"), \
-                    "Main process cannot use worker_* config"
-        else:
-            worker_pidfile = worker_config["worker_pid_file"]
-            worker_daemonize = worker_config["worker_daemonize"]
-            assert worker_daemonize, "In config %r: expected '%s' to be True" % (
-                worker_configfile, "worker_daemonize")
-            worker_cache_factor = worker_config.get("synctl_cache_factor")
-        workers.append(Worker(
-            worker_app, worker_configfile, worker_pidfile, worker_cache_factor,
-        ))
-
-    action = options.action
-
-    if action == "stop" or action == "restart":
-        for worker in workers:
-            stop(worker.pidfile, worker.app)
-
-        if start_stop_synapse:
-            stop(pidfile, "synapse.app.homeserver")
-
-    # Wait for synapse to actually shutdown before starting it again
-    if action == "restart":
-        running_pids = []
-        if start_stop_synapse and os.path.exists(pidfile):
-            running_pids.append(int(open(pidfile).read()))
-        for worker in workers:
-            if os.path.exists(worker.pidfile):
-                running_pids.append(int(open(worker.pidfile).read()))
-        if len(running_pids) > 0:
-            write("Waiting for process to exit before restarting...")
-            for running_pid in running_pids:
-                while pid_running(running_pid):
-                    time.sleep(0.2)
-            write("All processes exited; now restarting...")
-
-    if action == "start" or action == "restart":
-        if start_stop_synapse:
-            # Check if synapse is already running
-            if os.path.exists(pidfile) and pid_running(int(open(pidfile).read())):
-                abort("synapse.app.homeserver already running")
-            start(configfile)
-
-        for worker in workers:
-            if worker.cache_factor:
-                os.environ["SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR"] = str(worker.cache_factor)
-
-            start_worker(worker.app, configfile, worker.configfile)
-
-            if cache_factor:
-                os.environ["SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR"] = str(cache_factor)
-            else:
-                os.environ.pop("SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR", None)
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    main()
diff --git a/synapse/app/user_dir.py b/synapse/app/user_dir.py
index 1388a42b59..0a5f62b509 100644
--- a/synapse/app/user_dir.py
+++ b/synapse/app/user_dir.py
@@ -94,10 +94,7 @@ class UserDirectorySlaveStore(
 
 
 class UserDirectoryServer(HomeServer):
-    def setup(self):
-        logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = UserDirectorySlaveStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
-        logger.info("Finished setting up.")
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = UserDirectorySlaveStore
 
     def _listen_http(self, listener_config):
         port = listener_config["port"]
@@ -191,7 +188,7 @@ def start(config_options):
             "Synapse user directory", config_options
         )
     except ConfigError as e:
-        sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+        sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     assert config.worker_app == "synapse.app.user_dir"
@@ -232,7 +229,6 @@ def start(config_options):
 
     def start():
         ps.get_datastore().start_profiling()
-        ps.get_state_handler().start_caching()
 
     reactor.callWhenRunning(start)
 
diff --git a/synapse/appservice/api.py b/synapse/appservice/api.py
index 6980e5890e..9ccc5a80fc 100644
--- a/synapse/appservice/api.py
+++ b/synapse/appservice/api.py
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 import logging
-import urllib
+
+from six.moves import urllib
 
 from prometheus_client import Counter
 
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceApi(SimpleHttpClient):
     def query_user(self, service, user_id):
         if service.url is None:
             defer.returnValue(False)
-        uri = service.url + ("/users/%s" % urllib.quote(user_id))
+        uri = service.url + ("/users/%s" % urllib.parse.quote(user_id))
         response = None
         try:
             response = yield self.get_json(uri, {
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceApi(SimpleHttpClient):
     def query_alias(self, service, alias):
         if service.url is None:
             defer.returnValue(False)
-        uri = service.url + ("/rooms/%s" % urllib.quote(alias))
+        uri = service.url + ("/rooms/%s" % urllib.parse.quote(alias))
         response = None
         try:
             response = yield self.get_json(uri, {
@@ -153,7 +154,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceApi(SimpleHttpClient):
             service.url,
             APP_SERVICE_PREFIX,
             kind,
-            urllib.quote(protocol)
+            urllib.parse.quote(protocol)
         )
         try:
             response = yield self.get_json(uri, fields)
@@ -188,7 +189,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceApi(SimpleHttpClient):
             uri = "%s%s/thirdparty/protocol/%s" % (
                 service.url,
                 APP_SERVICE_PREFIX,
-                urllib.quote(protocol)
+                urllib.parse.quote(protocol)
             )
             try:
                 info = yield self.get_json(uri, {})
@@ -228,7 +229,7 @@ class ApplicationServiceApi(SimpleHttpClient):
         txn_id = str(txn_id)
 
         uri = service.url + ("/transactions/%s" %
-                             urllib.quote(txn_id))
+                             urllib.parse.quote(txn_id))
         try:
             yield self.put_json(
                 uri=uri,
diff --git a/synapse/config/__main__.py b/synapse/config/__main__.py
index 58c97a70af..79fe9c3dac 100644
--- a/synapse/config/__main__.py
+++ b/synapse/config/__main__.py
@@ -25,10 +25,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         try:
             config = HomeServerConfig.load_config("", sys.argv[3:])
         except ConfigError as e:
-            sys.stderr.write("\n" + e.message + "\n")
+            sys.stderr.write("\n" + str(e) + "\n")
             sys.exit(1)
 
-        print (getattr(config, key))
+        print(getattr(config, key))
         sys.exit(0)
     else:
         sys.stderr.write("Unknown command %r\n" % (action,))
diff --git a/synapse/config/_base.py b/synapse/config/_base.py
index 3d2e90dd5b..14dae65ea0 100644
--- a/synapse/config/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/config/_base.py
@@ -106,10 +106,7 @@ class Config(object):
     @classmethod
     def check_file(cls, file_path, config_name):
         if file_path is None:
-            raise ConfigError(
-                "Missing config for %s."
-                % (config_name,)
-            )
+            raise ConfigError("Missing config for %s." % (config_name,))
         try:
             os.stat(file_path)
         except OSError as e:
@@ -128,9 +125,7 @@ class Config(object):
             if e.errno != errno.EEXIST:
                 raise
         if not os.path.isdir(dir_path):
-            raise ConfigError(
-                "%s is not a directory" % (dir_path,)
-            )
+            raise ConfigError("%s is not a directory" % (dir_path,))
         return dir_path
 
     @classmethod
@@ -156,21 +151,20 @@ class Config(object):
         return results
 
     def generate_config(
-            self,
-            config_dir_path,
-            server_name,
-            is_generating_file,
-            report_stats=None,
+        self, config_dir_path, server_name, is_generating_file, report_stats=None
     ):
         default_config = "# vim:ft=yaml\n"
 
-        default_config += "\n\n".join(dedent(conf) for conf in self.invoke_all(
-            "default_config",
-            config_dir_path=config_dir_path,
-            server_name=server_name,
-            is_generating_file=is_generating_file,
-            report_stats=report_stats,
-        ))
+        default_config += "\n\n".join(
+            dedent(conf)
+            for conf in self.invoke_all(
+                "default_config",
+                config_dir_path=config_dir_path,
+                server_name=server_name,
+                is_generating_file=is_generating_file,
+                report_stats=report_stats,
+            )
+        )
 
         config = yaml.load(default_config)
 
@@ -178,23 +172,22 @@ class Config(object):
 
     @classmethod
     def load_config(cls, description, argv):
-        config_parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
-            description=description,
-        )
+        config_parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=description)
         config_parser.add_argument(
-            "-c", "--config-path",
+            "-c",
+            "--config-path",
             action="append",
             metavar="CONFIG_FILE",
             help="Specify config file. Can be given multiple times and"
-                 " may specify directories containing *.yaml files."
+            " may specify directories containing *.yaml files.",
         )
 
         config_parser.add_argument(
             "--keys-directory",
             metavar="DIRECTORY",
             help="Where files such as certs and signing keys are stored when"
-                 " their location is given explicitly in the config."
-                 " Defaults to the directory containing the last config file",
+            " their location is given explicitly in the config."
+            " Defaults to the directory containing the last config file",
         )
 
         config_args = config_parser.parse_args(argv)
@@ -203,9 +196,7 @@ class Config(object):
 
         obj = cls()
         obj.read_config_files(
-            config_files,
-            keys_directory=config_args.keys_directory,
-            generate_keys=False,
+            config_files, keys_directory=config_args.keys_directory, generate_keys=False
         )
         return obj
 
@@ -213,38 +204,38 @@ class Config(object):
     def load_or_generate_config(cls, description, argv):
         config_parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(add_help=False)
         config_parser.add_argument(
-            "-c", "--config-path",
+            "-c",
+            "--config-path",
             action="append",
             metavar="CONFIG_FILE",
             help="Specify config file. Can be given multiple times and"
-                 " may specify directories containing *.yaml files."
+            " may specify directories containing *.yaml files.",
         )
         config_parser.add_argument(
             "--generate-config",
             action="store_true",
-            help="Generate a config file for the server name"
+            help="Generate a config file for the server name",
         )
         config_parser.add_argument(
             "--report-stats",
             action="store",
             help="Whether the generated config reports anonymized usage statistics",
-            choices=["yes", "no"]
+            choices=["yes", "no"],
         )
         config_parser.add_argument(
             "--generate-keys",
             action="store_true",
-            help="Generate any missing key files then exit"
+            help="Generate any missing key files then exit",
         )
         config_parser.add_argument(
             "--keys-directory",
             metavar="DIRECTORY",
             help="Used with 'generate-*' options to specify where files such as"
-                 " certs and signing keys should be stored in, unless explicitly"
-                 " specified in the config."
+            " certs and signing keys should be stored in, unless explicitly"
+            " specified in the config.",
         )
         config_parser.add_argument(
-            "-H", "--server-name",
-            help="The server name to generate a config file for"
+            "-H", "--server-name", help="The server name to generate a config file for"
         )
         config_args, remaining_args = config_parser.parse_known_args(argv)
 
@@ -257,8 +248,8 @@ class Config(object):
         if config_args.generate_config:
             if config_args.report_stats is None:
                 config_parser.error(
-                    "Please specify either --report-stats=yes or --report-stats=no\n\n" +
-                    MISSING_REPORT_STATS_SPIEL
+                    "Please specify either --report-stats=yes or --report-stats=no\n\n"
+                    + MISSING_REPORT_STATS_SPIEL
                 )
             if not config_files:
                 config_parser.error(
@@ -287,26 +278,32 @@ class Config(object):
                         config_dir_path=config_dir_path,
                         server_name=server_name,
                         report_stats=(config_args.report_stats == "yes"),
-                        is_generating_file=True
+                        is_generating_file=True,
                     )
                     obj.invoke_all("generate_files", config)
                     config_file.write(config_str)
-                print((
-                    "A config file has been generated in %r for server name"
-                    " %r with corresponding SSL keys and self-signed"
-                    " certificates. Please review this file and customise it"
-                    " to your needs."
-                ) % (config_path, server_name))
+                print(
+                    (
+                        "A config file has been generated in %r for server name"
+                        " %r with corresponding SSL keys and self-signed"
+                        " certificates. Please review this file and customise it"
+                        " to your needs."
+                    )
+                    % (config_path, server_name)
+                )
                 print(
                     "If this server name is incorrect, you will need to"
                     " regenerate the SSL certificates"
                 )
                 return
             else:
-                print((
-                    "Config file %r already exists. Generating any missing key"
-                    " files."
-                ) % (config_path,))
+                print(
+                    (
+                        "Config file %r already exists. Generating any missing key"
+                        " files."
+                    )
+                    % (config_path,)
+                )
                 generate_keys = True
 
         parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
@@ -338,8 +335,7 @@ class Config(object):
 
         return obj
 
-    def read_config_files(self, config_files, keys_directory=None,
-                          generate_keys=False):
+    def read_config_files(self, config_files, keys_directory=None, generate_keys=False):
         if not keys_directory:
             keys_directory = os.path.dirname(config_files[-1])
 
@@ -364,8 +360,9 @@ class Config(object):
 
         if "report_stats" not in config:
             raise ConfigError(
-                MISSING_REPORT_STATS_CONFIG_INSTRUCTIONS + "\n" +
-                MISSING_REPORT_STATS_SPIEL
+                MISSING_REPORT_STATS_CONFIG_INSTRUCTIONS
+                + "\n"
+                + MISSING_REPORT_STATS_SPIEL
             )
 
         if generate_keys:
@@ -399,16 +396,16 @@ def find_config_files(search_paths):
                 for entry in os.listdir(config_path):
                     entry_path = os.path.join(config_path, entry)
                     if not os.path.isfile(entry_path):
-                        print (
-                            "Found subdirectory in config directory: %r. IGNORING."
-                        ) % (entry_path, )
+                        err = "Found subdirectory in config directory: %r. IGNORING."
+                        print(err % (entry_path,))
                         continue
 
                     if not entry.endswith(".yaml"):
-                        print (
-                            "Found file in config directory that does not"
-                            " end in '.yaml': %r. IGNORING."
-                        ) % (entry_path, )
+                        err = (
+                            "Found file in config directory that does not end in "
+                            "'.yaml': %r. IGNORING."
+                        )
+                        print(err % (entry_path,))
                         continue
 
                     files.append(entry_path)
diff --git a/synapse/config/emailconfig.py b/synapse/config/emailconfig.py
index fe156b6930..93d70cff14 100644
--- a/synapse/config/emailconfig.py
+++ b/synapse/config/emailconfig.py
@@ -13,10 +13,18 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+from __future__ import print_function
+
 # This file can't be called email.py because if it is, we cannot:
 import email.utils
+import logging
+import os
+
+import pkg_resources
 
-from ._base import Config
+from ._base import Config, ConfigError
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 class EmailConfig(Config):
@@ -38,7 +46,6 @@ class EmailConfig(Config):
                 "smtp_host",
                 "smtp_port",
                 "notif_from",
-                "template_dir",
                 "notif_template_html",
                 "notif_template_text",
             ]
@@ -62,9 +69,26 @@ class EmailConfig(Config):
             self.email_smtp_host = email_config["smtp_host"]
             self.email_smtp_port = email_config["smtp_port"]
             self.email_notif_from = email_config["notif_from"]
-            self.email_template_dir = email_config["template_dir"]
             self.email_notif_template_html = email_config["notif_template_html"]
             self.email_notif_template_text = email_config["notif_template_text"]
+
+            template_dir = email_config.get("template_dir")
+            # we need an absolute path, because we change directory after starting (and
+            # we don't yet know what auxilliary templates like mail.css we will need).
+            # (Note that loading as package_resources with jinja.PackageLoader doesn't
+            # work for the same reason.)
+            if not template_dir:
+                template_dir = pkg_resources.resource_filename(
+                    'synapse', 'res/templates'
+                )
+            template_dir = os.path.abspath(template_dir)
+
+            for f in self.email_notif_template_text, self.email_notif_template_html:
+                p = os.path.join(template_dir, f)
+                if not os.path.isfile(p):
+                    raise ConfigError("Unable to find email template file %s" % (p, ))
+            self.email_template_dir = template_dir
+
             self.email_notif_for_new_users = email_config.get(
                 "notif_for_new_users", True
             )
@@ -113,7 +137,9 @@ class EmailConfig(Config):
         #   require_transport_security: False
         #   notif_from: "Your Friendly %(app)s Home Server <noreply@example.com>"
         #   app_name: Matrix
-        #   template_dir: res/templates
+        #   # if template_dir is unset, uses the example templates that are part of
+        #   # the Synapse distribution.
+        #   #template_dir: res/templates
         #   notif_template_html: notif_mail.html
         #   notif_template_text: notif_mail.txt
         #   notif_for_new_users: True
diff --git a/synapse/config/homeserver.py b/synapse/config/homeserver.py
index 2fd9c48abf..10dd40159f 100644
--- a/synapse/config/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/config/homeserver.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from .consent_config import ConsentConfig
 from .database import DatabaseConfig
 from .emailconfig import EmailConfig
 from .groups import GroupsConfig
-from .jwt import JWTConfig
+from .jwt_config import JWTConfig
 from .key import KeyConfig
 from .logger import LoggingConfig
 from .metrics import MetricsConfig
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from .push import PushConfig
 from .ratelimiting import RatelimitConfig
 from .registration import RegistrationConfig
 from .repository import ContentRepositoryConfig
+from .room_directory import RoomDirectoryConfig
 from .saml2 import SAML2Config
 from .server import ServerConfig
 from .server_notices_config import ServerNoticesConfig
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ class HomeServerConfig(TlsConfig, ServerConfig, DatabaseConfig, LoggingConfig,
                        WorkerConfig, PasswordAuthProviderConfig, PushConfig,
                        SpamCheckerConfig, GroupsConfig, UserDirectoryConfig,
                        ConsentConfig,
-                       ServerNoticesConfig,
+                       ServerNoticesConfig, RoomDirectoryConfig,
                        ):
     pass
 
diff --git a/synapse/config/jwt.py b/synapse/config/jwt_config.py
index 51e7f7e003..51e7f7e003 100644
--- a/synapse/config/jwt.py
+++ b/synapse/config/jwt_config.py
diff --git a/synapse/config/logger.py b/synapse/config/logger.py
index 3f187adfc8..e9a936118d 100644
--- a/synapse/config/logger.py
+++ b/synapse/config/logger.py
@@ -227,7 +227,22 @@ def setup_logging(config, use_worker_options=False):
     #
     # However this may not be too much of a problem if we are just writing to a file.
     observer = STDLibLogObserver()
+
+    def _log(event):
+
+        if "log_text" in event:
+            if event["log_text"].startswith("DNSDatagramProtocol starting on "):
+                return
+
+            if event["log_text"].startswith("(UDP Port "):
+                return
+
+            if event["log_text"].startswith("Timing out client"):
+                return
+
+        return observer(event)
+
     globalLogBeginner.beginLoggingTo(
-        [observer],
+        [_log],
         redirectStandardIO=not config.no_redirect_stdio,
     )
diff --git a/synapse/config/registration.py b/synapse/config/registration.py
index 685c78bc7f..0f41a6602e 100644
--- a/synapse/config/registration.py
+++ b/synapse/config/registration.py
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@
 
 from distutils.util import strtobool
 
+from synapse.config._base import Config, ConfigError
+from synapse.types import RoomAlias
 from synapse.util.stringutils import random_string_with_symbols
 
-from ._base import Config
-
 
 class RegistrationConfig(Config):
 
@@ -52,6 +52,10 @@ class RegistrationConfig(Config):
         )
 
         self.auto_join_rooms = config.get("auto_join_rooms", [])
+        for room_alias in self.auto_join_rooms:
+            if not RoomAlias.is_valid(room_alias):
+                raise ConfigError('Invalid auto_join_rooms entry %s' % (room_alias,))
+        self.autocreate_auto_join_rooms = config.get("autocreate_auto_join_rooms", True)
 
         self.disable_set_displayname = config.get("disable_set_displayname", False)
         self.disable_set_avatar_url = config.get("disable_set_avatar_url", False)
@@ -150,6 +154,12 @@ class RegistrationConfig(Config):
         #auto_join_rooms:
         #    - "#example:example.com"
 
+        # Where auto_join_rooms are specified, setting this flag ensures that the
+        # the rooms exist by creating them when the first user on the
+        # homeserver registers.
+        # Setting to false means that if the rooms are not manually created,
+        # users cannot be auto-joined since they do not exist.
+        autocreate_auto_join_rooms: true
         """ % locals()
 
     def add_arguments(self, parser):
diff --git a/synapse/config/repository.py b/synapse/config/repository.py
index fc909c1fac..06c62ab62c 100644
--- a/synapse/config/repository.py
+++ b/synapse/config/repository.py
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ class ContentRepositoryConfig(Config):
     def default_config(self, **kwargs):
         media_store = self.default_path("media_store")
         uploads_path = self.default_path("uploads")
-        return """
+        return r"""
         # Directory where uploaded images and attachments are stored.
         media_store_path: "%(media_store)s"
 
diff --git a/synapse/config/room_directory.py b/synapse/config/room_directory.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9da13ab11b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/config/room_directory.py
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2018 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+from synapse.util import glob_to_regex
+
+from ._base import Config, ConfigError
+
+
+class RoomDirectoryConfig(Config):
+    def read_config(self, config):
+        alias_creation_rules = config["alias_creation_rules"]
+
+        self._alias_creation_rules = [
+            _AliasRule(rule)
+            for rule in alias_creation_rules
+        ]
+
+    def default_config(self, config_dir_path, server_name, **kwargs):
+        return """
+        # The `alias_creation` option controls who's allowed to create aliases
+        # on this server.
+        #
+        # The format of this option is a list of rules that contain globs that
+        # match against user_id and the new alias (fully qualified with server
+        # name). The action in the first rule that matches is taken, which can
+        # currently either be "allow" or "deny".
+        #
+        # If no rules match the request is denied.
+        alias_creation_rules:
+            - user_id: "*"
+              alias: "*"
+              action: allow
+        """
+
+    def is_alias_creation_allowed(self, user_id, alias):
+        """Checks if the given user is allowed to create the given alias
+
+        Args:
+            user_id (str)
+            alias (str)
+
+        Returns:
+            boolean: True if user is allowed to crate the alias
+        """
+        for rule in self._alias_creation_rules:
+            if rule.matches(user_id, alias):
+                return rule.action == "allow"
+
+        return False
+
+
+class _AliasRule(object):
+    def __init__(self, rule):
+        action = rule["action"]
+        user_id = rule["user_id"]
+        alias = rule["alias"]
+
+        if action in ("allow", "deny"):
+            self.action = action
+        else:
+            raise ConfigError(
+                "alias_creation_rules rules can only have action of 'allow'"
+                " or 'deny'"
+            )
+
+        try:
+            self._user_id_regex = glob_to_regex(user_id)
+            self._alias_regex = glob_to_regex(alias)
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise ConfigError("Failed to parse glob into regex: %s", e)
+
+    def matches(self, user_id, alias):
+        """Tests if this rule matches the given user_id and alias.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id (str)
+            alias (str)
+
+        Returns:
+            boolean
+        """
+
+        # Note: The regexes are anchored at both ends
+        if not self._user_id_regex.match(user_id):
+            return False
+
+        if not self._alias_regex.match(alias):
+            return False
+
+        return True
diff --git a/synapse/config/server.py b/synapse/config/server.py
index 68a612e594..c1c7c0105e 100644
--- a/synapse/config/server.py
+++ b/synapse/config/server.py
@@ -77,10 +77,15 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
             self.max_mau_value = config.get(
                 "max_mau_value", 0,
             )
+
         self.mau_limits_reserved_threepids = config.get(
             "mau_limit_reserved_threepids", []
         )
 
+        self.mau_trial_days = config.get(
+            "mau_trial_days", 0,
+        )
+
         # Options to disable HS
         self.hs_disabled = config.get("hs_disabled", False)
         self.hs_disabled_message = config.get("hs_disabled_message", "")
@@ -88,7 +93,7 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
 
         # Admin uri to direct users at should their instance become blocked
         # due to resource constraints
-        self.admin_uri = config.get("admin_uri", None)
+        self.admin_contact = config.get("admin_contact", None)
 
         # FIXME: federation_domain_whitelist needs sytests
         self.federation_domain_whitelist = None
@@ -352,7 +357,7 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
           # Homeserver blocking
           #
           # How to reach the server admin, used in ResourceLimitError
-          # admin_uri: 'mailto:admin@server.com'
+          # admin_contact: 'mailto:admin@server.com'
           #
           # Global block config
           #
@@ -365,6 +370,7 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
           # Enables monthly active user checking
           # limit_usage_by_mau: False
           # max_mau_value: 50
+          # mau_trial_days: 2
           #
           # Sometimes the server admin will want to ensure certain accounts are
           # never blocked by mau checking. These accounts are specified here.
@@ -398,6 +404,23 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
                                   " service on the given port.")
 
 
+def is_threepid_reserved(config, threepid):
+    """Check the threepid against the reserved threepid config
+    Args:
+        config(ServerConfig) - to access server config attributes
+        threepid(dict) - The threepid to test for
+
+    Returns:
+        boolean Is the threepid undertest reserved_user
+    """
+
+    for tp in config.mau_limits_reserved_threepids:
+        if (threepid['medium'] == tp['medium']
+                and threepid['address'] == tp['address']):
+            return True
+    return False
+
+
 def read_gc_thresholds(thresholds):
     """Reads the three integer thresholds for garbage collection. Ensures that
     the thresholds are integers if thresholds are supplied.
diff --git a/synapse/crypto/context_factory.py b/synapse/crypto/context_factory.py
index 1a391adec1..02b76dfcfb 100644
--- a/synapse/crypto/context_factory.py
+++ b/synapse/crypto/context_factory.py
@@ -123,6 +123,6 @@ class ClientTLSOptionsFactory(object):
 
     def get_options(self, host):
         return ClientTLSOptions(
-            host.decode('utf-8'),
+            host,
             CertificateOptions(verify=False).getContext()
         )
diff --git a/synapse/crypto/keyclient.py b/synapse/crypto/keyclient.py
index c20a32096a..080c81f14b 100644
--- a/synapse/crypto/keyclient.py
+++ b/synapse/crypto/keyclient.py
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ import logging
 from canonicaljson import json
 
 from twisted.internet import defer, reactor
+from twisted.internet.error import ConnectError
 from twisted.internet.protocol import Factory
+from twisted.names.error import DomainError
 from twisted.web.http import HTTPClient
 
 from synapse.http.endpoint import matrix_federation_endpoint
@@ -47,12 +49,14 @@ def fetch_server_key(server_name, tls_client_options_factory, path=KEY_API_V1):
                 server_response, server_certificate = yield protocol.remote_key
                 defer.returnValue((server_response, server_certificate))
         except SynapseKeyClientError as e:
-            logger.exception("Error getting key for %r" % (server_name,))
-            if e.status.startswith("4"):
+            logger.warn("Error getting key for %r: %s", server_name, e)
+            if e.status.startswith(b"4"):
                 # Don't retry for 4xx responses.
                 raise IOError("Cannot get key for %r" % server_name)
-        except Exception as e:
-            logger.exception(e)
+        except (ConnectError, DomainError) as e:
+            logger.warn("Error getting key for %r: %s", server_name, e)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.exception("Error getting key for %r", server_name)
     raise IOError("Cannot get key for %r" % server_name)
 
 
@@ -78,6 +82,12 @@ class SynapseKeyClientProtocol(HTTPClient):
         self._peer = self.transport.getPeer()
         logger.debug("Connected to %s", self._peer)
 
+        if not isinstance(self.path, bytes):
+            self.path = self.path.encode('ascii')
+
+        if not isinstance(self.host, bytes):
+            self.host = self.host.encode('ascii')
+
         self.sendCommand(b"GET", self.path)
         if self.host:
             self.sendHeader(b"Host", self.host)
diff --git a/synapse/crypto/keyring.py b/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
index 30e2742102..d89f94c219 100644
--- a/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
+++ b/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@
 
 import hashlib
 import logging
-import urllib
 from collections import namedtuple
 
+from six.moves import urllib
+
 from signedjson.key import (
     decode_verify_key_bytes,
     encode_verify_key_base64,
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ from synapse.api.errors import Codes, SynapseError
 from synapse.crypto.keyclient import fetch_server_key
 from synapse.util import logcontext, unwrapFirstError
 from synapse.util.logcontext import (
+    LoggingContext,
     PreserveLoggingContext,
     preserve_fn,
     run_in_background,
@@ -216,23 +218,34 @@ class Keyring(object):
             servers have completed. Follows the synapse rules of logcontext
             preservation.
         """
+        loop_count = 1
         while True:
             wait_on = [
-                self.key_downloads[server_name]
+                (server_name, self.key_downloads[server_name])
                 for server_name in server_names
                 if server_name in self.key_downloads
             ]
-            if wait_on:
-                with PreserveLoggingContext():
-                    yield defer.DeferredList(wait_on)
-            else:
+            if not wait_on:
                 break
+            logger.info(
+                "Waiting for existing lookups for %s to complete [loop %i]",
+                [w[0] for w in wait_on], loop_count,
+            )
+            with PreserveLoggingContext():
+                yield defer.DeferredList((w[1] for w in wait_on))
+
+            loop_count += 1
+
+        ctx = LoggingContext.current_context()
 
         def rm(r, server_name_):
-            self.key_downloads.pop(server_name_, None)
+            with PreserveLoggingContext(ctx):
+                logger.debug("Releasing key lookup lock on %s", server_name_)
+                self.key_downloads.pop(server_name_, None)
             return r
 
         for server_name, deferred in server_to_deferred.items():
+            logger.debug("Got key lookup lock on %s", server_name)
             self.key_downloads[server_name] = deferred
             deferred.addBoth(rm, server_name)
 
@@ -432,7 +445,7 @@ class Keyring(object):
         # an incoming request.
         query_response = yield self.client.post_json(
             destination=perspective_name,
-            path=b"/_matrix/key/v2/query",
+            path="/_matrix/key/v2/query",
             data={
                 u"server_keys": {
                     server_name: {
@@ -513,8 +526,8 @@ class Keyring(object):
 
             (response, tls_certificate) = yield fetch_server_key(
                 server_name, self.hs.tls_client_options_factory,
-                path=(b"/_matrix/key/v2/server/%s" % (
-                    urllib.quote(requested_key_id),
+                path=("/_matrix/key/v2/server/%s" % (
+                    urllib.parse.quote(requested_key_id),
                 )).encode("ascii"),
             )
 
diff --git a/synapse/event_auth.py b/synapse/event_auth.py
index 6baeccca38..d4d4474847 100644
--- a/synapse/event_auth.py
+++ b/synapse/event_auth.py
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ def check(event, auth_events, do_sig_check=True, do_size_check=True):
     creation_event = auth_events.get((EventTypes.Create, ""), None)
 
     if not creation_event:
-        raise SynapseError(
+        raise AuthError(
             403,
-            "Room %r does not exist" % (event.room_id,)
+            "No create event in auth events",
         )
 
     creating_domain = get_domain_from_id(event.room_id)
@@ -155,10 +155,7 @@ def check(event, auth_events, do_sig_check=True, do_size_check=True):
 
         if user_level < invite_level:
             raise AuthError(
-                403, (
-                    "You cannot issue a third party invite for %s." %
-                    (event.content.display_name,)
-                )
+                403, "You don't have permission to invite users",
             )
         else:
             logger.debug("Allowing! %s", event)
@@ -305,7 +302,7 @@ def _is_membership_change_allowed(event, auth_events):
 
             if user_level < invite_level:
                 raise AuthError(
-                    403, "You cannot invite user %s." % target_user_id
+                    403, "You don't have permission to invite users",
                 )
     elif Membership.JOIN == membership:
         # Joins are valid iff caller == target and they were:
@@ -693,7 +690,7 @@ def auth_types_for_event(event):
     auth_types = []
 
     auth_types.append((EventTypes.PowerLevels, "", ))
-    auth_types.append((EventTypes.Member, event.user_id, ))
+    auth_types.append((EventTypes.Member, event.sender, ))
     auth_types.append((EventTypes.Create, "", ))
 
     if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
diff --git a/synapse/events/__init__.py b/synapse/events/__init__.py
index 51f9084b90..12f1eb0a3e 100644
--- a/synapse/events/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/events/__init__.py
@@ -13,13 +13,22 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+import os
+from distutils.util import strtobool
+
+import six
+
 from synapse.util.caches import intern_dict
 from synapse.util.frozenutils import freeze
 
 # Whether we should use frozen_dict in FrozenEvent. Using frozen_dicts prevents
-# bugs where we accidentally share e.g. signature dicts. However, converting
-# a dict to frozen_dicts is expensive.
-USE_FROZEN_DICTS = True
+# bugs where we accidentally share e.g. signature dicts. However, converting a
+# dict to frozen_dicts is expensive.
+#
+# NOTE: This is overridden by the configuration by the Synapse worker apps, but
+# for the sake of tests, it is set here while it cannot be configured on the
+# homeserver object itself.
+USE_FROZEN_DICTS = strtobool(os.environ.get("SYNAPSE_USE_FROZEN_DICTS", "0"))
 
 
 class _EventInternalMetadata(object):
@@ -147,6 +156,9 @@ class EventBase(object):
     def items(self):
         return list(self._event_dict.items())
 
+    def keys(self):
+        return six.iterkeys(self._event_dict)
+
 
 class FrozenEvent(EventBase):
     def __init__(self, event_dict, internal_metadata_dict={}, rejected_reason=None):
diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_base.py b/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
index c11798093d..b7ad729c63 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
@@ -13,17 +13,20 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 import logging
+from collections import namedtuple
 
 import six
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
+from twisted.internet.defer import DeferredList
 
-from synapse.api.constants import MAX_DEPTH
+from synapse.api.constants import MAX_DEPTH, EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.errors import Codes, SynapseError
 from synapse.crypto.event_signing import check_event_content_hash
 from synapse.events import FrozenEvent
 from synapse.events.utils import prune_event
 from synapse.http.servlet import assert_params_in_dict
+from synapse.types import get_domain_from_id
 from synapse.util import logcontext, unwrapFirstError
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -133,34 +136,45 @@ class FederationBase(object):
               * throws a SynapseError if the signature check failed.
             The deferreds run their callbacks in the sentinel logcontext.
         """
-
-        redacted_pdus = [
-            prune_event(pdu)
-            for pdu in pdus
-        ]
-
-        deferreds = self.keyring.verify_json_objects_for_server([
-            (p.origin, p.get_pdu_json())
-            for p in redacted_pdus
-        ])
+        deferreds = _check_sigs_on_pdus(self.keyring, pdus)
 
         ctx = logcontext.LoggingContext.current_context()
 
-        def callback(_, pdu, redacted):
+        def callback(_, pdu):
             with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext(ctx):
                 if not check_event_content_hash(pdu):
-                    logger.warn(
-                        "Event content has been tampered, redacting %s: %s",
-                        pdu.event_id, pdu.get_pdu_json()
-                    )
-                    return redacted
+                    # let's try to distinguish between failures because the event was
+                    # redacted (which are somewhat expected) vs actual ball-tampering
+                    # incidents.
+                    #
+                    # This is just a heuristic, so we just assume that if the keys are
+                    # about the same between the redacted and received events, then the
+                    # received event was probably a redacted copy (but we then use our
+                    # *actual* redacted copy to be on the safe side.)
+                    redacted_event = prune_event(pdu)
+                    if (
+                        set(redacted_event.keys()) == set(pdu.keys()) and
+                        set(six.iterkeys(redacted_event.content))
+                            == set(six.iterkeys(pdu.content))
+                    ):
+                        logger.info(
+                            "Event %s seems to have been redacted; using our redacted "
+                            "copy",
+                            pdu.event_id,
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        logger.warning(
+                            "Event %s content has been tampered, redacting",
+                            pdu.event_id, pdu.get_pdu_json(),
+                        )
+                    return redacted_event
 
                 if self.spam_checker.check_event_for_spam(pdu):
                     logger.warn(
                         "Event contains spam, redacting %s: %s",
                         pdu.event_id, pdu.get_pdu_json()
                     )
-                    return redacted
+                    return prune_event(pdu)
 
                 return pdu
 
@@ -168,21 +182,121 @@ class FederationBase(object):
             failure.trap(SynapseError)
             with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext(ctx):
                 logger.warn(
-                    "Signature check failed for %s",
-                    pdu.event_id,
+                    "Signature check failed for %s: %s",
+                    pdu.event_id, failure.getErrorMessage(),
                 )
             return failure
 
-        for deferred, pdu, redacted in zip(deferreds, pdus, redacted_pdus):
+        for deferred, pdu in zip(deferreds, pdus):
             deferred.addCallbacks(
                 callback, errback,
-                callbackArgs=[pdu, redacted],
+                callbackArgs=[pdu],
                 errbackArgs=[pdu],
             )
 
         return deferreds
 
 
+class PduToCheckSig(namedtuple("PduToCheckSig", [
+    "pdu", "redacted_pdu_json", "event_id_domain", "sender_domain", "deferreds",
+])):
+    pass
+
+
+def _check_sigs_on_pdus(keyring, pdus):
+    """Check that the given events are correctly signed
+
+    Args:
+        keyring (synapse.crypto.Keyring): keyring object to do the checks
+        pdus (Collection[EventBase]): the events to be checked
+
+    Returns:
+        List[Deferred]: a Deferred for each event in pdus, which will either succeed if
+           the signatures are valid, or fail (with a SynapseError) if not.
+    """
+
+    # (currently this is written assuming the v1 room structure; we'll probably want a
+    # separate function for checking v2 rooms)
+
+    # we want to check that the event is signed by:
+    #
+    # (a) the server which created the event_id
+    #
+    # (b) the sender's server.
+    #
+    #     - except in the case of invites created from a 3pid invite, which are exempt
+    #     from this check, because the sender has to match that of the original 3pid
+    #     invite, but the event may come from a different HS, for reasons that I don't
+    #     entirely grok (why do the senders have to match? and if they do, why doesn't the
+    #     joining server ask the inviting server to do the switcheroo with
+    #     exchange_third_party_invite?).
+    #
+    #     That's pretty awful, since redacting such an invite will render it invalid
+    #     (because it will then look like a regular invite without a valid signature),
+    #     and signatures are *supposed* to be valid whether or not an event has been
+    #     redacted. But this isn't the worst of the ways that 3pid invites are broken.
+    #
+    # let's start by getting the domain for each pdu, and flattening the event back
+    # to JSON.
+    pdus_to_check = [
+        PduToCheckSig(
+            pdu=p,
+            redacted_pdu_json=prune_event(p).get_pdu_json(),
+            event_id_domain=get_domain_from_id(p.event_id),
+            sender_domain=get_domain_from_id(p.sender),
+            deferreds=[],
+        )
+        for p in pdus
+    ]
+
+    # first make sure that the event is signed by the event_id's domain
+    deferreds = keyring.verify_json_objects_for_server([
+        (p.event_id_domain, p.redacted_pdu_json)
+        for p in pdus_to_check
+    ])
+
+    for p, d in zip(pdus_to_check, deferreds):
+        p.deferreds.append(d)
+
+    # now let's look for events where the sender's domain is different to the
+    # event id's domain (normally only the case for joins/leaves), and add additional
+    # checks.
+    pdus_to_check_sender = [
+        p for p in pdus_to_check
+        if p.sender_domain != p.event_id_domain and not _is_invite_via_3pid(p.pdu)
+    ]
+
+    more_deferreds = keyring.verify_json_objects_for_server([
+        (p.sender_domain, p.redacted_pdu_json)
+        for p in pdus_to_check_sender
+    ])
+
+    for p, d in zip(pdus_to_check_sender, more_deferreds):
+        p.deferreds.append(d)
+
+    # replace lists of deferreds with single Deferreds
+    return [_flatten_deferred_list(p.deferreds) for p in pdus_to_check]
+
+
+def _flatten_deferred_list(deferreds):
+    """Given a list of one or more deferreds, either return the single deferred, or
+    combine into a DeferredList.
+    """
+    if len(deferreds) > 1:
+        return DeferredList(deferreds, fireOnOneErrback=True, consumeErrors=True)
+    else:
+        assert len(deferreds) == 1
+        return deferreds[0]
+
+
+def _is_invite_via_3pid(event):
+    return (
+        event.type == EventTypes.Member
+        and event.membership == Membership.INVITE
+        and "third_party_invite" in event.content
+    )
+
+
 def event_from_pdu_json(pdu_json, outlier=False):
     """Construct a FrozenEvent from an event json received over federation
 
diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_client.py b/synapse/federation/federation_client.py
index c9f3c2d352..d05ed91d64 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_client.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_client.py
@@ -66,6 +66,14 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
         self.state = hs.get_state_handler()
         self.transport_layer = hs.get_federation_transport_client()
 
+        self._get_pdu_cache = ExpiringCache(
+            cache_name="get_pdu_cache",
+            clock=self._clock,
+            max_len=1000,
+            expiry_ms=120 * 1000,
+            reset_expiry_on_get=False,
+        )
+
     def _clear_tried_cache(self):
         """Clear pdu_destination_tried cache"""
         now = self._clock.time_msec()
@@ -82,17 +90,6 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
             if destination_dict:
                 self.pdu_destination_tried[event_id] = destination_dict
 
-    def start_get_pdu_cache(self):
-        self._get_pdu_cache = ExpiringCache(
-            cache_name="get_pdu_cache",
-            clock=self._clock,
-            max_len=1000,
-            expiry_ms=120 * 1000,
-            reset_expiry_on_get=False,
-        )
-
-        self._get_pdu_cache.start()
-
     @log_function
     def make_query(self, destination, query_type, args,
                    retry_on_dns_fail=False, ignore_backoff=False):
@@ -212,8 +209,6 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
         Will attempt to get the PDU from each destination in the list until
         one succeeds.
 
-        This will persist the PDU locally upon receipt.
-
         Args:
             destinations (list): Which home servers to query
             event_id (str): event to fetch
@@ -229,10 +224,9 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
 
         # TODO: Rate limit the number of times we try and get the same event.
 
-        if self._get_pdu_cache:
-            ev = self._get_pdu_cache.get(event_id)
-            if ev:
-                defer.returnValue(ev)
+        ev = self._get_pdu_cache.get(event_id)
+        if ev:
+            defer.returnValue(ev)
 
         pdu_attempts = self.pdu_destination_tried.setdefault(event_id, {})
 
@@ -271,10 +265,10 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
                     event_id, destination, e,
                 )
             except NotRetryingDestination as e:
-                logger.info(e.message)
+                logger.info(str(e))
                 continue
             except FederationDeniedError as e:
-                logger.info(e.message)
+                logger.info(str(e))
                 continue
             except Exception as e:
                 pdu_attempts[destination] = now
@@ -285,7 +279,7 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
                 )
                 continue
 
-        if self._get_pdu_cache is not None and signed_pdu:
+        if signed_pdu:
             self._get_pdu_cache[event_id] = signed_pdu
 
         defer.returnValue(signed_pdu)
@@ -293,8 +287,7 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def get_state_for_room(self, destination, room_id, event_id):
-        """Requests all of the `current` state PDUs for a given room from
-        a remote home server.
+        """Requests all of the room state at a given event from a remote home server.
 
         Args:
             destination (str): The remote homeserver to query for the state.
@@ -302,9 +295,10 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
             event_id (str): The id of the event we want the state at.
 
         Returns:
-            Deferred: Results in a list of PDUs.
+            Deferred[Tuple[List[EventBase], List[EventBase]]]:
+                A list of events in the state, and a list of events in the auth chain
+                for the given event.
         """
-
         try:
             # First we try and ask for just the IDs, as thats far quicker if
             # we have most of the state and auth_chain already.
@@ -510,7 +504,7 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
                 else:
                     logger.warn(
                         "Failed to %s via %s: %i %s",
-                        description, destination, e.code, e.message,
+                        description, destination, e.code, e.args[0],
                     )
             except Exception:
                 logger.warn(
@@ -875,7 +869,7 @@ class FederationClient(FederationBase):
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.exception(
                     "Failed to send_third_party_invite via %s: %s",
-                    destination, e.message
+                    destination, str(e)
                 )
 
         raise RuntimeError("Failed to send to any server.")
diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
index 3e0cd294a1..0f9302a6a8 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 import logging
-import re
 
 import six
 from six import iteritems
@@ -44,8 +43,10 @@ from synapse.replication.http.federation import (
     ReplicationGetQueryRestServlet,
 )
 from synapse.types import get_domain_from_id
+from synapse.util import glob_to_regex
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer, concurrently_execute
 from synapse.util.caches.response_cache import ResponseCache
+from synapse.util.logcontext import nested_logging_context
 from synapse.util.logutils import log_function
 
 # when processing incoming transactions, we try to handle multiple rooms in
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
-    def on_incoming_transaction(self, transaction_data):
+    def on_incoming_transaction(self, origin, transaction_data):
         # keep this as early as possible to make the calculated origin ts as
         # accurate as possible.
         request_time = self._clock.time_msec()
@@ -108,34 +109,33 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
 
         if not transaction.transaction_id:
             raise Exception("Transaction missing transaction_id")
-        if not transaction.origin:
-            raise Exception("Transaction missing origin")
 
         logger.debug("[%s] Got transaction", transaction.transaction_id)
 
         # use a linearizer to ensure that we don't process the same transaction
         # multiple times in parallel.
         with (yield self._transaction_linearizer.queue(
-                (transaction.origin, transaction.transaction_id),
+                (origin, transaction.transaction_id),
         )):
             result = yield self._handle_incoming_transaction(
-                transaction, request_time,
+                origin, transaction, request_time,
             )
 
         defer.returnValue(result)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _handle_incoming_transaction(self, transaction, request_time):
+    def _handle_incoming_transaction(self, origin, transaction, request_time):
         """ Process an incoming transaction and return the HTTP response
 
         Args:
+            origin (unicode): the server making the request
             transaction (Transaction): incoming transaction
             request_time (int): timestamp that the HTTP request arrived at
 
         Returns:
             Deferred[(int, object)]: http response code and body
         """
-        response = yield self.transaction_actions.have_responded(transaction)
+        response = yield self.transaction_actions.have_responded(origin, transaction)
 
         if response:
             logger.debug(
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
 
         received_pdus_counter.inc(len(transaction.pdus))
 
-        origin_host, _ = parse_server_name(transaction.origin)
+        origin_host, _ = parse_server_name(origin)
 
         pdus_by_room = {}
 
@@ -188,21 +188,22 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
 
             for pdu in pdus_by_room[room_id]:
                 event_id = pdu.event_id
-                try:
-                    yield self._handle_received_pdu(
-                        transaction.origin, pdu
-                    )
-                    pdu_results[event_id] = {}
-                except FederationError as e:
-                    logger.warn("Error handling PDU %s: %s", event_id, e)
-                    pdu_results[event_id] = {"error": str(e)}
-                except Exception as e:
-                    f = failure.Failure()
-                    pdu_results[event_id] = {"error": str(e)}
-                    logger.error(
-                        "Failed to handle PDU %s: %s",
-                        event_id, f.getTraceback().rstrip(),
-                    )
+                with nested_logging_context(event_id):
+                    try:
+                        yield self._handle_received_pdu(
+                            origin, pdu
+                        )
+                        pdu_results[event_id] = {}
+                    except FederationError as e:
+                        logger.warn("Error handling PDU %s: %s", event_id, e)
+                        pdu_results[event_id] = {"error": str(e)}
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        f = failure.Failure()
+                        pdu_results[event_id] = {"error": str(e)}
+                        logger.error(
+                            "Failed to handle PDU %s: %s",
+                            event_id, f.getTraceback().rstrip(),
+                        )
 
         yield concurrently_execute(
             process_pdus_for_room, pdus_by_room.keys(),
@@ -212,7 +213,7 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
         if hasattr(transaction, "edus"):
             for edu in (Edu(**x) for x in transaction.edus):
                 yield self.received_edu(
-                    transaction.origin,
+                    origin,
                     edu.edu_type,
                     edu.content
                 )
@@ -224,6 +225,7 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
         logger.debug("Returning: %s", str(response))
 
         yield self.transaction_actions.set_response(
+            origin,
             transaction,
             200, response
         )
@@ -505,19 +507,19 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def on_get_missing_events(self, origin, room_id, earliest_events,
-                              latest_events, limit, min_depth):
+                              latest_events, limit):
         with (yield self._server_linearizer.queue((origin, room_id))):
             origin_host, _ = parse_server_name(origin)
             yield self.check_server_matches_acl(origin_host, room_id)
 
             logger.info(
                 "on_get_missing_events: earliest_events: %r, latest_events: %r,"
-                " limit: %d, min_depth: %d",
-                earliest_events, latest_events, limit, min_depth
+                " limit: %d",
+                earliest_events, latest_events, limit,
             )
 
             missing_events = yield self.handler.on_get_missing_events(
-                origin, room_id, earliest_events, latest_events, limit, min_depth
+                origin, room_id, earliest_events, latest_events, limit,
             )
 
             if len(missing_events) < 5:
@@ -618,7 +620,7 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
             )
 
         yield self.handler.on_receive_pdu(
-            origin, pdu, get_missing=True, sent_to_us_directly=True,
+            origin, pdu, sent_to_us_directly=True,
         )
 
     def __str__(self):
@@ -727,22 +729,10 @@ def _acl_entry_matches(server_name, acl_entry):
     if not isinstance(acl_entry, six.string_types):
         logger.warn("Ignoring non-str ACL entry '%s' (is %s)", acl_entry, type(acl_entry))
         return False
-    regex = _glob_to_regex(acl_entry)
+    regex = glob_to_regex(acl_entry)
     return regex.match(server_name)
 
 
-def _glob_to_regex(glob):
-    res = ''
-    for c in glob:
-        if c == '*':
-            res = res + '.*'
-        elif c == '?':
-            res = res + '.'
-        else:
-            res = res + re.escape(c)
-    return re.compile(res + "\\Z", re.IGNORECASE)
-
-
 class FederationHandlerRegistry(object):
     """Allows classes to register themselves as handlers for a given EDU or
     query type for incoming federation traffic.
@@ -798,7 +788,7 @@ class FederationHandlerRegistry(object):
             yield handler(origin, content)
         except SynapseError as e:
             logger.info("Failed to handle edu %r: %r", edu_type, e)
-        except Exception as e:
+        except Exception:
             logger.exception("Failed to handle edu %r", edu_type)
 
     def on_query(self, query_type, args):
@@ -838,9 +828,9 @@ class ReplicationFederationHandlerRegistry(FederationHandlerRegistry):
             )
 
         return self._send_edu(
-                edu_type=edu_type,
-                origin=origin,
-                content=content,
+            edu_type=edu_type,
+            origin=origin,
+            content=content,
         )
 
     def on_query(self, query_type, args):
@@ -851,6 +841,6 @@ class ReplicationFederationHandlerRegistry(FederationHandlerRegistry):
             return handler(args)
 
         return self._get_query_client(
-                query_type=query_type,
-                args=args,
+            query_type=query_type,
+            args=args,
         )
diff --git a/synapse/federation/persistence.py b/synapse/federation/persistence.py
index 9146215c21..74ffd13b4f 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/persistence.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/persistence.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class TransactionActions(object):
         self.store = datastore
 
     @log_function
-    def have_responded(self, transaction):
+    def have_responded(self, origin, transaction):
         """ Have we already responded to a transaction with the same id and
         origin?
 
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ class TransactionActions(object):
                                "transaction_id")
 
         return self.store.get_received_txn_response(
-            transaction.transaction_id, transaction.origin
+            transaction.transaction_id, origin
         )
 
     @log_function
-    def set_response(self, transaction, code, response):
+    def set_response(self, origin, transaction, code, response):
         """ Persist how we responded to a transaction.
 
         Returns:
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class TransactionActions(object):
 
         return self.store.set_received_txn_response(
             transaction.transaction_id,
-            transaction.origin,
+            origin,
             code,
             response,
         )
diff --git a/synapse/federation/send_queue.py b/synapse/federation/send_queue.py
index 0bb468385d..6f5995735a 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/send_queue.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/send_queue.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Events are replicated via a separate events stream.
 import logging
 from collections import namedtuple
 
-from six import iteritems, itervalues
+from six import iteritems
 
 from sortedcontainers import SortedDict
 
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ class FederationRemoteSendQueue(object):
 
             user_ids = set(
                 user_id
-                for uids in itervalues(self.presence_changed)
+                for uids in self.presence_changed.values()
                 for user_id in uids
             )
 
diff --git a/synapse/federation/transaction_queue.py b/synapse/federation/transaction_queue.py
index 94d7423d01..3fdd63be95 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/transaction_queue.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/transaction_queue.py
@@ -137,26 +137,6 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
 
         self._processing_pending_presence = False
 
-    def can_send_to(self, destination):
-        """Can we send messages to the given server?
-
-        We can't send messages to ourselves. If we are running on localhost
-        then we can only federation with other servers running on localhost.
-        Otherwise we only federate with servers on a public domain.
-
-        Args:
-            destination(str): The server we are possibly trying to send to.
-        Returns:
-            bool: True if we can send to the server.
-        """
-
-        if destination == self.server_name:
-            return False
-        if self.server_name.startswith("localhost"):
-            return destination.startswith("localhost")
-        else:
-            return not destination.startswith("localhost")
-
     def notify_new_events(self, current_id):
         """This gets called when we have some new events we might want to
         send out to other servers.
@@ -279,10 +259,7 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
         self._order += 1
 
         destinations = set(destinations)
-        destinations = set(
-            dest for dest in destinations if self.can_send_to(dest)
-        )
-
+        destinations.discard(self.server_name)
         logger.debug("Sending to: %s", str(destinations))
 
         if not destinations:
@@ -358,7 +335,7 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
 
         for destinations, states in hosts_and_states:
             for destination in destinations:
-                if not self.can_send_to(destination):
+                if destination == self.server_name:
                     continue
 
                 self.pending_presence_by_dest.setdefault(
@@ -377,7 +354,8 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
             content=content,
         )
 
-        if not self.can_send_to(destination):
+        if destination == self.server_name:
+            logger.info("Not sending EDU to ourselves")
             return
 
         sent_edus_counter.inc()
@@ -392,10 +370,8 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
         self._attempt_new_transaction(destination)
 
     def send_device_messages(self, destination):
-        if destination == self.server_name or destination == "localhost":
-            return
-
-        if not self.can_send_to(destination):
+        if destination == self.server_name:
+            logger.info("Not sending device update to ourselves")
             return
 
         self._attempt_new_transaction(destination)
@@ -463,7 +439,19 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
                 # pending_transactions flag.
 
                 pending_pdus = self.pending_pdus_by_dest.pop(destination, [])
+
+                # We can only include at most 50 PDUs per transactions
+                pending_pdus, leftover_pdus = pending_pdus[:50], pending_pdus[50:]
+                if leftover_pdus:
+                    self.pending_pdus_by_dest[destination] = leftover_pdus
+
                 pending_edus = self.pending_edus_by_dest.pop(destination, [])
+
+                # We can only include at most 100 EDUs per transactions
+                pending_edus, leftover_edus = pending_edus[:100], pending_edus[100:]
+                if leftover_edus:
+                    self.pending_edus_by_dest[destination] = leftover_edus
+
                 pending_presence = self.pending_presence_by_dest.pop(destination, {})
 
                 pending_edus.extend(
@@ -645,14 +633,6 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
                 transaction, json_data_cb
             )
             code = 200
-
-            if response:
-                for e_id, r in response.get("pdus", {}).items():
-                    if "error" in r:
-                        logger.warn(
-                            "Transaction returned error for %s: %s",
-                            e_id, r,
-                        )
         except HttpResponseException as e:
             code = e.code
             response = e.response
@@ -669,19 +649,24 @@ class TransactionQueue(object):
             destination, txn_id, code
         )
 
-        logger.debug("TX [%s] Sent transaction", destination)
-        logger.debug("TX [%s] Marking as delivered...", destination)
-
         yield self.transaction_actions.delivered(
             transaction, code, response
         )
 
-        logger.debug("TX [%s] Marked as delivered", destination)
+        logger.debug("TX [%s] {%s} Marked as delivered", destination, txn_id)
 
-        if code != 200:
+        if code == 200:
+            for e_id, r in response.get("pdus", {}).items():
+                if "error" in r:
+                    logger.warn(
+                        "TX [%s] {%s} Remote returned error for %s: %s",
+                        destination, txn_id, e_id, r,
+                    )
+        else:
             for p in pdus:
-                logger.info(
-                    "Failed to send event %s to %s", p.event_id, destination
+                logger.warn(
+                    "TX [%s] {%s} Failed to send event %s",
+                    destination, txn_id, p.event_id,
                 )
             success = False
 
diff --git a/synapse/federation/transport/client.py b/synapse/federation/transport/client.py
index b4fbe2c9d5..edba5a9808 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/transport/client.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/transport/client.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
-import urllib
+
+from six.moves import urllib
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ class TransportLayerClient(object):
             dest (str)
             room_id (str)
             event_tuples (list)
-            limt (int)
+            limit (int)
 
         Returns:
             Deferred: Results in a dict received from the remote homeserver.
@@ -142,9 +143,17 @@ class TransportLayerClient(object):
             transaction (Transaction)
 
         Returns:
-            Deferred: Results of the deferred is a tuple in the form of
-            (response_code, response_body) where the response_body is a
-            python dict decoded from json
+            Deferred: Succeeds when we get a 2xx HTTP response. The result
+            will be the decoded JSON body.
+
+            Fails with ``HTTPRequestException`` if we get an HTTP response
+            code >= 300.
+
+            Fails with ``NotRetryingDestination`` if we are not yet ready
+            to retry this server.
+
+            Fails with ``FederationDeniedError`` if this destination
+            is not on our federation whitelist
         """
         logger.debug(
             "send_data dest=%s, txid=%s",
@@ -169,11 +178,6 @@ class TransportLayerClient(object):
             backoff_on_404=True,  # If we get a 404 the other side has gone
         )
 
-        logger.debug(
-            "send_data dest=%s, txid=%s, got response: 200",
-            transaction.destination, transaction.transaction_id,
-        )
-
         defer.returnValue(response)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -951,4 +955,4 @@ def _create_path(prefix, path, *args):
     Returns:
         str
     """
-    return prefix + path % tuple(urllib.quote(arg, "") for arg in args)
+    return prefix + path % tuple(urllib.parse.quote(arg, "") for arg in args)
diff --git a/synapse/federation/transport/server.py b/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
index 77969a4f38..7288d49074 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/transport/server.py
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ class Authenticator(object):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def authenticate_request(self, request, content):
         json_request = {
-            "method": request.method,
-            "uri": request.uri,
+            "method": request.method.decode('ascii'),
+            "uri": request.uri.decode('ascii'),
             "destination": self.server_name,
             "signatures": {},
         }
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ class BaseFederationServlet(object):
                     by the callback method. None if the request has already been handled.
             """
             content = None
-            if request.method in ["PUT", "POST"]:
+            if request.method in [b"PUT", b"POST"]:
                 # TODO: Handle other method types? other content types?
                 content = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
 
@@ -261,10 +261,10 @@ class BaseFederationServlet(object):
             except NoAuthenticationError:
                 origin = None
                 if self.REQUIRE_AUTH:
-                    logger.exception("authenticate_request failed")
+                    logger.warn("authenticate_request failed: missing authentication")
                     raise
-            except Exception:
-                logger.exception("authenticate_request failed")
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.warn("authenticate_request failed: %s", e)
                 raise
 
             if origin:
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ class FederationSendServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
 
         try:
             code, response = yield self.handler.on_incoming_transaction(
-                transaction_data
+                origin, transaction_data,
             )
         except Exception:
             logger.exception("on_incoming_transaction failed")
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ class FederationStateServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
         return self.handler.on_context_state_request(
             origin,
             context,
-            query.get("event_id", [None])[0],
+            parse_string_from_args(query, "event_id", None),
         )
 
 
@@ -397,7 +397,7 @@ class FederationStateIdsServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
         return self.handler.on_state_ids_request(
             origin,
             room_id,
-            query.get("event_id", [None])[0],
+            parse_string_from_args(query, "event_id", None),
         )
 
 
@@ -405,14 +405,12 @@ class FederationBackfillServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
     PATH = "/backfill/(?P<context>[^/]*)/"
 
     def on_GET(self, origin, content, query, context):
-        versions = query["v"]
-        limits = query["limit"]
+        versions = [x.decode('ascii') for x in query[b"v"]]
+        limit = parse_integer_from_args(query, "limit", None)
 
-        if not limits:
+        if not limit:
             return defer.succeed((400, {"error": "Did not include limit param"}))
 
-        limit = int(limits[-1])
-
         return self.handler.on_backfill_request(origin, context, versions, limit)
 
 
@@ -423,7 +421,7 @@ class FederationQueryServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
     def on_GET(self, origin, content, query, query_type):
         return self.handler.on_query_request(
             query_type,
-            {k: v[0].decode("utf-8") for k, v in query.items()}
+            {k.decode('utf8'): v[0].decode("utf-8") for k, v in query.items()}
         )
 
 
@@ -562,7 +560,6 @@ class FederationGetMissingEventsServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, origin, content, query, room_id):
         limit = int(content.get("limit", 10))
-        min_depth = int(content.get("min_depth", 0))
         earliest_events = content.get("earliest_events", [])
         latest_events = content.get("latest_events", [])
 
@@ -571,7 +568,6 @@ class FederationGetMissingEventsServlet(BaseFederationServlet):
             room_id=room_id,
             earliest_events=earliest_events,
             latest_events=latest_events,
-            min_depth=min_depth,
             limit=limit,
         )
 
@@ -630,14 +626,14 @@ class OpenIdUserInfo(BaseFederationServlet):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, origin, content, query):
-        token = query.get("access_token", [None])[0]
+        token = query.get(b"access_token", [None])[0]
         if token is None:
             defer.returnValue((401, {
                 "errcode": "M_MISSING_TOKEN", "error": "Access Token required"
             }))
             return
 
-        user_id = yield self.handler.on_openid_userinfo(token)
+        user_id = yield self.handler.on_openid_userinfo(token.decode('ascii'))
 
         if user_id is None:
             defer.returnValue((401, {
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/appservice.py b/synapse/handlers/appservice.py
index f0f89af7dc..17eedf4dbf 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/appservice.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/appservice.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from synapse.metrics import (
     event_processing_loop_room_count,
 )
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
+from synapse.util import log_failure
 from synapse.util.logcontext import make_deferred_yieldable, run_in_background
 from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
 
@@ -36,17 +37,6 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 events_processed_counter = Counter("synapse_handlers_appservice_events_processed", "")
 
 
-def log_failure(failure):
-    logger.error(
-        "Application Services Failure",
-        exc_info=(
-            failure.type,
-            failure.value,
-            failure.getTracebackObject()
-        )
-    )
-
-
 class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
@@ -112,7 +102,10 @@ class ApplicationServicesHandler(object):
 
                         if not self.started_scheduler:
                             def start_scheduler():
-                                return self.scheduler.start().addErrback(log_failure)
+                                return self.scheduler.start().addErrback(
+                                    log_failure, "Application Services Failure",
+                                )
+
                             run_as_background_process("as_scheduler", start_scheduler)
                             self.started_scheduler = True
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/auth.py b/synapse/handlers/auth.py
index 4a81bd2ba9..329e3c7d71 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/auth.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import bcrypt
 import pymacaroons
 from canonicaljson import json
 
-from twisted.internet import defer, threads
+from twisted.internet import defer
 from twisted.web.client import PartialDownloadError
 
 import synapse.util.stringutils as stringutils
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ from synapse.api.errors import (
 )
 from synapse.module_api import ModuleApi
 from synapse.types import UserID
+from synapse.util import logcontext
 from synapse.util.caches.expiringcache import ExpiringCache
-from synapse.util.logcontext import make_deferred_yieldable
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -884,40 +884,32 @@ class AuthHandler(BaseHandler):
                 bcrypt.gensalt(self.bcrypt_rounds),
             ).decode('ascii')
 
-        return make_deferred_yieldable(
-            threads.deferToThreadPool(
-                self.hs.get_reactor(), self.hs.get_reactor().getThreadPool(), _do_hash
-            ),
-        )
+        return logcontext.defer_to_thread(self.hs.get_reactor(), _do_hash)
 
     def validate_hash(self, password, stored_hash):
         """Validates that self.hash(password) == stored_hash.
 
         Args:
             password (unicode): Password to hash.
-            stored_hash (unicode): Expected hash value.
+            stored_hash (bytes): Expected hash value.
 
         Returns:
             Deferred(bool): Whether self.hash(password) == stored_hash.
         """
-
         def _do_validate_hash():
             # Normalise the Unicode in the password
             pw = unicodedata.normalize("NFKC", password)
 
             return bcrypt.checkpw(
                 pw.encode('utf8') + self.hs.config.password_pepper.encode("utf8"),
-                stored_hash.encode('utf8')
+                stored_hash
             )
 
         if stored_hash:
-            return make_deferred_yieldable(
-                threads.deferToThreadPool(
-                    self.hs.get_reactor(),
-                    self.hs.get_reactor().getThreadPool(),
-                    _do_validate_hash,
-                ),
-            )
+            if not isinstance(stored_hash, bytes):
+                stored_hash = stored_hash.encode('ascii')
+
+            return logcontext.defer_to_thread(self.hs.get_reactor(), _do_validate_hash)
         else:
             return defer.succeed(False)
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
index 3bd59d2dd4..7f9435179a 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/deactivate_account.py
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ import logging
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
+from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.types import UserID, create_requester
-from synapse.util.logcontext import run_in_background
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
 
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class DeactivateAccountHandler(BaseHandler):
             None
         """
         if not self._user_parter_running:
-            run_in_background(self._user_parter_loop)
+            run_as_background_process("user_parter_loop", self._user_parter_loop)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _user_parter_loop(self):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/directory.py b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
index ef866da1b6..7d67bf803a 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
@@ -20,7 +20,14 @@ import string
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
-from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, CodeMessageException, Codes, SynapseError
+from synapse.api.errors import (
+    AuthError,
+    CodeMessageException,
+    Codes,
+    NotFoundError,
+    StoreError,
+    SynapseError,
+)
 from synapse.types import RoomAlias, UserID, get_domain_from_id
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
@@ -36,6 +43,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         self.state = hs.get_state_handler()
         self.appservice_handler = hs.get_application_service_handler()
         self.event_creation_handler = hs.get_event_creation_handler()
+        self.config = hs.config
 
         self.federation = hs.get_federation_client()
         hs.get_federation_registry().register_query_handler(
@@ -73,43 +81,75 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def create_association(self, user_id, room_alias, room_id, servers=None):
-        # association creation for human users
-        # TODO(erikj): Do user auth.
+    def create_association(self, requester, room_alias, room_id, servers=None,
+                           send_event=True):
+        """Attempt to create a new alias
 
-        if not self.spam_checker.user_may_create_room_alias(user_id, room_alias):
-            raise SynapseError(
-                403, "This user is not permitted to create this alias",
-            )
+        Args:
+            requester (Requester)
+            room_alias (RoomAlias)
+            room_id (str)
+            servers (list[str]|None): List of servers that others servers
+                should try and join via
+            send_event (bool): Whether to send an updated m.room.aliases event
 
-        can_create = yield self.can_modify_alias(
-            room_alias,
-            user_id=user_id
-        )
-        if not can_create:
-            raise SynapseError(
-                400, "This alias is reserved by an application service.",
-                errcode=Codes.EXCLUSIVE
-            )
-        yield self._create_association(room_alias, room_id, servers, creator=user_id)
+        Returns:
+            Deferred
+        """
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def create_appservice_association(self, service, room_alias, room_id,
-                                      servers=None):
-        if not service.is_interested_in_alias(room_alias.to_string()):
-            raise SynapseError(
-                400, "This application service has not reserved"
-                " this kind of alias.", errcode=Codes.EXCLUSIVE
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+
+        service = requester.app_service
+        if service:
+            if not service.is_interested_in_alias(room_alias.to_string()):
+                raise SynapseError(
+                    400, "This application service has not reserved"
+                    " this kind of alias.", errcode=Codes.EXCLUSIVE
+                )
+        else:
+            if not self.spam_checker.user_may_create_room_alias(user_id, room_alias):
+                raise AuthError(
+                    403, "This user is not permitted to create this alias",
+                )
+
+            if not self.config.is_alias_creation_allowed(user_id, room_alias.to_string()):
+                # Lets just return a generic message, as there may be all sorts of
+                # reasons why we said no. TODO: Allow configurable error messages
+                # per alias creation rule?
+                raise SynapseError(
+                    403, "Not allowed to create alias",
+                )
+
+            can_create = yield self.can_modify_alias(
+                room_alias,
+                user_id=user_id
             )
+            if not can_create:
+                raise AuthError(
+                    400, "This alias is reserved by an application service.",
+                    errcode=Codes.EXCLUSIVE
+                )
 
-        # association creation for app services
-        yield self._create_association(room_alias, room_id, servers)
+        yield self._create_association(room_alias, room_id, servers, creator=user_id)
+        if send_event:
+            yield self.send_room_alias_update_event(
+                requester,
+                room_id
+            )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def delete_association(self, requester, user_id, room_alias):
+    def delete_association(self, requester, room_alias):
         # association deletion for human users
 
-        can_delete = yield self._user_can_delete_alias(room_alias, user_id)
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+
+        try:
+            can_delete = yield self._user_can_delete_alias(room_alias, user_id)
+        except StoreError as e:
+            if e.code == 404:
+                raise NotFoundError("Unknown room alias")
+            raise
+
         if not can_delete:
             raise AuthError(
                 403, "You don't have permission to delete the alias.",
@@ -130,7 +170,6 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         try:
             yield self.send_room_alias_update_event(
                 requester,
-                requester.user.to_string(),
                 room_id
             )
 
@@ -248,7 +287,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def send_room_alias_update_event(self, requester, user_id, room_id):
+    def send_room_alias_update_event(self, requester, room_id):
         aliases = yield self.store.get_aliases_for_room(room_id)
 
         yield self.event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
@@ -257,7 +296,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
                 "type": EventTypes.Aliases,
                 "state_key": self.hs.hostname,
                 "room_id": room_id,
-                "sender": user_id,
+                "sender": requester.user.to_string(),
                 "content": {"aliases": aliases},
             },
             ratelimit=False
@@ -320,7 +359,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
     def _user_can_delete_alias(self, alias, user_id):
         creator = yield self.store.get_room_alias_creator(alias.to_string())
 
-        if creator and creator == user_id:
+        if creator is not None and creator == user_id:
             defer.returnValue(True)
 
         is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(UserID.from_string(user_id))
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py b/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py
index 5816bf8b4f..9dc46aa15f 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/e2e_keys.py
@@ -330,7 +330,8 @@ class E2eKeysHandler(object):
                         (algorithm, key_id, ex_json, key)
                     )
             else:
-                new_keys.append((algorithm, key_id, encode_canonical_json(key)))
+                new_keys.append((
+                    algorithm, key_id, encode_canonical_json(key).decode('ascii')))
 
         yield self.store.add_e2e_one_time_keys(
             user_id, device_id, time_now, new_keys
@@ -340,7 +341,7 @@ class E2eKeysHandler(object):
 def _exception_to_failure(e):
     if isinstance(e, CodeMessageException):
         return {
-            "status": e.code, "message": e.message,
+            "status": e.code, "message": str(e),
         }
 
     if isinstance(e, NotRetryingDestination):
@@ -358,7 +359,7 @@ def _exception_to_failure(e):
     # Note that some Exceptions (notably twisted's ResponseFailed etc) don't
     # give a string for e.message, which json then fails to serialize.
     return {
-        "status": 503, "message": str(e.message),
+        "status": 503, "message": str(e),
     }
 
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py b/synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5edb3cfe04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/handlers/e2e_room_keys.py
@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2017, 2018 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import logging
+
+from six import iteritems
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.errors import RoomKeysVersionError, StoreError, SynapseError
+from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class E2eRoomKeysHandler(object):
+    """
+    Implements an optional realtime backup mechanism for encrypted E2E megolm room keys.
+    This gives a way for users to store and recover their megolm keys if they lose all
+    their clients. It should also extend easily to future room key mechanisms.
+    The actual payload of the encrypted keys is completely opaque to the handler.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        self.store = hs.get_datastore()
+
+        # Used to lock whenever a client is uploading key data.  This prevents collisions
+        # between clients trying to upload the details of a new session, given all
+        # clients belonging to a user will receive and try to upload a new session at
+        # roughly the same time.  Also used to lock out uploads when the key is being
+        # changed.
+        self._upload_linearizer = Linearizer("upload_room_keys_lock")
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def get_room_keys(self, user_id, version, room_id=None, session_id=None):
+        """Bulk get the E2E room keys for a given backup, optionally filtered to a given
+        room, or a given session.
+        See EndToEndRoomKeyStore.get_e2e_room_keys for full details.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose keys we're getting
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup we're getting keys from
+            room_id(string): room ID to get keys for, for None to get keys for all rooms
+            session_id(string): session ID to get keys for, for None to get keys for all
+                sessions
+        Returns:
+            A deferred list of dicts giving the session_data and message metadata for
+            these room keys.
+        """
+
+        # we deliberately take the lock to get keys so that changing the version
+        # works atomically
+        with (yield self._upload_linearizer.queue(user_id)):
+            results = yield self.store.get_e2e_room_keys(
+                user_id, version, room_id, session_id
+            )
+
+            if results['rooms'] == {}:
+                raise SynapseError(404, "No room_keys found")
+
+            defer.returnValue(results)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def delete_room_keys(self, user_id, version, room_id=None, session_id=None):
+        """Bulk delete the E2E room keys for a given backup, optionally filtered to a given
+        room or a given session.
+        See EndToEndRoomKeyStore.delete_e2e_room_keys for full details.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're deleting
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup we're deleting
+            room_id(string): room ID to delete keys for, for None to delete keys for all
+                rooms
+            session_id(string): session ID to delete keys for, for None to delete keys
+                for all sessions
+        Returns:
+            A deferred of the deletion transaction
+        """
+
+        # lock for consistency with uploading
+        with (yield self._upload_linearizer.queue(user_id)):
+            yield self.store.delete_e2e_room_keys(user_id, version, room_id, session_id)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def upload_room_keys(self, user_id, version, room_keys):
+        """Bulk upload a list of room keys into a given backup version, asserting
+        that the given version is the current backup version.  room_keys are merged
+        into the current backup as described in RoomKeysServlet.on_PUT().
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're setting
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup we're updating
+            room_keys(dict): a nested dict describing the room_keys we're setting:
+
+        {
+            "rooms": {
+                "!abc:matrix.org": {
+                    "sessions": {
+                        "c0ff33": {
+                            "first_message_index": 1,
+                            "forwarded_count": 1,
+                            "is_verified": false,
+                            "session_data": "SSBBTSBBIEZJU0gK"
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        Raises:
+            SynapseError: with code 404 if there are no versions defined
+            RoomKeysVersionError: if the uploaded version is not the current version
+        """
+
+        # TODO: Validate the JSON to make sure it has the right keys.
+
+        # XXX: perhaps we should use a finer grained lock here?
+        with (yield self._upload_linearizer.queue(user_id)):
+
+            # Check that the version we're trying to upload is the current version
+            try:
+                version_info = yield self.store.get_e2e_room_keys_version_info(user_id)
+            except StoreError as e:
+                if e.code == 404:
+                    raise SynapseError(404, "Version '%s' not found" % (version,))
+                else:
+                    raise
+
+            if version_info['version'] != version:
+                # Check that the version we're trying to upload actually exists
+                try:
+                    version_info = yield self.store.get_e2e_room_keys_version_info(
+                        user_id, version,
+                    )
+                    # if we get this far, the version must exist
+                    raise RoomKeysVersionError(current_version=version_info['version'])
+                except StoreError as e:
+                    if e.code == 404:
+                        raise SynapseError(404, "Version '%s' not found" % (version,))
+                    else:
+                        raise
+
+            # go through the room_keys.
+            # XXX: this should/could be done concurrently, given we're in a lock.
+            for room_id, room in iteritems(room_keys['rooms']):
+                for session_id, session in iteritems(room['sessions']):
+                    yield self._upload_room_key(
+                        user_id, version, room_id, session_id, session
+                    )
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _upload_room_key(self, user_id, version, room_id, session_id, room_key):
+        """Upload a given room_key for a given room and session into a given
+        version of the backup.  Merges the key with any which might already exist.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're setting
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup we're updating
+            room_id(str): the ID of the room whose keys we're setting
+            session_id(str): the session whose room_key we're setting
+            room_key(dict): the room_key being set
+        """
+
+        # get the room_key for this particular row
+        current_room_key = None
+        try:
+            current_room_key = yield self.store.get_e2e_room_key(
+                user_id, version, room_id, session_id
+            )
+        except StoreError as e:
+            if e.code == 404:
+                pass
+            else:
+                raise
+
+        if self._should_replace_room_key(current_room_key, room_key):
+            yield self.store.set_e2e_room_key(
+                user_id, version, room_id, session_id, room_key
+            )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _should_replace_room_key(current_room_key, room_key):
+        """
+        Determine whether to replace a given current_room_key (if any)
+        with a newly uploaded room_key backup
+
+        Args:
+            current_room_key (dict): Optional, the current room_key dict if any
+            room_key (dict): The new room_key dict which may or may not be fit to
+                replace the current_room_key
+
+        Returns:
+            True if current_room_key should be replaced by room_key in the backup
+        """
+
+        if current_room_key:
+            # spelt out with if/elifs rather than nested boolean expressions
+            # purely for legibility.
+
+            if room_key['is_verified'] and not current_room_key['is_verified']:
+                return True
+            elif (
+                room_key['first_message_index'] <
+                current_room_key['first_message_index']
+            ):
+                return True
+            elif room_key['forwarded_count'] < current_room_key['forwarded_count']:
+                return True
+            else:
+                return False
+        return True
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def create_version(self, user_id, version_info):
+        """Create a new backup version.  This automatically becomes the new
+        backup version for the user's keys; previous backups will no longer be
+        writeable to.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup version we're creating
+            version_info(dict): metadata about the new version being created
+
+        {
+            "algorithm": "m.megolm_backup.v1",
+            "auth_data": "dGhpcyBzaG91bGQgYWN0dWFsbHkgYmUgZW5jcnlwdGVkIGpzb24K"
+        }
+
+        Returns:
+            A deferred of a string that gives the new version number.
+        """
+
+        # TODO: Validate the JSON to make sure it has the right keys.
+
+        # lock everyone out until we've switched version
+        with (yield self._upload_linearizer.queue(user_id)):
+            new_version = yield self.store.create_e2e_room_keys_version(
+                user_id, version_info
+            )
+            defer.returnValue(new_version)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def get_version_info(self, user_id, version=None):
+        """Get the info about a given version of the user's backup
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose current backup version we're querying
+            version(str): Optional; if None gives the most recent version
+                otherwise a historical one.
+        Raises:
+            StoreError: code 404 if the requested backup version doesn't exist
+        Returns:
+            A deferred of a info dict that gives the info about the new version.
+
+        {
+            "version": "1234",
+            "algorithm": "m.megolm_backup.v1",
+            "auth_data": "dGhpcyBzaG91bGQgYWN0dWFsbHkgYmUgZW5jcnlwdGVkIGpzb24K"
+        }
+        """
+
+        with (yield self._upload_linearizer.queue(user_id)):
+            res = yield self.store.get_e2e_room_keys_version_info(user_id, version)
+            defer.returnValue(res)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def delete_version(self, user_id, version=None):
+        """Deletes a given version of the user's e2e_room_keys backup
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose current backup version we're deleting
+            version(str): the version id of the backup being deleted
+        Raises:
+            StoreError: code 404 if this backup version doesn't exist
+        """
+
+        with (yield self._upload_linearizer.queue(user_id)):
+            yield self.store.delete_e2e_room_keys_version(user_id, version)
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/federation.py b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
index 3dd107a285..cd5b9bbb19 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/federation.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 
 import itertools
 import logging
-import sys
 
 import six
 from six import iteritems, itervalues
@@ -54,7 +53,7 @@ from synapse.replication.http.federation import (
     ReplicationFederationSendEventsRestServlet,
 )
 from synapse.replication.http.membership import ReplicationUserJoinedLeftRoomRestServlet
-from synapse.state import resolve_events_with_factory
+from synapse.state import StateResolutionStore, resolve_events_with_store
 from synapse.types import UserID, get_domain_from_id
 from synapse.util import logcontext, unwrapFirstError
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer
@@ -69,6 +68,27 @@ from ._base import BaseHandler
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def shortstr(iterable, maxitems=5):
+    """If iterable has maxitems or fewer, return the stringification of a list
+    containing those items.
+
+    Otherwise, return the stringification of a a list with the first maxitems items,
+    followed by "...".
+
+    Args:
+        iterable (Iterable): iterable to truncate
+        maxitems (int): number of items to return before truncating
+
+    Returns:
+        unicode
+    """
+
+    items = list(itertools.islice(iterable, maxitems + 1))
+    if len(items) <= maxitems:
+        return str(items)
+    return u"[" + u", ".join(repr(r) for r in items[:maxitems]) + u", ...]"
+
+
 class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
     """Handles events that originated from federation.
         Responsible for:
@@ -85,7 +105,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         self.hs = hs
 
-        self.store = hs.get_datastore()
+        self.store = hs.get_datastore()  # type: synapse.storage.DataStore
         self.federation_client = hs.get_federation_client()
         self.state_handler = hs.get_state_handler()
         self.server_name = hs.hostname
@@ -114,9 +134,8 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         self._room_pdu_linearizer = Linearizer("fed_room_pdu")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    @log_function
     def on_receive_pdu(
-            self, origin, pdu, get_missing=True, sent_to_us_directly=False,
+            self, origin, pdu, sent_to_us_directly=False,
     ):
         """ Process a PDU received via a federation /send/ transaction, or
         via backfill of missing prev_events
@@ -125,14 +144,23 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             origin (str): server which initiated the /send/ transaction. Will
                 be used to fetch missing events or state.
             pdu (FrozenEvent): received PDU
-            get_missing (bool): True if we should fetch missing prev_events
+            sent_to_us_directly (bool): True if this event was pushed to us; False if
+                we pulled it as the result of a missing prev_event.
 
         Returns (Deferred): completes with None
         """
 
+        room_id = pdu.room_id
+        event_id = pdu.event_id
+
+        logger.info(
+            "[%s %s] handling received PDU: %s",
+            room_id, event_id, pdu,
+        )
+
         # We reprocess pdus when we have seen them only as outliers
         existing = yield self.store.get_event(
-            pdu.event_id,
+            event_id,
             allow_none=True,
             allow_rejected=True,
         )
@@ -147,7 +175,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
         )
         if already_seen:
-            logger.debug("Already seen pdu %s", pdu.event_id)
+            logger.debug("[%s %s]: Already seen pdu", room_id, event_id)
             return
 
         # do some initial sanity-checking of the event. In particular, make
@@ -156,6 +184,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         try:
             self._sanity_check_event(pdu)
         except SynapseError as err:
+            logger.warn("[%s %s] Received event failed sanity checks", room_id, event_id)
             raise FederationError(
                 "ERROR",
                 err.code,
@@ -165,10 +194,12 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         # If we are currently in the process of joining this room, then we
         # queue up events for later processing.
-        if pdu.room_id in self.room_queues:
-            logger.info("Ignoring PDU %s for room %s from %s for now; join "
-                        "in progress", pdu.event_id, pdu.room_id, origin)
-            self.room_queues[pdu.room_id].append((pdu, origin))
+        if room_id in self.room_queues:
+            logger.info(
+                "[%s %s] Queuing PDU from %s for now: join in progress",
+                room_id, event_id, origin,
+            )
+            self.room_queues[room_id].append((pdu, origin))
             return
 
         # If we're no longer in the room just ditch the event entirely. This
@@ -179,7 +210,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # we should check if we *are* in fact in the room. If we are then we
         # can magically rejoin the room.
         is_in_room = yield self.auth.check_host_in_room(
-            pdu.room_id,
+            room_id,
             self.server_name
         )
         if not is_in_room:
@@ -188,8 +219,8 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
             if was_in_room:
                 logger.info(
-                    "Ignoring PDU %s for room %s from %s as we've left the room!",
-                    pdu.event_id, pdu.room_id, origin,
+                    "[%s %s] Ignoring PDU from %s as we've left the room",
+                    room_id, event_id, origin,
                 )
                 defer.returnValue(None)
 
@@ -204,8 +235,8 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
 
             logger.debug(
-                "_handle_new_pdu min_depth for %s: %d",
-                pdu.room_id, min_depth
+                "[%s %s] min_depth: %d",
+                room_id, event_id, min_depth,
             )
 
             prevs = {e_id for e_id, _ in pdu.prev_events}
@@ -218,17 +249,18 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 # send to the clients.
                 pdu.internal_metadata.outlier = True
             elif min_depth and pdu.depth > min_depth:
-                if get_missing and prevs - seen:
+                missing_prevs = prevs - seen
+                if sent_to_us_directly and missing_prevs:
                     # If we're missing stuff, ensure we only fetch stuff one
                     # at a time.
                     logger.info(
-                        "Acquiring lock for room %r to fetch %d missing events: %r...",
-                        pdu.room_id, len(prevs - seen), list(prevs - seen)[:5],
+                        "[%s %s] Acquiring room lock to fetch %d missing prev_events: %s",
+                        room_id, event_id, len(missing_prevs), shortstr(missing_prevs),
                     )
                     with (yield self._room_pdu_linearizer.queue(pdu.room_id)):
                         logger.info(
-                            "Acquired lock for room %r to fetch %d missing events",
-                            pdu.room_id, len(prevs - seen),
+                            "[%s %s] Acquired room lock to fetch %d missing prev_events",
+                            room_id, event_id, len(missing_prevs),
                         )
 
                         yield self._get_missing_events_for_pdu(
@@ -241,68 +273,150 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
                         if not prevs - seen:
                             logger.info(
-                                "Found all missing prev events for %s", pdu.event_id
+                                "[%s %s] Found all missing prev_events",
+                                room_id, event_id,
                             )
-                elif prevs - seen:
+                elif missing_prevs:
                     logger.info(
-                        "Not fetching %d missing events for room %r,event %s: %r...",
-                        len(prevs - seen), pdu.room_id, pdu.event_id,
-                        list(prevs - seen)[:5],
+                        "[%s %s] Not recursively fetching %d missing prev_events: %s",
+                        room_id, event_id, len(missing_prevs), shortstr(missing_prevs),
                     )
 
-            if sent_to_us_directly and prevs - seen:
-                # If they have sent it to us directly, and the server
-                # isn't telling us about the auth events that it's
-                # made a message referencing, we explode
-                raise FederationError(
-                    "ERROR",
-                    403,
-                    (
-                        "Your server isn't divulging details about prev_events "
-                        "referenced in this event."
-                    ),
-                    affected=pdu.event_id,
-                )
-            elif prevs - seen:
-                # Calculate the state of the previous events, and
-                # de-conflict them to find the current state.
-                state_groups = []
+            if prevs - seen:
+                # We've still not been able to get all of the prev_events for this event.
+                #
+                # In this case, we need to fall back to asking another server in the
+                # federation for the state at this event. That's ok provided we then
+                # resolve the state against other bits of the DAG before using it (which
+                # will ensure that you can't just take over a room by sending an event,
+                # withholding its prev_events, and declaring yourself to be an admin in
+                # the subsequent state request).
+                #
+                # Now, if we're pulling this event as a missing prev_event, then clearly
+                # this event is not going to become the only forward-extremity and we are
+                # guaranteed to resolve its state against our existing forward
+                # extremities, so that should be fine.
+                #
+                # On the other hand, if this event was pushed to us, it is possible for
+                # it to become the only forward-extremity in the room, and we would then
+                # trust its state to be the state for the whole room. This is very bad.
+                # Further, if the event was pushed to us, there is no excuse for us not to
+                # have all the prev_events. We therefore reject any such events.
+                #
+                # XXX this really feels like it could/should be merged with the above,
+                # but there is an interaction with min_depth that I'm not really
+                # following.
+
+                if sent_to_us_directly:
+                    logger.warn(
+                        "[%s %s] Rejecting: failed to fetch %d prev events: %s",
+                        room_id, event_id, len(prevs - seen), shortstr(prevs - seen)
+                    )
+                    raise FederationError(
+                        "ERROR",
+                        403,
+                        (
+                            "Your server isn't divulging details about prev_events "
+                            "referenced in this event."
+                        ),
+                        affected=pdu.event_id,
+                    )
+
+                # Calculate the state after each of the previous events, and
+                # resolve them to find the correct state at the current event.
                 auth_chains = set()
+                event_map = {
+                    event_id: pdu,
+                }
                 try:
                     # Get the state of the events we know about
-                    ours = yield self.store.get_state_groups(pdu.room_id, list(seen))
-                    state_groups.append(ours)
+                    ours = yield self.store.get_state_groups_ids(room_id, seen)
+
+                    # state_maps is a list of mappings from (type, state_key) to event_id
+                    # type: list[dict[tuple[str, str], str]]
+                    state_maps = list(ours.values())
+
+                    # we don't need this any more, let's delete it.
+                    del ours
 
                     # Ask the remote server for the states we don't
                     # know about
                     for p in prevs - seen:
-                        state, got_auth_chain = (
-                            yield self.federation_client.get_state_for_room(
-                                origin, pdu.room_id, p
-                            )
-                        )
-                        auth_chains.update(got_auth_chain)
-                        state_group = {(x.type, x.state_key): x.event_id for x in state}
-                        state_groups.append(state_group)
-
-                    # Resolve any conflicting state
-                    def fetch(ev_ids):
-                        return self.store.get_events(
-                            ev_ids, get_prev_content=False, check_redacted=False
+                        logger.info(
+                            "[%s %s] Requesting state at missing prev_event %s",
+                            room_id, event_id, p,
                         )
 
-                    state_map = yield resolve_events_with_factory(
-                        state_groups, {pdu.event_id: pdu}, fetch
+                        with logcontext.nested_logging_context(p):
+                            # note that if any of the missing prevs share missing state or
+                            # auth events, the requests to fetch those events are deduped
+                            # by the get_pdu_cache in federation_client.
+                            remote_state, got_auth_chain = (
+                                yield self.federation_client.get_state_for_room(
+                                    origin, room_id, p,
+                                )
+                            )
+
+                            # we want the state *after* p; get_state_for_room returns the
+                            # state *before* p.
+                            remote_event = yield self.federation_client.get_pdu(
+                                [origin], p, outlier=True,
+                            )
+
+                            if remote_event is None:
+                                raise Exception(
+                                    "Unable to get missing prev_event %s" % (p, )
+                                )
+
+                            if remote_event.is_state():
+                                remote_state.append(remote_event)
+
+                            # XXX hrm I'm not convinced that duplicate events will compare
+                            # for equality, so I'm not sure this does what the author
+                            # hoped.
+                            auth_chains.update(got_auth_chain)
+
+                            remote_state_map = {
+                                (x.type, x.state_key): x.event_id for x in remote_state
+                            }
+                            state_maps.append(remote_state_map)
+
+                            for x in remote_state:
+                                event_map[x.event_id] = x
+
+                    room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version(room_id)
+                    state_map = yield resolve_events_with_store(
+                        room_version, state_maps, event_map,
+                        state_res_store=StateResolutionStore(self.store),
+                    )
+
+                    # We need to give _process_received_pdu the actual state events
+                    # rather than event ids, so generate that now.
+
+                    # First though we need to fetch all the events that are in
+                    # state_map, so we can build up the state below.
+                    evs = yield self.store.get_events(
+                        list(state_map.values()),
+                        get_prev_content=False,
+                        check_redacted=False,
                     )
+                    event_map.update(evs)
 
-                    state = (yield self.store.get_events(state_map.values())).values()
+                    state = [
+                        event_map[e] for e in six.itervalues(state_map)
+                    ]
                     auth_chain = list(auth_chains)
                 except Exception:
+                    logger.warn(
+                        "[%s %s] Error attempting to resolve state at missing "
+                        "prev_events",
+                        room_id, event_id, exc_info=True,
+                    )
                     raise FederationError(
                         "ERROR",
                         403,
                         "We can't get valid state history.",
-                        affected=pdu.event_id,
+                        affected=event_id,
                     )
 
         yield self._process_received_pdu(
@@ -321,15 +435,16 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             prevs (set(str)): List of event ids which we are missing
             min_depth (int): Minimum depth of events to return.
         """
-        # We recalculate seen, since it may have changed.
+
+        room_id = pdu.room_id
+        event_id = pdu.event_id
+
         seen = yield self.store.have_seen_events(prevs)
 
         if not prevs - seen:
             return
 
-        latest = yield self.store.get_latest_event_ids_in_room(
-            pdu.room_id
-        )
+        latest = yield self.store.get_latest_event_ids_in_room(room_id)
 
         # We add the prev events that we have seen to the latest
         # list to ensure the remote server doesn't give them to us
@@ -337,8 +452,8 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         latest |= seen
 
         logger.info(
-            "Missing %d events for room %r pdu %s: %r...",
-            len(prevs - seen), pdu.room_id, pdu.event_id, list(prevs - seen)[:5]
+            "[%s %s]: Requesting missing events between %s and %s",
+            room_id, event_id, shortstr(latest), event_id,
         )
 
         # XXX: we set timeout to 10s to help workaround
@@ -359,49 +474,88 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # apparently.
         #
         # see https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/pull/1744
+        #
+        # ----
+        #
+        # Update richvdh 2018/09/18: There are a number of problems with timing this
+        # request out agressively on the client side:
+        #
+        # - it plays badly with the server-side rate-limiter, which starts tarpitting you
+        #   if you send too many requests at once, so you end up with the server carefully
+        #   working through the backlog of your requests, which you have already timed
+        #   out.
+        #
+        # - for this request in particular, we now (as of
+        #   https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/pull/3456) reject any PDUs where the
+        #   server can't produce a plausible-looking set of prev_events - so we becone
+        #   much more likely to reject the event.
+        #
+        # - contrary to what it says above, we do *not* fall back to fetching fresh state
+        #   for the room if get_missing_events times out. Rather, we give up processing
+        #   the PDU whose prevs we are missing, which then makes it much more likely that
+        #   we'll end up back here for the *next* PDU in the list, which exacerbates the
+        #   problem.
+        #
+        # - the agressive 10s timeout was introduced to deal with incoming federation
+        #   requests taking 8 hours to process. It's not entirely clear why that was going
+        #   on; certainly there were other issues causing traffic storms which are now
+        #   resolved, and I think in any case we may be more sensible about our locking
+        #   now. We're *certainly* more sensible about our logging.
+        #
+        # All that said: Let's try increasing the timout to 60s and see what happens.
 
         missing_events = yield self.federation_client.get_missing_events(
             origin,
-            pdu.room_id,
+            room_id,
             earliest_events_ids=list(latest),
             latest_events=[pdu],
             limit=10,
             min_depth=min_depth,
-            timeout=10000,
+            timeout=60000,
         )
 
         logger.info(
-            "Got %d events: %r...",
-            len(missing_events), [e.event_id for e in missing_events[:5]]
+            "[%s %s]: Got %d prev_events: %s",
+            room_id, event_id, len(missing_events), shortstr(missing_events),
         )
 
         # We want to sort these by depth so we process them and
         # tell clients about them in order.
         missing_events.sort(key=lambda x: x.depth)
 
-        for e in missing_events:
-            logger.info("Handling found event %s", e.event_id)
-            try:
-                yield self.on_receive_pdu(
-                    origin,
-                    e,
-                    get_missing=False
-                )
-            except FederationError as e:
-                if e.code == 403:
-                    logger.warn("Event %s failed history check.")
-                else:
-                    raise
+        for ev in missing_events:
+            logger.info(
+                "[%s %s] Handling received prev_event %s",
+                room_id, event_id, ev.event_id,
+            )
+            with logcontext.nested_logging_context(ev.event_id):
+                try:
+                    yield self.on_receive_pdu(
+                        origin,
+                        ev,
+                        sent_to_us_directly=False,
+                    )
+                except FederationError as e:
+                    if e.code == 403:
+                        logger.warn(
+                            "[%s %s] Received prev_event %s failed history check.",
+                            room_id, event_id, ev.event_id,
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        raise
 
-    @log_function
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _process_received_pdu(self, origin, pdu, state, auth_chain):
+    def _process_received_pdu(self, origin, event, state, auth_chain):
         """ Called when we have a new pdu. We need to do auth checks and put it
         through the StateHandler.
         """
-        event = pdu
+        room_id = event.room_id
+        event_id = event.event_id
 
-        logger.debug("Processing event: %s", event)
+        logger.debug(
+            "[%s %s] Processing event: %s",
+            room_id, event_id, event,
+        )
 
         # FIXME (erikj): Awful hack to make the case where we are not currently
         # in the room work
@@ -410,15 +564,16 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         # event.
         if state and auth_chain and not event.internal_metadata.is_outlier():
             is_in_room = yield self.auth.check_host_in_room(
-                event.room_id,
+                room_id,
                 self.server_name
             )
         else:
             is_in_room = True
+
         if not is_in_room:
             logger.info(
-                "Got event for room we're not in: %r %r",
-                event.room_id, event.event_id
+                "[%s %s] Got event for room we're not in",
+                room_id, event_id,
             )
 
             try:
@@ -430,7 +585,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     "ERROR",
                     e.code,
                     e.msg,
-                    affected=event.event_id,
+                    affected=event_id,
                 )
 
         else:
@@ -463,6 +618,10 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     })
                     seen_ids.add(e.event_id)
 
+                logger.info(
+                    "[%s %s] persisting newly-received auth/state events %s",
+                    room_id, event_id, [e["event"].event_id for e in event_infos]
+                )
                 yield self._handle_new_events(origin, event_infos)
 
             try:
@@ -479,12 +638,12 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     affected=event.event_id,
                 )
 
-        room = yield self.store.get_room(event.room_id)
+        room = yield self.store.get_room(room_id)
 
         if not room:
             try:
                 yield self.store.store_room(
-                    room_id=event.room_id,
+                    room_id=room_id,
                     room_creator_user_id="",
                     is_public=False,
                 )
@@ -512,7 +671,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
                 if newly_joined:
                     user = UserID.from_string(event.state_key)
-                    yield self.user_joined_room(user, event.room_id)
+                    yield self.user_joined_room(user, room_id)
 
     @log_function
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -593,7 +752,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         required_auth = set(
             a_id
-            for event in events + state_events.values() + auth_events.values()
+            for event in events + list(state_events.values()) + list(auth_events.values())
             for a_id, _ in event.auth_events
         )
         auth_events.update({
@@ -801,7 +960,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     )
                     continue
                 except NotRetryingDestination as e:
-                    logger.info(e.message)
+                    logger.info(str(e))
                     continue
                 except FederationDeniedError as e:
                     logger.info(e)
@@ -1026,7 +1185,8 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             try:
                 logger.info("Processing queued PDU %s which was received "
                             "while we were joining %s", p.event_id, p.room_id)
-                yield self.on_receive_pdu(origin, p)
+                with logcontext.nested_logging_context(p.event_id):
+                    yield self.on_receive_pdu(origin, p, sent_to_us_directly=True)
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warn(
                     "Error handling queued PDU %s from %s: %s",
@@ -1357,7 +1517,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
 
         if state_groups:
-            _, state = state_groups.items().pop()
+            _, state = list(state_groups.items()).pop()
             results = state
 
             if event.is_state():
@@ -1429,12 +1589,10 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
         else:
             defer.returnValue(None)
 
-    @log_function
     def get_min_depth_for_context(self, context):
         return self.store.get_min_depth(context)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    @log_function
     def _handle_new_event(self, origin, event, state=None, auth_events=None,
                           backfilled=False):
         context = yield self._prep_event(
@@ -1443,6 +1601,9 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             auth_events=auth_events,
         )
 
+        # reraise does not allow inlineCallbacks to preserve the stacktrace, so we
+        # hack around with a try/finally instead.
+        success = False
         try:
             if not event.internal_metadata.is_outlier() and not backfilled:
                 yield self.action_generator.handle_push_actions_for_event(
@@ -1453,15 +1614,13 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 [(event, context)],
                 backfilled=backfilled,
             )
-        except:  # noqa: E722, as we reraise the exception this is fine.
-            tp, value, tb = sys.exc_info()
-
-            logcontext.run_in_background(
-                self.store.remove_push_actions_from_staging,
-                event.event_id,
-            )
-
-            six.reraise(tp, value, tb)
+            success = True
+        finally:
+            if not success:
+                logcontext.run_in_background(
+                    self.store.remove_push_actions_from_staging,
+                    event.event_id,
+                )
 
         defer.returnValue(context)
 
@@ -1474,15 +1633,22 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         Notifies about the events where appropriate.
         """
-        contexts = yield logcontext.make_deferred_yieldable(defer.gatherResults(
-            [
-                logcontext.run_in_background(
-                    self._prep_event,
+
+        @defer.inlineCallbacks
+        def prep(ev_info):
+            event = ev_info["event"]
+            with logcontext.nested_logging_context(suffix=event.event_id):
+                res = yield self._prep_event(
                     origin,
-                    ev_info["event"],
+                    event,
                     state=ev_info.get("state"),
                     auth_events=ev_info.get("auth_events"),
                 )
+            defer.returnValue(res)
+
+        contexts = yield logcontext.make_deferred_yieldable(defer.gatherResults(
+            [
+                logcontext.run_in_background(prep, ev_info)
                 for ev_info in event_infos
             ], consumeErrors=True,
         ))
@@ -1634,8 +1800,8 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
         except AuthError as e:
             logger.warn(
-                "Rejecting %s because %s",
-                event.event_id, e.msg
+                "[%s %s] Rejecting: %s",
+                event.room_id, event.event_id, e.msg
             )
 
             context.rejected = RejectedReason.AUTH_ERROR
@@ -1686,7 +1852,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_get_missing_events(self, origin, room_id, earliest_events,
-                              latest_events, limit, min_depth):
+                              latest_events, limit):
         in_room = yield self.auth.check_host_in_room(
             room_id,
             origin
@@ -1695,14 +1861,12 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             raise AuthError(403, "Host not in room.")
 
         limit = min(limit, 20)
-        min_depth = max(min_depth, 0)
 
         missing_events = yield self.store.get_missing_events(
             room_id=room_id,
             earliest_events=earliest_events,
             latest_events=latest_events,
             limit=limit,
-            min_depth=min_depth,
         )
 
         missing_events = yield filter_events_for_server(
@@ -1828,7 +1992,10 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
                     (d.type, d.state_key): d for d in different_events if d
                 })
 
-                new_state = self.state_handler.resolve_events(
+                room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version(event.room_id)
+
+                new_state = yield self.state_handler.resolve_events(
+                    room_version,
                     [list(local_view.values()), list(remote_view.values())],
                     event
                 )
@@ -2353,7 +2520,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
             if not backfilled:  # Never notify for backfilled events
                 for event, _ in event_and_contexts:
-                    self._notify_persisted_event(event, max_stream_id)
+                    yield self._notify_persisted_event(event, max_stream_id)
 
     def _notify_persisted_event(self, event, max_stream_id):
         """Checks to see if notifier/pushers should be notified about the
@@ -2386,7 +2553,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             extra_users=extra_users
         )
 
-        self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(
+        return self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(
             event_stream_id, max_stream_id,
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py b/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py
index 53e5e2648b..173315af6c 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/groups_local.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from six import iteritems
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
+from synapse.api.errors import HttpResponseException, SynapseError
 from synapse.types import get_domain_from_id
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -37,9 +37,23 @@ def _create_rerouter(func_name):
             )
         else:
             destination = get_domain_from_id(group_id)
-            return getattr(self.transport_client, func_name)(
+            d = getattr(self.transport_client, func_name)(
                 destination, group_id, *args, **kwargs
             )
+
+            # Capture errors returned by the remote homeserver and
+            # re-throw specific errors as SynapseErrors. This is so
+            # when the remote end responds with things like 403 Not
+            # In Group, we can communicate that to the client instead
+            # of a 500.
+            def h(failure):
+                failure.trap(HttpResponseException)
+                e = failure.value
+                if e.code == 403:
+                    raise e.to_synapse_error()
+                return failure
+            d.addErrback(h)
+            return d
     return f
 
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py b/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
index e009395207..563bb3cea3 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/initial_sync.py
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
                     room_end_token = "s%d" % (event.stream_ordering,)
                     deferred_room_state = run_in_background(
                         self.store.get_state_for_events,
-                        [event.event_id], None,
+                        [event.event_id],
                     )
                     deferred_room_state.addCallback(
                         lambda states: states[event.event_id]
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ class InitialSyncHandler(BaseHandler):
     def _room_initial_sync_parted(self, user_id, room_id, pagin_config,
                                   membership, member_event_id, is_peeking):
         room_state = yield self.store.get_state_for_events(
-            [member_event_id], None
+            [member_event_id],
         )
 
         room_state = room_state[member_event_id]
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index e484061cc0..969e588e73 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -14,9 +14,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 import logging
-import sys
 
-import six
 from six import iteritems, itervalues, string_types
 
 from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
@@ -37,6 +35,7 @@ from synapse.crypto.event_signing import add_hashes_and_signatures
 from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
 from synapse.events.validator import EventValidator
 from synapse.replication.http.send_event import ReplicationSendEventRestServlet
+from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.types import RoomAlias, UserID
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer
 from synapse.util.frozenutils import frozendict_json_encoder
@@ -82,7 +81,7 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
         elif membership == Membership.LEAVE:
             key = (event_type, state_key)
             room_state = yield self.store.get_state_for_events(
-                [membership_event_id], [key]
+                [membership_event_id], StateFilter.from_types([key])
             )
             data = room_state[membership_event_id].get(key)
 
@@ -90,7 +89,7 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_state_events(
-        self, user_id, room_id, types=None, filtered_types=None,
+        self, user_id, room_id, state_filter=StateFilter.all(),
         at_token=None, is_guest=False,
     ):
         """Retrieve all state events for a given room. If the user is
@@ -102,13 +101,8 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
         Args:
             user_id(str): The user requesting state events.
             room_id(str): The room ID to get all state events from.
-            types(list[(str, str|None)]|None): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. If `state_key` is None,
-                all events are returned of the given type.
-                May be None, which matches any key.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
             at_token(StreamToken|None): the stream token of the at which we are requesting
                 the stats. If the user is not allowed to view the state as of that
                 stream token, we raise a 403 SynapseError. If None, returns the current
@@ -141,7 +135,7 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
             event = last_events[0]
             if visible_events:
                 room_state = yield self.store.get_state_for_events(
-                    [event.event_id], types, filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                    [event.event_id], state_filter=state_filter,
                 )
                 room_state = room_state[event.event_id]
             else:
@@ -160,12 +154,12 @@ class MessageHandler(object):
 
             if membership == Membership.JOIN:
                 state_ids = yield self.store.get_filtered_current_state_ids(
-                    room_id, types, filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                    room_id, state_filter=state_filter,
                 )
                 room_state = yield self.store.get_events(state_ids.values())
             elif membership == Membership.LEAVE:
                 room_state = yield self.store.get_state_for_events(
-                    [membership_event_id], types, filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                    [membership_event_id], state_filter=state_filter,
                 )
                 room_state = room_state[membership_event_id]
 
@@ -624,6 +618,9 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             event, context
         )
 
+        # reraise does not allow inlineCallbacks to preserve the stacktrace, so we
+        # hack around with a try/finally instead.
+        success = False
         try:
             # If we're a worker we need to hit out to the master.
             if self.config.worker_app:
@@ -636,6 +633,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     ratelimit=ratelimit,
                     extra_users=extra_users,
                 )
+                success = True
                 return
 
             yield self.persist_and_notify_client_event(
@@ -645,17 +643,16 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                 ratelimit=ratelimit,
                 extra_users=extra_users,
             )
-        except:  # noqa: E722, as we reraise the exception this is fine.
-            # Ensure that we actually remove the entries in the push actions
-            # staging area, if we calculated them.
-            tp, value, tb = sys.exc_info()
-
-            run_in_background(
-                self.store.remove_push_actions_from_staging,
-                event.event_id,
-            )
 
-            six.reraise(tp, value, tb)
+            success = True
+        finally:
+            if not success:
+                # Ensure that we actually remove the entries in the push actions
+                # staging area, if we calculated them.
+                run_in_background(
+                    self.store.remove_push_actions_from_staging,
+                    event.event_id,
+                )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def persist_and_notify_client_event(
@@ -778,7 +775,7 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
             event, context=context
         )
 
-        self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(
+        yield self.pusher_pool.on_new_notifications(
             event_stream_id, max_stream_id,
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/pagination.py b/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
index 5170d093e3..43f81bd607 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/pagination.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from twisted.python.failure import Failure
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
+from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.types import RoomStreamToken
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import ReadWriteLock
 from synapse.util.logcontext import run_in_background
@@ -255,28 +256,19 @@ class PaginationHandler(object):
         if event_filter and event_filter.lazy_load_members():
             # TODO: remove redundant members
 
-            types = [
-                (EventTypes.Member, state_key)
-                for state_key in set(
-                    event.sender  # FIXME: we also care about invite targets etc.
-                    for event in events
-                )
-            ]
+            # FIXME: we also care about invite targets etc.
+            state_filter = StateFilter.from_types(
+                (EventTypes.Member, event.sender)
+                for event in events
+            )
 
             state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-                events[0].event_id, types=types,
+                events[0].event_id, state_filter=state_filter,
             )
 
             if state_ids:
                 state = yield self.store.get_events(list(state_ids.values()))
-
-            if state:
-                state = yield filter_events_for_client(
-                    self.store,
-                    user_id,
-                    state.values(),
-                    is_peeking=(member_event_id is None),
-                )
+                state = state.values()
 
         time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/profile.py b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
index c3506b0db0..65e29518f0 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/profile.py
@@ -36,14 +36,18 @@ from ._base import BaseHandler
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
-    PROFILE_UPDATE_MS = 60 * 1000
-    PROFILE_UPDATE_EVERY_MS = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000
+class BaseProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
+    """Handles fetching and updating user profile information.
+
+    BaseProfileHandler can be instantiated directly on workers and will
+    delegate to master when necessary. The master process should use the
+    subclass MasterProfileHandler
+    """
 
     PROFILE_REPLICATE_INTERVAL = 2 * 60 * 1000
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(ProfileHandler, self).__init__(hs)
+        super(BaseProfileHandler, self).__init__(hs)
 
         self.federation = hs.get_federation_client()
         hs.get_federation_registry().register_query_handler(
@@ -222,10 +226,8 @@ class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                 if e.code != 404:
                     logger.exception("Failed to get displayname")
                 raise
-            except Exception:
-                logger.exception("Failed to get displayname")
-            else:
-                defer.returnValue(result["displayname"])
+
+            defer.returnValue(result["displayname"])
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def set_displayname(self, target_user, requester, new_displayname, by_admin=False):
@@ -315,8 +317,6 @@ class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
                 if e.code != 404:
                     logger.exception("Failed to get avatar_url")
                 raise
-            except Exception:
-                logger.exception("Failed to get avatar_url")
 
             defer.returnValue(result["avatar_url"])
 
@@ -408,9 +408,23 @@ class ProfileHandler(BaseHandler):
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warn(
                     "Failed to update join event for room %s - %s",
-                    room_id, str(e.message)
+                    room_id, str(e)
                 )
 
+
+class MasterProfileHandler(BaseProfileHandler):
+    PROFILE_UPDATE_MS = 60 * 1000
+    PROFILE_UPDATE_EVERY_MS = 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        super(MasterProfileHandler, self).__init__(hs)
+
+        assert hs.config.worker_app is None
+
+        self.clock.looping_call(
+            self._start_update_remote_profile_cache, self.PROFILE_UPDATE_MS,
+        )
+
     def _start_update_remote_profile_cache(self):
         return run_as_background_process(
             "Update remote profile", self._update_remote_profile_cache,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/receipts.py b/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
index a6f3181f09..4c2690ba26 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/receipts.py
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ class ReceiptsHandler(BaseHandler):
             "receipt_key", max_batch_id, rooms=affected_room_ids
         )
         # Note that the min here shouldn't be relied upon to be accurate.
-        self.hs.get_pusherpool().on_new_receipts(
+        yield self.hs.get_pusherpool().on_new_receipts(
             min_batch_id, max_batch_id, affected_room_ids,
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/register.py b/synapse/handlers/register.py
index 3e061c89dc..757eacd214 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/register.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/register.py
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
         self._auth_handler = hs.get_auth_handler()
         self.profile_handler = hs.get_profile_handler()
         self.user_directory_handler = hs.get_user_directory_handler()
+        self.room_creation_handler = self.hs.get_room_creation_handler()
         self.captcha_client = CaptchaServerHttpClient(hs)
 
         self._next_generated_user_id = None
@@ -126,6 +127,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
         make_guest=False,
         display_name=None,
         admin=False,
+        threepid=None,
     ):
         """Registers a new client on the server.
 
@@ -147,7 +149,7 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             RegistrationError if there was a problem registering.
         """
 
-        yield self.auth.check_auth_blocking()
+        yield self.auth.check_auth_blocking(threepid=threepid)
         password_hash = None
         if password:
             password_hash = yield self.auth_handler().hash(password)
@@ -232,9 +234,36 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         # auto-join the user to any rooms we're supposed to dump them into
         fake_requester = create_requester(user_id)
+
+        # try to create the room if we're the first user on the server
+        should_auto_create_rooms = False
+        if self.hs.config.autocreate_auto_join_rooms:
+            count = yield self.store.count_all_users()
+            should_auto_create_rooms = count == 1
+
         for r in self.hs.config.auto_join_rooms:
             try:
-                yield self._join_user_to_room(fake_requester, r)
+                if should_auto_create_rooms:
+                    room_alias = RoomAlias.from_string(r)
+                    if self.hs.hostname != room_alias.domain:
+                        logger.warning(
+                            'Cannot create room alias %s, '
+                            'it does not match server domain',
+                            r,
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        # create room expects the localpart of the room alias
+                        room_alias_localpart = room_alias.localpart
+                        yield self.room_creation_handler.create_room(
+                            fake_requester,
+                            config={
+                                "preset": "public_chat",
+                                "room_alias_name": room_alias_localpart
+                            },
+                            ratelimit=False,
+                        )
+                else:
+                    yield self._join_user_to_room(fake_requester, r)
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.error("Failed to join new user to %r: %r", r, e)
 
@@ -552,4 +581,5 @@ class RegistrationHandler(BaseHandler):
             room_id=room_id,
             remote_room_hosts=remote_room_hosts,
             action="join",
+            ratelimit=False,
         )
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room.py b/synapse/handlers/room.py
index 621b91d2ae..3870e433ec 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ from synapse.api.constants import (
     RoomCreationPreset,
 )
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, Codes, StoreError, SynapseError
+from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.types import RoomAlias, RoomID, RoomStreamToken, StreamToken, UserID
 from synapse.util import stringutils
 from synapse.visibility import filter_events_for_client
@@ -192,10 +193,11 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         if room_alias:
             directory_handler = self.hs.get_handlers().directory_handler
             yield directory_handler.create_association(
-                user_id=user_id,
+                requester=requester,
                 room_id=room_id,
                 room_alias=room_alias,
                 servers=[self.hs.hostname],
+                send_event=False,
             )
 
         preset_config = config.get(
@@ -291,7 +293,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
         if room_alias:
             result["room_alias"] = room_alias.to_string()
             yield directory_handler.send_room_alias_update_event(
-                requester, user_id, room_id
+                requester, room_id
             )
 
         defer.returnValue(result)
@@ -499,23 +501,24 @@ class RoomContextHandler(object):
         else:
             last_event_id = event_id
 
-        types = None
-        filtered_types = None
         if event_filter and event_filter.lazy_load_members():
-            members = set(ev.sender for ev in itertools.chain(
-                results["events_before"],
-                (results["event"],),
-                results["events_after"],
-            ))
-            filtered_types = [EventTypes.Member]
-            types = [(EventTypes.Member, member) for member in members]
+            state_filter = StateFilter.from_lazy_load_member_list(
+                ev.sender
+                for ev in itertools.chain(
+                    results["events_before"],
+                    (results["event"],),
+                    results["events_after"],
+                )
+            )
+        else:
+            state_filter = StateFilter.all()
 
         # XXX: why do we return the state as of the last event rather than the
         # first? Shouldn't we be consistent with /sync?
         # https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/issues/687
 
         state = yield self.store.get_state_for_events(
-            [last_event_id], types, filtered_types=filtered_types,
+            [last_event_id], state_filter=state_filter,
         )
         results["state"] = list(state[last_event_id].values())
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_list.py b/synapse/handlers/room_list.py
index 37e41afd61..dc88620885 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_list.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_list.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 import logging
 from collections import namedtuple
 
-from six import iteritems
+from six import PY3, iteritems
 from six.moves import range
 
 import msgpack
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ class RoomListHandler(BaseHandler):
         # Filter out rooms that we don't want to return
         rooms_to_scan = [
             r for r in sorted_rooms
-            if r not in newly_unpublished and rooms_to_num_joined[room_id] > 0
+            if r not in newly_unpublished and rooms_to_num_joined[r] > 0
         ]
 
         total_room_count = len(rooms_to_scan)
@@ -444,9 +444,16 @@ class RoomListNextBatch(namedtuple("RoomListNextBatch", (
 
     @classmethod
     def from_token(cls, token):
+        if PY3:
+            # The argument raw=False is only available on new versions of
+            # msgpack, and only really needed on Python 3. Gate it behind
+            # a PY3 check to avoid causing issues on Debian-packaged versions.
+            decoded = msgpack.loads(decode_base64(token), raw=False)
+        else:
+            decoded = msgpack.loads(decode_base64(token))
         return RoomListNextBatch(**{
             cls.REVERSE_KEY_DICT[key]: val
-            for key, val in msgpack.loads(decode_base64(token)).items()
+            for key, val in decoded.items()
         })
 
     def to_token(self):
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
index fb94b5d7d4..07fd3e82fc 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room_member.py
@@ -344,6 +344,7 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         latest_event_ids = (
             event_id for (event_id, _, _) in prev_events_and_hashes
         )
+
         current_state_ids = yield self.state_handler.get_current_state_ids(
             room_id, latest_event_ids=latest_event_ids,
         )
@@ -582,6 +583,11 @@ class RoomMemberHandler(object):
         room_id = mapping["room_id"]
         servers = mapping["servers"]
 
+        # put the server which owns the alias at the front of the server list.
+        if room_alias.domain in servers:
+            servers.remove(room_alias.domain)
+        servers.insert(0, room_alias.domain)
+
         defer.returnValue((RoomID.from_string(room_id), servers))
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/search.py b/synapse/handlers/search.py
index c464adbd0b..80e7b15de8 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/search.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/search.py
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.api.filtering import Filter
 from synapse.events.utils import serialize_event
+from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.visibility import filter_events_for_client
 
 from ._base import BaseHandler
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ class SearchHandler(BaseHandler):
         batch_token = None
         if batch:
             try:
-                b = decode_base64(batch)
+                b = decode_base64(batch).decode('ascii')
                 batch_group, batch_group_key, batch_token = b.split("\n")
 
                 assert batch_group is not None
@@ -258,18 +259,18 @@ class SearchHandler(BaseHandler):
                 # it returns more from the same group (if applicable) rather
                 # than reverting to searching all results again.
                 if batch_group and batch_group_key:
-                    global_next_batch = encode_base64("%s\n%s\n%s" % (
+                    global_next_batch = encode_base64(("%s\n%s\n%s" % (
                         batch_group, batch_group_key, pagination_token
-                    ))
+                    )).encode('ascii'))
                 else:
-                    global_next_batch = encode_base64("%s\n%s\n%s" % (
+                    global_next_batch = encode_base64(("%s\n%s\n%s" % (
                         "all", "", pagination_token
-                    ))
+                    )).encode('ascii'))
 
                 for room_id, group in room_groups.items():
-                    group["next_batch"] = encode_base64("%s\n%s\n%s" % (
+                    group["next_batch"] = encode_base64(("%s\n%s\n%s" % (
                         "room_id", room_id, pagination_token
-                    ))
+                    )).encode('ascii'))
 
             allowed_events.extend(room_events)
 
@@ -324,9 +325,12 @@ class SearchHandler(BaseHandler):
                     else:
                         last_event_id = event.event_id
 
+                    state_filter = StateFilter.from_types(
+                        [(EventTypes.Member, sender) for sender in senders]
+                    )
+
                     state = yield self.store.get_state_for_event(
-                        last_event_id,
-                        types=[(EventTypes.Member, sender) for sender in senders]
+                        last_event_id, state_filter
                     )
 
                     res["profile_info"] = {
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index 113d711d4c..c802db9792 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -20,10 +20,14 @@ import logging
 
 from six import iteritems, itervalues
 
+from prometheus_client import Counter
+
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.push.clientformat import format_push_rules_for_user
+from synapse.storage.roommember import MemberSummary
+from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.types import RoomStreamToken
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import concurrently_execute
 from synapse.util.caches.expiringcache import ExpiringCache
@@ -35,6 +39,19 @@ from synapse.visibility import filter_events_for_client
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+
+# Counts the number of times we returned a non-empty sync. `type` is one of
+# "initial_sync", "full_state_sync" or "incremental_sync", `lazy_loaded` is
+# "true" or "false" depending on if the request asked for lazy loaded members or
+# not.
+non_empty_sync_counter = Counter(
+    "synapse_handlers_sync_nonempty_total",
+    "Count of non empty sync responses. type is initial_sync/full_state_sync"
+    "/incremental_sync. lazy_loaded indicates if lazy loaded members were "
+    "enabled for that request.",
+    ["type", "lazy_loaded"],
+)
+
 # Store the cache that tracks which lazy-loaded members have been sent to a given
 # client for no more than 30 minutes.
 LAZY_LOADED_MEMBERS_CACHE_MAX_AGE = 30 * 60 * 1000
@@ -226,14 +243,16 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _wait_for_sync_for_user(self, sync_config, since_token, timeout,
                                 full_state):
+        if since_token is None:
+            sync_type = "initial_sync"
+        elif full_state:
+            sync_type = "full_state_sync"
+        else:
+            sync_type = "incremental_sync"
+
         context = LoggingContext.current_context()
         if context:
-            if since_token is None:
-                context.tag = "initial_sync"
-            elif full_state:
-                context.tag = "full_state_sync"
-            else:
-                context.tag = "incremental_sync"
+            context.tag = sync_type
 
         if timeout == 0 or since_token is None or full_state:
             # we are going to return immediately, so don't bother calling
@@ -241,7 +260,6 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             result = yield self.current_sync_for_user(
                 sync_config, since_token, full_state=full_state,
             )
-            defer.returnValue(result)
         else:
             def current_sync_callback(before_token, after_token):
                 return self.current_sync_for_user(sync_config, since_token)
@@ -250,7 +268,15 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 sync_config.user.to_string(), timeout, current_sync_callback,
                 from_token=since_token,
             )
-            defer.returnValue(result)
+
+        if result:
+            if sync_config.filter_collection.lazy_load_members():
+                lazy_loaded = "true"
+            else:
+                lazy_loaded = "false"
+            non_empty_sync_counter.labels(sync_type, lazy_loaded).inc()
+
+        defer.returnValue(result)
 
     def current_sync_for_user(self, sync_config, since_token=None,
                               full_state=False):
@@ -444,25 +470,20 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         ))
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_state_after_event(self, event, types=None, filtered_types=None):
+    def get_state_after_event(self, event, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
         """
         Get the room state after the given event
 
         Args:
             event(synapse.events.EventBase): event of interest
-            types(list[(str, str|None)]|None): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. If `state_key` is None,
-                all events are returned of the given type.
-                May be None, which matches any key.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns:
             A Deferred map from ((type, state_key)->Event)
         """
         state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-            event.event_id, types, filtered_types=filtered_types,
+            event.event_id, state_filter=state_filter,
         )
         if event.is_state():
             state_ids = state_ids.copy()
@@ -470,18 +491,14 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         defer.returnValue(state_ids)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_state_at(self, room_id, stream_position, types=None, filtered_types=None):
+    def get_state_at(self, room_id, stream_position, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
         """ Get the room state at a particular stream position
 
         Args:
             room_id(str): room for which to get state
             stream_position(StreamToken): point at which to get state
-            types(list[(str, str|None)]|None): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. If `state_key` is None,
-                all events are returned of the given type.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns:
             A Deferred map from ((type, state_key)->Event)
@@ -497,7 +514,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         if last_events:
             last_event = last_events[-1]
             state = yield self.get_state_after_event(
-                last_event, types, filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                last_event, state_filter=state_filter,
             )
 
         else:
@@ -525,6 +542,8 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
              A deferred dict describing the room summary
         """
 
+        # FIXME: we could/should get this from room_stats when matthew/stats lands
+
         # FIXME: this promulgates https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/3305
         last_events, _ = yield self.store.get_recent_event_ids_for_room(
             room_id, end_token=now_token.room_key, limit=1,
@@ -536,45 +555,69 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
 
         last_event = last_events[-1]
         state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-            last_event.event_id, [
-                (EventTypes.Member, None),
+            last_event.event_id,
+            state_filter=StateFilter.from_types([
                 (EventTypes.Name, ''),
                 (EventTypes.CanonicalAlias, ''),
-            ]
+            ]),
         )
 
-        member_ids = {
-            state_key: event_id
-            for (t, state_key), event_id in state_ids.iteritems()
-            if t == EventTypes.Member
-        }
+        # this is heavily cached, thus: fast.
+        details = yield self.store.get_room_summary(room_id)
+
         name_id = state_ids.get((EventTypes.Name, ''))
         canonical_alias_id = state_ids.get((EventTypes.CanonicalAlias, ''))
 
         summary = {}
-
-        # FIXME: it feels very heavy to load up every single membership event
-        # just to calculate the counts.
-        member_events = yield self.store.get_events(member_ids.values())
-
-        joined_user_ids = []
-        invited_user_ids = []
-
-        for ev in member_events.values():
-            if ev.content.get("membership") == Membership.JOIN:
-                joined_user_ids.append(ev.state_key)
-            elif ev.content.get("membership") == Membership.INVITE:
-                invited_user_ids.append(ev.state_key)
+        empty_ms = MemberSummary([], 0)
 
         # TODO: only send these when they change.
-        summary["m.joined_member_count"] = len(joined_user_ids)
-        summary["m.invited_member_count"] = len(invited_user_ids)
+        summary["m.joined_member_count"] = (
+            details.get(Membership.JOIN, empty_ms).count
+        )
+        summary["m.invited_member_count"] = (
+            details.get(Membership.INVITE, empty_ms).count
+        )
 
-        if name_id or canonical_alias_id:
-            defer.returnValue(summary)
+        # if the room has a name or canonical_alias set, we can skip
+        # calculating heroes.  we assume that if the event has contents, it'll
+        # be a valid name or canonical_alias - i.e. we're checking that they
+        # haven't been "deleted" by blatting {} over the top.
+        if name_id:
+            name = yield self.store.get_event(name_id, allow_none=True)
+            if name and name.content:
+                defer.returnValue(summary)
+
+        if canonical_alias_id:
+            canonical_alias = yield self.store.get_event(
+                canonical_alias_id, allow_none=True,
+            )
+            if canonical_alias and canonical_alias.content:
+                defer.returnValue(summary)
 
-        # FIXME: order by stream ordering, not alphabetic
+        joined_user_ids = [
+            r[0] for r in details.get(Membership.JOIN, empty_ms).members
+        ]
+        invited_user_ids = [
+            r[0] for r in details.get(Membership.INVITE, empty_ms).members
+        ]
+        gone_user_ids = (
+            [r[0] for r in details.get(Membership.LEAVE, empty_ms).members] +
+            [r[0] for r in details.get(Membership.BAN, empty_ms).members]
+        )
 
+        # FIXME: only build up a member_ids list for our heroes
+        member_ids = {}
+        for membership in (
+            Membership.JOIN,
+            Membership.INVITE,
+            Membership.LEAVE,
+            Membership.BAN
+        ):
+            for user_id, event_id in details.get(membership, empty_ms).members:
+                member_ids[user_id] = event_id
+
+        # FIXME: order by stream ordering rather than as returned by SQL
         me = sync_config.user.to_string()
         if (joined_user_ids or invited_user_ids):
             summary['m.heroes'] = sorted(
@@ -586,7 +629,11 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             )[0:5]
         else:
             summary['m.heroes'] = sorted(
-                [user_id for user_id in member_ids.keys() if user_id != me]
+                [
+                    user_id
+                    for user_id in gone_user_ids
+                    if user_id != me
+                ]
             )[0:5]
 
         if not sync_config.filter_collection.lazy_load_members():
@@ -663,8 +710,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
 
         with Measure(self.clock, "compute_state_delta"):
 
-            types = None
-            filtered_types = None
+            members_to_fetch = None
 
             lazy_load_members = sync_config.filter_collection.lazy_load_members()
             include_redundant_members = (
@@ -675,16 +721,21 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                 # We only request state for the members needed to display the
                 # timeline:
 
-                types = [
-                    (EventTypes.Member, state_key)
-                    for state_key in set(
-                        event.sender  # FIXME: we also care about invite targets etc.
-                        for event in batch.events
-                    )
-                ]
+                members_to_fetch = set(
+                    event.sender  # FIXME: we also care about invite targets etc.
+                    for event in batch.events
+                )
 
-                # only apply the filtering to room members
-                filtered_types = [EventTypes.Member]
+                if full_state:
+                    # always make sure we LL ourselves so we know we're in the room
+                    # (if we are) to fix https://github.com/vector-im/riot-web/issues/7209
+                    # We only need apply this on full state syncs given we disabled
+                    # LL for incr syncs in #3840.
+                    members_to_fetch.add(sync_config.user.to_string())
+
+                state_filter = StateFilter.from_lazy_load_member_list(members_to_fetch)
+            else:
+                state_filter = StateFilter.all()
 
             timeline_state = {
                 (event.type, event.state_key): event.event_id
@@ -694,19 +745,17 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             if full_state:
                 if batch:
                     current_state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-                        batch.events[-1].event_id, types=types,
-                        filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                        batch.events[-1].event_id, state_filter=state_filter,
                     )
 
                     state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-                        batch.events[0].event_id, types=types,
-                        filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                        batch.events[0].event_id, state_filter=state_filter,
                     )
 
                 else:
                     current_state_ids = yield self.get_state_at(
-                        room_id, stream_position=now_token, types=types,
-                        filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                        room_id, stream_position=now_token,
+                        state_filter=state_filter,
                     )
 
                     state_ids = current_state_ids
@@ -719,19 +768,31 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                     lazy_load_members=lazy_load_members,
                 )
             elif batch.limited:
-                state_at_previous_sync = yield self.get_state_at(
-                    room_id, stream_position=since_token, types=types,
-                    filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                state_at_timeline_start = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
+                    batch.events[0].event_id, state_filter=state_filter,
                 )
 
-                current_state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-                    batch.events[-1].event_id, types=types,
-                    filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                # for now, we disable LL for gappy syncs - see
+                # https://github.com/vector-im/riot-web/issues/7211#issuecomment-419976346
+                # N.B. this slows down incr syncs as we are now processing way
+                # more state in the server than if we were LLing.
+                #
+                # We still have to filter timeline_start to LL entries (above) in order
+                # for _calculate_state's LL logic to work, as we have to include LL
+                # members for timeline senders in case they weren't loaded in the initial
+                # sync.  We do this by (counterintuitively) by filtering timeline_start
+                # members to just be ones which were timeline senders, which then ensures
+                # all of the rest get included in the state block (if we need to know
+                # about them).
+                state_filter = StateFilter.all()
+
+                state_at_previous_sync = yield self.get_state_at(
+                    room_id, stream_position=since_token,
+                    state_filter=state_filter,
                 )
 
-                state_at_timeline_start = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-                    batch.events[0].event_id, types=types,
-                    filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                current_state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
+                    batch.events[-1].event_id, state_filter=state_filter,
                 )
 
                 state_ids = _calculate_state(
@@ -739,15 +800,28 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                     timeline_start=state_at_timeline_start,
                     previous=state_at_previous_sync,
                     current=current_state_ids,
+                    # we have to include LL members in case LL initial sync missed them
                     lazy_load_members=lazy_load_members,
                 )
             else:
                 state_ids = {}
                 if lazy_load_members:
-                    if types:
+                    if members_to_fetch and batch.events:
+                        # We're returning an incremental sync, with no
+                        # "gap" since the previous sync, so normally there would be
+                        # no state to return.
+                        # But we're lazy-loading, so the client might need some more
+                        # member events to understand the events in this timeline.
+                        # So we fish out all the member events corresponding to the
+                        # timeline here, and then dedupe any redundant ones below.
+
                         state_ids = yield self.store.get_state_ids_for_event(
-                            batch.events[0].event_id, types=types,
-                            filtered_types=filtered_types,
+                            batch.events[0].event_id,
+                            # we only want members!
+                            state_filter=StateFilter.from_types(
+                                (EventTypes.Member, member)
+                                for member in members_to_fetch
+                            ),
                         )
 
             if lazy_load_members and not include_redundant_members:
@@ -767,7 +841,7 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                     logger.debug("filtering state from %r...", state_ids)
                     state_ids = {
                         t: event_id
-                        for t, event_id in state_ids.iteritems()
+                        for t, event_id in iteritems(state_ids)
                         if cache.get(t[1]) != event_id
                     }
                     logger.debug("...to %r", state_ids)
@@ -1574,6 +1648,19 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
             newly_joined_room=newly_joined,
         )
 
+        # When we join the room (or the client requests full_state), we should
+        # send down any existing tags. Usually the user won't have tags in a
+        # newly joined room, unless either a) they've joined before or b) the
+        # tag was added by synapse e.g. for server notice rooms.
+        if full_state:
+            user_id = sync_result_builder.sync_config.user.to_string()
+            tags = yield self.store.get_tags_for_room(user_id, room_id)
+
+            # If there aren't any tags, don't send the empty tags list down
+            # sync
+            if not tags:
+                tags = None
+
         account_data_events = []
         if tags is not None:
             account_data_events.append({
@@ -1602,10 +1689,24 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
         )
 
         summary = {}
+
+        # we include a summary in room responses when we're lazy loading
+        # members (as the client otherwise doesn't have enough info to form
+        # the name itself).
         if (
             sync_config.filter_collection.lazy_load_members() and
             (
+                # we recalulate the summary:
+                #   if there are membership changes in the timeline, or
+                #   if membership has changed during a gappy sync, or
+                #   if this is an initial sync.
                 any(ev.type == EventTypes.Member for ev in batch.events) or
+                (
+                    # XXX: this may include false positives in the form of LL
+                    # members which have snuck into state
+                    batch.limited and
+                    any(t == EventTypes.Member for (t, k) in state)
+                ) or
                 since_token is None
             )
         ):
@@ -1635,6 +1736,16 @@ class SyncHandler(object):
                     unread_notifications["highlight_count"] = notifs["highlight_count"]
 
                 sync_result_builder.joined.append(room_sync)
+
+            if batch.limited and since_token:
+                user_id = sync_result_builder.sync_config.user.to_string()
+                logger.info(
+                    "Incremental gappy sync of %s for user %s with %d state events" % (
+                        room_id,
+                        user_id,
+                        len(state),
+                    )
+                )
         elif room_builder.rtype == "archived":
             room_sync = ArchivedSyncResult(
                 room_id=room_id,
@@ -1728,17 +1839,17 @@ def _calculate_state(
     event_id_to_key = {
         e: key
         for key, e in itertools.chain(
-            timeline_contains.items(),
-            previous.items(),
-            timeline_start.items(),
-            current.items(),
+            iteritems(timeline_contains),
+            iteritems(previous),
+            iteritems(timeline_start),
+            iteritems(current),
         )
     }
 
-    c_ids = set(e for e in current.values())
-    ts_ids = set(e for e in timeline_start.values())
-    p_ids = set(e for e in previous.values())
-    tc_ids = set(e for e in timeline_contains.values())
+    c_ids = set(e for e in itervalues(current))
+    ts_ids = set(e for e in itervalues(timeline_start))
+    p_ids = set(e for e in itervalues(previous))
+    tc_ids = set(e for e in itervalues(timeline_contains))
 
     # If we are lazyloading room members, we explicitly add the membership events
     # for the senders in the timeline into the state block returned by /sync,
@@ -1752,7 +1863,7 @@ def _calculate_state(
 
     if lazy_load_members:
         p_ids.difference_update(
-            e for t, e in timeline_start.iteritems()
+            e for t, e in iteritems(timeline_start)
             if t[0] == EventTypes.Member
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/typing.py b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
index 2d2d3d5a0d..c610933dd4 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/typing.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/typing.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, SynapseError
 from synapse.types import UserID, get_domain_from_id
+from synapse.util.caches.stream_change_cache import StreamChangeCache
 from synapse.util.logcontext import run_in_background
 from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
 from synapse.util.wheel_timer import WheelTimer
@@ -68,6 +69,11 @@ class TypingHandler(object):
         # map room IDs to sets of users currently typing
         self._room_typing = {}
 
+        # caches which room_ids changed at which serials
+        self._typing_stream_change_cache = StreamChangeCache(
+            "TypingStreamChangeCache", self._latest_room_serial,
+        )
+
         self.clock.looping_call(
             self._handle_timeouts,
             5000,
@@ -218,6 +224,7 @@ class TypingHandler(object):
 
             for domain in set(get_domain_from_id(u) for u in users):
                 if domain != self.server_name:
+                    logger.debug("sending typing update to %s", domain)
                     self.federation.send_edu(
                         destination=domain,
                         edu_type="m.typing",
@@ -274,19 +281,29 @@ class TypingHandler(object):
 
         self._latest_room_serial += 1
         self._room_serials[member.room_id] = self._latest_room_serial
+        self._typing_stream_change_cache.entity_has_changed(
+            member.room_id, self._latest_room_serial,
+        )
 
         self.notifier.on_new_event(
             "typing_key", self._latest_room_serial, rooms=[member.room_id]
         )
 
     def get_all_typing_updates(self, last_id, current_id):
-        # TODO: Work out a way to do this without scanning the entire state.
         if last_id == current_id:
             return []
 
+        changed_rooms = self._typing_stream_change_cache.get_all_entities_changed(
+            last_id,
+        )
+
+        if changed_rooms is None:
+            changed_rooms = self._room_serials
+
         rows = []
-        for room_id, serial in self._room_serials.items():
-            if last_id < serial and serial <= current_id:
+        for room_id in changed_rooms:
+            serial = self._room_serials[room_id]
+            if last_id < serial <= current_id:
                 typing = self._room_typing[room_id]
                 rows.append((serial, room_id, list(typing)))
         rows.sort()
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
index 37dda64587..f11b430126 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/user_directory.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from six import iteritems
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, JoinRules, Membership
+from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.storage.roommember import ProfileInfo
 from synapse.types import get_localpart_from_id
 from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
@@ -98,7 +99,6 @@ class UserDirectoryHandler(object):
         """
         return self.store.search_user_dir(user_id, search_term, limit)
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def notify_new_event(self):
         """Called when there may be more deltas to process
         """
@@ -108,17 +108,23 @@ class UserDirectoryHandler(object):
         if self._is_processing:
             return
 
+        @defer.inlineCallbacks
+        def process():
+            try:
+                yield self._unsafe_process()
+            finally:
+                self._is_processing = False
+
         self._is_processing = True
-        try:
-            yield self._unsafe_process()
-        finally:
-            self._is_processing = False
+        run_as_background_process("user_directory.notify_new_event", process)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def handle_local_profile_change(self, user_id, profile):
         """Called to update index of our local user profiles when they change
         irrespective of any rooms the user may be in.
         """
+        # FIXME(#3714): We should probably do this in the same worker as all
+        # the other changes.
         yield self.store.update_profile_in_user_dir(
             user_id, profile.display_name, profile.avatar_url, None,
         )
@@ -127,6 +133,8 @@ class UserDirectoryHandler(object):
     def handle_user_deactivated(self, user_id):
         """Called when a user ID is deactivated
         """
+        # FIXME(#3714): We should probably do this in the same worker as all
+        # the other changes.
         yield self.store.remove_from_user_dir(user_id)
         yield self.store.remove_from_user_in_public_room(user_id)
 
diff --git a/synapse/http/__init__.py b/synapse/http/__init__.py
index 58ef8d3ce4..a3f9e4f67c 100644
--- a/synapse/http/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/http/__init__.py
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ def cancelled_to_request_timed_out_error(value, timeout):
     return value
 
 
-ACCESS_TOKEN_RE = re.compile(br'(\?.*access(_|%5[Ff])token=)[^&]*(.*)$')
+ACCESS_TOKEN_RE = re.compile(r'(\?.*access(_|%5[Ff])token=)[^&]*(.*)$')
 
 
 def redact_uri(uri):
     """Strips access tokens from the uri replaces with <redacted>"""
     return ACCESS_TOKEN_RE.sub(
-        br'\1<redacted>\3',
+        r'\1<redacted>\3',
         uri
     )
diff --git a/synapse/http/client.py b/synapse/http/client.py
index ab4fbf59b2..3d05f83b8c 100644
--- a/synapse/http/client.py
+++ b/synapse/http/client.py
@@ -13,24 +13,25 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
+
 import logging
-import urllib
 
-from six import StringIO
+from six import text_type
+from six.moves import urllib
 
+import treq
 from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
 from prometheus_client import Counter
 
 from OpenSSL import SSL
 from OpenSSL.SSL import VERIFY_NONE
-from twisted.internet import defer, protocol, reactor, ssl, task
+from twisted.internet import defer, protocol, reactor, ssl
 from twisted.internet.endpoints import HostnameEndpoint, wrapClientTLS
 from twisted.web._newclient import ResponseDone
 from twisted.web.client import (
     Agent,
     BrowserLikeRedirectAgent,
     ContentDecoderAgent,
-    FileBodyProducer as TwistedFileBodyProducer,
     GzipDecoder,
     HTTPConnectionPool,
     PartialDownloadError,
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ from twisted.web.http_headers import Headers
 from synapse.api.errors import Codes, HttpResponseException, SynapseError
 from synapse.http import cancelled_to_request_timed_out_error, redact_uri
 from synapse.http.endpoint import SpiderEndpoint
-from synapse.util.async_helpers import add_timeout_to_deferred
+from synapse.util.async_helpers import timeout_deferred
 from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
 from synapse.util.logcontext import make_deferred_yieldable
 
@@ -83,8 +84,10 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
         if hs.config.user_agent_suffix:
             self.user_agent = "%s %s" % (self.user_agent, hs.config.user_agent_suffix,)
 
+        self.user_agent = self.user_agent.encode('ascii')
+
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def request(self, method, uri, *args, **kwargs):
+    def request(self, method, uri, data=b'', headers=None):
         # A small wrapper around self.agent.request() so we can easily attach
         # counters to it
         outgoing_requests_counter.labels(method).inc()
@@ -93,10 +96,10 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
         logger.info("Sending request %s %s", method, redact_uri(uri))
 
         try:
-            request_deferred = self.agent.request(
-                method, uri, *args, **kwargs
+            request_deferred = treq.request(
+                method, uri, agent=self.agent, data=data, headers=headers
             )
-            add_timeout_to_deferred(
+            request_deferred = timeout_deferred(
                 request_deferred, 60, self.hs.get_reactor(),
                 cancelled_to_request_timed_out_error,
             )
@@ -112,7 +115,7 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
             incoming_responses_counter.labels(method, "ERR").inc()
             logger.info(
                 "Error sending request to  %s %s: %s %s",
-                method, redact_uri(uri), type(e).__name__, e.message
+                method, redact_uri(uri), type(e).__name__, e.args[0]
             )
             raise
 
@@ -137,7 +140,8 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
         # TODO: Do we ever want to log message contents?
         logger.debug("post_urlencoded_get_json args: %s", args)
 
-        query_bytes = urllib.urlencode(encode_urlencode_args(args), True)
+        query_bytes = urllib.parse.urlencode(
+            encode_urlencode_args(args), True).encode("utf8")
 
         actual_headers = {
             b"Content-Type": [b"application/x-www-form-urlencoded"],
@@ -148,15 +152,14 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
 
         response = yield self.request(
             "POST",
-            uri.encode("ascii"),
+            uri,
             headers=Headers(actual_headers),
-            bodyProducer=FileBodyProducer(StringIO(query_bytes))
+            data=query_bytes
         )
 
-        body = yield make_deferred_yieldable(readBody(response))
-
         if 200 <= response.code < 300:
-            defer.returnValue(json.loads(body))
+            body = yield make_deferred_yieldable(treq.json_content(response))
+            defer.returnValue(body)
         else:
             raise HttpResponseException(response.code, response.phrase, body)
 
@@ -191,9 +194,9 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
 
         response = yield self.request(
             "POST",
-            uri.encode("ascii"),
+            uri,
             headers=Headers(actual_headers),
-            bodyProducer=FileBodyProducer(StringIO(json_str))
+            data=json_str
         )
 
         body = yield make_deferred_yieldable(readBody(response))
@@ -248,7 +251,7 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
             ValueError: if the response was not JSON
         """
         if len(args):
-            query_bytes = urllib.urlencode(args, True)
+            query_bytes = urllib.parse.urlencode(args, True)
             uri = "%s?%s" % (uri, query_bytes)
 
         json_str = encode_canonical_json(json_body)
@@ -262,9 +265,9 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
 
         response = yield self.request(
             "PUT",
-            uri.encode("ascii"),
+            uri,
             headers=Headers(actual_headers),
-            bodyProducer=FileBodyProducer(StringIO(json_str))
+            data=json_str
         )
 
         body = yield make_deferred_yieldable(readBody(response))
@@ -293,7 +296,7 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
             HttpResponseException on a non-2xx HTTP response.
         """
         if len(args):
-            query_bytes = urllib.urlencode(args, True)
+            query_bytes = urllib.parse.urlencode(args, True)
             uri = "%s?%s" % (uri, query_bytes)
 
         actual_headers = {
@@ -304,7 +307,7 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
 
         response = yield self.request(
             "GET",
-            uri.encode("ascii"),
+            uri,
             headers=Headers(actual_headers),
         )
 
@@ -339,13 +342,14 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
 
         response = yield self.request(
             "GET",
-            url.encode("ascii"),
+            url,
             headers=Headers(actual_headers),
         )
 
         resp_headers = dict(response.headers.getAllRawHeaders())
 
-        if 'Content-Length' in resp_headers and resp_headers['Content-Length'] > max_size:
+        if (b'Content-Length' in resp_headers and
+                int(resp_headers[b'Content-Length']) > max_size):
             logger.warn("Requested URL is too large > %r bytes" % (self.max_size,))
             raise SynapseError(
                 502,
@@ -378,7 +382,12 @@ class SimpleHttpClient(object):
             )
 
         defer.returnValue(
-            (length, resp_headers, response.request.absoluteURI, response.code),
+            (
+                length,
+                resp_headers,
+                response.request.absoluteURI.decode('ascii'),
+                response.code,
+            ),
         )
 
 
@@ -434,12 +443,12 @@ class CaptchaServerHttpClient(SimpleHttpClient):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def post_urlencoded_get_raw(self, url, args={}):
-        query_bytes = urllib.urlencode(encode_urlencode_args(args), True)
+        query_bytes = urllib.parse.urlencode(encode_urlencode_args(args), True)
 
         response = yield self.request(
             "POST",
-            url.encode("ascii"),
-            bodyProducer=FileBodyProducer(StringIO(query_bytes)),
+            url,
+            data=query_bytes,
             headers=Headers({
                 b"Content-Type": [b"application/x-www-form-urlencoded"],
                 b"User-Agent": [self.user_agent],
@@ -463,9 +472,9 @@ class SpiderEndpointFactory(object):
     def endpointForURI(self, uri):
         logger.info("Getting endpoint for %s", uri.toBytes())
 
-        if uri.scheme == "http":
+        if uri.scheme == b"http":
             endpoint_factory = HostnameEndpoint
-        elif uri.scheme == "https":
+        elif uri.scheme == b"https":
             tlsCreator = self.policyForHTTPS.creatorForNetloc(uri.host, uri.port)
 
             def endpoint_factory(reactor, host, port, **kw):
@@ -510,7 +519,7 @@ def encode_urlencode_args(args):
 
 
 def encode_urlencode_arg(arg):
-    if isinstance(arg, unicode):
+    if isinstance(arg, text_type):
         return arg.encode('utf-8')
     elif isinstance(arg, list):
         return [encode_urlencode_arg(i) for i in arg]
@@ -542,26 +551,3 @@ class InsecureInterceptableContextFactory(ssl.ContextFactory):
 
     def creatorForNetloc(self, hostname, port):
         return self
-
-
-class FileBodyProducer(TwistedFileBodyProducer):
-    """Workaround for https://twistedmatrix.com/trac/ticket/8473
-
-    We override the pauseProducing and resumeProducing methods in twisted's
-    FileBodyProducer so that they do not raise exceptions if the task has
-    already completed.
-    """
-
-    def pauseProducing(self):
-        try:
-            super(FileBodyProducer, self).pauseProducing()
-        except task.TaskDone:
-            # task has already completed
-            pass
-
-    def resumeProducing(self):
-        try:
-            super(FileBodyProducer, self).resumeProducing()
-        except task.NotPaused:
-            # task was not paused (probably because it had already completed)
-            pass
diff --git a/synapse/http/endpoint.py b/synapse/http/endpoint.py
index b0c9369519..91025037a3 100644
--- a/synapse/http/endpoint.py
+++ b/synapse/http/endpoint.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ def matrix_federation_endpoint(reactor, destination, tls_client_options_factory=
 
     Args:
         reactor: Twisted reactor.
-        destination (bytes): The name of the server to connect to.
+        destination (unicode): The name of the server to connect to.
         tls_client_options_factory
             (synapse.crypto.context_factory.ClientTLSOptionsFactory):
             Factory which generates TLS options for client connections.
@@ -126,10 +126,17 @@ def matrix_federation_endpoint(reactor, destination, tls_client_options_factory=
         transport_endpoint = HostnameEndpoint
         default_port = 8008
     else:
+        # the SNI string should be the same as the Host header, minus the port.
+        # as per https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/2525#issuecomment-336896777,
+        # the Host header and SNI should therefore be the server_name of the remote
+        # server.
+        tls_options = tls_client_options_factory.get_options(domain)
+
         def transport_endpoint(reactor, host, port, timeout):
             return wrapClientTLS(
-                tls_client_options_factory.get_options(host),
-                HostnameEndpoint(reactor, host, port, timeout=timeout))
+                tls_options,
+                HostnameEndpoint(reactor, host, port, timeout=timeout),
+            )
         default_port = 8448
 
     if port is None:
diff --git a/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py b/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py
index 44b61e70a4..24b6110c20 100644
--- a/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py
+++ b/synapse/http/matrixfederationclient.py
@@ -17,19 +17,22 @@ import cgi
 import logging
 import random
 import sys
-import urllib
+from io import BytesIO
 
-from six import string_types
-from six.moves.urllib import parse as urlparse
+from six import PY3, string_types
+from six.moves import urllib
 
-from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
+import attr
+import treq
+from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json
 from prometheus_client import Counter
 from signedjson.sign import sign_json
 
-from twisted.internet import defer, protocol, reactor
+from twisted.internet import defer, protocol
 from twisted.internet.error import DNSLookupError
+from twisted.internet.task import _EPSILON, Cooperator
 from twisted.web._newclient import ResponseDone
-from twisted.web.client import Agent, HTTPConnectionPool, readBody
+from twisted.web.client import Agent, FileBodyProducer, HTTPConnectionPool
 from twisted.web.http_headers import Headers
 
 import synapse.metrics
@@ -40,14 +43,12 @@ from synapse.api.errors import (
     HttpResponseException,
     SynapseError,
 )
-from synapse.http import cancelled_to_request_timed_out_error
 from synapse.http.endpoint import matrix_federation_endpoint
-from synapse.util import logcontext
-from synapse.util.async_helpers import add_timeout_to_deferred
+from synapse.util.async_helpers import timeout_deferred
 from synapse.util.logcontext import make_deferred_yieldable
+from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-outbound_logger = logging.getLogger("synapse.http.outbound")
 
 outgoing_requests_counter = Counter("synapse_http_matrixfederationclient_requests",
                                     "", ["method"])
@@ -58,20 +59,119 @@ incoming_responses_counter = Counter("synapse_http_matrixfederationclient_respon
 MAX_LONG_RETRIES = 10
 MAX_SHORT_RETRIES = 3
 
+if PY3:
+    MAXINT = sys.maxsize
+else:
+    MAXINT = sys.maxint
+
 
 class MatrixFederationEndpointFactory(object):
     def __init__(self, hs):
+        self.reactor = hs.get_reactor()
         self.tls_client_options_factory = hs.tls_client_options_factory
 
     def endpointForURI(self, uri):
-        destination = uri.netloc
+        destination = uri.netloc.decode('ascii')
 
         return matrix_federation_endpoint(
-            reactor, destination, timeout=10,
+            self.reactor, destination, timeout=10,
             tls_client_options_factory=self.tls_client_options_factory
         )
 
 
+_next_id = 1
+
+
+@attr.s
+class MatrixFederationRequest(object):
+    method = attr.ib()
+    """HTTP method
+    :type: str
+    """
+
+    path = attr.ib()
+    """HTTP path
+    :type: str
+    """
+
+    destination = attr.ib()
+    """The remote server to send the HTTP request to.
+    :type: str"""
+
+    json = attr.ib(default=None)
+    """JSON to send in the body.
+    :type: dict|None
+    """
+
+    json_callback = attr.ib(default=None)
+    """A callback to generate the JSON.
+    :type: func|None
+    """
+
+    query = attr.ib(default=None)
+    """Query arguments.
+    :type: dict|None
+    """
+
+    txn_id = attr.ib(default=None)
+    """Unique ID for this request (for logging)
+    :type: str|None
+    """
+
+    def __attrs_post_init__(self):
+        global _next_id
+        self.txn_id = "%s-O-%s" % (self.method, _next_id)
+        _next_id = (_next_id + 1) % (MAXINT - 1)
+
+    def get_json(self):
+        if self.json_callback:
+            return self.json_callback()
+        return self.json
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _handle_json_response(reactor, timeout_sec, request, response):
+    """
+    Reads the JSON body of a response, with a timeout
+
+    Args:
+        reactor (IReactor): twisted reactor, for the timeout
+        timeout_sec (float): number of seconds to wait for response to complete
+        request (MatrixFederationRequest): the request that triggered the response
+        response (IResponse): response to the request
+
+    Returns:
+        dict: parsed JSON response
+    """
+    try:
+        check_content_type_is_json(response.headers)
+
+        d = treq.json_content(response)
+        d = timeout_deferred(
+            d,
+            timeout=timeout_sec,
+            reactor=reactor,
+        )
+
+        body = yield make_deferred_yieldable(d)
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.warn(
+            "{%s} [%s] Error reading response: %s",
+            request.txn_id,
+            request.destination,
+            e,
+        )
+        raise
+    logger.info(
+        "{%s} [%s] Completed: %d %s",
+        request.txn_id,
+        request.destination,
+        response.code,
+        response.phrase.decode('ascii', errors='replace'),
+    )
+    defer.returnValue(body)
+
+
 class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
     """HTTP client used to talk to other homeservers over the federation
     protocol. Send client certificates and signs requests.
@@ -85,7 +185,9 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
         self.hs = hs
         self.signing_key = hs.config.signing_key[0]
         self.server_name = hs.hostname
+        reactor = hs.get_reactor()
         pool = HTTPConnectionPool(reactor)
+        pool.retryAutomatically = False
         pool.maxPersistentPerHost = 5
         pool.cachedConnectionTimeout = 2 * 60
         self.agent = Agent.usingEndpointFactory(
@@ -93,34 +195,42 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
         )
         self.clock = hs.get_clock()
         self._store = hs.get_datastore()
-        self.version_string = hs.version_string
-        self._next_id = 1
+        self.version_string_bytes = hs.version_string.encode('ascii')
+        self.default_timeout = 60
 
-    def _create_url(self, destination, path_bytes, param_bytes, query_bytes):
-        return urlparse.urlunparse(
-            ("matrix", destination, path_bytes, param_bytes, query_bytes, "")
-        )
+        def schedule(x):
+            reactor.callLater(_EPSILON, x)
+
+        self._cooperator = Cooperator(scheduler=schedule)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _request(self, destination, method, path,
-                 body_callback, headers_dict={}, param_bytes=b"",
-                 query_bytes=b"", retry_on_dns_fail=True,
-                 timeout=None, long_retries=False,
-                 ignore_backoff=False,
-                 backoff_on_404=False):
-        """ Creates and sends a request to the given server
+    def _send_request(
+        self,
+        request,
+        retry_on_dns_fail=True,
+        timeout=None,
+        long_retries=False,
+        ignore_backoff=False,
+        backoff_on_404=False
+    ):
+        """
+        Sends a request to the given server.
+
         Args:
-            destination (str): The remote server to send the HTTP request to.
-            method (str): HTTP method
-            path (str): The HTTP path
+            request (MatrixFederationRequest): details of request to be sent
+
+            timeout (int|None): number of milliseconds to wait for the response headers
+                (including connecting to the server). 60s by default.
+
             ignore_backoff (bool): true to ignore the historical backoff data
                 and try the request anyway.
+
             backoff_on_404 (bool): Back off if we get a 404
 
         Returns:
             Deferred: resolves with the http response object on success.
 
-            Fails with ``HTTPRequestException``: if we get an HTTP response
+            Fails with ``HttpResponseException``: if we get an HTTP response
                 code >= 300.
 
             Fails with ``NotRetryingDestination`` if we are not yet ready
@@ -132,38 +242,39 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             (May also fail with plenty of other Exceptions for things like DNS
                 failures, connection failures, SSL failures.)
         """
+        if timeout:
+            _sec_timeout = timeout / 1000
+        else:
+            _sec_timeout = self.default_timeout
+
         if (
-            self.hs.config.federation_domain_whitelist and
-            destination not in self.hs.config.federation_domain_whitelist
+            self.hs.config.federation_domain_whitelist is not None and
+            request.destination not in self.hs.config.federation_domain_whitelist
         ):
-            raise FederationDeniedError(destination)
+            raise FederationDeniedError(request.destination)
 
         limiter = yield synapse.util.retryutils.get_retry_limiter(
-            destination,
+            request.destination,
             self.clock,
             self._store,
             backoff_on_404=backoff_on_404,
             ignore_backoff=ignore_backoff,
         )
 
-        destination = destination.encode("ascii")
-        path_bytes = path.encode("ascii")
-        with limiter:
-            headers_dict[b"User-Agent"] = [self.version_string]
-            headers_dict[b"Host"] = [destination]
-
-            url_bytes = self._create_url(
-                destination, path_bytes, param_bytes, query_bytes
-            )
-
-            txn_id = "%s-O-%s" % (method, self._next_id)
-            self._next_id = (self._next_id + 1) % (sys.maxint - 1)
+        method_bytes = request.method.encode("ascii")
+        destination_bytes = request.destination.encode("ascii")
+        path_bytes = request.path.encode("ascii")
+        if request.query:
+            query_bytes = encode_query_args(request.query)
+        else:
+            query_bytes = b""
 
-            outbound_logger.info(
-                "{%s} [%s] Sending request: %s %s",
-                txn_id, destination, method, url_bytes
-            )
+        headers_dict = {
+            b"User-Agent": [self.version_string_bytes],
+            b"Host": [destination_bytes],
+        }
 
+        with limiter:
             # XXX: Would be much nicer to retry only at the transaction-layer
             # (once we have reliable transactions in place)
             if long_retries:
@@ -171,88 +282,120 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             else:
                 retries_left = MAX_SHORT_RETRIES
 
-            http_url_bytes = urlparse.urlunparse(
-                ("", "", path_bytes, param_bytes, query_bytes, "")
-            )
+            url_bytes = urllib.parse.urlunparse((
+                b"matrix", destination_bytes,
+                path_bytes, None, query_bytes, b"",
+            ))
+            url_str = url_bytes.decode('ascii')
+
+            url_to_sign_bytes = urllib.parse.urlunparse((
+                b"", b"",
+                path_bytes, None, query_bytes, b"",
+            ))
 
-            log_result = None
-            try:
-                while True:
-                    producer = None
-                    if body_callback:
-                        producer = body_callback(method, http_url_bytes, headers_dict)
-
-                    try:
-                        request_deferred = self.agent.request(
-                            method,
-                            url_bytes,
-                            Headers(headers_dict),
-                            producer
+            while True:
+                try:
+                    json = request.get_json()
+                    if json:
+                        headers_dict[b"Content-Type"] = [b"application/json"]
+                        self.sign_request(
+                            destination_bytes, method_bytes, url_to_sign_bytes,
+                            headers_dict, json,
                         )
-                        add_timeout_to_deferred(
-                            request_deferred,
-                            timeout / 1000. if timeout else 60,
-                            self.hs.get_reactor(),
-                            cancelled_to_request_timed_out_error,
+                        data = encode_canonical_json(json)
+                        producer = FileBodyProducer(
+                            BytesIO(data),
+                            cooperator=self._cooperator,
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        producer = None
+                        self.sign_request(
+                            destination_bytes, method_bytes, url_to_sign_bytes,
+                            headers_dict,
                         )
+
+                    logger.info(
+                        "{%s} [%s] Sending request: %s %s",
+                        request.txn_id, request.destination, request.method,
+                        url_str,
+                    )
+
+                    # we don't want all the fancy cookie and redirect handling that
+                    # treq.request gives: just use the raw Agent.
+                    request_deferred = self.agent.request(
+                        method_bytes,
+                        url_bytes,
+                        headers=Headers(headers_dict),
+                        bodyProducer=producer,
+                    )
+
+                    request_deferred = timeout_deferred(
+                        request_deferred,
+                        timeout=_sec_timeout,
+                        reactor=self.hs.get_reactor(),
+                    )
+
+                    with Measure(self.clock, "outbound_request"):
                         response = yield make_deferred_yieldable(
                             request_deferred,
                         )
 
-                        log_result = "%d %s" % (response.code, response.phrase,)
-                        break
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        if not retry_on_dns_fail and isinstance(e, DNSLookupError):
-                            logger.warn(
-                                "DNS Lookup failed to %s with %s",
-                                destination,
-                                e
-                            )
-                            log_result = "DNS Lookup failed to %s with %s" % (
-                                destination, e
-                            )
-                            raise
-
-                        logger.warn(
-                            "{%s} Sending request failed to %s: %s %s: %s",
-                            txn_id,
-                            destination,
-                            method,
-                            url_bytes,
-                            _flatten_response_never_received(e),
+                    break
+                except Exception as e:
+                    logger.warn(
+                        "{%s} [%s] Request failed: %s %s: %s",
+                        request.txn_id,
+                        request.destination,
+                        request.method,
+                        url_str,
+                        _flatten_response_never_received(e),
+                    )
+
+                    if not retry_on_dns_fail and isinstance(e, DNSLookupError):
+                        raise
+
+                    if retries_left and not timeout:
+                        if long_retries:
+                            delay = 4 ** (MAX_LONG_RETRIES + 1 - retries_left)
+                            delay = min(delay, 60)
+                            delay *= random.uniform(0.8, 1.4)
+                        else:
+                            delay = 0.5 * 2 ** (MAX_SHORT_RETRIES - retries_left)
+                            delay = min(delay, 2)
+                            delay *= random.uniform(0.8, 1.4)
+
+                        logger.debug(
+                            "{%s} [%s] Waiting %ss before re-sending...",
+                            request.txn_id,
+                            request.destination,
+                            delay,
                         )
 
-                        log_result = _flatten_response_never_received(e)
-
-                        if retries_left and not timeout:
-                            if long_retries:
-                                delay = 4 ** (MAX_LONG_RETRIES + 1 - retries_left)
-                                delay = min(delay, 60)
-                                delay *= random.uniform(0.8, 1.4)
-                            else:
-                                delay = 0.5 * 2 ** (MAX_SHORT_RETRIES - retries_left)
-                                delay = min(delay, 2)
-                                delay *= random.uniform(0.8, 1.4)
-
-                            yield self.clock.sleep(delay)
-                            retries_left -= 1
-                        else:
-                            raise
-            finally:
-                outbound_logger.info(
-                    "{%s} [%s] Result: %s",
-                    txn_id,
-                    destination,
-                    log_result,
-                )
+                        yield self.clock.sleep(delay)
+                        retries_left -= 1
+                    else:
+                        raise
+
+            logger.info(
+                "{%s} [%s] Got response headers: %d %s",
+                request.txn_id,
+                request.destination,
+                response.code,
+                response.phrase.decode('ascii', errors='replace'),
+            )
 
             if 200 <= response.code < 300:
                 pass
             else:
                 # :'(
                 # Update transactions table?
-                with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext():
-                    body = yield readBody(response)
+                d = treq.content(response)
+                d = timeout_deferred(
+                    d,
+                    timeout=_sec_timeout,
+                    reactor=self.hs.get_reactor(),
+                )
+                body = yield make_deferred_yieldable(d)
                 raise HttpResponseException(
                     response.code, response.phrase, body
                 )
@@ -269,8 +412,9 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
                 destination_is must be non-None.
             method (bytes): The HTTP method of the request
             url_bytes (bytes): The URI path of the request
-            headers_dict (dict): Dictionary of request headers to append to
-            content (bytes): The body of the request
+            headers_dict (dict[bytes, list[bytes]]): Dictionary of request headers to
+                append to
+            content (object): The body of the request
             destination_is (bytes): As 'destination', but if the destination is an
                 identity server
 
@@ -297,11 +441,11 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
         auth_headers = []
 
         for key, sig in request["signatures"][self.server_name].items():
-            auth_headers.append(bytes(
+            auth_headers.append((
                 "X-Matrix origin=%s,key=\"%s\",sig=\"%s\"" % (
                     self.server_name, key, sig,
-                )
-            ))
+                )).encode('ascii')
+            )
 
         headers_dict[b"Authorization"] = auth_headers
 
@@ -336,7 +480,7 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             Deferred: Succeeds when we get a 2xx HTTP response. The result
             will be the decoded JSON body.
 
-            Fails with ``HTTPRequestException`` if we get an HTTP response
+            Fails with ``HttpResponseException`` if we get an HTTP response
             code >= 300.
 
             Fails with ``NotRetryingDestination`` if we are not yet ready
@@ -346,38 +490,27 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             is not on our federation whitelist
         """
 
-        if not json_data_callback:
-            def json_data_callback():
-                return data
+        request = MatrixFederationRequest(
+            method="PUT",
+            destination=destination,
+            path=path,
+            query=args,
+            json_callback=json_data_callback,
+            json=data,
+        )
 
-        def body_callback(method, url_bytes, headers_dict):
-            json_data = json_data_callback()
-            self.sign_request(
-                destination, method, url_bytes, headers_dict, json_data
-            )
-            producer = _JsonProducer(json_data)
-            return producer
-
-        response = yield self._request(
-            destination,
-            "PUT",
-            path,
-            body_callback=body_callback,
-            headers_dict={"Content-Type": ["application/json"]},
-            query_bytes=encode_query_args(args),
+        response = yield self._send_request(
+            request,
             long_retries=long_retries,
             timeout=timeout,
             ignore_backoff=ignore_backoff,
             backoff_on_404=backoff_on_404,
         )
 
-        if 200 <= response.code < 300:
-            # We need to update the transactions table to say it was sent?
-            check_content_type_is_json(response.headers)
-
-        with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext():
-            body = yield readBody(response)
-        defer.returnValue(json.loads(body))
+        body = yield _handle_json_response(
+            self.hs.get_reactor(), self.default_timeout, request, response,
+        )
+        defer.returnValue(body)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def post_json(self, destination, path, data={}, long_retries=False,
@@ -401,7 +534,7 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             Deferred: Succeeds when we get a 2xx HTTP response. The result
             will be the decoded JSON body.
 
-            Fails with ``HTTPRequestException`` if we get an HTTP response
+            Fails with ``HttpResponseException`` if we get an HTTP response
             code >= 300.
 
             Fails with ``NotRetryingDestination`` if we are not yet ready
@@ -411,32 +544,30 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             is not on our federation whitelist
         """
 
-        def body_callback(method, url_bytes, headers_dict):
-            self.sign_request(
-                destination, method, url_bytes, headers_dict, data
-            )
-            return _JsonProducer(data)
-
-        response = yield self._request(
-            destination,
-            "POST",
-            path,
-            query_bytes=encode_query_args(args),
-            body_callback=body_callback,
-            headers_dict={"Content-Type": ["application/json"]},
+        request = MatrixFederationRequest(
+            method="POST",
+            destination=destination,
+            path=path,
+            query=args,
+            json=data,
+        )
+
+        response = yield self._send_request(
+            request,
             long_retries=long_retries,
             timeout=timeout,
             ignore_backoff=ignore_backoff,
         )
 
-        if 200 <= response.code < 300:
-            # We need to update the transactions table to say it was sent?
-            check_content_type_is_json(response.headers)
-
-        with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext():
-            body = yield readBody(response)
+        if timeout:
+            _sec_timeout = timeout / 1000
+        else:
+            _sec_timeout = self.default_timeout
 
-        defer.returnValue(json.loads(body))
+        body = yield _handle_json_response(
+            self.hs.get_reactor(), _sec_timeout, request, response,
+        )
+        defer.returnValue(body)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_json(self, destination, path, args=None, retry_on_dns_fail=True,
@@ -458,7 +589,7 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             Deferred: Succeeds when we get a 2xx HTTP response. The result
             will be the decoded JSON body.
 
-            Fails with ``HTTPRequestException`` if we get an HTTP response
+            Fails with ``HttpResponseException`` if we get an HTTP response
             code >= 300.
 
             Fails with ``NotRetryingDestination`` if we are not yet ready
@@ -471,29 +602,24 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
 
         logger.debug("Query bytes: %s Retry DNS: %s", args, retry_on_dns_fail)
 
-        def body_callback(method, url_bytes, headers_dict):
-            self.sign_request(destination, method, url_bytes, headers_dict)
-            return None
+        request = MatrixFederationRequest(
+            method="GET",
+            destination=destination,
+            path=path,
+            query=args,
+        )
 
-        response = yield self._request(
-            destination,
-            "GET",
-            path,
-            query_bytes=encode_query_args(args),
-            body_callback=body_callback,
+        response = yield self._send_request(
+            request,
             retry_on_dns_fail=retry_on_dns_fail,
             timeout=timeout,
             ignore_backoff=ignore_backoff,
         )
 
-        if 200 <= response.code < 300:
-            # We need to update the transactions table to say it was sent?
-            check_content_type_is_json(response.headers)
-
-        with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext():
-            body = yield readBody(response)
-
-        defer.returnValue(json.loads(body))
+        body = yield _handle_json_response(
+            self.hs.get_reactor(), self.default_timeout, request, response,
+        )
+        defer.returnValue(body)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def delete_json(self, destination, path, long_retries=False,
@@ -514,7 +640,7 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             Deferred: Succeeds when we get a 2xx HTTP response. The result
             will be the decoded JSON body.
 
-            Fails with ``HTTPRequestException`` if we get an HTTP response
+            Fails with ``HttpResponseException`` if we get an HTTP response
             code >= 300.
 
             Fails with ``NotRetryingDestination`` if we are not yet ready
@@ -523,26 +649,24 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             Fails with ``FederationDeniedError`` if this destination
             is not on our federation whitelist
         """
+        request = MatrixFederationRequest(
+            method="DELETE",
+            destination=destination,
+            path=path,
+            query=args,
+        )
 
-        response = yield self._request(
-            destination,
-            "DELETE",
-            path,
-            query_bytes=encode_query_args(args),
-            headers_dict={"Content-Type": ["application/json"]},
+        response = yield self._send_request(
+            request,
             long_retries=long_retries,
             timeout=timeout,
             ignore_backoff=ignore_backoff,
         )
 
-        if 200 <= response.code < 300:
-            # We need to update the transactions table to say it was sent?
-            check_content_type_is_json(response.headers)
-
-        with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext():
-            body = yield readBody(response)
-
-        defer.returnValue(json.loads(body))
+        body = yield _handle_json_response(
+            self.hs.get_reactor(), self.default_timeout, request, response,
+        )
+        defer.returnValue(body)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_file(self, destination, path, output_stream, args={},
@@ -560,7 +684,7 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             Deferred: resolves with an (int,dict) tuple of the file length and
             a dict of the response headers.
 
-            Fails with ``HTTPRequestException`` if we get an HTTP response code
+            Fails with ``HttpResponseException`` if we get an HTTP response code
             >= 300
 
             Fails with ``NotRetryingDestination`` if we are not yet ready
@@ -569,26 +693,15 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
             Fails with ``FederationDeniedError`` if this destination
             is not on our federation whitelist
         """
+        request = MatrixFederationRequest(
+            method="GET",
+            destination=destination,
+            path=path,
+            query=args,
+        )
 
-        encoded_args = {}
-        for k, vs in args.items():
-            if isinstance(vs, string_types):
-                vs = [vs]
-            encoded_args[k] = [v.encode("UTF-8") for v in vs]
-
-        query_bytes = urllib.urlencode(encoded_args, True)
-        logger.debug("Query bytes: %s Retry DNS: %s", query_bytes, retry_on_dns_fail)
-
-        def body_callback(method, url_bytes, headers_dict):
-            self.sign_request(destination, method, url_bytes, headers_dict)
-            return None
-
-        response = yield self._request(
-            destination,
-            "GET",
-            path,
-            query_bytes=query_bytes,
-            body_callback=body_callback,
+        response = yield self._send_request(
+            request,
             retry_on_dns_fail=retry_on_dns_fail,
             ignore_backoff=ignore_backoff,
         )
@@ -596,14 +709,25 @@ class MatrixFederationHttpClient(object):
         headers = dict(response.headers.getAllRawHeaders())
 
         try:
-            with logcontext.PreserveLoggingContext():
-                length = yield _readBodyToFile(
-                    response, output_stream, max_size
-                )
-        except Exception:
-            logger.exception("Failed to download body")
+            d = _readBodyToFile(response, output_stream, max_size)
+            d.addTimeout(self.default_timeout, self.hs.get_reactor())
+            length = yield make_deferred_yieldable(d)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warn(
+                "{%s} [%s] Error reading response: %s",
+                request.txn_id,
+                request.destination,
+                e,
+            )
             raise
-
+        logger.info(
+            "{%s} [%s] Completed: %d %s [%d bytes]",
+            request.txn_id,
+            request.destination,
+            response.code,
+            response.phrase.decode('ascii', errors='replace'),
+            length,
+        )
         defer.returnValue((length, headers))
 
 
@@ -639,30 +763,6 @@ def _readBodyToFile(response, stream, max_size):
     return d
 
 
-class _JsonProducer(object):
-    """ Used by the twisted http client to create the HTTP body from json
-    """
-    def __init__(self, jsn):
-        self.reset(jsn)
-
-    def reset(self, jsn):
-        self.body = encode_canonical_json(jsn)
-        self.length = len(self.body)
-
-    def startProducing(self, consumer):
-        consumer.write(self.body)
-        return defer.succeed(None)
-
-    def pauseProducing(self):
-        pass
-
-    def stopProducing(self):
-        pass
-
-    def resumeProducing(self):
-        pass
-
-
 def _flatten_response_never_received(e):
     if hasattr(e, "reasons"):
         reasons = ", ".join(
@@ -693,7 +793,7 @@ def check_content_type_is_json(headers):
             "No Content-Type header"
         )
 
-    c_type = c_type[0]  # only the first header
+    c_type = c_type[0].decode('ascii')  # only the first header
     val, options = cgi.parse_header(c_type)
     if val != "application/json":
         raise RuntimeError(
@@ -711,6 +811,6 @@ def encode_query_args(args):
             vs = [vs]
         encoded_args[k] = [v.encode("UTF-8") for v in vs]
 
-    query_bytes = urllib.urlencode(encoded_args, True)
+    query_bytes = urllib.parse.urlencode(encoded_args, True)
 
-    return query_bytes
+    return query_bytes.encode('utf8')
diff --git a/synapse/http/request_metrics.py b/synapse/http/request_metrics.py
index 588e280571..62045a918b 100644
--- a/synapse/http/request_metrics.py
+++ b/synapse/http/request_metrics.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
+import threading
 
 from prometheus_client.core import Counter, Histogram
 
@@ -38,7 +39,8 @@ outgoing_responses_counter = Counter(
 )
 
 response_timer = Histogram(
-    "synapse_http_server_response_time_seconds", "sec",
+    "synapse_http_server_response_time_seconds",
+    "sec",
     ["method", "servlet", "tag", "code"],
 )
 
@@ -78,15 +80,11 @@ response_size = Counter(
 # than when the response was written.
 
 in_flight_requests_ru_utime = Counter(
-    "synapse_http_server_in_flight_requests_ru_utime_seconds",
-    "",
-    ["method", "servlet"],
+    "synapse_http_server_in_flight_requests_ru_utime_seconds", "", ["method", "servlet"]
 )
 
 in_flight_requests_ru_stime = Counter(
-    "synapse_http_server_in_flight_requests_ru_stime_seconds",
-    "",
-    ["method", "servlet"],
+    "synapse_http_server_in_flight_requests_ru_stime_seconds", "", ["method", "servlet"]
 )
 
 in_flight_requests_db_txn_count = Counter(
@@ -111,6 +109,9 @@ in_flight_requests_db_sched_duration = Counter(
 # The set of all in flight requests, set[RequestMetrics]
 _in_flight_requests = set()
 
+# Protects the _in_flight_requests set from concurrent accesss
+_in_flight_requests_lock = threading.Lock()
+
 
 def _get_in_flight_counts():
     """Returns a count of all in flight requests by (method, server_name)
@@ -120,7 +121,8 @@ def _get_in_flight_counts():
     """
     # Cast to a list to prevent it changing while the Prometheus
     # thread is collecting metrics
-    reqs = list(_in_flight_requests)
+    with _in_flight_requests_lock:
+        reqs = list(_in_flight_requests)
 
     for rm in reqs:
         rm.update_metrics()
@@ -129,7 +131,7 @@ def _get_in_flight_counts():
     # type
     counts = {}
     for rm in reqs:
-        key = (rm.method, rm.name,)
+        key = (rm.method, rm.name)
         counts[key] = counts.get(key, 0) + 1
 
     return counts
@@ -154,10 +156,12 @@ class RequestMetrics(object):
         # to the "in flight" metrics.
         self._request_stats = self.start_context.get_resource_usage()
 
-        _in_flight_requests.add(self)
+        with _in_flight_requests_lock:
+            _in_flight_requests.add(self)
 
-    def stop(self, time_sec, request):
-        _in_flight_requests.discard(self)
+    def stop(self, time_sec, response_code, sent_bytes):
+        with _in_flight_requests_lock:
+            _in_flight_requests.discard(self)
 
         context = LoggingContext.current_context()
 
@@ -168,39 +172,40 @@ class RequestMetrics(object):
             if context != self.start_context:
                 logger.warn(
                     "Context have unexpectedly changed %r, %r",
-                    context, self.start_context
+                    context,
+                    self.start_context,
                 )
                 return
 
-        response_code = str(request.code)
+        response_code = str(response_code)
 
-        outgoing_responses_counter.labels(request.method, response_code).inc()
+        outgoing_responses_counter.labels(self.method, response_code).inc()
 
-        response_count.labels(request.method, self.name, tag).inc()
+        response_count.labels(self.method, self.name, tag).inc()
 
-        response_timer.labels(request.method, self.name, tag, response_code).observe(
+        response_timer.labels(self.method, self.name, tag, response_code).observe(
             time_sec - self.start
         )
 
         resource_usage = context.get_resource_usage()
 
-        response_ru_utime.labels(request.method, self.name, tag).inc(
-            resource_usage.ru_utime,
+        response_ru_utime.labels(self.method, self.name, tag).inc(
+            resource_usage.ru_utime
         )
-        response_ru_stime.labels(request.method, self.name, tag).inc(
-            resource_usage.ru_stime,
+        response_ru_stime.labels(self.method, self.name, tag).inc(
+            resource_usage.ru_stime
         )
-        response_db_txn_count.labels(request.method, self.name, tag).inc(
+        response_db_txn_count.labels(self.method, self.name, tag).inc(
             resource_usage.db_txn_count
         )
-        response_db_txn_duration.labels(request.method, self.name, tag).inc(
+        response_db_txn_duration.labels(self.method, self.name, tag).inc(
             resource_usage.db_txn_duration_sec
         )
-        response_db_sched_duration.labels(request.method, self.name, tag).inc(
+        response_db_sched_duration.labels(self.method, self.name, tag).inc(
             resource_usage.db_sched_duration_sec
         )
 
-        response_size.labels(request.method, self.name, tag).inc(request.sentLength)
+        response_size.labels(self.method, self.name, tag).inc(sent_bytes)
 
         # We always call this at the end to ensure that we update the metrics
         # regardless of whether a call to /metrics while the request was in
@@ -215,8 +220,15 @@ class RequestMetrics(object):
         diff = new_stats - self._request_stats
         self._request_stats = new_stats
 
-        in_flight_requests_ru_utime.labels(self.method, self.name).inc(diff.ru_utime)
-        in_flight_requests_ru_stime.labels(self.method, self.name).inc(diff.ru_stime)
+        # max() is used since rapid use of ru_stime/ru_utime can end up with the
+        # count going backwards due to NTP, time smearing, fine-grained
+        # correction, or floating points. Who knows, really?
+        in_flight_requests_ru_utime.labels(self.method, self.name).inc(
+            max(diff.ru_utime, 0)
+        )
+        in_flight_requests_ru_stime.labels(self.method, self.name).inc(
+            max(diff.ru_stime, 0)
+        )
 
         in_flight_requests_db_txn_count.labels(self.method, self.name).inc(
             diff.db_txn_count
diff --git a/synapse/http/server.py b/synapse/http/server.py
index 2d5c23e673..b4b25cab19 100644
--- a/synapse/http/server.py
+++ b/synapse/http/server.py
@@ -84,10 +84,21 @@ def wrap_json_request_handler(h):
             logger.info(
                 "%s SynapseError: %s - %s", request, code, e.msg
             )
-            respond_with_json(
-                request, code, e.error_dict(), send_cors=True,
-                pretty_print=_request_user_agent_is_curl(request),
-            )
+
+            # Only respond with an error response if we haven't already started
+            # writing, otherwise lets just kill the connection
+            if request.startedWriting:
+                if request.transport:
+                    try:
+                        request.transport.abortConnection()
+                    except Exception:
+                        # abortConnection throws if the connection is already closed
+                        pass
+            else:
+                respond_with_json(
+                    request, code, e.error_dict(), send_cors=True,
+                    pretty_print=_request_user_agent_is_curl(request),
+                )
 
         except Exception:
             # failure.Failure() fishes the original Failure out
@@ -100,16 +111,26 @@ def wrap_json_request_handler(h):
                 request,
                 f.getTraceback().rstrip(),
             )
-            respond_with_json(
-                request,
-                500,
-                {
-                    "error": "Internal server error",
-                    "errcode": Codes.UNKNOWN,
-                },
-                send_cors=True,
-                pretty_print=_request_user_agent_is_curl(request),
-            )
+            # Only respond with an error response if we haven't already started
+            # writing, otherwise lets just kill the connection
+            if request.startedWriting:
+                if request.transport:
+                    try:
+                        request.transport.abortConnection()
+                    except Exception:
+                        # abortConnection throws if the connection is already closed
+                        pass
+            else:
+                respond_with_json(
+                    request,
+                    500,
+                    {
+                        "error": "Internal server error",
+                        "errcode": Codes.UNKNOWN,
+                    },
+                    send_cors=True,
+                    pretty_print=_request_user_agent_is_curl(request),
+                )
 
     return wrap_async_request_handler(wrapped_request_handler)
 
diff --git a/synapse/http/site.py b/synapse/http/site.py
index 88ed3714f9..e508c0bd4f 100644
--- a/synapse/http/site.py
+++ b/synapse/http/site.py
@@ -75,17 +75,35 @@ class SynapseRequest(Request):
         return '<%s at 0x%x method=%r uri=%r clientproto=%r site=%r>' % (
             self.__class__.__name__,
             id(self),
-            self.method,
+            self.get_method(),
             self.get_redacted_uri(),
-            self.clientproto,
+            self.clientproto.decode('ascii', errors='replace'),
             self.site.site_tag,
         )
 
     def get_request_id(self):
-        return "%s-%i" % (self.method, self.request_seq)
+        return "%s-%i" % (self.get_method(), self.request_seq)
 
     def get_redacted_uri(self):
-        return redact_uri(self.uri)
+        uri = self.uri
+        if isinstance(uri, bytes):
+            uri = self.uri.decode('ascii')
+        return redact_uri(uri)
+
+    def get_method(self):
+        """Gets the method associated with the request (or placeholder if not
+        method has yet been received).
+
+        Note: This is necessary as the placeholder value in twisted is str
+        rather than bytes, so we need to sanitise `self.method`.
+
+        Returns:
+            str
+        """
+        method = self.method
+        if isinstance(method, bytes):
+            method = self.method.decode('ascii')
+        return method
 
     def get_user_agent(self):
         return self.requestHeaders.getRawHeaders(b"User-Agent", [None])[-1]
@@ -116,7 +134,7 @@ class SynapseRequest(Request):
             # dispatching to the handler, so that the handler
             # can update the servlet name in the request
             # metrics
-            requests_counter.labels(self.method,
+            requests_counter.labels(self.get_method(),
                                     self.request_metrics.name).inc()
 
     @contextlib.contextmanager
@@ -204,14 +222,14 @@ class SynapseRequest(Request):
         self.start_time = time.time()
         self.request_metrics = RequestMetrics()
         self.request_metrics.start(
-            self.start_time, name=servlet_name, method=self.method,
+            self.start_time, name=servlet_name, method=self.get_method(),
         )
 
         self.site.access_logger.info(
             "%s - %s - Received request: %s %s",
             self.getClientIP(),
             self.site.site_tag,
-            self.method,
+            self.get_method(),
             self.get_redacted_uri()
         )
 
@@ -277,15 +295,15 @@ class SynapseRequest(Request):
             int(usage.db_txn_count),
             self.sentLength,
             code,
-            self.method,
+            self.get_method(),
             self.get_redacted_uri(),
-            self.clientproto,
+            self.clientproto.decode('ascii', errors='replace'),
             user_agent,
             usage.evt_db_fetch_count,
         )
 
         try:
-            self.request_metrics.stop(self.finish_time, self)
+            self.request_metrics.stop(self.finish_time, self.code, self.sentLength)
         except Exception as e:
             logger.warn("Failed to stop metrics: %r", e)
 
@@ -305,7 +323,7 @@ class XForwardedForRequest(SynapseRequest):
             C{b"-"}.
         """
         return self.requestHeaders.getRawHeaders(
-            b"x-forwarded-for", [b"-"])[0].split(b",")[0].strip()
+            b"x-forwarded-for", [b"-"])[0].split(b",")[0].strip().decode('ascii')
 
 
 class SynapseRequestFactory(object):
diff --git a/synapse/metrics/__init__.py b/synapse/metrics/__init__.py
index 550f8443f7..59900aa5d1 100644
--- a/synapse/metrics/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/metrics/__init__.py
@@ -18,8 +18,11 @@ import gc
 import logging
 import os
 import platform
+import threading
 import time
 
+import six
+
 import attr
 from prometheus_client import Counter, Gauge, Histogram
 from prometheus_client.core import REGISTRY, GaugeMetricFamily
@@ -68,7 +71,7 @@ class LaterGauge(object):
             return
 
         if isinstance(calls, dict):
-            for k, v in calls.items():
+            for k, v in six.iteritems(calls):
                 g.add_metric(k, v)
         else:
             g.add_metric([], calls)
@@ -87,6 +90,109 @@ class LaterGauge(object):
         all_gauges[self.name] = self
 
 
+class InFlightGauge(object):
+    """Tracks number of things (e.g. requests, Measure blocks, etc) in flight
+    at any given time.
+
+    Each InFlightGauge will create a metric called `<name>_total` that counts
+    the number of in flight blocks, as well as a metrics for each item in the
+    given `sub_metrics` as `<name>_<sub_metric>` which will get updated by the
+    callbacks.
+
+    Args:
+        name (str)
+        desc (str)
+        labels (list[str])
+        sub_metrics (list[str]): A list of sub metrics that the callbacks
+            will update.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, name, desc, labels, sub_metrics):
+        self.name = name
+        self.desc = desc
+        self.labels = labels
+        self.sub_metrics = sub_metrics
+
+        # Create a class which have the sub_metrics values as attributes, which
+        # default to 0 on initialization. Used to pass to registered callbacks.
+        self._metrics_class = attr.make_class(
+            "_MetricsEntry",
+            attrs={x: attr.ib(0) for x in sub_metrics},
+            slots=True,
+        )
+
+        # Counts number of in flight blocks for a given set of label values
+        self._registrations = {}
+
+        # Protects access to _registrations
+        self._lock = threading.Lock()
+
+        self._register_with_collector()
+
+    def register(self, key, callback):
+        """Registers that we've entered a new block with labels `key`.
+
+        `callback` gets called each time the metrics are collected. The same
+        value must also be given to `unregister`.
+
+        `callback` gets called with an object that has an attribute per
+        sub_metric, which should be updated with the necessary values. Note that
+        the metrics object is shared between all callbacks registered with the
+        same key.
+
+        Note that `callback` may be called on a separate thread.
+        """
+        with self._lock:
+            self._registrations.setdefault(key, set()).add(callback)
+
+    def unregister(self, key, callback):
+        """Registers that we've exited a block with labels `key`.
+        """
+
+        with self._lock:
+            self._registrations.setdefault(key, set()).discard(callback)
+
+    def collect(self):
+        """Called by prometheus client when it reads metrics.
+
+        Note: may be called by a separate thread.
+        """
+        in_flight = GaugeMetricFamily(self.name + "_total", self.desc, labels=self.labels)
+
+        metrics_by_key = {}
+
+        # We copy so that we don't mutate the list while iterating
+        with self._lock:
+            keys = list(self._registrations)
+
+        for key in keys:
+            with self._lock:
+                callbacks = set(self._registrations[key])
+
+            in_flight.add_metric(key, len(callbacks))
+
+            metrics = self._metrics_class()
+            metrics_by_key[key] = metrics
+            for callback in callbacks:
+                callback(metrics)
+
+        yield in_flight
+
+        for name in self.sub_metrics:
+            gauge = GaugeMetricFamily("_".join([self.name, name]), "", labels=self.labels)
+            for key, metrics in six.iteritems(metrics_by_key):
+                gauge.add_metric(key, getattr(metrics, name))
+            yield gauge
+
+    def _register_with_collector(self):
+        if self.name in all_gauges.keys():
+            logger.warning("%s already registered, reregistering" % (self.name,))
+            REGISTRY.unregister(all_gauges.pop(self.name))
+
+        REGISTRY.register(self)
+        all_gauges[self.name] = self
+
+
 #
 # Detailed CPU metrics
 #
diff --git a/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py b/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py
index ce678d5f75..037f1c490e 100644
--- a/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py
+++ b/synapse/metrics/background_process_metrics.py
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+import logging
+import threading
+
 import six
 
 from prometheus_client.core import REGISTRY, Counter, GaugeMetricFamily
@@ -21,6 +24,9 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.util.logcontext import LoggingContext, PreserveLoggingContext
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
 _background_process_start_count = Counter(
     "synapse_background_process_start_count",
     "Number of background processes started",
@@ -78,6 +84,9 @@ _background_process_counts = dict()  # type: dict[str, int]
 # of process descriptions that no longer have any active processes.
 _background_processes = dict()  # type: dict[str, set[_BackgroundProcess]]
 
+# A lock that covers the above dicts
+_bg_metrics_lock = threading.Lock()
+
 
 class _Collector(object):
     """A custom metrics collector for the background process metrics.
@@ -92,7 +101,15 @@ class _Collector(object):
             labels=["name"],
         )
 
-        for desc, processes in six.iteritems(_background_processes):
+        # We copy the dict so that it doesn't change from underneath us.
+        # We also copy the process lists as that can also change
+        with _bg_metrics_lock:
+            _background_processes_copy = {
+                k: list(v)
+                for k, v in six.iteritems(_background_processes)
+            }
+
+        for desc, processes in six.iteritems(_background_processes_copy):
             background_process_in_flight_count.add_metric(
                 (desc,), len(processes),
             )
@@ -167,19 +184,28 @@ def run_as_background_process(desc, func, *args, **kwargs):
     """
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def run():
-        count = _background_process_counts.get(desc, 0)
-        _background_process_counts[desc] = count + 1
+        with _bg_metrics_lock:
+            count = _background_process_counts.get(desc, 0)
+            _background_process_counts[desc] = count + 1
+
         _background_process_start_count.labels(desc).inc()
 
         with LoggingContext(desc) as context:
             context.request = "%s-%i" % (desc, count)
             proc = _BackgroundProcess(desc, context)
-            _background_processes.setdefault(desc, set()).add(proc)
+
+            with _bg_metrics_lock:
+                _background_processes.setdefault(desc, set()).add(proc)
+
             try:
                 yield func(*args, **kwargs)
+            except Exception:
+                logger.exception("Background process '%s' threw an exception", desc)
             finally:
                 proc.update_metrics()
-                _background_processes[desc].remove(proc)
+
+                with _bg_metrics_lock:
+                    _background_processes[desc].remove(proc)
 
     with PreserveLoggingContext():
         return run()
diff --git a/synapse/notifier.py b/synapse/notifier.py
index 82f391481c..de02b1017e 100644
--- a/synapse/notifier.py
+++ b/synapse/notifier.py
@@ -24,13 +24,10 @@ from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError
 from synapse.handlers.presence import format_user_presence_state
 from synapse.metrics import LaterGauge
+from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.types import StreamToken
-from synapse.util.async_helpers import (
-    DeferredTimeoutError,
-    ObservableDeferred,
-    add_timeout_to_deferred,
-)
-from synapse.util.logcontext import PreserveLoggingContext, run_in_background
+from synapse.util.async_helpers import ObservableDeferred, timeout_deferred
+from synapse.util.logcontext import PreserveLoggingContext
 from synapse.util.logutils import log_function
 from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
 from synapse.visibility import filter_events_for_client
@@ -189,9 +186,9 @@ class Notifier(object):
         def count_listeners():
             all_user_streams = set()
 
-            for x in self.room_to_user_streams.values():
+            for x in list(self.room_to_user_streams.values()):
                 all_user_streams |= x
-            for x in self.user_to_user_stream.values():
+            for x in list(self.user_to_user_stream.values()):
                 all_user_streams.add(x)
 
             return sum(stream.count_listeners() for stream in all_user_streams)
@@ -199,7 +196,7 @@ class Notifier(object):
 
         LaterGauge(
             "synapse_notifier_rooms", "", [],
-            lambda: count(bool, self.room_to_user_streams.values()),
+            lambda: count(bool, list(self.room_to_user_streams.values())),
         )
         LaterGauge(
             "synapse_notifier_users", "", [],
@@ -252,7 +249,10 @@ class Notifier(object):
     def _on_new_room_event(self, event, room_stream_id, extra_users=[]):
         """Notify any user streams that are interested in this room event"""
         # poke any interested application service.
-        run_in_background(self._notify_app_services, room_stream_id)
+        run_as_background_process(
+            "notify_app_services",
+            self._notify_app_services, room_stream_id,
+        )
 
         if self.federation_sender:
             self.federation_sender.notify_new_events(room_stream_id)
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ class Notifier(object):
                     # Now we wait for the _NotifierUserStream to be told there
                     # is a new token.
                     listener = user_stream.new_listener(prev_token)
-                    add_timeout_to_deferred(
+                    listener.deferred = timeout_deferred(
                         listener.deferred,
                         (end_time - now) / 1000.,
                         self.hs.get_reactor(),
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ class Notifier(object):
                     # Update the prev_token to the current_token since nothing
                     # has happened between the old prev_token and the current_token
                     prev_token = current_token
-                except DeferredTimeoutError:
+                except defer.TimeoutError:
                     break
                 except defer.CancelledError:
                     break
@@ -559,15 +559,16 @@ class Notifier(object):
             if end_time <= now:
                 break
 
-            add_timeout_to_deferred(
-                listener.deferred.addTimeout,
-                (end_time - now) / 1000.,
-                self.hs.get_reactor(),
+            listener.deferred = timeout_deferred(
+                listener.deferred,
+                timeout=(end_time - now) / 1000.,
+                reactor=self.hs.get_reactor(),
             )
+
             try:
                 with PreserveLoggingContext():
                     yield listener.deferred
-            except DeferredTimeoutError:
+            except defer.TimeoutError:
                 break
             except defer.CancelledError:
                 break
diff --git a/synapse/push/emailpusher.py b/synapse/push/emailpusher.py
index d746371420..f369124258 100644
--- a/synapse/push/emailpusher.py
+++ b/synapse/push/emailpusher.py
@@ -18,8 +18,7 @@ import logging
 from twisted.internet import defer
 from twisted.internet.error import AlreadyCalled, AlreadyCancelled
 
-from synapse.util.logcontext import LoggingContext
-from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
+from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -71,18 +70,11 @@ class EmailPusher(object):
         # See httppusher
         self.max_stream_ordering = None
 
-        self.processing = False
+        self._is_processing = False
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_started(self):
         if self.mailer is not None:
-            try:
-                self.throttle_params = yield self.store.get_throttle_params_by_room(
-                    self.pusher_id
-                )
-                yield self._process()
-            except Exception:
-                logger.exception("Error starting email pusher")
+            self._start_processing()
 
     def on_stop(self):
         if self.timed_call:
@@ -92,43 +84,52 @@ class EmailPusher(object):
                 pass
             self.timed_call = None
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_new_notifications(self, min_stream_ordering, max_stream_ordering):
         self.max_stream_ordering = max(max_stream_ordering, self.max_stream_ordering)
-        yield self._process()
+        self._start_processing()
 
     def on_new_receipts(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id):
         # We could wake up and cancel the timer but there tend to be quite a
         # lot of read receipts so it's probably less work to just let the
         # timer fire
-        return defer.succeed(None)
+        pass
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_timer(self):
         self.timed_call = None
-        yield self._process()
+        self._start_processing()
+
+    def _start_processing(self):
+        if self._is_processing:
+            return
+
+        run_as_background_process("emailpush.process", self._process)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _process(self):
-        if self.processing:
-            return
+        # we should never get here if we are already processing
+        assert not self._is_processing
+
+        try:
+            self._is_processing = True
+
+            if self.throttle_params is None:
+                # this is our first loop: load up the throttle params
+                self.throttle_params = yield self.store.get_throttle_params_by_room(
+                    self.pusher_id
+                )
 
-        with LoggingContext("emailpush._process"):
-            with Measure(self.clock, "emailpush._process"):
+            # if the max ordering changes while we're running _unsafe_process,
+            # call it again, and so on until we've caught up.
+            while True:
+                starting_max_ordering = self.max_stream_ordering
                 try:
-                    self.processing = True
-                    # if the max ordering changes while we're running _unsafe_process,
-                    # call it again, and so on until we've caught up.
-                    while True:
-                        starting_max_ordering = self.max_stream_ordering
-                        try:
-                            yield self._unsafe_process()
-                        except Exception:
-                            logger.exception("Exception processing notifs")
-                        if self.max_stream_ordering == starting_max_ordering:
-                            break
-                finally:
-                    self.processing = False
+                    yield self._unsafe_process()
+                except Exception:
+                    logger.exception("Exception processing notifs")
+                if self.max_stream_ordering == starting_max_ordering:
+                    break
+        finally:
+            self._is_processing = False
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _unsafe_process(self):
diff --git a/synapse/push/httppusher.py b/synapse/push/httppusher.py
index 81e18bcf7d..6bd703632d 100644
--- a/synapse/push/httppusher.py
+++ b/synapse/push/httppusher.py
@@ -15,17 +15,21 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 import logging
 
+import six
+
 from prometheus_client import Counter
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 from twisted.internet.error import AlreadyCalled, AlreadyCancelled
 
+from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.push import PusherConfigException
-from synapse.util.logcontext import LoggingContext
-from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
 
 from . import push_rule_evaluator, push_tools
 
+if six.PY3:
+    long = int
+
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 http_push_processed_counter = Counter("synapse_http_httppusher_http_pushes_processed", "")
@@ -56,7 +60,7 @@ class HttpPusher(object):
         self.backoff_delay = HttpPusher.INITIAL_BACKOFF_SEC
         self.failing_since = pusherdict['failing_since']
         self.timed_call = None
-        self.processing = False
+        self._is_processing = False
 
         # This is the highest stream ordering we know it's safe to process.
         # When new events arrive, we'll be given a window of new events: we
@@ -87,34 +91,27 @@ class HttpPusher(object):
         self.data_minus_url.update(self.data)
         del self.data_minus_url['url']
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_started(self):
-        try:
-            yield self._process()
-        except Exception:
-            logger.exception("Error starting http pusher")
+        self._start_processing()
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_new_notifications(self, min_stream_ordering, max_stream_ordering):
-        self.max_stream_ordering = max(max_stream_ordering, self.max_stream_ordering)
-        yield self._process()
+        self.max_stream_ordering = max(max_stream_ordering, self.max_stream_ordering or 0)
+        self._start_processing()
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_new_receipts(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id):
         # Note that the min here shouldn't be relied upon to be accurate.
 
         # We could check the receipts are actually m.read receipts here,
         # but currently that's the only type of receipt anyway...
-        with LoggingContext("push.on_new_receipts"):
-            with Measure(self.clock, "push.on_new_receipts"):
-                badge = yield push_tools.get_badge_count(
-                    self.hs.get_datastore(), self.user_id
-                )
-            yield self._send_badge(badge)
+        run_as_background_process("http_pusher.on_new_receipts", self._update_badge)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _update_badge(self):
+        badge = yield push_tools.get_badge_count(self.hs.get_datastore(), self.user_id)
+        yield self._send_badge(badge)
+
     def on_timer(self):
-        yield self._process()
+        self._start_processing()
 
     def on_stop(self):
         if self.timed_call:
@@ -124,27 +121,31 @@ class HttpPusher(object):
                 pass
             self.timed_call = None
 
+    def _start_processing(self):
+        if self._is_processing:
+            return
+
+        run_as_background_process("httppush.process", self._process)
+
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _process(self):
-        if self.processing:
-            return
+        # we should never get here if we are already processing
+        assert not self._is_processing
 
-        with LoggingContext("push._process"):
-            with Measure(self.clock, "push._process"):
+        try:
+            self._is_processing = True
+            # if the max ordering changes while we're running _unsafe_process,
+            # call it again, and so on until we've caught up.
+            while True:
+                starting_max_ordering = self.max_stream_ordering
                 try:
-                    self.processing = True
-                    # if the max ordering changes while we're running _unsafe_process,
-                    # call it again, and so on until we've caught up.
-                    while True:
-                        starting_max_ordering = self.max_stream_ordering
-                        try:
-                            yield self._unsafe_process()
-                        except Exception:
-                            logger.exception("Exception processing notifs")
-                        if self.max_stream_ordering == starting_max_ordering:
-                            break
-                finally:
-                    self.processing = False
+                    yield self._unsafe_process()
+                except Exception:
+                    logger.exception("Exception processing notifs")
+                if self.max_stream_ordering == starting_max_ordering:
+                    break
+        finally:
+            self._is_processing = False
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _unsafe_process(self):
diff --git a/synapse/push/mailer.py b/synapse/push/mailer.py
index bfa6df7b68..16fb5e8471 100644
--- a/synapse/push/mailer.py
+++ b/synapse/push/mailer.py
@@ -17,10 +17,11 @@ import email.mime.multipart
 import email.utils
 import logging
 import time
-import urllib
 from email.mime.multipart import MIMEMultipart
 from email.mime.text import MIMEText
 
+from six.moves import urllib
+
 import bleach
 import jinja2
 
@@ -440,7 +441,7 @@ class Mailer(object):
 
     def make_room_link(self, room_id):
         if self.hs.config.email_riot_base_url:
-            base_url = self.hs.config.email_riot_base_url
+            base_url = "%s/#/room" % (self.hs.config.email_riot_base_url)
         elif self.app_name == "Vector":
             # need /beta for Universal Links to work on iOS
             base_url = "https://vector.im/beta/#/room"
@@ -474,7 +475,7 @@ class Mailer(object):
         # XXX: make r0 once API is stable
         return "%s_matrix/client/unstable/pushers/remove?%s" % (
             self.hs.config.public_baseurl,
-            urllib.urlencode(params),
+            urllib.parse.urlencode(params),
         )
 
 
@@ -525,8 +526,7 @@ def load_jinja2_templates(config):
     Returns:
         (notif_template_html, notif_template_text)
     """
-    logger.info("loading jinja2")
-
+    logger.info("loading email templates from '%s'", config.email_template_dir)
     loader = jinja2.FileSystemLoader(config.email_template_dir)
     env = jinja2.Environment(loader=loader)
     env.filters["format_ts"] = format_ts_filter
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ def _create_mxc_to_http_filter(config):
         return "%s_matrix/media/v1/thumbnail/%s?%s%s" % (
             config.public_baseurl,
             serverAndMediaId,
-            urllib.urlencode(params),
+            urllib.parse.urlencode(params),
             fragment or "",
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/push/pusherpool.py b/synapse/push/pusherpool.py
index 9f7d5ef217..5a4e73ccd6 100644
--- a/synapse/push/pusherpool.py
+++ b/synapse/push/pusherpool.py
@@ -20,24 +20,39 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.push.pusher import PusherFactory
-from synapse.util.logcontext import make_deferred_yieldable, run_in_background
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 class PusherPool:
+    """
+    The pusher pool. This is responsible for dispatching notifications of new events to
+    the http and email pushers.
+
+    It provides three methods which are designed to be called by the rest of the
+    application: `start`, `on_new_notifications`, and `on_new_receipts`: each of these
+    delegates to each of the relevant pushers.
+
+    Note that it is expected that each pusher will have its own 'processing' loop which
+    will send out the notifications in the background, rather than blocking until the
+    notifications are sent; accordingly Pusher.on_started, Pusher.on_new_notifications and
+    Pusher.on_new_receipts are not expected to return deferreds.
+    """
     def __init__(self, _hs):
         self.hs = _hs
         self.pusher_factory = PusherFactory(_hs)
-        self.start_pushers = _hs.config.start_pushers
+        self._should_start_pushers = _hs.config.start_pushers
         self.store = self.hs.get_datastore()
         self.clock = self.hs.get_clock()
         self.pushers = {}
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def start(self):
-        pushers = yield self.store.get_all_pushers()
-        self._start_pushers(pushers)
+        """Starts the pushers off in a background process.
+        """
+        if not self._should_start_pushers:
+            logger.info("Not starting pushers because they are disabled in the config")
+            return
+        run_as_background_process("start_pushers", self._start_pushers)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def add_pusher(self, user_id, access_token, kind, app_id,
@@ -86,7 +101,7 @@ class PusherPool:
             last_stream_ordering=last_stream_ordering,
             profile_tag=profile_tag,
         )
-        yield self._refresh_pusher(app_id, pushkey, user_id)
+        yield self.start_pusher_by_id(app_id, pushkey, user_id)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def remove_pushers_by_app_id_and_pushkey_not_user(self, app_id, pushkey,
@@ -123,45 +138,23 @@ class PusherPool:
                     p['app_id'], p['pushkey'], p['user_name'],
                 )
 
-    def on_new_notifications(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id):
-        run_as_background_process(
-            "on_new_notifications",
-            self._on_new_notifications, min_stream_id, max_stream_id,
-        )
-
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _on_new_notifications(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id):
+    def on_new_notifications(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id):
         try:
             users_affected = yield self.store.get_push_action_users_in_range(
                 min_stream_id, max_stream_id
             )
 
-            deferreds = []
-
             for u in users_affected:
                 if u in self.pushers:
                     for p in self.pushers[u].values():
-                        deferreds.append(
-                            run_in_background(
-                                p.on_new_notifications,
-                                min_stream_id, max_stream_id,
-                            )
-                        )
-
-            yield make_deferred_yieldable(
-                defer.gatherResults(deferreds, consumeErrors=True),
-            )
+                        p.on_new_notifications(min_stream_id, max_stream_id)
+
         except Exception:
             logger.exception("Exception in pusher on_new_notifications")
 
-    def on_new_receipts(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id, affected_room_ids):
-        run_as_background_process(
-            "on_new_receipts",
-            self._on_new_receipts, min_stream_id, max_stream_id, affected_room_ids,
-        )
-
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _on_new_receipts(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id, affected_room_ids):
+    def on_new_receipts(self, min_stream_id, max_stream_id, affected_room_ids):
         try:
             # Need to subtract 1 from the minimum because the lower bound here
             # is not inclusive
@@ -171,26 +164,20 @@ class PusherPool:
             # This returns a tuple, user_id is at index 3
             users_affected = set([r[3] for r in updated_receipts])
 
-            deferreds = []
-
             for u in users_affected:
                 if u in self.pushers:
                     for p in self.pushers[u].values():
-                        deferreds.append(
-                            run_in_background(
-                                p.on_new_receipts,
-                                min_stream_id, max_stream_id,
-                            )
-                        )
-
-            yield make_deferred_yieldable(
-                defer.gatherResults(deferreds, consumeErrors=True),
-            )
+                        p.on_new_receipts(min_stream_id, max_stream_id)
+
         except Exception:
             logger.exception("Exception in pusher on_new_receipts")
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _refresh_pusher(self, app_id, pushkey, user_id):
+    def start_pusher_by_id(self, app_id, pushkey, user_id):
+        """Look up the details for the given pusher, and start it"""
+        if not self._should_start_pushers:
+            return
+
         resultlist = yield self.store.get_pushers_by_app_id_and_pushkey(
             app_id, pushkey
         )
@@ -201,33 +188,49 @@ class PusherPool:
                 p = r
 
         if p:
+            self._start_pusher(p)
 
-            self._start_pushers([p])
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _start_pushers(self):
+        """Start all the pushers
 
-    def _start_pushers(self, pushers):
-        if not self.start_pushers:
-            logger.info("Not starting pushers because they are disabled in the config")
-            return
+        Returns:
+            Deferred
+        """
+        pushers = yield self.store.get_all_pushers()
         logger.info("Starting %d pushers", len(pushers))
         for pusherdict in pushers:
-            try:
-                p = self.pusher_factory.create_pusher(pusherdict)
-            except Exception:
-                logger.exception("Couldn't start a pusher: caught Exception")
-                continue
-            if p:
-                appid_pushkey = "%s:%s" % (
-                    pusherdict['app_id'],
-                    pusherdict['pushkey'],
-                )
-                byuser = self.pushers.setdefault(pusherdict['user_name'], {})
+            self._start_pusher(pusherdict)
+        logger.info("Started pushers")
 
-                if appid_pushkey in byuser:
-                    byuser[appid_pushkey].on_stop()
-                byuser[appid_pushkey] = p
-                run_in_background(p.on_started)
+    def _start_pusher(self, pusherdict):
+        """Start the given pusher
 
-        logger.info("Started pushers")
+        Args:
+            pusherdict (dict):
+
+        Returns:
+            None
+        """
+        try:
+            p = self.pusher_factory.create_pusher(pusherdict)
+        except Exception:
+            logger.exception("Couldn't start a pusher: caught Exception")
+            return
+
+        if not p:
+            return
+
+        appid_pushkey = "%s:%s" % (
+            pusherdict['app_id'],
+            pusherdict['pushkey'],
+        )
+        byuser = self.pushers.setdefault(pusherdict['user_name'], {})
+
+        if appid_pushkey in byuser:
+            byuser[appid_pushkey].on_stop()
+        byuser[appid_pushkey] = p
+        p.on_started()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def remove_pusher(self, app_id, pushkey, user_id):
diff --git a/synapse/python_dependencies.py b/synapse/python_dependencies.py
index 987eec3ef2..943876456b 100644
--- a/synapse/python_dependencies.py
+++ b/synapse/python_dependencies.py
@@ -33,31 +33,39 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # [2] https://setuptools.readthedocs.io/en/latest/setuptools.html#declaring-dependencies
 REQUIREMENTS = {
     "jsonschema>=2.5.1": ["jsonschema>=2.5.1"],
-    "frozendict>=0.4": ["frozendict"],
+    "frozendict>=1": ["frozendict"],
     "unpaddedbase64>=1.1.0": ["unpaddedbase64>=1.1.0"],
     "canonicaljson>=1.1.3": ["canonicaljson>=1.1.3"],
     "signedjson>=1.0.0": ["signedjson>=1.0.0"],
     "pynacl>=1.2.1": ["nacl>=1.2.1", "nacl.bindings"],
-    "service_identity>=1.0.0": ["service_identity>=1.0.0"],
-    "Twisted>=16.0.0": ["twisted>=16.0.0"],
-
-    # We use crypto.get_elliptic_curve which is only supported in >=0.15
-    "pyopenssl>=0.15": ["OpenSSL>=0.15"],
-
-    "pyyaml": ["yaml"],
-    "pyasn1": ["pyasn1"],
-    "daemonize": ["daemonize"],
-    "bcrypt": ["bcrypt>=3.1.0"],
-    "pillow": ["PIL"],
-    "pydenticon": ["pydenticon"],
-    "sortedcontainers": ["sortedcontainers"],
-    "pysaml2>=3.0.0": ["saml2>=3.0.0"],
-    "pymacaroons-pynacl": ["pymacaroons"],
-    "msgpack-python>=0.3.0": ["msgpack"],
+    "service_identity>=16.0.0": ["service_identity>=16.0.0"],
+    "Twisted>=17.1.0": ["twisted>=17.1.0"],
+    "treq>=15.1": ["treq>=15.1"],
+
+    # Twisted has required pyopenssl 16.0 since about Twisted 16.6.
+    "pyopenssl>=16.0.0": ["OpenSSL>=16.0.0"],
+
+    "pyyaml>=3.11": ["yaml"],
+    "pyasn1>=0.1.9": ["pyasn1"],
+    "pyasn1-modules>=0.0.7": ["pyasn1_modules"],
+    "daemonize>=2.3.1": ["daemonize"],
+    "bcrypt>=3.1.0": ["bcrypt>=3.1.0"],
+    "pillow>=3.1.2": ["PIL"],
+    "pydenticon>=0.2": ["pydenticon"],
+    "sortedcontainers>=1.4.4": ["sortedcontainers"],
+    "psutil>=2.0.0": ["psutil>=2.0.0"],
+    "pysaml2>=3.0.0": ["saml2"],
+    "pymacaroons-pynacl>=0.9.3": ["pymacaroons"],
+    "msgpack-python>=0.4.2": ["msgpack"],
     "phonenumbers>=8.2.0": ["phonenumbers"],
-    "six": ["six"],
-    "prometheus_client": ["prometheus_client"],
-    "attrs": ["attr"],
+    "six>=1.10": ["six"],
+
+    # prometheus_client 0.4.0 changed the format of counter metrics
+    # (cf https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/4001)
+    "prometheus_client>=0.0.18,<0.4.0": ["prometheus_client"],
+
+    # we use attr.s(slots), which arrived in 16.0.0
+    "attrs>=16.0.0": ["attr>=16.0.0"],
     "netaddr>=0.7.18": ["netaddr"],
 }
 
@@ -72,12 +80,9 @@ CONDITIONAL_REQUIREMENTS = {
     "matrix-synapse-ldap3": {
         "matrix-synapse-ldap3>=0.1": ["ldap_auth_provider"],
     },
-    "psutil": {
-        "psutil>=2.0.0": ["psutil>=2.0.0"],
-    },
-    "affinity": {
-        "affinity": ["affinity"],
-    },
+    "postgres": {
+        "psycopg2>=2.6": ["psycopg2"]
+    }
 }
 
 
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py
index 3f7be74e02..2d81d49e9a 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 
 import logging
 
+import six
+
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 from synapse.storage.engines import PostgresEngine
 
@@ -23,6 +25,13 @@ from ._slaved_id_tracker import SlavedIdTracker
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+def __func__(inp):
+    if six.PY3:
+        return inp
+    else:
+        return inp.__func__
+
+
 class BaseSlavedStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(BaseSlavedStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py
index 87eaa53004..4f19fd35aa 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.util.caches.expiringcache import ExpiringCache
 from synapse.util.caches.stream_change_cache import StreamChangeCache
 
-from ._base import BaseSlavedStore
+from ._base import BaseSlavedStore, __func__
 from ._slaved_id_tracker import SlavedIdTracker
 
 
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ class SlavedDeviceInboxStore(BaseSlavedStore):
             expiry_ms=30 * 60 * 1000,
         )
 
-    get_to_device_stream_token = DataStore.get_to_device_stream_token.__func__
-    get_new_messages_for_device = DataStore.get_new_messages_for_device.__func__
-    get_new_device_msgs_for_remote = DataStore.get_new_device_msgs_for_remote.__func__
-    delete_messages_for_device = DataStore.delete_messages_for_device.__func__
-    delete_device_msgs_for_remote = DataStore.delete_device_msgs_for_remote.__func__
+    get_to_device_stream_token = __func__(DataStore.get_to_device_stream_token)
+    get_new_messages_for_device = __func__(DataStore.get_new_messages_for_device)
+    get_new_device_msgs_for_remote = __func__(DataStore.get_new_device_msgs_for_remote)
+    delete_messages_for_device = __func__(DataStore.delete_messages_for_device)
+    delete_device_msgs_for_remote = __func__(DataStore.delete_device_msgs_for_remote)
 
     def stream_positions(self):
         result = super(SlavedDeviceInboxStore, self).stream_positions()
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py
index 8206a988f7..ec2fd561cc 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.storage.end_to_end_keys import EndToEndKeyStore
 from synapse.util.caches.stream_change_cache import StreamChangeCache
 
-from ._base import BaseSlavedStore
+from ._base import BaseSlavedStore, __func__
 from ._slaved_id_tracker import SlavedIdTracker
 
 
@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@ class SlavedDeviceStore(BaseSlavedStore):
             "DeviceListFederationStreamChangeCache", device_list_max,
         )
 
-    get_device_stream_token = DataStore.get_device_stream_token.__func__
-    get_user_whose_devices_changed = DataStore.get_user_whose_devices_changed.__func__
-    get_devices_by_remote = DataStore.get_devices_by_remote.__func__
-    _get_devices_by_remote_txn = DataStore._get_devices_by_remote_txn.__func__
-    _get_e2e_device_keys_txn = DataStore._get_e2e_device_keys_txn.__func__
-    mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote = DataStore.mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote.__func__
+    get_device_stream_token = __func__(DataStore.get_device_stream_token)
+    get_user_whose_devices_changed = __func__(DataStore.get_user_whose_devices_changed)
+    get_devices_by_remote = __func__(DataStore.get_devices_by_remote)
+    _get_devices_by_remote_txn = __func__(DataStore._get_devices_by_remote_txn)
+    _get_e2e_device_keys_txn = __func__(DataStore._get_e2e_device_keys_txn)
+    mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote = __func__(DataStore.mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote)
     _mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote_txn = (
-        DataStore._mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote_txn.__func__
+        __func__(DataStore._mark_as_sent_devices_by_remote_txn)
     )
     count_e2e_one_time_keys = EndToEndKeyStore.__dict__["count_e2e_one_time_keys"]
 
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py
index 5777f07c8d..e933b170bb 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.util.caches.stream_change_cache import StreamChangeCache
 
-from ._base import BaseSlavedStore
+from ._base import BaseSlavedStore, __func__
 from ._slaved_id_tracker import SlavedIdTracker
 
 
@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ class SlavedGroupServerStore(BaseSlavedStore):
             "_group_updates_stream_cache", self._group_updates_id_gen.get_current_token(),
         )
 
-    get_groups_changes_for_user = DataStore.get_groups_changes_for_user.__func__
-    get_group_stream_token = DataStore.get_group_stream_token.__func__
-    get_all_groups_for_user = DataStore.get_all_groups_for_user.__func__
+    get_groups_changes_for_user = __func__(DataStore.get_groups_changes_for_user)
+    get_group_stream_token = __func__(DataStore.get_group_stream_token)
+    get_all_groups_for_user = __func__(DataStore.get_all_groups_for_user)
 
     def stream_positions(self):
         result = super(SlavedGroupServerStore, self).stream_positions()
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/keys.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/keys.py
index 05ed168463..8032f53fec 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/keys.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/keys.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.storage.keys import KeyStore
 
-from ._base import BaseSlavedStore
+from ._base import BaseSlavedStore, __func__
 
 
 class SlavedKeyStore(BaseSlavedStore):
@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@ class SlavedKeyStore(BaseSlavedStore):
         "_get_server_verify_key"
     ]
 
-    get_server_verify_keys = DataStore.get_server_verify_keys.__func__
-    store_server_verify_key = DataStore.store_server_verify_key.__func__
+    get_server_verify_keys = __func__(DataStore.get_server_verify_keys)
+    store_server_verify_key = __func__(DataStore.store_server_verify_key)
 
-    get_server_certificate = DataStore.get_server_certificate.__func__
-    store_server_certificate = DataStore.store_server_certificate.__func__
+    get_server_certificate = __func__(DataStore.get_server_certificate)
+    store_server_certificate = __func__(DataStore.store_server_certificate)
 
-    get_server_keys_json = DataStore.get_server_keys_json.__func__
-    store_server_keys_json = DataStore.store_server_keys_json.__func__
+    get_server_keys_json = __func__(DataStore.get_server_keys_json)
+    store_server_keys_json = __func__(DataStore.store_server_keys_json)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py
index 80b744082a..92447b00d4 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.storage.presence import PresenceStore
 from synapse.util.caches.stream_change_cache import StreamChangeCache
 
-from ._base import BaseSlavedStore
+from ._base import BaseSlavedStore, __func__
 from ._slaved_id_tracker import SlavedIdTracker
 
 
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ class SlavedPresenceStore(BaseSlavedStore):
             "PresenceStreamChangeCache", self._presence_id_gen.get_current_token()
         )
 
-    _get_active_presence = DataStore._get_active_presence.__func__
-    take_presence_startup_info = DataStore.take_presence_startup_info.__func__
+    _get_active_presence = __func__(DataStore._get_active_presence)
+    take_presence_startup_info = __func__(DataStore.take_presence_startup_info)
     _get_presence_for_user = PresenceStore.__dict__["_get_presence_for_user"]
     get_presence_for_users = PresenceStore.__dict__["get_presence_for_users"]
 
diff --git a/synapse/replication/tcp/protocol.py b/synapse/replication/tcp/protocol.py
index 74e892c104..5dc7b3fffc 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/tcp/protocol.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/tcp/protocol.py
@@ -590,9 +590,9 @@ class ClientReplicationStreamProtocol(BaseReplicationStreamProtocol):
 pending_commands = LaterGauge(
     "synapse_replication_tcp_protocol_pending_commands",
     "",
-    ["name", "conn_id"],
+    ["name"],
     lambda: {
-        (p.name, p.conn_id): len(p.pending_commands) for p in connected_connections
+        (p.name,): len(p.pending_commands) for p in connected_connections
     },
 )
 
@@ -607,9 +607,9 @@ def transport_buffer_size(protocol):
 transport_send_buffer = LaterGauge(
     "synapse_replication_tcp_protocol_transport_send_buffer",
     "",
-    ["name", "conn_id"],
+    ["name"],
     lambda: {
-        (p.name, p.conn_id): transport_buffer_size(p) for p in connected_connections
+        (p.name,): transport_buffer_size(p) for p in connected_connections
     },
 )
 
@@ -632,9 +632,9 @@ def transport_kernel_read_buffer_size(protocol, read=True):
 tcp_transport_kernel_send_buffer = LaterGauge(
     "synapse_replication_tcp_protocol_transport_kernel_send_buffer",
     "",
-    ["name", "conn_id"],
+    ["name"],
     lambda: {
-        (p.name, p.conn_id): transport_kernel_read_buffer_size(p, False)
+        (p.name,): transport_kernel_read_buffer_size(p, False)
         for p in connected_connections
     },
 )
@@ -643,9 +643,9 @@ tcp_transport_kernel_send_buffer = LaterGauge(
 tcp_transport_kernel_read_buffer = LaterGauge(
     "synapse_replication_tcp_protocol_transport_kernel_read_buffer",
     "",
-    ["name", "conn_id"],
+    ["name"],
     lambda: {
-        (p.name, p.conn_id): transport_kernel_read_buffer_size(p, True)
+        (p.name,): transport_kernel_read_buffer_size(p, True)
         for p in connected_connections
     },
 )
@@ -654,9 +654,9 @@ tcp_transport_kernel_read_buffer = LaterGauge(
 tcp_inbound_commands = LaterGauge(
     "synapse_replication_tcp_protocol_inbound_commands",
     "",
-    ["command", "name", "conn_id"],
+    ["command", "name"],
     lambda: {
-        (k[0], p.name, p.conn_id): count
+        (k[0], p.name,): count
         for p in connected_connections
         for k, count in iteritems(p.inbound_commands_counter)
     },
@@ -665,9 +665,9 @@ tcp_inbound_commands = LaterGauge(
 tcp_outbound_commands = LaterGauge(
     "synapse_replication_tcp_protocol_outbound_commands",
     "",
-    ["command", "name", "conn_id"],
+    ["command", "name"],
     lambda: {
-        (k[0], p.name, p.conn_id): count
+        (k[0], p.name,): count
         for p in connected_connections
         for k, count in iteritems(p.outbound_commands_counter)
     },
diff --git a/synapse/replication/tcp/streams.py b/synapse/replication/tcp/streams.py
index 55fe701c5c..c1e626be3f 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/tcp/streams.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/tcp/streams.py
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ class Stream(object):
             )
 
             if len(rows) >= MAX_EVENTS_BEHIND:
-                raise Exception("stream %s has fallen behined" % (self.NAME))
+                raise Exception("stream %s has fallen behind" % (self.NAME))
         else:
             rows = yield self.update_function(
                 from_token, current_token,
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/mail-Vector.css b/synapse/res/templates/mail-Vector.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6a3e36eda1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/mail-Vector.css
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+.header {
+    border-bottom: 4px solid #e4f7ed ! important;
+}
+
+.notif_link a, .footer a {
+    color: #76CFA6 ! important;
+}
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/mail.css b/synapse/res/templates/mail.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5ab3e1b06d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/mail.css
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+body {
+    margin: 0px;
+}
+
+pre, code {
+    word-break: break-word;
+    white-space: pre-wrap;
+}
+
+#page {
+    font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, Sans-Serif;
+    font-color: #454545;
+    font-size: 12pt;
+    width: 100%;
+    padding: 20px;
+}
+
+#inner {
+    width: 640px;
+}
+
+.header {
+    width: 100%;
+    height: 87px;
+    color: #454545;
+    border-bottom: 4px solid #e5e5e5;
+}
+
+.logo {
+    text-align: right;
+    margin-left: 20px;
+}
+
+.salutation {
+    padding-top: 10px;
+    font-weight: bold;
+}
+
+.summarytext {
+}
+
+.room {
+    width: 100%;
+    color: #454545;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5;
+}
+
+.room_header td {
+    padding-top: 38px;
+    padding-bottom: 10px;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5;
+}
+
+.room_name {
+    vertical-align: middle;
+    font-size: 18px;
+    font-weight: bold;
+}
+
+.room_header h2 {
+    margin-top: 0px;
+    margin-left: 75px;
+    font-size: 20px;
+}
+
+.room_avatar {
+    width: 56px;
+    line-height: 0px;
+    text-align: center;
+    vertical-align: middle;
+}
+
+.room_avatar img {
+    width: 48px;
+    height: 48px;
+    object-fit: cover;
+    border-radius: 24px;
+}
+
+.notif {
+    border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5;
+    margin-top: 16px;
+    padding-bottom: 16px;
+}
+
+.historical_message .sender_avatar {
+    opacity: 0.3;
+}
+
+/* spell out opacity and historical_message class names for Outlook aka Word */
+.historical_message .sender_name {
+    color: #e3e3e3;
+}
+
+.historical_message .message_time {
+    color: #e3e3e3;
+}
+
+.historical_message .message_body {
+    color: #c7c7c7;
+}
+
+.historical_message td,
+.message td {
+    padding-top: 10px;
+}
+
+.sender_avatar {
+    width: 56px;
+    text-align: center;
+    vertical-align: top;
+}
+
+.sender_avatar img {
+    margin-top: -2px;
+    width: 32px;
+    height: 32px;
+    border-radius: 16px;
+}
+
+.sender_name  {
+    display: inline;
+    font-size: 13px;
+    color: #a2a2a2;
+}
+
+.message_time  {
+    text-align: right;
+    width: 100px;
+    font-size: 11px;
+    color: #a2a2a2;
+}
+
+.message_body {
+}
+
+.notif_link td {
+    padding-top: 10px;
+    padding-bottom: 10px;
+    font-weight: bold;
+}
+
+.notif_link a, .footer a {
+    color: #454545;
+    text-decoration: none;
+}
+
+.debug {
+    font-size: 10px;
+    color: #888;
+}
+
+.footer {
+    margin-top: 20px;
+    text-align: center;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/notif.html b/synapse/res/templates/notif.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..88b921ca9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/notif.html
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+{% for message in notif.messages %}
+    <tr class="{{ "historical_message" if message.is_historical else "message" }}">
+        <td class="sender_avatar">
+            {% if loop.index0 == 0 or notif.messages[loop.index0 - 1].sender_name != notif.messages[loop.index0].sender_name %}
+                {% if message.sender_avatar_url %}
+                    <img alt="" class="sender_avatar" src="{{ message.sender_avatar_url|mxc_to_http(32,32) }}"  />
+                {% else %}
+                    {% if message.sender_hash % 3 == 0 %}
+                        <img class="sender_avatar" src="https://vector.im/beta/img/76cfa6.png"  />
+                    {% elif message.sender_hash % 3 == 1 %}
+                        <img class="sender_avatar" src="https://vector.im/beta/img/50e2c2.png"  />
+                    {% else %}
+                        <img class="sender_avatar" src="https://vector.im/beta/img/f4c371.png"  />
+                    {% endif %}
+                {% endif %}
+            {% endif %}
+        </td>
+        <td class="message_contents">
+            {% if loop.index0 == 0 or notif.messages[loop.index0 - 1].sender_name != notif.messages[loop.index0].sender_name %}
+                <div class="sender_name">{% if message.msgtype == "m.emote" %}*{% endif %} {{ message.sender_name }}</div>
+            {% endif %}
+            <div class="message_body">
+                {% if message.msgtype == "m.text" %}
+                    {{ message.body_text_html }}
+                {% elif message.msgtype == "m.emote" %}
+                    {{ message.body_text_html }}
+                {% elif message.msgtype == "m.notice" %}
+                    {{ message.body_text_html }}
+                {% elif message.msgtype == "m.image" %}
+                    <img src="{{ message.image_url|mxc_to_http(640, 480, scale) }}" />
+                {% elif message.msgtype == "m.file" %}
+                    <span class="filename">{{ message.body_text_plain }}</span>
+                {% endif %}
+            </div>
+        </td>
+        <td class="message_time">{{ message.ts|format_ts("%H:%M") }}</td>
+    </tr>
+{% endfor %}
+<tr class="notif_link">
+    <td></td>
+    <td>
+        <a href="{{ notif.link }}">View {{ room.title }}</a>
+    </td>
+    <td></td>
+</tr>
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/notif.txt b/synapse/res/templates/notif.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a37bee9833
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/notif.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+{% for message in notif.messages %}
+{% if message.msgtype == "m.emote" %}* {% endif %}{{ message.sender_name }} ({{ message.ts|format_ts("%H:%M") }})
+{% if message.msgtype == "m.text" %}
+{{ message.body_text_plain }}
+{% elif message.msgtype == "m.emote" %}
+{{ message.body_text_plain }}
+{% elif message.msgtype == "m.notice" %}
+{{ message.body_text_plain }}
+{% elif message.msgtype == "m.image" %}
+{{ message.body_text_plain }}
+{% elif message.msgtype == "m.file" %}
+{{ message.body_text_plain }}
+{% endif %}
+{% endfor %}
+
+View {{ room.title }} at {{ notif.link }}
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.html b/synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fcdb3109fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.html
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+<!doctype html>
+<html lang="en">
+    <head>
+        <style type="text/css">
+            {% include 'mail.css' without context %}
+            {% include "mail-%s.css" % app_name ignore missing without context %}
+        </style>
+    </head>
+    <body>
+        <table id="page">
+            <tr>
+                <td> </td>
+                <td id="inner">
+                    <table class="header">
+                        <tr>
+                            <td>
+                                <div class="salutation">Hi {{ user_display_name }},</div>
+                                <div class="summarytext">{{ summary_text }}</div>
+                            </td>
+                            <td class="logo">
+                                {% if app_name == "Riot" %}
+                                    <img src="http://matrix.org/img/riot-logo-email.png" width="83" height="83" alt="[Riot]"/>
+                                {% elif app_name == "Vector" %}
+                                    <img src="http://matrix.org/img/vector-logo-email.png" width="64" height="83" alt="[Vector]"/>
+                                {% else %}
+                                    <img src="http://matrix.org/img/matrix-120x51.png" width="120" height="51" alt="[matrix]"/>
+                                {% endif %}
+                            </td>
+                        </tr>
+                    </table>
+                    {% for room in rooms %}
+                        {% include 'room.html' with context %}
+                    {% endfor %}
+                    <div class="footer">
+                        <a href="{{ unsubscribe_link }}">Unsubscribe</a>
+                        <br/>
+                        <br/>
+                        <div class="debug">
+                            Sending email at {{ reason.now|format_ts("%c") }} due to activity in room {{ reason.room_name }} because
+                            an event was received at {{ reason.received_at|format_ts("%c") }}
+                            which is more than {{ "%.1f"|format(reason.delay_before_mail_ms / (60*1000)) }} ({{ reason.delay_before_mail_ms }}) mins ago,
+                            {% if reason.last_sent_ts %}
+                                and the last time we sent a mail for this room was {{ reason.last_sent_ts|format_ts("%c") }},
+                                which is more than {{ "%.1f"|format(reason.throttle_ms / (60*1000)) }} (current throttle_ms) mins ago.
+                            {% else %}
+                                and we don't have a last time we sent a mail for this room.
+                            {% endif %}
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                </td>
+                <td> </td>
+            </tr>
+        </table>
+    </body>
+</html>
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.txt b/synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..24843042a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/notif_mail.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+Hi {{ user_display_name }},
+
+{{ summary_text }}
+
+{% for room in rooms %}
+{% include 'room.txt' with context %}
+{% endfor %}
+
+You can disable these notifications at {{ unsubscribe_link }}
+
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/room.html b/synapse/res/templates/room.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..723c222d25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/room.html
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+<table class="room">
+    <tr class="room_header">
+        <td class="room_avatar">
+            {% if room.avatar_url %}
+                <img alt="" src="{{ room.avatar_url|mxc_to_http(48,48) }}" />
+            {% else %}
+                {% if room.hash % 3 == 0 %}
+                    <img alt="" src="https://vector.im/beta/img/76cfa6.png"  />
+                {% elif room.hash % 3 == 1 %}
+                    <img alt="" src="https://vector.im/beta/img/50e2c2.png"  />
+                {% else %}
+                    <img alt="" src="https://vector.im/beta/img/f4c371.png"  />
+                {% endif %}
+            {% endif %}
+        </td>
+        <td class="room_name" colspan="2">
+            {{ room.title }}
+        </td>
+    </tr>
+    {% if room.invite %}
+        <tr>
+            <td></td>
+            <td>
+                <a href="{{ room.link }}">Join the conversation.</a>
+            </td>
+            <td></td>
+        </tr>
+    {% else %}
+        {% for notif in room.notifs %}
+            {% include 'notif.html' with context %}
+        {% endfor %}
+    {% endif %}
+</table>
diff --git a/synapse/res/templates/room.txt b/synapse/res/templates/room.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..84648c710e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/res/templates/room.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+{{ room.title }}
+
+{% if room.invite %}
+    You've been invited, join at {{ room.link }}
+{% else %}
+    {% for notif in room.notifs %}
+        {% include 'notif.txt' with context %}
+    {% endfor %}
+{% endif %}
diff --git a/synapse/rest/__init__.py b/synapse/rest/__init__.py
index 3418f06fd6..4856822a5d 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/__init__.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ from synapse.rest.client.v2_alpha import (
     receipts,
     register,
     report_event,
+    room_keys,
     sendtodevice,
     sync,
     tags,
@@ -102,6 +103,7 @@ class ClientRestResource(JsonResource):
         auth.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         receipts.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         read_marker.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
+        room_keys.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         keys.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         tokenrefresh.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         tags.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py
index ad536ab570..41534b8c2a 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ class UserRegisterServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 
         nonce = self.hs.get_secrets().token_hex(64)
         self.nonces[nonce] = int(self.reactor.seconds())
-        return (200, {"nonce": nonce.encode('ascii')})
+        return (200, {"nonce": nonce})
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request):
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class UserRegisterServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             key=self.hs.config.registration_shared_secret.encode(),
             digestmod=hashlib.sha1,
         )
-        want_mac.update(nonce)
+        want_mac.update(nonce.encode('utf8'))
         want_mac.update(b"\x00")
         want_mac.update(username)
         want_mac.update(b"\x00")
@@ -173,7 +173,10 @@ class UserRegisterServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         want_mac.update(b"admin" if admin else b"notadmin")
         want_mac = want_mac.hexdigest()
 
-        if not hmac.compare_digest(want_mac, got_mac.encode('ascii')):
+        if not hmac.compare_digest(
+                want_mac.encode('ascii'),
+                got_mac.encode('ascii')
+        ):
             raise SynapseError(403, "HMAC incorrect")
 
         # Reuse the parts of RegisterRestServlet to reduce code duplication
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py
index 97733f3026..0220acf644 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/directory.py
@@ -74,38 +74,11 @@ class ClientDirectoryServer(ClientV1RestServlet):
         if room is None:
             raise SynapseError(400, "Room does not exist")
 
-        dir_handler = self.handlers.directory_handler
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
 
-        try:
-            # try to auth as a user
-            requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-            try:
-                user_id = requester.user.to_string()
-                yield dir_handler.create_association(
-                    user_id, room_alias, room_id, servers
-                )
-                yield dir_handler.send_room_alias_update_event(
-                    requester,
-                    user_id,
-                    room_id
-                )
-            except SynapseError as e:
-                raise e
-            except Exception:
-                logger.exception("Failed to create association")
-                raise
-        except AuthError:
-            # try to auth as an application service
-            service = yield self.auth.get_appservice_by_req(request)
-            yield dir_handler.create_appservice_association(
-                service, room_alias, room_id, servers
-            )
-            logger.info(
-                "Application service at %s created alias %s pointing to %s",
-                service.url,
-                room_alias.to_string(),
-                room_id
-            )
+        yield self.handlers.directory_handler.create_association(
+            requester, room_alias, room_id, servers
+        )
 
         defer.returnValue((200, {}))
 
@@ -135,7 +108,7 @@ class ClientDirectoryServer(ClientV1RestServlet):
         room_alias = RoomAlias.from_string(room_alias)
 
         yield dir_handler.delete_association(
-            requester, user.to_string(), room_alias
+            requester, room_alias
         )
 
         logger.info(
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py
index 0f3a2e8b51..cd9b3bdbd1 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/events.py
@@ -45,20 +45,20 @@ class EventStreamRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         is_guest = requester.is_guest
         room_id = None
         if is_guest:
-            if "room_id" not in request.args:
+            if b"room_id" not in request.args:
                 raise SynapseError(400, "Guest users must specify room_id param")
-        if "room_id" in request.args:
-            room_id = request.args["room_id"][0]
+        if b"room_id" in request.args:
+            room_id = request.args[b"room_id"][0].decode('ascii')
 
         pagin_config = PaginationConfig.from_request(request)
         timeout = EventStreamRestServlet.DEFAULT_LONGPOLL_TIME_MS
-        if "timeout" in request.args:
+        if b"timeout" in request.args:
             try:
-                timeout = int(request.args["timeout"][0])
+                timeout = int(request.args[b"timeout"][0])
             except ValueError:
                 raise SynapseError(400, "timeout must be in milliseconds.")
 
-        as_client_event = "raw" not in request.args
+        as_client_event = b"raw" not in request.args
 
         chunk = yield self.event_stream_handler.get_stream(
             requester.user.to_string(),
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py
index fd5f85b53e..3ead75cb77 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/initial_sync.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class InitialSyncRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request):
         requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        as_client_event = "raw" not in request.args
+        as_client_event = b"raw" not in request.args
         pagination_config = PaginationConfig.from_request(request)
         include_archived = parse_boolean(request, "archived", default=False)
         content = yield self.initial_sync_handler.snapshot_all_rooms(
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py
index cb85fa1436..0010699d31 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/login.py
@@ -14,10 +14,9 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
-import urllib
 import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
 
-from six.moves.urllib import parse as urlparse
+from six.moves import urllib
 
 from canonicaljson import json
 from saml2 import BINDING_HTTP_POST, config
@@ -134,7 +133,7 @@ class LoginRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
                                        LoginRestServlet.SAML2_TYPE):
                 relay_state = ""
                 if "relay_state" in login_submission:
-                    relay_state = "&RelayState=" + urllib.quote(
+                    relay_state = "&RelayState=" + urllib.parse.quote(
                                   login_submission["relay_state"])
                 result = {
                     "uri": "%s%s" % (self.idp_redirect_url, relay_state)
@@ -366,7 +365,7 @@ class SAML2RestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             (user_id, token) = yield handler.register_saml2(username)
             # Forward to the RelayState callback along with ava
             if 'RelayState' in request.args:
-                request.redirect(urllib.unquote(
+                request.redirect(urllib.parse.unquote(
                                  request.args['RelayState'][0]) +
                                  '?status=authenticated&access_token=' +
                                  token + '&user_id=' + user_id + '&ava=' +
@@ -377,7 +376,7 @@ class SAML2RestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
                                      "user_id": user_id, "token": token,
                                      "ava": saml2_auth.ava}))
         elif 'RelayState' in request.args:
-            request.redirect(urllib.unquote(
+            request.redirect(urllib.parse.unquote(
                              request.args['RelayState'][0]) +
                              '?status=not_authenticated')
             finish_request(request)
@@ -390,21 +389,22 @@ class CasRedirectServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         super(CasRedirectServlet, self).__init__(hs)
-        self.cas_server_url = hs.config.cas_server_url
-        self.cas_service_url = hs.config.cas_service_url
+        self.cas_server_url = hs.config.cas_server_url.encode('ascii')
+        self.cas_service_url = hs.config.cas_service_url.encode('ascii')
 
     def on_GET(self, request):
         args = request.args
-        if "redirectUrl" not in args:
+        if b"redirectUrl" not in args:
             return (400, "Redirect URL not specified for CAS auth")
-        client_redirect_url_param = urllib.urlencode({
-            "redirectUrl": args["redirectUrl"][0]
-        })
-        hs_redirect_url = self.cas_service_url + "/_matrix/client/api/v1/login/cas/ticket"
-        service_param = urllib.urlencode({
-            "service": "%s?%s" % (hs_redirect_url, client_redirect_url_param)
-        })
-        request.redirect("%s/login?%s" % (self.cas_server_url, service_param))
+        client_redirect_url_param = urllib.parse.urlencode({
+            b"redirectUrl": args[b"redirectUrl"][0]
+        }).encode('ascii')
+        hs_redirect_url = (self.cas_service_url +
+                           b"/_matrix/client/api/v1/login/cas/ticket")
+        service_param = urllib.parse.urlencode({
+            b"service": b"%s?%s" % (hs_redirect_url, client_redirect_url_param)
+        }).encode('ascii')
+        request.redirect(b"%s/login?%s" % (self.cas_server_url, service_param))
         finish_request(request)
 
 
@@ -422,11 +422,11 @@ class CasTicketServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request):
-        client_redirect_url = request.args["redirectUrl"][0]
+        client_redirect_url = request.args[b"redirectUrl"][0]
         http_client = self.hs.get_simple_http_client()
         uri = self.cas_server_url + "/proxyValidate"
         args = {
-            "ticket": request.args["ticket"],
+            "ticket": request.args[b"ticket"][0].decode('ascii'),
             "service": self.cas_service_url
         }
         try:
@@ -471,11 +471,11 @@ class CasTicketServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         finish_request(request)
 
     def add_login_token_to_redirect_url(self, url, token):
-        url_parts = list(urlparse.urlparse(url))
-        query = dict(urlparse.parse_qsl(url_parts[4]))
+        url_parts = list(urllib.parse.urlparse(url))
+        query = dict(urllib.parse.parse_qsl(url_parts[4]))
         query.update({"loginToken": token})
-        url_parts[4] = urllib.urlencode(query)
-        return urlparse.urlunparse(url_parts)
+        url_parts[4] = urllib.parse.urlencode(query).encode('ascii')
+        return urllib.parse.urlunparse(url_parts)
 
     def parse_cas_response(self, cas_response_body):
         user = None
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py
index 6e95d9bec2..9382b1f124 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/push_rule.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class PushRuleRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         try:
             priority_class = _priority_class_from_spec(spec)
         except InvalidRuleException as e:
-            raise SynapseError(400, e.message)
+            raise SynapseError(400, str(e))
 
         requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class PushRuleRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
                 content,
             )
         except InvalidRuleException as e:
-            raise SynapseError(400, e.message)
+            raise SynapseError(400, str(e))
 
         before = parse_string(request, "before")
         if before:
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ class PushRuleRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             )
             self.notify_user(user_id)
         except InconsistentRuleException as e:
-            raise SynapseError(400, e.message)
+            raise SynapseError(400, str(e))
         except RuleNotFoundException as e:
-            raise SynapseError(400, e.message)
+            raise SynapseError(400, str(e))
 
         defer.returnValue((200, {}))
 
@@ -142,10 +142,10 @@ class PushRuleRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
                 PushRuleRestServlet.SLIGHTLY_PEDANTIC_TRAILING_SLASH_ERROR
             )
 
-        if path[0] == '':
+        if path[0] == b'':
             defer.returnValue((200, rules))
-        elif path[0] == 'global':
-            path = path[1:]
+        elif path[0] == b'global':
+            path = [x.decode('ascii') for x in path[1:]]
             result = _filter_ruleset_with_path(rules['global'], path)
             defer.returnValue((200, result))
         else:
@@ -192,10 +192,10 @@ class PushRuleRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 def _rule_spec_from_path(path):
     if len(path) < 2:
         raise UnrecognizedRequestError()
-    if path[0] != 'pushrules':
+    if path[0] != b'pushrules':
         raise UnrecognizedRequestError()
 
-    scope = path[1]
+    scope = path[1].decode('ascii')
     path = path[2:]
     if scope != 'global':
         raise UnrecognizedRequestError()
@@ -203,13 +203,13 @@ def _rule_spec_from_path(path):
     if len(path) == 0:
         raise UnrecognizedRequestError()
 
-    template = path[0]
+    template = path[0].decode('ascii')
     path = path[1:]
 
     if len(path) == 0 or len(path[0]) == 0:
         raise UnrecognizedRequestError()
 
-    rule_id = path[0]
+    rule_id = path[0].decode('ascii')
 
     spec = {
         'scope': scope,
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ def _rule_spec_from_path(path):
     path = path[1:]
 
     if len(path) > 0 and len(path[0]) > 0:
-        spec['attr'] = path[0]
+        spec['attr'] = path[0].decode('ascii')
 
     return spec
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/pusher.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/pusher.py
index 182a68b1e2..b84f0260f2 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/pusher.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/pusher.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class PushersRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         ]
 
         for p in pushers:
-            for k, v in p.items():
+            for k, v in list(p.items()):
                 if k not in allowed_keys:
                     del p[k]
 
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class PushersSetRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
                 profile_tag=content.get('profile_tag', ""),
             )
         except PusherConfigException as pce:
-            raise SynapseError(400, "Config Error: " + pce.message,
+            raise SynapseError(400, "Config Error: " + str(pce),
                                errcode=Codes.MISSING_PARAM)
 
         self.notifier.on_new_replication_data()
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py
index fcc1091760..fcfe7857f6 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/room.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ from synapse.http.servlet import (
     parse_json_object_from_request,
     parse_string,
 )
+from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.streams.config import PaginationConfig
 from synapse.types import RoomAlias, RoomID, StreamToken, ThirdPartyInstanceID, UserID
 
@@ -207,7 +208,7 @@ class RoomSendEventRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             "sender": requester.user.to_string(),
         }
 
-        if 'ts' in request.args and requester.app_service:
+        if b'ts' in request.args and requester.app_service:
             event_dict['origin_server_ts'] = parse_integer(request, "ts", 0)
 
         event = yield self.event_creation_hander.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
@@ -255,7 +256,9 @@ class JoinRoomAliasServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         if RoomID.is_valid(room_identifier):
             room_id = room_identifier
             try:
-                remote_room_hosts = request.args["server_name"]
+                remote_room_hosts = [
+                    x.decode('ascii') for x in request.args[b"server_name"]
+                ]
             except Exception:
                 remote_room_hosts = None
         elif RoomAlias.is_valid(room_identifier):
@@ -407,7 +410,7 @@ class RoomMemberListRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             room_id=room_id,
             user_id=requester.user.to_string(),
             at_token=at_token,
-            types=[(EventTypes.Member, None)],
+            state_filter=StateFilter.from_types([(EventTypes.Member, None)]),
         )
 
         chunk = []
@@ -461,10 +464,10 @@ class RoomMessageListRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         pagination_config = PaginationConfig.from_request(
             request, default_limit=10,
         )
-        as_client_event = "raw" not in request.args
-        filter_bytes = parse_string(request, "filter")
+        as_client_event = b"raw" not in request.args
+        filter_bytes = parse_string(request, b"filter", encoding=None)
         if filter_bytes:
-            filter_json = urlparse.unquote(filter_bytes).decode("UTF-8")
+            filter_json = urlparse.unquote(filter_bytes.decode("UTF-8"))
             event_filter = Filter(json.loads(filter_json))
         else:
             event_filter = None
@@ -531,7 +534,7 @@ class RoomEventServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, room_id, event_id):
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=True)
         event = yield self.event_handler.get_event(requester.user, room_id, event_id)
 
         time_now = self.clock.time_msec()
@@ -560,7 +563,7 @@ class RoomEventContextServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         # picking the API shape for symmetry with /messages
         filter_bytes = parse_string(request, "filter")
         if filter_bytes:
-            filter_json = urlparse.unquote(filter_bytes).decode("UTF-8")
+            filter_json = urlparse.unquote(filter_bytes)
             event_filter = Filter(json.loads(filter_json))
         else:
             event_filter = None
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py
index 62f4c3d93e..53da905eea 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1/voip.py
@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ class VoipRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             expiry = (self.hs.get_clock().time_msec() + userLifetime) / 1000
             username = "%d:%s" % (expiry, requester.user.to_string())
 
-            mac = hmac.new(turnSecret, msg=username, digestmod=hashlib.sha1)
+            mac = hmac.new(
+                turnSecret.encode(),
+                msg=username.encode(),
+                digestmod=hashlib.sha1
+            )
             # We need to use standard padded base64 encoding here
             # encode_base64 because we need to add the standard padding to get the
             # same result as the TURN server.
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1_only/register.py b/synapse/rest/client/v1_only/register.py
index 5e99cffbcb..dadb376b02 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1_only/register.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v1_only/register.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 import synapse.util.stringutils as stringutils
 from synapse.api.constants import LoginType
 from synapse.api.errors import Codes, SynapseError
+from synapse.config.server import is_threepid_reserved
 from synapse.http.servlet import assert_params_in_dict, parse_json_object_from_request
 from synapse.rest.client.v1.base import ClientV1RestServlet
 from synapse.types import create_requester
@@ -281,12 +282,20 @@ class RegisterRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             register_json["user"].encode("utf-8")
             if "user" in register_json else None
         )
+        threepid = None
+        if session.get(LoginType.EMAIL_IDENTITY):
+            threepid = session["threepidCreds"]
 
         handler = self.handlers.registration_handler
         (user_id, token) = yield handler.register(
             localpart=desired_user_id,
-            password=password
+            password=password,
+            threepid=threepid,
         )
+        # Necessary due to auth checks prior to the threepid being
+        # written to the db
+        if is_threepid_reserved(self.hs.config, threepid):
+            yield self.store.upsert_monthly_active_user(user_id)
 
         if session[LoginType.EMAIL_IDENTITY]:
             logger.debug("Binding emails %s to %s" % (
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py
index dad0433ba1..ea84729915 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py
@@ -53,7 +53,9 @@ class EmailPasswordRequestTokenRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
         if not (yield check_3pid_allowed(self.hs, "email", body['email'])):
             raise SynapseError(
-                403, "Third party identifier is not allowed", Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
+                403,
+                "Your email domain is not authorized on this server",
+                Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
             )
 
         existingUid = yield self.hs.get_datastore().get_user_id_by_threepid(
@@ -89,7 +91,9 @@ class MsisdnPasswordRequestTokenRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
         if not (yield check_3pid_allowed(self.hs, "msisdn", msisdn)):
             raise SynapseError(
-                403, "Third party identifier is not allowed", Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
+                403,
+                "Account phone numbers are not authorized on this server",
+                Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
             )
 
         existingUid = yield self.datastore.get_user_id_by_threepid(
@@ -241,7 +245,9 @@ class EmailThreepidRequestTokenRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
         if not (yield check_3pid_allowed(self.hs, "email", body['email'])):
             raise SynapseError(
-                403, "Third party identifier is not allowed", Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
+                403,
+                "Your email domain is not authorized on this server",
+                Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
             )
 
         existingUid = yield self.datastore.get_user_id_by_threepid(
@@ -276,7 +282,9 @@ class MsisdnThreepidRequestTokenRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
         if not (yield check_3pid_allowed(self.hs, "msisdn", msisdn)):
             raise SynapseError(
-                403, "Third party identifier is not allowed", Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
+                403,
+                "Account phone numbers are not authorized on this server",
+                Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
             )
 
         existingUid = yield self.datastore.get_user_id_by_threepid(
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/auth.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/auth.py
index bd8b5f4afa..693b303881 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/auth.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class AuthRestServlet(RestServlet):
     cannot be handled in the normal flow (with requests to the same endpoint).
     Current use is for web fallback auth.
     """
-    PATTERNS = client_v2_patterns("/auth/(?P<stagetype>[\w\.]*)/fallback/web")
+    PATTERNS = client_v2_patterns(r"/auth/(?P<stagetype>[\w\.]*)/fallback/web")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         super(AuthRestServlet, self).__init__()
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py
index 7bbebd54ab..c7c8287882 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/register.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import synapse
 import synapse.types
 from synapse.api.constants import LoginType
 from synapse.api.errors import Codes, SynapseError, UnrecognizedRequestError
+from synapse.config.server import is_threepid_reserved
 from synapse.http.servlet import (
     RestServlet,
     assert_params_in_dict,
@@ -76,7 +77,9 @@ class EmailRegisterRequestTokenRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
         if not (yield check_3pid_allowed(self.hs, "email", body['email'])):
             raise SynapseError(
-                403, "Third party identifier is not allowed", Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
+                403,
+                "Your email domain is not authorized to register on this server",
+                Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
             )
 
         existingUid = yield self.hs.get_datastore().get_user_id_by_threepid(
@@ -116,7 +119,9 @@ class MsisdnRegisterRequestTokenRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
         if not (yield check_3pid_allowed(self.hs, "msisdn", msisdn)):
             raise SynapseError(
-                403, "Third party identifier is not allowed", Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
+                403,
+                "Phone numbers are not authorized to register on this server",
+                Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
             )
 
         existingUid = yield self.hs.get_datastore().get_user_id_by_threepid(
@@ -369,7 +374,9 @@ class RegisterRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
                     if not (yield check_3pid_allowed(self.hs, medium, address)):
                         raise SynapseError(
-                            403, "Third party identifier is not allowed",
+                            403,
+                            "Third party identifiers (email/phone numbers)" +
+                            " are not authorized on this server",
                             Codes.THREEPID_DENIED,
                         )
 
@@ -475,13 +482,22 @@ class RegisterRestServlet(RestServlet):
             if desired_username is not None:
                 desired_username = desired_username.lower()
 
+            threepid = None
+            if auth_result:
+                threepid = auth_result.get(LoginType.EMAIL_IDENTITY)
+
             (registered_user_id, _) = yield self.registration_handler.register(
                 localpart=desired_username,
                 password=new_password,
                 guest_access_token=guest_access_token,
                 generate_token=False,
                 display_name=desired_display_name,
+                threepid=threepid,
             )
+            # Necessary due to auth checks prior to the threepid being
+            # written to the db
+            if is_threepid_reserved(self.hs.config, threepid):
+                yield self.store.upsert_monthly_active_user(registered_user_id)
 
             # remember that we've now registered that user account, and with
             #  what user ID (since the user may not have specified)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/room_keys.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/room_keys.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..45b5817d8b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/room_keys.py
@@ -0,0 +1,372 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2017, 2018 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import logging
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.errors import Codes, SynapseError
+from synapse.http.servlet import (
+    RestServlet,
+    parse_json_object_from_request,
+    parse_string,
+)
+
+from ._base import client_v2_patterns
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class RoomKeysServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = client_v2_patterns(
+        "/room_keys/keys(/(?P<room_id>[^/]+))?(/(?P<session_id>[^/]+))?$"
+    )
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        """
+        Args:
+            hs (synapse.server.HomeServer): server
+        """
+        super(RoomKeysServlet, self).__init__()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
+        self.e2e_room_keys_handler = hs.get_e2e_room_keys_handler()
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_PUT(self, request, room_id, session_id):
+        """
+        Uploads one or more encrypted E2E room keys for backup purposes.
+        room_id: the ID of the room the keys are for (optional)
+        session_id: the ID for the E2E room keys for the room (optional)
+        version: the version of the user's backup which this data is for.
+        the version must already have been created via the /room_keys/version API.
+
+        Each session has:
+         * first_message_index: a numeric index indicating the oldest message
+           encrypted by this session.
+         * forwarded_count: how many times the uploading client claims this key
+           has been shared (forwarded)
+         * is_verified: whether the client that uploaded the keys claims they
+           were sent by a device which they've verified
+         * session_data: base64-encrypted data describing the session.
+
+        Returns 200 OK on success with body {}
+        Returns 403 Forbidden if the version in question is not the most recently
+        created version (i.e. if this is an old client trying to write to a stale backup)
+        Returns 404 Not Found if the version in question doesn't exist
+
+        The API is designed to be otherwise agnostic to the room_key encryption
+        algorithm being used.  Sessions are merged with existing ones in the
+        backup using the heuristics:
+         * is_verified sessions always win over unverified sessions
+         * older first_message_index always win over newer sessions
+         * lower forwarded_count always wins over higher forwarded_count
+
+        We trust the clients not to lie and corrupt their own backups.
+        It also means that if your access_token is stolen, the attacker could
+        delete your backup.
+
+        POST /room_keys/keys/!abc:matrix.org/c0ff33?version=1 HTTP/1.1
+        Content-Type: application/json
+
+        {
+            "first_message_index": 1,
+            "forwarded_count": 1,
+            "is_verified": false,
+            "session_data": "SSBBTSBBIEZJU0gK"
+        }
+
+        Or...
+
+        POST /room_keys/keys/!abc:matrix.org?version=1 HTTP/1.1
+        Content-Type: application/json
+
+        {
+            "sessions": {
+                "c0ff33": {
+                    "first_message_index": 1,
+                    "forwarded_count": 1,
+                    "is_verified": false,
+                    "session_data": "SSBBTSBBIEZJU0gK"
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        Or...
+
+        POST /room_keys/keys?version=1 HTTP/1.1
+        Content-Type: application/json
+
+        {
+            "rooms": {
+                "!abc:matrix.org": {
+                    "sessions": {
+                        "c0ff33": {
+                            "first_message_index": 1,
+                            "forwarded_count": 1,
+                            "is_verified": false,
+                            "session_data": "SSBBTSBBIEZJU0gK"
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        """
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=False)
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+        body = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
+        version = parse_string(request, "version")
+
+        if session_id:
+            body = {
+                "sessions": {
+                    session_id: body
+                }
+            }
+
+        if room_id:
+            body = {
+                "rooms": {
+                    room_id: body
+                }
+            }
+
+        yield self.e2e_room_keys_handler.upload_room_keys(
+            user_id, version, body
+        )
+        defer.returnValue((200, {}))
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_GET(self, request, room_id, session_id):
+        """
+        Retrieves one or more encrypted E2E room keys for backup purposes.
+        Symmetric with the PUT version of the API.
+
+        room_id: the ID of the room to retrieve the keys for (optional)
+        session_id: the ID for the E2E room keys to retrieve the keys for (optional)
+        version: the version of the user's backup which this data is for.
+        the version must already have been created via the /change_secret API.
+
+        Returns as follows:
+
+        GET /room_keys/keys/!abc:matrix.org/c0ff33?version=1 HTTP/1.1
+        {
+            "first_message_index": 1,
+            "forwarded_count": 1,
+            "is_verified": false,
+            "session_data": "SSBBTSBBIEZJU0gK"
+        }
+
+        Or...
+
+        GET /room_keys/keys/!abc:matrix.org?version=1 HTTP/1.1
+        {
+            "sessions": {
+                "c0ff33": {
+                    "first_message_index": 1,
+                    "forwarded_count": 1,
+                    "is_verified": false,
+                    "session_data": "SSBBTSBBIEZJU0gK"
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        Or...
+
+        GET /room_keys/keys?version=1 HTTP/1.1
+        {
+            "rooms": {
+                "!abc:matrix.org": {
+                    "sessions": {
+                        "c0ff33": {
+                            "first_message_index": 1,
+                            "forwarded_count": 1,
+                            "is_verified": false,
+                            "session_data": "SSBBTSBBIEZJU0gK"
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        """
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=False)
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+        version = parse_string(request, "version")
+
+        room_keys = yield self.e2e_room_keys_handler.get_room_keys(
+            user_id, version, room_id, session_id
+        )
+
+        if session_id:
+            room_keys = room_keys['rooms'][room_id]['sessions'][session_id]
+        elif room_id:
+            room_keys = room_keys['rooms'][room_id]
+
+        defer.returnValue((200, room_keys))
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_DELETE(self, request, room_id, session_id):
+        """
+        Deletes one or more encrypted E2E room keys for a user for backup purposes.
+
+        DELETE /room_keys/keys/!abc:matrix.org/c0ff33?version=1
+        HTTP/1.1 200 OK
+        {}
+
+        room_id: the ID of the room whose keys to delete (optional)
+        session_id: the ID for the E2E session to delete (optional)
+        version: the version of the user's backup which this data is for.
+        the version must already have been created via the /change_secret API.
+        """
+
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=False)
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+        version = parse_string(request, "version")
+
+        yield self.e2e_room_keys_handler.delete_room_keys(
+            user_id, version, room_id, session_id
+        )
+        defer.returnValue((200, {}))
+
+
+class RoomKeysNewVersionServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = client_v2_patterns(
+        "/room_keys/version$"
+    )
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        """
+        Args:
+            hs (synapse.server.HomeServer): server
+        """
+        super(RoomKeysNewVersionServlet, self).__init__()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
+        self.e2e_room_keys_handler = hs.get_e2e_room_keys_handler()
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_POST(self, request):
+        """
+        Create a new backup version for this user's room_keys with the given
+        info.  The version is allocated by the server and returned to the user
+        in the response.  This API is intended to be used whenever the user
+        changes the encryption key for their backups, ensuring that backups
+        encrypted with different keys don't collide.
+
+        It takes out an exclusive lock on this user's room_key backups, to ensure
+        clients only upload to the current backup.
+
+        The algorithm passed in the version info is a reverse-DNS namespaced
+        identifier to describe the format of the encrypted backupped keys.
+
+        The auth_data is { user_id: "user_id", nonce: <random string> }
+        encrypted using the algorithm and current encryption key described above.
+
+        POST /room_keys/version
+        Content-Type: application/json
+        {
+            "algorithm": "m.megolm_backup.v1",
+            "auth_data": "dGhpcyBzaG91bGQgYWN0dWFsbHkgYmUgZW5jcnlwdGVkIGpzb24K"
+        }
+
+        HTTP/1.1 200 OK
+        Content-Type: application/json
+        {
+            "version": 12345
+        }
+        """
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=False)
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+        info = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
+
+        new_version = yield self.e2e_room_keys_handler.create_version(
+            user_id, info
+        )
+        defer.returnValue((200, {"version": new_version}))
+
+    # we deliberately don't have a PUT /version, as these things really should
+    # be immutable to avoid people footgunning
+
+
+class RoomKeysVersionServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = client_v2_patterns(
+        "/room_keys/version(/(?P<version>[^/]+))?$"
+    )
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        """
+        Args:
+            hs (synapse.server.HomeServer): server
+        """
+        super(RoomKeysVersionServlet, self).__init__()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
+        self.e2e_room_keys_handler = hs.get_e2e_room_keys_handler()
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_GET(self, request, version):
+        """
+        Retrieve the version information about a given version of the user's
+        room_keys backup.  If the version part is missing, returns info about the
+        most current backup version (if any)
+
+        It takes out an exclusive lock on this user's room_key backups, to ensure
+        clients only upload to the current backup.
+
+        Returns 404 if the given version does not exist.
+
+        GET /room_keys/version/12345 HTTP/1.1
+        {
+            "version": "12345",
+            "algorithm": "m.megolm_backup.v1",
+            "auth_data": "dGhpcyBzaG91bGQgYWN0dWFsbHkgYmUgZW5jcnlwdGVkIGpzb24K"
+        }
+        """
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=False)
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+
+        try:
+            info = yield self.e2e_room_keys_handler.get_version_info(
+                user_id, version
+            )
+        except SynapseError as e:
+            if e.code == 404:
+                raise SynapseError(404, "No backup found", Codes.NOT_FOUND)
+        defer.returnValue((200, info))
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_DELETE(self, request, version):
+        """
+        Delete the information about a given version of the user's
+        room_keys backup.  If the version part is missing, deletes the most
+        current backup version (if any). Doesn't delete the actual room data.
+
+        DELETE /room_keys/version/12345 HTTP/1.1
+        HTTP/1.1 200 OK
+        {}
+        """
+        if version is None:
+            raise SynapseError(400, "No version specified to delete", Codes.NOT_FOUND)
+
+        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=False)
+        user_id = requester.user.to_string()
+
+        yield self.e2e_room_keys_handler.delete_version(
+            user_id, version
+        )
+        defer.returnValue((200, {}))
+
+
+def register_servlets(hs, http_server):
+    RoomKeysServlet(hs).register(http_server)
+    RoomKeysVersionServlet(hs).register(http_server)
+    RoomKeysNewVersionServlet(hs).register(http_server)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/sync.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/sync.py
index 1275baa1ba..0251146722 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/sync.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.api.filtering import DEFAULT_FILTER_COLLECTION, FilterCollection
 from synapse.events.utils import (
     format_event_for_client_v2_without_room_id,
+    format_event_raw,
     serialize_event,
 )
 from synapse.handlers.presence import format_user_presence_state
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request):
-        if "from" in request.args:
+        if b"from" in request.args:
             # /events used to use 'from', but /sync uses 'since'.
             # Lets be helpful and whine if we see a 'from'.
             raise SynapseError(
@@ -175,17 +176,28 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
 
     @staticmethod
     def encode_response(time_now, sync_result, access_token_id, filter):
+        if filter.event_format == 'client':
+            event_formatter = format_event_for_client_v2_without_room_id
+        elif filter.event_format == 'federation':
+            event_formatter = format_event_raw
+        else:
+            raise Exception("Unknown event format %s" % (filter.event_format, ))
+
         joined = SyncRestServlet.encode_joined(
-            sync_result.joined, time_now, access_token_id, filter.event_fields
+            sync_result.joined, time_now, access_token_id,
+            filter.event_fields,
+            event_formatter,
         )
 
         invited = SyncRestServlet.encode_invited(
             sync_result.invited, time_now, access_token_id,
+            event_formatter,
         )
 
         archived = SyncRestServlet.encode_archived(
             sync_result.archived, time_now, access_token_id,
             filter.event_fields,
+            event_formatter,
         )
 
         return {
@@ -228,7 +240,7 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
         }
 
     @staticmethod
-    def encode_joined(rooms, time_now, token_id, event_fields):
+    def encode_joined(rooms, time_now, token_id, event_fields, event_formatter):
         """
         Encode the joined rooms in a sync result
 
@@ -240,7 +252,9 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
             token_id(int): ID of the user's auth token - used for namespacing
                 of transaction IDs
             event_fields(list<str>): List of event fields to include. If empty,
-            all fields will be returned.
+                all fields will be returned.
+            event_formatter (func[dict]): function to convert from federation format
+                to client format
         Returns:
             dict[str, dict[str, object]]: the joined rooms list, in our
                 response format
@@ -248,13 +262,14 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
         joined = {}
         for room in rooms:
             joined[room.room_id] = SyncRestServlet.encode_room(
-                room, time_now, token_id, only_fields=event_fields
+                room, time_now, token_id, joined=True, only_fields=event_fields,
+                event_formatter=event_formatter,
             )
 
         return joined
 
     @staticmethod
-    def encode_invited(rooms, time_now, token_id):
+    def encode_invited(rooms, time_now, token_id, event_formatter):
         """
         Encode the invited rooms in a sync result
 
@@ -264,7 +279,9 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
             time_now(int): current time - used as a baseline for age
                 calculations
             token_id(int): ID of the user's auth token - used for namespacing
-            of transaction IDs
+                of transaction IDs
+            event_formatter (func[dict]): function to convert from federation format
+                to client format
 
         Returns:
             dict[str, dict[str, object]]: the invited rooms list, in our
@@ -274,7 +291,7 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
         for room in rooms:
             invite = serialize_event(
                 room.invite, time_now, token_id=token_id,
-                event_format=format_event_for_client_v2_without_room_id,
+                event_format=event_formatter,
                 is_invite=True,
             )
             unsigned = dict(invite.get("unsigned", {}))
@@ -288,7 +305,7 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
         return invited
 
     @staticmethod
-    def encode_archived(rooms, time_now, token_id, event_fields):
+    def encode_archived(rooms, time_now, token_id, event_fields, event_formatter):
         """
         Encode the archived rooms in a sync result
 
@@ -300,7 +317,9 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
             token_id(int): ID of the user's auth token - used for namespacing
                 of transaction IDs
             event_fields(list<str>): List of event fields to include. If empty,
-            all fields will be returned.
+                all fields will be returned.
+            event_formatter (func[dict]): function to convert from federation format
+                to client format
         Returns:
             dict[str, dict[str, object]]: The invited rooms list, in our
                 response format
@@ -308,13 +327,18 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
         joined = {}
         for room in rooms:
             joined[room.room_id] = SyncRestServlet.encode_room(
-                room, time_now, token_id, joined=False, only_fields=event_fields
+                room, time_now, token_id, joined=False,
+                only_fields=event_fields,
+                event_formatter=event_formatter,
             )
 
         return joined
 
     @staticmethod
-    def encode_room(room, time_now, token_id, joined=True, only_fields=None):
+    def encode_room(
+            room, time_now, token_id, joined,
+            only_fields, event_formatter,
+    ):
         """
         Args:
             room (JoinedSyncResult|ArchivedSyncResult): sync result for a
@@ -326,14 +350,15 @@ class SyncRestServlet(RestServlet):
             joined (bool): True if the user is joined to this room - will mean
                 we handle ephemeral events
             only_fields(list<str>): Optional. The list of event fields to include.
+            event_formatter (func[dict]): function to convert from federation format
+                to client format
         Returns:
             dict[str, object]: the room, encoded in our response format
         """
         def serialize(event):
-            # TODO(mjark): Respect formatting requirements in the filter.
             return serialize_event(
                 event, time_now, token_id=token_id,
-                event_format=format_event_for_client_v2_without_room_id,
+                event_format=event_formatter,
                 only_event_fields=only_fields,
             )
 
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/thirdparty.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/thirdparty.py
index d9d379182e..b9b5d07677 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/thirdparty.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/thirdparty.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class ThirdPartyUserServlet(RestServlet):
         yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=True)
 
         fields = request.args
-        fields.pop("access_token", None)
+        fields.pop(b"access_token", None)
 
         results = yield self.appservice_handler.query_3pe(
             ThirdPartyEntityKind.USER, protocol, fields
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ class ThirdPartyLocationServlet(RestServlet):
         yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request, allow_guest=True)
 
         fields = request.args
-        fields.pop("access_token", None)
+        fields.pop(b"access_token", None)
 
         results = yield self.appservice_handler.query_3pe(
             ThirdPartyEntityKind.LOCATION, protocol, fields
diff --git a/synapse/rest/key/v1/server_key_resource.py b/synapse/rest/key/v1/server_key_resource.py
index b9ee6e1c13..38eb2ee23f 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/key/v1/server_key_resource.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/key/v1/server_key_resource.py
@@ -88,5 +88,5 @@ class LocalKey(Resource):
         )
 
     def getChild(self, name, request):
-        if name == '':
+        if name == b'':
             return self
diff --git a/synapse/rest/key/v2/__init__.py b/synapse/rest/key/v2/__init__.py
index 3491fd2118..cb5abcf826 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/key/v2/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/key/v2/__init__.py
@@ -22,5 +22,5 @@ from .remote_key_resource import RemoteKey
 class KeyApiV2Resource(Resource):
     def __init__(self, hs):
         Resource.__init__(self)
-        self.putChild("server", LocalKey(hs))
-        self.putChild("query", RemoteKey(hs))
+        self.putChild(b"server", LocalKey(hs))
+        self.putChild(b"query", RemoteKey(hs))
diff --git a/synapse/rest/key/v2/remote_key_resource.py b/synapse/rest/key/v2/remote_key_resource.py
index 7d67e4b064..eb8782aa6e 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/key/v2/remote_key_resource.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/key/v2/remote_key_resource.py
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ class RemoteKey(Resource):
     def async_render_GET(self, request):
         if len(request.postpath) == 1:
             server, = request.postpath
-            query = {server: {}}
+            query = {server.decode('ascii'): {}}
         elif len(request.postpath) == 2:
             server, key_id = request.postpath
             minimum_valid_until_ts = parse_integer(
@@ -112,11 +112,12 @@ class RemoteKey(Resource):
             arguments = {}
             if minimum_valid_until_ts is not None:
                 arguments["minimum_valid_until_ts"] = minimum_valid_until_ts
-            query = {server: {key_id: arguments}}
+            query = {server.decode('ascii'): {key_id.decode('ascii'): arguments}}
         else:
             raise SynapseError(
                 404, "Not found %r" % request.postpath, Codes.NOT_FOUND
             )
+
         yield self.query_keys(request, query, query_remote_on_cache_miss=True)
 
     def render_POST(self, request):
@@ -135,6 +136,7 @@ class RemoteKey(Resource):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def query_keys(self, request, query, query_remote_on_cache_miss=False):
         logger.info("Handling query for keys %r", query)
+
         store_queries = []
         for server_name, key_ids in query.items():
             if (
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v0/content_repository.py b/synapse/rest/media/v0/content_repository.py
index f255f2883f..5a426ff2f6 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v0/content_repository.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v0/content_repository.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class ContentRepoResource(resource.Resource):
         # servers.
 
         # TODO: A little crude here, we could do this better.
-        filename = request.path.split('/')[-1]
+        filename = request.path.decode('ascii').split('/')[-1]
         # be paranoid
         filename = re.sub("[^0-9A-z.-_]", "", filename)
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class ContentRepoResource(resource.Resource):
             # select private. don't bother setting Expires as all our matrix
             # clients are smart enough to be happy with Cache-Control (right?)
             request.setHeader(
-                "Cache-Control", "public,max-age=86400,s-maxage=86400"
+                b"Cache-Control", b"public,max-age=86400,s-maxage=86400"
             )
 
             d = FileSender().beginFileTransfer(f, request)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v1/_base.py b/synapse/rest/media/v1/_base.py
index 65f4bd2910..76e479afa3 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v1/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v1/_base.py
@@ -15,9 +15,8 @@
 
 import logging
 import os
-import urllib
 
-from six.moves.urllib import parse as urlparse
+from six.moves import urllib
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 from twisted.protocols.basic import FileSender
@@ -35,10 +34,15 @@ def parse_media_id(request):
         # This allows users to append e.g. /test.png to the URL. Useful for
         # clients that parse the URL to see content type.
         server_name, media_id = request.postpath[:2]
+
+        if isinstance(server_name, bytes):
+            server_name = server_name.decode('utf-8')
+            media_id = media_id.decode('utf8')
+
         file_name = None
         if len(request.postpath) > 2:
             try:
-                file_name = urlparse.unquote(request.postpath[-1]).decode("utf-8")
+                file_name = urllib.parse.unquote(request.postpath[-1].decode("utf-8"))
             except UnicodeDecodeError:
                 pass
         return server_name, media_id, file_name
@@ -93,22 +97,18 @@ def add_file_headers(request, media_type, file_size, upload_name):
         file_size (int): Size in bytes of the media, if known.
         upload_name (str): The name of the requested file, if any.
     """
+    def _quote(x):
+        return urllib.parse.quote(x.encode("utf-8"))
+
     request.setHeader(b"Content-Type", media_type.encode("UTF-8"))
     if upload_name:
         if is_ascii(upload_name):
-            request.setHeader(
-                b"Content-Disposition",
-                b"inline; filename=%s" % (
-                    urllib.quote(upload_name.encode("utf-8")),
-                ),
-            )
+            disposition = ("inline; filename=%s" % (_quote(upload_name),)).encode("ascii")
         else:
-            request.setHeader(
-                b"Content-Disposition",
-                b"inline; filename*=utf-8''%s" % (
-                    urllib.quote(upload_name.encode("utf-8")),
-                ),
-            )
+            disposition = (
+                "inline; filename*=utf-8''%s" % (_quote(upload_name),)).encode("ascii")
+
+        request.setHeader(b"Content-Disposition", disposition)
 
     # cache for at least a day.
     # XXX: we might want to turn this off for data we don't want to
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v1/download_resource.py b/synapse/rest/media/v1/download_resource.py
index fbfa85f74f..f911b120b1 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v1/download_resource.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v1/download_resource.py
@@ -47,12 +47,13 @@ class DownloadResource(Resource):
     def _async_render_GET(self, request):
         set_cors_headers(request)
         request.setHeader(
-            "Content-Security-Policy",
-            "default-src 'none';"
-            " script-src 'none';"
-            " plugin-types application/pdf;"
-            " style-src 'unsafe-inline';"
-            " object-src 'self';"
+            b"Content-Security-Policy",
+            b"default-src 'none';"
+            b" script-src 'none';"
+            b" plugin-types application/pdf;"
+            b" style-src 'unsafe-inline';"
+            b" media-src 'self';"
+            b" object-src 'self';"
         )
         server_name, media_id, name = parse_media_id(request)
         if server_name == self.server_name:
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_repository.py b/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_repository.py
index 241c972070..08b1867fab 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_repository.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_repository.py
@@ -20,12 +20,12 @@ import logging
 import os
 import shutil
 
-from six import iteritems
+from six import PY3, iteritems
 from six.moves.urllib import parse as urlparse
 
 import twisted.internet.error
 import twisted.web.http
-from twisted.internet import defer, threads
+from twisted.internet import defer
 from twisted.web.resource import Resource
 
 from synapse.api.errors import (
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ from synapse.api.errors import (
 )
 from synapse.http.matrixfederationclient import MatrixFederationHttpClient
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
+from synapse.util import logcontext
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer
-from synapse.util.logcontext import make_deferred_yieldable
 from synapse.util.retryutils import NotRetryingDestination
 from synapse.util.stringutils import is_ascii, random_string
 
@@ -397,13 +397,13 @@ class MediaRepository(object):
 
             yield finish()
 
-        media_type = headers["Content-Type"][0]
+        media_type = headers[b"Content-Type"][0].decode('ascii')
 
         time_now_ms = self.clock.time_msec()
 
-        content_disposition = headers.get("Content-Disposition", None)
+        content_disposition = headers.get(b"Content-Disposition", None)
         if content_disposition:
-            _, params = cgi.parse_header(content_disposition[0],)
+            _, params = cgi.parse_header(content_disposition[0].decode('ascii'),)
             upload_name = None
 
             # First check if there is a valid UTF-8 filename
@@ -419,9 +419,13 @@ class MediaRepository(object):
                     upload_name = upload_name_ascii
 
             if upload_name:
-                upload_name = urlparse.unquote(upload_name)
+                if PY3:
+                    upload_name = urlparse.unquote(upload_name)
+                else:
+                    upload_name = urlparse.unquote(upload_name.encode('ascii'))
                 try:
-                    upload_name = upload_name.decode("utf-8")
+                    if isinstance(upload_name, bytes):
+                        upload_name = upload_name.decode("utf-8")
                 except UnicodeDecodeError:
                     upload_name = None
         else:
@@ -488,10 +492,11 @@ class MediaRepository(object):
         ))
 
         thumbnailer = Thumbnailer(input_path)
-        t_byte_source = yield make_deferred_yieldable(threads.deferToThread(
+        t_byte_source = yield logcontext.defer_to_thread(
+            self.hs.get_reactor(),
             self._generate_thumbnail,
             thumbnailer, t_width, t_height, t_method, t_type
-        ))
+        )
 
         if t_byte_source:
             try:
@@ -530,10 +535,11 @@ class MediaRepository(object):
         ))
 
         thumbnailer = Thumbnailer(input_path)
-        t_byte_source = yield make_deferred_yieldable(threads.deferToThread(
+        t_byte_source = yield logcontext.defer_to_thread(
+            self.hs.get_reactor(),
             self._generate_thumbnail,
             thumbnailer, t_width, t_height, t_method, t_type
-        ))
+        )
 
         if t_byte_source:
             try:
@@ -616,15 +622,17 @@ class MediaRepository(object):
         for (t_width, t_height, t_type), t_method in iteritems(thumbnails):
             # Generate the thumbnail
             if t_method == "crop":
-                t_byte_source = yield make_deferred_yieldable(threads.deferToThread(
+                t_byte_source = yield logcontext.defer_to_thread(
+                    self.hs.get_reactor(),
                     thumbnailer.crop,
                     t_width, t_height, t_type,
-                ))
+                )
             elif t_method == "scale":
-                t_byte_source = yield make_deferred_yieldable(threads.deferToThread(
+                t_byte_source = yield logcontext.defer_to_thread(
+                    self.hs.get_reactor(),
                     thumbnailer.scale,
                     t_width, t_height, t_type,
-                ))
+                )
             else:
                 logger.error("Unrecognized method: %r", t_method)
                 continue
@@ -755,14 +763,15 @@ class MediaRepositoryResource(Resource):
         Resource.__init__(self)
 
         media_repo = hs.get_media_repository()
-        self.putChild("upload", UploadResource(hs, media_repo))
-        self.putChild("download", DownloadResource(hs, media_repo))
-        self.putChild("thumbnail", ThumbnailResource(
+
+        self.putChild(b"upload", UploadResource(hs, media_repo))
+        self.putChild(b"download", DownloadResource(hs, media_repo))
+        self.putChild(b"thumbnail", ThumbnailResource(
             hs, media_repo, media_repo.media_storage,
         ))
-        self.putChild("identicon", IdenticonResource())
+        self.putChild(b"identicon", IdenticonResource())
         if hs.config.url_preview_enabled:
-            self.putChild("preview_url", PreviewUrlResource(
+            self.putChild(b"preview_url", PreviewUrlResource(
                 hs, media_repo, media_repo.media_storage,
             ))
-        self.putChild("config", MediaConfigResource(hs))
+        self.putChild(b"config", MediaConfigResource(hs))
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_storage.py b/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_storage.py
index a6189224ee..896078fe76 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_storage.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v1/media_storage.py
@@ -21,9 +21,10 @@ import sys
 
 import six
 
-from twisted.internet import defer, threads
+from twisted.internet import defer
 from twisted.protocols.basic import FileSender
 
+from synapse.util import logcontext
 from synapse.util.file_consumer import BackgroundFileConsumer
 from synapse.util.logcontext import make_deferred_yieldable
 
@@ -64,9 +65,10 @@ class MediaStorage(object):
 
         with self.store_into_file(file_info) as (f, fname, finish_cb):
             # Write to the main repository
-            yield make_deferred_yieldable(threads.deferToThread(
+            yield logcontext.defer_to_thread(
+                self.hs.get_reactor(),
                 _write_file_synchronously, source, f,
-            ))
+            )
             yield finish_cb()
 
         defer.returnValue(fname)
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py b/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py
index 778ef97337..1a7bfd6b56 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v1/preview_url_resource.py
@@ -79,7 +79,6 @@ class PreviewUrlResource(Resource):
             # don't spider URLs more often than once an hour
             expiry_ms=60 * 60 * 1000,
         )
-        self._cache.start()
 
         self._cleaner_loop = self.clock.looping_call(
             self._start_expire_url_cache_data, 10 * 1000,
@@ -261,7 +260,7 @@ class PreviewUrlResource(Resource):
 
         logger.debug("Calculated OG for %s as %s" % (url, og))
 
-        jsonog = json.dumps(og)
+        jsonog = json.dumps(og).encode('utf8')
 
         # store OG in history-aware DB cache
         yield self.store.store_url_cache(
@@ -301,20 +300,20 @@ class PreviewUrlResource(Resource):
                 logger.warn("Error downloading %s: %r", url, e)
                 raise SynapseError(
                     500, "Failed to download content: %s" % (
-                        traceback.format_exception_only(sys.exc_type, e),
+                        traceback.format_exception_only(sys.exc_info()[0], e),
                     ),
                     Codes.UNKNOWN,
                 )
             yield finish()
 
         try:
-            if "Content-Type" in headers:
-                media_type = headers["Content-Type"][0]
+            if b"Content-Type" in headers:
+                media_type = headers[b"Content-Type"][0].decode('ascii')
             else:
                 media_type = "application/octet-stream"
             time_now_ms = self.clock.time_msec()
 
-            content_disposition = headers.get("Content-Disposition", None)
+            content_disposition = headers.get(b"Content-Disposition", None)
             if content_disposition:
                 _, params = cgi.parse_header(content_disposition[0],)
                 download_name = None
@@ -597,10 +596,13 @@ def _iterate_over_text(tree, *tags_to_ignore):
     # to be returned.
     elements = iter([tree])
     while True:
-        el = next(elements)
+        el = next(elements, None)
+        if el is None:
+            return
+
         if isinstance(el, string_types):
             yield el
-        elif el is not None and el.tag not in tags_to_ignore:
+        elif el.tag not in tags_to_ignore:
             # el.text is the text before the first child, so we can immediately
             # return it if the text exists.
             if el.text:
@@ -672,7 +674,7 @@ def summarize_paragraphs(text_nodes, min_size=200, max_size=500):
         # This splits the paragraph into words, but keeping the
         # (preceeding) whitespace intact so we can easily concat
         # words back together.
-        for match in re.finditer("\s*\S+", description):
+        for match in re.finditer(r"\s*\S+", description):
             word = match.group()
 
             # Keep adding words while the total length is less than
diff --git a/synapse/rest/media/v1/storage_provider.py b/synapse/rest/media/v1/storage_provider.py
index 7b9f8b4d79..5aa03031f6 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/media/v1/storage_provider.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/media/v1/storage_provider.py
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@ import logging
 import os
 import shutil
 
-from twisted.internet import defer, threads
+from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.config._base import Config
+from synapse.util import logcontext
 from synapse.util.logcontext import run_in_background
 
 from .media_storage import FileResponder
@@ -120,7 +121,8 @@ class FileStorageProviderBackend(StorageProvider):
         if not os.path.exists(dirname):
             os.makedirs(dirname)
 
-        return threads.deferToThread(
+        return logcontext.defer_to_thread(
+            self.hs.get_reactor(),
             shutil.copyfile, primary_fname, backup_fname,
         )
 
diff --git a/synapse/server.py b/synapse/server.py
index 26228d8c72..cf6b872cbd 100644
--- a/synapse/server.py
+++ b/synapse/server.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 # partial one for unit test mocking.
 
 # Imports required for the default HomeServer() implementation
+import abc
 import logging
 
 from twisted.enterprise import adbapi
@@ -50,13 +51,14 @@ from synapse.handlers.deactivate_account import DeactivateAccountHandler
 from synapse.handlers.device import DeviceHandler
 from synapse.handlers.devicemessage import DeviceMessageHandler
 from synapse.handlers.e2e_keys import E2eKeysHandler
+from synapse.handlers.e2e_room_keys import E2eRoomKeysHandler
 from synapse.handlers.events import EventHandler, EventStreamHandler
 from synapse.handlers.groups_local import GroupsLocalHandler
 from synapse.handlers.initial_sync import InitialSyncHandler
 from synapse.handlers.message import EventCreationHandler, MessageHandler
 from synapse.handlers.pagination import PaginationHandler
 from synapse.handlers.presence import PresenceHandler
-from synapse.handlers.profile import ProfileHandler
+from synapse.handlers.profile import BaseProfileHandler, MasterProfileHandler
 from synapse.handlers.read_marker import ReadMarkerHandler
 from synapse.handlers.receipts import ReceiptsHandler
 from synapse.handlers.room import RoomContextHandler, RoomCreationHandler
@@ -81,7 +83,6 @@ from synapse.server_notices.server_notices_manager import ServerNoticesManager
 from synapse.server_notices.server_notices_sender import ServerNoticesSender
 from synapse.server_notices.worker_server_notices_sender import WorkerServerNoticesSender
 from synapse.state import StateHandler, StateResolutionHandler
-from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.streams.events import EventSources
 from synapse.util import Clock
 from synapse.util.distributor import Distributor
@@ -111,6 +112,8 @@ class HomeServer(object):
         config (synapse.config.homeserver.HomeserverConfig):
     """
 
+    __metaclass__ = abc.ABCMeta
+
     DEPENDENCIES = [
         'http_client',
         'db_pool',
@@ -128,6 +131,7 @@ class HomeServer(object):
         'auth_handler',
         'device_handler',
         'e2e_keys_handler',
+        'e2e_room_keys_handler',
         'event_handler',
         'event_stream_handler',
         'initial_sync_handler',
@@ -172,6 +176,11 @@ class HomeServer(object):
         'room_context_handler',
     ]
 
+    # This is overridden in derived application classes
+    # (such as synapse.app.homeserver.SynapseHomeServer) and gives the class to be
+    # instantiated during setup() for future return by get_datastore()
+    DATASTORE_CLASS = abc.abstractproperty()
+
     def __init__(self, hostname, reactor=None, **kwargs):
         """
         Args:
@@ -188,13 +197,17 @@ class HomeServer(object):
         self.distributor = Distributor()
         self.ratelimiter = Ratelimiter()
 
+        self.datastore = None
+
         # Other kwargs are explicit dependencies
         for depname in kwargs:
             setattr(self, depname, kwargs[depname])
 
     def setup(self):
         logger.info("Setting up.")
-        self.datastore = DataStore(self.get_db_conn(), self)
+        with self.get_db_conn() as conn:
+            self.datastore = self.DATASTORE_CLASS(conn, self)
+            conn.commit()
         logger.info("Finished setting up.")
 
     def get_reactor(self):
@@ -289,6 +302,9 @@ class HomeServer(object):
     def build_e2e_keys_handler(self):
         return E2eKeysHandler(self)
 
+    def build_e2e_room_keys_handler(self):
+        return E2eRoomKeysHandler(self)
+
     def build_application_service_api(self):
         return ApplicationServiceApi(self)
 
@@ -308,7 +324,10 @@ class HomeServer(object):
         return InitialSyncHandler(self)
 
     def build_profile_handler(self):
-        return ProfileHandler(self)
+        if self.config.worker_app:
+            return BaseProfileHandler(self)
+        else:
+            return MasterProfileHandler(self)
 
     def build_event_creation_handler(self):
         return EventCreationHandler(self)
diff --git a/synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py b/synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..af15cba0ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/server_notices/resource_limits_server_notices.py
@@ -0,0 +1,203 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2018 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+import logging
+
+from six import iteritems
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.constants import (
+    EventTypes,
+    ServerNoticeLimitReached,
+    ServerNoticeMsgType,
+)
+from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, ResourceLimitError, SynapseError
+from synapse.server_notices.server_notices_manager import SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM_TAG
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class ResourceLimitsServerNotices(object):
+    """ Keeps track of whether the server has reached it's resource limit and
+    ensures that the client is kept up to date.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        """
+        Args:
+            hs (synapse.server.HomeServer):
+        """
+        self._server_notices_manager = hs.get_server_notices_manager()
+        self._store = hs.get_datastore()
+        self._auth = hs.get_auth()
+        self._config = hs.config
+        self._resouce_limited = False
+        self._message_handler = hs.get_message_handler()
+        self._state = hs.get_state_handler()
+
+        self._notifier = hs.get_notifier()
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(self, user_id):
+        """Check if we need to send a notice to this user, this will be true in
+        two cases.
+        1. The server has reached its limit does not reflect this
+        2. The room state indicates that the server has reached its limit when
+        actually the server is fine
+
+        Args:
+            user_id (str): user to check
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred
+        """
+        if self._config.hs_disabled is True:
+            return
+
+        if self._config.limit_usage_by_mau is False:
+            return
+
+        if not self._server_notices_manager.is_enabled():
+            # Don't try and send server notices unles they've been enabled
+            return
+
+        timestamp = yield self._store.user_last_seen_monthly_active(user_id)
+        if timestamp is None:
+            # This user will be blocked from receiving the notice anyway.
+            # In practice, not sure we can ever get here
+            return
+
+        # Determine current state of room
+
+        room_id = yield self._server_notices_manager.get_notice_room_for_user(user_id)
+
+        if not room_id:
+            logger.warn("Failed to get server notices room")
+            return
+
+        yield self._check_and_set_tags(user_id, room_id)
+        currently_blocked, ref_events = yield self._is_room_currently_blocked(room_id)
+
+        try:
+            # Normally should always pass in user_id if you have it, but in
+            # this case are checking what would happen to other users if they
+            # were to arrive.
+            try:
+                yield self._auth.check_auth_blocking()
+                is_auth_blocking = False
+            except ResourceLimitError as e:
+                is_auth_blocking = True
+                event_content = e.msg
+                event_limit_type = e.limit_type
+
+            if currently_blocked and not is_auth_blocking:
+                # Room is notifying of a block, when it ought not to be.
+                # Remove block notification
+                content = {
+                    "pinned": ref_events
+                }
+                yield self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
+                    user_id, content, EventTypes.Pinned, '',
+                )
+
+            elif not currently_blocked and is_auth_blocking:
+                # Room is not notifying of a block, when it ought to be.
+                # Add block notification
+                content = {
+                    'body': event_content,
+                    'msgtype': ServerNoticeMsgType,
+                    'server_notice_type': ServerNoticeLimitReached,
+                    'admin_contact': self._config.admin_contact,
+                    'limit_type': event_limit_type
+                }
+                event = yield self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
+                    user_id, content, EventTypes.Message,
+                )
+
+                content = {
+                    "pinned": [
+                        event.event_id,
+                    ]
+                }
+                yield self._server_notices_manager.send_notice(
+                    user_id, content, EventTypes.Pinned, '',
+                )
+
+        except SynapseError as e:
+            logger.error("Error sending resource limits server notice: %s", e)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _check_and_set_tags(self, user_id, room_id):
+        """
+        Since server notices rooms were originally not with tags,
+        important to check that tags have been set correctly
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user in question
+            room_id(str): the server notices room for that user
+        """
+        tags = yield self._store.get_tags_for_room(user_id, room_id)
+        need_to_set_tag = True
+        if tags:
+            if SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM_TAG in tags:
+                # tag already present, nothing to do here
+                need_to_set_tag = False
+        if need_to_set_tag:
+            max_id = yield self._store.add_tag_to_room(
+                user_id, room_id, SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM_TAG, {}
+            )
+            self._notifier.on_new_event(
+                "account_data_key", max_id, users=[user_id]
+            )
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _is_room_currently_blocked(self, room_id):
+        """
+        Determines if the room is currently blocked
+
+        Args:
+            room_id(str): The room id of the server notices room
+
+        Returns:
+
+            bool: Is the room currently blocked
+            list: The list of pinned events that are unrelated to limit blocking
+            This list can be used as a convenience in the case where the block
+            is to be lifted and the remaining pinned event references need to be
+            preserved
+        """
+        currently_blocked = False
+        pinned_state_event = None
+        try:
+            pinned_state_event = yield self._state.get_current_state(
+                room_id, event_type=EventTypes.Pinned
+            )
+        except AuthError:
+            # The user has yet to join the server notices room
+            pass
+
+        referenced_events = []
+        if pinned_state_event is not None:
+            referenced_events = list(pinned_state_event.content.get('pinned', []))
+
+        events = yield self._store.get_events(referenced_events)
+        for event_id, event in iteritems(events):
+            if event.type != EventTypes.Message:
+                continue
+            if event.content.get("msgtype") == ServerNoticeMsgType:
+                currently_blocked = True
+                # remove event in case we need to disable blocking later on.
+                if event_id in referenced_events:
+                    referenced_events.remove(event.event_id)
+
+        defer.returnValue((currently_blocked, referenced_events))
diff --git a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py
index a26deace53..c5cc6d728e 100644
--- a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py
+++ b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_manager.py
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cachedInlineCallbacks
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM_TAG = "m.server_notice"
+
 
 class ServerNoticesManager(object):
     def __init__(self, hs):
@@ -37,6 +39,8 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         self._event_creation_handler = hs.get_event_creation_handler()
         self._is_mine_id = hs.is_mine_id
 
+        self._notifier = hs.get_notifier()
+
     def is_enabled(self):
         """Checks if server notices are enabled on this server.
 
@@ -46,7 +50,10 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         return self._config.server_notices_mxid is not None
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def send_notice(self, user_id, event_content):
+    def send_notice(
+        self, user_id, event_content,
+        type=EventTypes.Message, state_key=None
+    ):
         """Send a notice to the given user
 
         Creates the server notices room, if none exists.
@@ -54,9 +61,11 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         Args:
             user_id (str): mxid of user to send event to.
             event_content (dict): content of event to send
+            type(EventTypes): type of event
+            is_state_event(bool): Is the event a state event
 
         Returns:
-            Deferred[None]
+            Deferred[FrozenEvent]
         """
         room_id = yield self.get_notice_room_for_user(user_id)
 
@@ -65,15 +74,20 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
 
         logger.info("Sending server notice to %s", user_id)
 
-        yield self._event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
-            requester, {
-                "type": EventTypes.Message,
-                "room_id": room_id,
-                "sender": system_mxid,
-                "content": event_content,
-            },
-            ratelimit=False,
+        event_dict = {
+            "type": type,
+            "room_id": room_id,
+            "sender": system_mxid,
+            "content": event_content,
+        }
+
+        if state_key is not None:
+            event_dict['state_key'] = state_key
+
+        res = yield self._event_creation_handler.create_and_send_nonmember_event(
+            requester, event_dict, ratelimit=False,
         )
+        defer.returnValue(res)
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks()
     def get_notice_room_for_user(self, user_id):
@@ -142,5 +156,12 @@ class ServerNoticesManager(object):
         )
         room_id = info['room_id']
 
+        max_id = yield self._store.add_tag_to_room(
+            user_id, room_id, SERVER_NOTICE_ROOM_TAG, {},
+        )
+        self._notifier.on_new_event(
+            "account_data_key", max_id, users=[user_id]
+        )
+
         logger.info("Created server notices room %s for %s", room_id, user_id)
         defer.returnValue(room_id)
diff --git a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py
index 5d23965f34..6121b2f267 100644
--- a/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py
+++ b/synapse/server_notices/server_notices_sender.py
@@ -12,7 +12,12 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
 from synapse.server_notices.consent_server_notices import ConsentServerNotices
+from synapse.server_notices.resource_limits_server_notices import (
+    ResourceLimitsServerNotices,
+)
 
 
 class ServerNoticesSender(object):
@@ -25,34 +30,34 @@ class ServerNoticesSender(object):
         Args:
             hs (synapse.server.HomeServer):
         """
-        # todo: it would be nice to make this more dynamic
-        self._consent_server_notices = ConsentServerNotices(hs)
+        self._server_notices = (
+            ConsentServerNotices(hs),
+            ResourceLimitsServerNotices(hs)
+        )
 
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_user_syncing(self, user_id):
         """Called when the user performs a sync operation.
 
         Args:
             user_id (str): mxid of user who synced
-
-        Returns:
-            Deferred
         """
-        return self._consent_server_notices.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(
-            user_id,
-        )
+        for sn in self._server_notices:
+            yield sn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(
+                user_id,
+            )
 
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_user_ip(self, user_id):
         """Called on the master when a worker process saw a client request.
 
         Args:
             user_id (str): mxid
-
-        Returns:
-            Deferred
         """
         # The synchrotrons use a stubbed version of ServerNoticesSender, so
         # we check for notices to send to the user in on_user_ip as well as
         # in on_user_syncing
-        return self._consent_server_notices.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(
-            user_id,
-        )
+        for sn in self._server_notices:
+            yield sn.maybe_send_server_notice_to_user(
+                user_id,
+            )
diff --git a/synapse/state.py b/synapse/state/__init__.py
index 0f2bedb694..9b40b18d5b 100644
--- a/synapse/state.py
+++ b/synapse/state/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # Copyright 2014-2016 OpenMarket Ltd
+# Copyright 2018 New Vector Ltd
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -13,21 +14,19 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-
-import hashlib
 import logging
 from collections import namedtuple
 
-from six import iteritems, iterkeys, itervalues
+from six import iteritems, itervalues
 
+import attr
 from frozendict import frozendict
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
-from synapse import event_auth
-from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
-from synapse.api.errors import AuthError
+from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, RoomVersions
 from synapse.events.snapshot import EventContext
+from synapse.state import v1, v2
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer
 from synapse.util.caches import get_cache_factor_for
 from synapse.util.caches.expiringcache import ExpiringCache
@@ -97,10 +96,6 @@ class StateHandler(object):
         self.hs = hs
         self._state_resolution_handler = hs.get_state_resolution_handler()
 
-    def start_caching(self):
-        # TODO: remove this shim
-        self._state_resolution_handler.start_caching()
-
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_current_state(self, room_id, event_type=None, state_key="",
                           latest_event_ids=None):
@@ -264,6 +259,7 @@ class StateHandler(object):
             defer.returnValue(context)
 
         logger.debug("calling resolve_state_groups from compute_event_context")
+
         entry = yield self.resolve_state_groups_for_events(
             event.room_id, [e for e, _ in event.prev_events],
         )
@@ -338,8 +334,11 @@ class StateHandler(object):
         event, resolves conflicts between them and returns them.
 
         Args:
-            room_id (str):
-            event_ids (list[str]):
+            room_id (str)
+            event_ids (list[str])
+            explicit_room_version (str|None): If set uses the the given room
+                version to choose the resolution algorithm. If None, then
+                checks the database for room version.
 
         Returns:
             Deferred[_StateCacheEntry]: resolved state
@@ -353,7 +352,12 @@ class StateHandler(object):
             room_id, event_ids
         )
 
-        if len(state_groups_ids) == 1:
+        if len(state_groups_ids) == 0:
+            defer.returnValue(_StateCacheEntry(
+                state={},
+                state_group=None,
+            ))
+        elif len(state_groups_ids) == 1:
             name, state_list = list(state_groups_ids.items()).pop()
 
             prev_group, delta_ids = yield self.store.get_state_group_delta(name)
@@ -365,17 +369,16 @@ class StateHandler(object):
                 delta_ids=delta_ids,
             ))
 
+        room_version = yield self.store.get_room_version(room_id)
+
         result = yield self._state_resolution_handler.resolve_state_groups(
-            room_id, state_groups_ids, None, self._state_map_factory,
+            room_id, room_version, state_groups_ids, None,
+            state_res_store=StateResolutionStore(self.store),
         )
         defer.returnValue(result)
 
-    def _state_map_factory(self, ev_ids):
-        return self.store.get_events(
-            ev_ids, get_prev_content=False, check_redacted=False,
-        )
-
-    def resolve_events(self, state_sets, event):
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def resolve_events(self, room_version, state_sets, event):
         logger.info(
             "Resolving state for %s with %d groups", event.room_id, len(state_sets)
         )
@@ -391,13 +394,17 @@ class StateHandler(object):
         }
 
         with Measure(self.clock, "state._resolve_events"):
-            new_state = resolve_events_with_state_map(state_set_ids, state_map)
+            new_state = yield resolve_events_with_store(
+                room_version, state_set_ids,
+                event_map=state_map,
+                state_res_store=StateResolutionStore(self.store),
+            )
 
         new_state = {
             key: state_map[ev_id] for key, ev_id in iteritems(new_state)
         }
 
-        return new_state
+        defer.returnValue(new_state)
 
 
 class StateResolutionHandler(object):
@@ -413,9 +420,6 @@ class StateResolutionHandler(object):
         self._state_cache = None
         self.resolve_linearizer = Linearizer(name="state_resolve_lock")
 
-    def start_caching(self):
-        logger.debug("start_caching")
-
         self._state_cache = ExpiringCache(
             cache_name="state_cache",
             clock=self.clock,
@@ -425,12 +429,10 @@ class StateResolutionHandler(object):
             reset_expiry_on_get=True,
         )
 
-        self._state_cache.start()
-
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     @log_function
     def resolve_state_groups(
-        self, room_id, state_groups_ids, event_map, state_map_factory,
+        self, room_id, room_version, state_groups_ids, event_map, state_res_store,
     ):
         """Resolves conflicts between a set of state groups
 
@@ -439,6 +441,7 @@ class StateResolutionHandler(object):
 
         Args:
             room_id (str): room we are resolving for (used for logging)
+            room_version (str): version of the room
             state_groups_ids (dict[int, dict[(str, str), str]]):
                  map from state group id to the state in that state group
                 (where 'state' is a map from state key to event id)
@@ -447,9 +450,11 @@ class StateResolutionHandler(object):
                 a dict from event_id to event, for any events that we happen to
                 have in flight (eg, those currently being persisted). This will be
                 used as a starting point fof finding the state we need; any missing
-                events will be requested via state_map_factory.
+                events will be requested via state_res_store.
 
-                If None, all events will be fetched via state_map_factory.
+                If None, all events will be fetched via state_res_store.
+
+            state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
 
         Returns:
             Deferred[_StateCacheEntry]: resolved state
@@ -473,10 +478,10 @@ class StateResolutionHandler(object):
 
             # start by assuming we won't have any conflicted state, and build up the new
             # state map by iterating through the state groups. If we discover a conflict,
-            # we give up and instead use `resolve_events_with_factory`.
+            # we give up and instead use `resolve_events_with_store`.
             #
             # XXX: is this actually worthwhile, or should we just let
-            # resolve_events_with_factory do it?
+            # resolve_events_with_store do it?
             new_state = {}
             conflicted_state = False
             for st in itervalues(state_groups_ids):
@@ -491,10 +496,11 @@ class StateResolutionHandler(object):
             if conflicted_state:
                 logger.info("Resolving conflicted state for %r", room_id)
                 with Measure(self.clock, "state._resolve_events"):
-                    new_state = yield resolve_events_with_factory(
+                    new_state = yield resolve_events_with_store(
+                        room_version,
                         list(itervalues(state_groups_ids)),
                         event_map=event_map,
-                        state_map_factory=state_map_factory,
+                        state_res_store=state_res_store,
                     )
 
             # if the new state matches any of the input state groups, we can
@@ -575,94 +581,11 @@ def _make_state_cache_entry(
     )
 
 
-def _ordered_events(events):
-    def key_func(e):
-        return -int(e.depth), hashlib.sha1(e.event_id.encode('ascii')).hexdigest()
-
-    return sorted(events, key=key_func)
-
-
-def resolve_events_with_state_map(state_sets, state_map):
-    """
-    Args:
-        state_sets(list): List of dicts of (type, state_key) -> event_id,
-            which are the different state groups to resolve.
-        state_map(dict): a dict from event_id to event, for all events in
-            state_sets.
-
-    Returns
-        dict[(str, str), str]:
-            a map from (type, state_key) to event_id.
+def resolve_events_with_store(room_version, state_sets, event_map, state_res_store):
     """
-    if len(state_sets) == 1:
-        return state_sets[0]
-
-    unconflicted_state, conflicted_state = _seperate(
-        state_sets,
-    )
-
-    auth_events = _create_auth_events_from_maps(
-        unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, state_map
-    )
-
-    return _resolve_with_state(
-        unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, auth_events, state_map
-    )
-
-
-def _seperate(state_sets):
-    """Takes the state_sets and figures out which keys are conflicted and
-    which aren't. i.e., which have multiple different event_ids associated
-    with them in different state sets.
-
     Args:
-        state_sets(iterable[dict[(str, str), str]]):
-            List of dicts of (type, state_key) -> event_id, which are the
-            different state groups to resolve.
-
-    Returns:
-        (dict[(str, str), str], dict[(str, str), set[str]]):
-            A tuple of (unconflicted_state, conflicted_state), where:
-
-            unconflicted_state is a dict mapping (type, state_key)->event_id
-            for unconflicted state keys.
-
-            conflicted_state is a dict mapping (type, state_key) to a set of
-            event ids for conflicted state keys.
-    """
-    state_set_iterator = iter(state_sets)
-    unconflicted_state = dict(next(state_set_iterator))
-    conflicted_state = {}
-
-    for state_set in state_set_iterator:
-        for key, value in iteritems(state_set):
-            # Check if there is an unconflicted entry for the state key.
-            unconflicted_value = unconflicted_state.get(key)
-            if unconflicted_value is None:
-                # There isn't an unconflicted entry so check if there is a
-                # conflicted entry.
-                ls = conflicted_state.get(key)
-                if ls is None:
-                    # There wasn't a conflicted entry so haven't seen this key before.
-                    # Therefore it isn't conflicted yet.
-                    unconflicted_state[key] = value
-                else:
-                    # This key is already conflicted, add our value to the conflict set.
-                    ls.add(value)
-            elif unconflicted_value != value:
-                # If the unconflicted value is not the same as our value then we
-                # have a new conflict. So move the key from the unconflicted_state
-                # to the conflicted state.
-                conflicted_state[key] = {value, unconflicted_value}
-                unconflicted_state.pop(key, None)
-
-    return unconflicted_state, conflicted_state
-
+        room_version(str): Version of the room
 
-@defer.inlineCallbacks
-def resolve_events_with_factory(state_sets, event_map, state_map_factory):
-    """
-    Args:
         state_sets(list): List of dicts of (type, state_key) -> event_id,
             which are the different state groups to resolve.
 
@@ -674,193 +597,74 @@ def resolve_events_with_factory(state_sets, event_map, state_map_factory):
 
             If None, all events will be fetched via state_map_factory.
 
-        state_map_factory(func): will be called
-            with a list of event_ids that are needed, and should return with
-            a Deferred of dict of event_id to event.
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
 
     Returns
         Deferred[dict[(str, str), str]]:
             a map from (type, state_key) to event_id.
     """
-    if len(state_sets) == 1:
-        defer.returnValue(state_sets[0])
-
-    unconflicted_state, conflicted_state = _seperate(
-        state_sets,
-    )
-
-    needed_events = set(
-        event_id
-        for event_ids in itervalues(conflicted_state)
-        for event_id in event_ids
-    )
-    if event_map is not None:
-        needed_events -= set(iterkeys(event_map))
-
-    logger.info("Asking for %d conflicted events", len(needed_events))
-
-    # dict[str, FrozenEvent]: a map from state event id to event. Only includes
-    # the state events which are in conflict (and those in event_map)
-    state_map = yield state_map_factory(needed_events)
-    if event_map is not None:
-        state_map.update(event_map)
-
-    # get the ids of the auth events which allow us to authenticate the
-    # conflicted state, picking only from the unconflicting state.
-    #
-    # dict[(str, str), str]: a map from state key to event id
-    auth_events = _create_auth_events_from_maps(
-        unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, state_map
-    )
-
-    new_needed_events = set(itervalues(auth_events))
-    new_needed_events -= needed_events
-    if event_map is not None:
-        new_needed_events -= set(iterkeys(event_map))
-
-    logger.info("Asking for %d auth events", len(new_needed_events))
-
-    state_map_new = yield state_map_factory(new_needed_events)
-    state_map.update(state_map_new)
-
-    defer.returnValue(_resolve_with_state(
-        unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, auth_events, state_map
-    ))
-
-
-def _create_auth_events_from_maps(unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, state_map):
-    auth_events = {}
-    for event_ids in itervalues(conflicted_state):
-        for event_id in event_ids:
-            if event_id in state_map:
-                keys = event_auth.auth_types_for_event(state_map[event_id])
-                for key in keys:
-                    if key not in auth_events:
-                        event_id = unconflicted_state.get(key, None)
-                        if event_id:
-                            auth_events[key] = event_id
-    return auth_events
-
-
-def _resolve_with_state(unconflicted_state_ids, conflicted_state_ids, auth_event_ids,
-                        state_map):
-    conflicted_state = {}
-    for key, event_ids in iteritems(conflicted_state_ids):
-        events = [state_map[ev_id] for ev_id in event_ids if ev_id in state_map]
-        if len(events) > 1:
-            conflicted_state[key] = events
-        elif len(events) == 1:
-            unconflicted_state_ids[key] = events[0].event_id
-
-    auth_events = {
-        key: state_map[ev_id]
-        for key, ev_id in iteritems(auth_event_ids)
-        if ev_id in state_map
-    }
-
-    try:
-        resolved_state = _resolve_state_events(
-            conflicted_state, auth_events
+    if room_version == RoomVersions.V1:
+        return v1.resolve_events_with_store(
+            state_sets, event_map, state_res_store.get_events,
+        )
+    elif room_version == RoomVersions.VDH_TEST:
+        return v2.resolve_events_with_store(
+            state_sets, event_map, state_res_store,
+        )
+    else:
+        # This should only happen if we added a version but forgot to add it to
+        # the list above.
+        raise Exception(
+            "No state resolution algorithm defined for version %r" % (room_version,)
         )
-    except Exception:
-        logger.exception("Failed to resolve state")
-        raise
 
-    new_state = unconflicted_state_ids
-    for key, event in iteritems(resolved_state):
-        new_state[key] = event.event_id
 
-    return new_state
+@attr.s
+class StateResolutionStore(object):
+    """Interface that allows state resolution algorithms to access the database
+    in well defined way.
 
+    Args:
+        store (DataStore)
+    """
 
-def _resolve_state_events(conflicted_state, auth_events):
-    """ This is where we actually decide which of the conflicted state to
-    use.
+    store = attr.ib()
 
-    We resolve conflicts in the following order:
-        1. power levels
-        2. join rules
-        3. memberships
-        4. other events.
-    """
-    resolved_state = {}
-    if POWER_KEY in conflicted_state:
-        events = conflicted_state[POWER_KEY]
-        logger.debug("Resolving conflicted power levels %r", events)
-        resolved_state[POWER_KEY] = _resolve_auth_events(
-            events, auth_events)
-
-    auth_events.update(resolved_state)
-
-    for key, events in iteritems(conflicted_state):
-        if key[0] == EventTypes.JoinRules:
-            logger.debug("Resolving conflicted join rules %r", events)
-            resolved_state[key] = _resolve_auth_events(
-                events,
-                auth_events
-            )
+    def get_events(self, event_ids, allow_rejected=False):
+        """Get events from the database
 
-    auth_events.update(resolved_state)
+        Args:
+            event_ids (list): The event_ids of the events to fetch
+            allow_rejected (bool): If True return rejected events.
 
-    for key, events in iteritems(conflicted_state):
-        if key[0] == EventTypes.Member:
-            logger.debug("Resolving conflicted member lists %r", events)
-            resolved_state[key] = _resolve_auth_events(
-                events,
-                auth_events
-            )
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[dict[str, FrozenEvent]]: Dict from event_id to event.
+        """
 
-    auth_events.update(resolved_state)
+        return self.store.get_events(
+            event_ids,
+            check_redacted=False,
+            get_prev_content=False,
+            allow_rejected=allow_rejected,
+        )
 
-    for key, events in iteritems(conflicted_state):
-        if key not in resolved_state:
-            logger.debug("Resolving conflicted state %r:%r", key, events)
-            resolved_state[key] = _resolve_normal_events(
-                events, auth_events
-            )
+    def get_auth_chain(self, event_ids):
+        """Gets the full auth chain for a set of events (including rejected
+        events).
 
-    return resolved_state
+        Includes the given event IDs in the result.
 
+        Note that:
+            1. All events must be state events.
+            2. For v1 rooms this may not have the full auth chain in the
+               presence of rejected events
 
-def _resolve_auth_events(events, auth_events):
-    reverse = [i for i in reversed(_ordered_events(events))]
+        Args:
+            event_ids (list): The event IDs of the events to fetch the auth
+                chain for. Must be state events.
 
-    auth_keys = set(
-        key
-        for event in events
-        for key in event_auth.auth_types_for_event(event)
-    )
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[list[str]]: List of event IDs of the auth chain.
+        """
 
-    new_auth_events = {}
-    for key in auth_keys:
-        auth_event = auth_events.get(key, None)
-        if auth_event:
-            new_auth_events[key] = auth_event
-
-    auth_events = new_auth_events
-
-    prev_event = reverse[0]
-    for event in reverse[1:]:
-        auth_events[(prev_event.type, prev_event.state_key)] = prev_event
-        try:
-            # The signatures have already been checked at this point
-            event_auth.check(event, auth_events, do_sig_check=False, do_size_check=False)
-            prev_event = event
-        except AuthError:
-            return prev_event
-
-    return event
-
-
-def _resolve_normal_events(events, auth_events):
-    for event in _ordered_events(events):
-        try:
-            # The signatures have already been checked at this point
-            event_auth.check(event, auth_events, do_sig_check=False, do_size_check=False)
-            return event
-        except AuthError:
-            pass
-
-    # Use the last event (the one with the least depth) if they all fail
-    # the auth check.
-    return event
+        return self.store.get_auth_chain_ids(event_ids, include_given=True)
diff --git a/synapse/state/v1.py b/synapse/state/v1.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..70a981f4a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/state/v1.py
@@ -0,0 +1,303 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2018 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import hashlib
+import logging
+
+from six import iteritems, iterkeys, itervalues
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse import event_auth
+from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
+from synapse.api.errors import AuthError
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+POWER_KEY = (EventTypes.PowerLevels, "")
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def resolve_events_with_store(state_sets, event_map, state_map_factory):
+    """
+    Args:
+        state_sets(list): List of dicts of (type, state_key) -> event_id,
+            which are the different state groups to resolve.
+
+        event_map(dict[str,FrozenEvent]|None):
+            a dict from event_id to event, for any events that we happen to
+            have in flight (eg, those currently being persisted). This will be
+            used as a starting point fof finding the state we need; any missing
+            events will be requested via state_map_factory.
+
+            If None, all events will be fetched via state_map_factory.
+
+        state_map_factory(func): will be called
+            with a list of event_ids that are needed, and should return with
+            a Deferred of dict of event_id to event.
+
+    Returns
+        Deferred[dict[(str, str), str]]:
+            a map from (type, state_key) to event_id.
+    """
+    if len(state_sets) == 1:
+        defer.returnValue(state_sets[0])
+
+    unconflicted_state, conflicted_state = _seperate(
+        state_sets,
+    )
+
+    needed_events = set(
+        event_id
+        for event_ids in itervalues(conflicted_state)
+        for event_id in event_ids
+    )
+    needed_event_count = len(needed_events)
+    if event_map is not None:
+        needed_events -= set(iterkeys(event_map))
+
+    logger.info(
+        "Asking for %d/%d conflicted events",
+        len(needed_events),
+        needed_event_count,
+    )
+
+    # dict[str, FrozenEvent]: a map from state event id to event. Only includes
+    # the state events which are in conflict (and those in event_map)
+    state_map = yield state_map_factory(needed_events)
+    if event_map is not None:
+        state_map.update(event_map)
+
+    # get the ids of the auth events which allow us to authenticate the
+    # conflicted state, picking only from the unconflicting state.
+    #
+    # dict[(str, str), str]: a map from state key to event id
+    auth_events = _create_auth_events_from_maps(
+        unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, state_map
+    )
+
+    new_needed_events = set(itervalues(auth_events))
+    new_needed_event_count = len(new_needed_events)
+    new_needed_events -= needed_events
+    if event_map is not None:
+        new_needed_events -= set(iterkeys(event_map))
+
+    logger.info(
+        "Asking for %d/%d auth events",
+        len(new_needed_events),
+        new_needed_event_count,
+    )
+
+    state_map_new = yield state_map_factory(new_needed_events)
+    state_map.update(state_map_new)
+
+    defer.returnValue(_resolve_with_state(
+        unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, auth_events, state_map
+    ))
+
+
+def _seperate(state_sets):
+    """Takes the state_sets and figures out which keys are conflicted and
+    which aren't. i.e., which have multiple different event_ids associated
+    with them in different state sets.
+
+    Args:
+        state_sets(iterable[dict[(str, str), str]]):
+            List of dicts of (type, state_key) -> event_id, which are the
+            different state groups to resolve.
+
+    Returns:
+        (dict[(str, str), str], dict[(str, str), set[str]]):
+            A tuple of (unconflicted_state, conflicted_state), where:
+
+            unconflicted_state is a dict mapping (type, state_key)->event_id
+            for unconflicted state keys.
+
+            conflicted_state is a dict mapping (type, state_key) to a set of
+            event ids for conflicted state keys.
+    """
+    state_set_iterator = iter(state_sets)
+    unconflicted_state = dict(next(state_set_iterator))
+    conflicted_state = {}
+
+    for state_set in state_set_iterator:
+        for key, value in iteritems(state_set):
+            # Check if there is an unconflicted entry for the state key.
+            unconflicted_value = unconflicted_state.get(key)
+            if unconflicted_value is None:
+                # There isn't an unconflicted entry so check if there is a
+                # conflicted entry.
+                ls = conflicted_state.get(key)
+                if ls is None:
+                    # There wasn't a conflicted entry so haven't seen this key before.
+                    # Therefore it isn't conflicted yet.
+                    unconflicted_state[key] = value
+                else:
+                    # This key is already conflicted, add our value to the conflict set.
+                    ls.add(value)
+            elif unconflicted_value != value:
+                # If the unconflicted value is not the same as our value then we
+                # have a new conflict. So move the key from the unconflicted_state
+                # to the conflicted state.
+                conflicted_state[key] = {value, unconflicted_value}
+                unconflicted_state.pop(key, None)
+
+    return unconflicted_state, conflicted_state
+
+
+def _create_auth_events_from_maps(unconflicted_state, conflicted_state, state_map):
+    auth_events = {}
+    for event_ids in itervalues(conflicted_state):
+        for event_id in event_ids:
+            if event_id in state_map:
+                keys = event_auth.auth_types_for_event(state_map[event_id])
+                for key in keys:
+                    if key not in auth_events:
+                        event_id = unconflicted_state.get(key, None)
+                        if event_id:
+                            auth_events[key] = event_id
+    return auth_events
+
+
+def _resolve_with_state(unconflicted_state_ids, conflicted_state_ids, auth_event_ids,
+                        state_map):
+    conflicted_state = {}
+    for key, event_ids in iteritems(conflicted_state_ids):
+        events = [state_map[ev_id] for ev_id in event_ids if ev_id in state_map]
+        if len(events) > 1:
+            conflicted_state[key] = events
+        elif len(events) == 1:
+            unconflicted_state_ids[key] = events[0].event_id
+
+    auth_events = {
+        key: state_map[ev_id]
+        for key, ev_id in iteritems(auth_event_ids)
+        if ev_id in state_map
+    }
+
+    try:
+        resolved_state = _resolve_state_events(
+            conflicted_state, auth_events
+        )
+    except Exception:
+        logger.exception("Failed to resolve state")
+        raise
+
+    new_state = unconflicted_state_ids
+    for key, event in iteritems(resolved_state):
+        new_state[key] = event.event_id
+
+    return new_state
+
+
+def _resolve_state_events(conflicted_state, auth_events):
+    """ This is where we actually decide which of the conflicted state to
+    use.
+
+    We resolve conflicts in the following order:
+        1. power levels
+        2. join rules
+        3. memberships
+        4. other events.
+    """
+    resolved_state = {}
+    if POWER_KEY in conflicted_state:
+        events = conflicted_state[POWER_KEY]
+        logger.debug("Resolving conflicted power levels %r", events)
+        resolved_state[POWER_KEY] = _resolve_auth_events(
+            events, auth_events)
+
+    auth_events.update(resolved_state)
+
+    for key, events in iteritems(conflicted_state):
+        if key[0] == EventTypes.JoinRules:
+            logger.debug("Resolving conflicted join rules %r", events)
+            resolved_state[key] = _resolve_auth_events(
+                events,
+                auth_events
+            )
+
+    auth_events.update(resolved_state)
+
+    for key, events in iteritems(conflicted_state):
+        if key[0] == EventTypes.Member:
+            logger.debug("Resolving conflicted member lists %r", events)
+            resolved_state[key] = _resolve_auth_events(
+                events,
+                auth_events
+            )
+
+    auth_events.update(resolved_state)
+
+    for key, events in iteritems(conflicted_state):
+        if key not in resolved_state:
+            logger.debug("Resolving conflicted state %r:%r", key, events)
+            resolved_state[key] = _resolve_normal_events(
+                events, auth_events
+            )
+
+    return resolved_state
+
+
+def _resolve_auth_events(events, auth_events):
+    reverse = [i for i in reversed(_ordered_events(events))]
+
+    auth_keys = set(
+        key
+        for event in events
+        for key in event_auth.auth_types_for_event(event)
+    )
+
+    new_auth_events = {}
+    for key in auth_keys:
+        auth_event = auth_events.get(key, None)
+        if auth_event:
+            new_auth_events[key] = auth_event
+
+    auth_events = new_auth_events
+
+    prev_event = reverse[0]
+    for event in reverse[1:]:
+        auth_events[(prev_event.type, prev_event.state_key)] = prev_event
+        try:
+            # The signatures have already been checked at this point
+            event_auth.check(event, auth_events, do_sig_check=False, do_size_check=False)
+            prev_event = event
+        except AuthError:
+            return prev_event
+
+    return event
+
+
+def _resolve_normal_events(events, auth_events):
+    for event in _ordered_events(events):
+        try:
+            # The signatures have already been checked at this point
+            event_auth.check(event, auth_events, do_sig_check=False, do_size_check=False)
+            return event
+        except AuthError:
+            pass
+
+    # Use the last event (the one with the least depth) if they all fail
+    # the auth check.
+    return event
+
+
+def _ordered_events(events):
+    def key_func(e):
+        return -int(e.depth), hashlib.sha1(e.event_id.encode('ascii')).hexdigest()
+
+    return sorted(events, key=key_func)
diff --git a/synapse/state/v2.py b/synapse/state/v2.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5d06f7e928
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/state/v2.py
@@ -0,0 +1,544 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2018 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import heapq
+import itertools
+import logging
+
+from six import iteritems, itervalues
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse import event_auth
+from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
+from synapse.api.errors import AuthError
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def resolve_events_with_store(state_sets, event_map, state_res_store):
+    """Resolves the state using the v2 state resolution algorithm
+
+    Args:
+        state_sets(list): List of dicts of (type, state_key) -> event_id,
+            which are the different state groups to resolve.
+
+        event_map(dict[str,FrozenEvent]|None):
+            a dict from event_id to event, for any events that we happen to
+            have in flight (eg, those currently being persisted). This will be
+            used as a starting point fof finding the state we need; any missing
+            events will be requested via state_res_store.
+
+            If None, all events will be fetched via state_res_store.
+
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+
+    Returns
+        Deferred[dict[(str, str), str]]:
+            a map from (type, state_key) to event_id.
+    """
+
+    logger.debug("Computing conflicted state")
+
+    # First split up the un/conflicted state
+    unconflicted_state, conflicted_state = _seperate(state_sets)
+
+    if not conflicted_state:
+        defer.returnValue(unconflicted_state)
+
+    logger.debug("%d conflicted state entries", len(conflicted_state))
+    logger.debug("Calculating auth chain difference")
+
+    # Also fetch all auth events that appear in only some of the state sets'
+    # auth chains.
+    auth_diff = yield _get_auth_chain_difference(
+        state_sets, event_map, state_res_store,
+    )
+
+    full_conflicted_set = set(itertools.chain(
+        itertools.chain.from_iterable(itervalues(conflicted_state)),
+        auth_diff,
+    ))
+
+    events = yield state_res_store.get_events([
+        eid for eid in full_conflicted_set
+        if eid not in event_map
+    ], allow_rejected=True)
+    event_map.update(events)
+
+    full_conflicted_set = set(eid for eid in full_conflicted_set if eid in event_map)
+
+    logger.debug("%d full_conflicted_set entries", len(full_conflicted_set))
+
+    # Get and sort all the power events (kicks/bans/etc)
+    power_events = (
+        eid for eid in full_conflicted_set
+        if _is_power_event(event_map[eid])
+    )
+
+    sorted_power_events = yield _reverse_topological_power_sort(
+        power_events,
+        event_map,
+        state_res_store,
+        full_conflicted_set,
+    )
+
+    logger.debug("sorted %d power events", len(sorted_power_events))
+
+    # Now sequentially auth each one
+    resolved_state = yield _iterative_auth_checks(
+        sorted_power_events, unconflicted_state, event_map,
+        state_res_store,
+    )
+
+    logger.debug("resolved power events")
+
+    # OK, so we've now resolved the power events. Now sort the remaining
+    # events using the mainline of the resolved power level.
+
+    leftover_events = [
+        ev_id
+        for ev_id in full_conflicted_set
+        if ev_id not in sorted_power_events
+    ]
+
+    logger.debug("sorting %d remaining events", len(leftover_events))
+
+    pl = resolved_state.get((EventTypes.PowerLevels, ""), None)
+    leftover_events = yield _mainline_sort(
+        leftover_events, pl, event_map, state_res_store,
+    )
+
+    logger.debug("resolving remaining events")
+
+    resolved_state = yield _iterative_auth_checks(
+        leftover_events, resolved_state, event_map,
+        state_res_store,
+    )
+
+    logger.debug("resolved")
+
+    # We make sure that unconflicted state always still applies.
+    resolved_state.update(unconflicted_state)
+
+    logger.debug("done")
+
+    defer.returnValue(resolved_state)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _get_power_level_for_sender(event_id, event_map, state_res_store):
+    """Return the power level of the sender of the given event according to
+    their auth events.
+
+    Args:
+        event_id (str)
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred[int]
+    """
+    event = yield _get_event(event_id, event_map, state_res_store)
+
+    pl = None
+    for aid, _ in event.auth_events:
+        aev = yield _get_event(aid, event_map, state_res_store)
+        if (aev.type, aev.state_key) == (EventTypes.PowerLevels, ""):
+            pl = aev
+            break
+
+    if pl is None:
+        # Couldn't find power level. Check if they're the creator of the room
+        for aid, _ in event.auth_events:
+            aev = yield _get_event(aid, event_map, state_res_store)
+            if (aev.type, aev.state_key) == (EventTypes.Create, ""):
+                if aev.content.get("creator") == event.sender:
+                    defer.returnValue(100)
+                break
+        defer.returnValue(0)
+
+    level = pl.content.get("users", {}).get(event.sender)
+    if level is None:
+        level = pl.content.get("users_default", 0)
+
+    if level is None:
+        defer.returnValue(0)
+    else:
+        defer.returnValue(int(level))
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _get_auth_chain_difference(state_sets, event_map, state_res_store):
+    """Compare the auth chains of each state set and return the set of events
+    that only appear in some but not all of the auth chains.
+
+    Args:
+        state_sets (list)
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred[set[str]]: Set of event IDs
+    """
+    common = set(itervalues(state_sets[0])).intersection(
+        *(itervalues(s) for s in state_sets[1:])
+    )
+
+    auth_sets = []
+    for state_set in state_sets:
+        auth_ids = set(
+            eid
+            for key, eid in iteritems(state_set)
+            if (key[0] in (
+                EventTypes.Member,
+                EventTypes.ThirdPartyInvite,
+            ) or key in (
+                (EventTypes.PowerLevels, ''),
+                (EventTypes.Create, ''),
+                (EventTypes.JoinRules, ''),
+            )) and eid not in common
+        )
+
+        auth_chain = yield state_res_store.get_auth_chain(auth_ids)
+        auth_ids.update(auth_chain)
+
+        auth_sets.append(auth_ids)
+
+    intersection = set(auth_sets[0]).intersection(*auth_sets[1:])
+    union = set().union(*auth_sets)
+
+    defer.returnValue(union - intersection)
+
+
+def _seperate(state_sets):
+    """Return the unconflicted and conflicted state. This is different than in
+    the original algorithm, as this defines a key to be conflicted if one of
+    the state sets doesn't have that key.
+
+    Args:
+        state_sets (list)
+
+    Returns:
+        tuple[dict, dict]: A tuple of unconflicted and conflicted state. The
+        conflicted state dict is a map from type/state_key to set of event IDs
+    """
+    unconflicted_state = {}
+    conflicted_state = {}
+
+    for key in set(itertools.chain.from_iterable(state_sets)):
+        event_ids = set(state_set.get(key) for state_set in state_sets)
+        if len(event_ids) == 1:
+            unconflicted_state[key] = event_ids.pop()
+        else:
+            event_ids.discard(None)
+            conflicted_state[key] = event_ids
+
+    return unconflicted_state, conflicted_state
+
+
+def _is_power_event(event):
+    """Return whether or not the event is a "power event", as defined by the
+    v2 state resolution algorithm
+
+    Args:
+        event (FrozenEvent)
+
+    Returns:
+        boolean
+    """
+    if (event.type, event.state_key) in (
+        (EventTypes.PowerLevels, ""),
+        (EventTypes.JoinRules, ""),
+        (EventTypes.Create, ""),
+    ):
+        return True
+
+    if event.type == EventTypes.Member:
+        if event.membership in ('leave', 'ban'):
+            return event.sender != event.state_key
+
+    return False
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _add_event_and_auth_chain_to_graph(graph, event_id, event_map,
+                                       state_res_store, auth_diff):
+    """Helper function for _reverse_topological_power_sort that add the event
+    and its auth chain (that is in the auth diff) to the graph
+
+    Args:
+        graph (dict[str, set[str]]): A map from event ID to the events auth
+            event IDs
+        event_id (str): Event to add to the graph
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+        auth_diff (set[str]): Set of event IDs that are in the auth difference.
+    """
+
+    state = [event_id]
+    while state:
+        eid = state.pop()
+        graph.setdefault(eid, set())
+
+        event = yield _get_event(eid, event_map, state_res_store)
+        for aid, _ in event.auth_events:
+            if aid in auth_diff:
+                if aid not in graph:
+                    state.append(aid)
+
+                graph.setdefault(eid, set()).add(aid)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _reverse_topological_power_sort(event_ids, event_map, state_res_store, auth_diff):
+    """Returns a list of the event_ids sorted by reverse topological ordering,
+    and then by power level and origin_server_ts
+
+    Args:
+        event_ids (list[str]): The events to sort
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+        auth_diff (set[str]): Set of event IDs that are in the auth difference.
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred[list[str]]: The sorted list
+    """
+
+    graph = {}
+    for event_id in event_ids:
+        yield _add_event_and_auth_chain_to_graph(
+            graph, event_id, event_map, state_res_store, auth_diff,
+        )
+
+    event_to_pl = {}
+    for event_id in graph:
+        pl = yield _get_power_level_for_sender(event_id, event_map, state_res_store)
+        event_to_pl[event_id] = pl
+
+    def _get_power_order(event_id):
+        ev = event_map[event_id]
+        pl = event_to_pl[event_id]
+
+        return -pl, ev.origin_server_ts, event_id
+
+    # Note: graph is modified during the sort
+    it = lexicographical_topological_sort(
+        graph,
+        key=_get_power_order,
+    )
+    sorted_events = list(it)
+
+    defer.returnValue(sorted_events)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _iterative_auth_checks(event_ids, base_state, event_map, state_res_store):
+    """Sequentially apply auth checks to each event in given list, updating the
+    state as it goes along.
+
+    Args:
+        event_ids (list[str]): Ordered list of events to apply auth checks to
+        base_state (dict[tuple[str, str], str]): The set of state to start with
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred[dict[tuple[str, str], str]]: Returns the final updated state
+    """
+    resolved_state = base_state.copy()
+
+    for event_id in event_ids:
+        event = event_map[event_id]
+
+        auth_events = {}
+        for aid, _ in event.auth_events:
+            ev = yield _get_event(aid, event_map, state_res_store)
+
+            if ev.rejected_reason is None:
+                auth_events[(ev.type, ev.state_key)] = ev
+
+        for key in event_auth.auth_types_for_event(event):
+            if key in resolved_state:
+                ev_id = resolved_state[key]
+                ev = yield _get_event(ev_id, event_map, state_res_store)
+
+                if ev.rejected_reason is None:
+                    auth_events[key] = event_map[ev_id]
+
+        try:
+            event_auth.check(
+                event, auth_events,
+                do_sig_check=False,
+                do_size_check=False
+            )
+
+            resolved_state[(event.type, event.state_key)] = event_id
+        except AuthError:
+            pass
+
+    defer.returnValue(resolved_state)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _mainline_sort(event_ids, resolved_power_event_id, event_map,
+                   state_res_store):
+    """Returns a sorted list of event_ids sorted by mainline ordering based on
+    the given event resolved_power_event_id
+
+    Args:
+        event_ids (list[str]): Events to sort
+        resolved_power_event_id (str): The final resolved power level event ID
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred[list[str]]: The sorted list
+    """
+    mainline = []
+    pl = resolved_power_event_id
+    while pl:
+        mainline.append(pl)
+        pl_ev = yield _get_event(pl, event_map, state_res_store)
+        auth_events = pl_ev.auth_events
+        pl = None
+        for aid, _ in auth_events:
+            ev = yield _get_event(aid, event_map, state_res_store)
+            if (ev.type, ev.state_key) == (EventTypes.PowerLevels, ""):
+                pl = aid
+                break
+
+    mainline_map = {ev_id: i + 1 for i, ev_id in enumerate(reversed(mainline))}
+
+    event_ids = list(event_ids)
+
+    order_map = {}
+    for ev_id in event_ids:
+        depth = yield _get_mainline_depth_for_event(
+            event_map[ev_id], mainline_map,
+            event_map, state_res_store,
+        )
+        order_map[ev_id] = (depth, event_map[ev_id].origin_server_ts, ev_id)
+
+    event_ids.sort(key=lambda ev_id: order_map[ev_id])
+
+    defer.returnValue(event_ids)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _get_mainline_depth_for_event(event, mainline_map, event_map, state_res_store):
+    """Get the mainline depths for the given event based on the mainline map
+
+    Args:
+        event (FrozenEvent)
+        mainline_map (dict[str, int]): Map from event_id to mainline depth for
+            events in the mainline.
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred[int]
+    """
+
+    # We do an iterative search, replacing `event with the power level in its
+    # auth events (if any)
+    while event:
+        depth = mainline_map.get(event.event_id)
+        if depth is not None:
+            defer.returnValue(depth)
+
+        auth_events = event.auth_events
+        event = None
+
+        for aid, _ in auth_events:
+            aev = yield _get_event(aid, event_map, state_res_store)
+            if (aev.type, aev.state_key) == (EventTypes.PowerLevels, ""):
+                event = aev
+                break
+
+    # Didn't find a power level auth event, so we just return 0
+    defer.returnValue(0)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def _get_event(event_id, event_map, state_res_store):
+    """Helper function to look up event in event_map, falling back to looking
+    it up in the store
+
+    Args:
+        event_id (str)
+        event_map (dict[str,FrozenEvent])
+        state_res_store (StateResolutionStore)
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred[FrozenEvent]
+    """
+    if event_id not in event_map:
+        events = yield state_res_store.get_events([event_id], allow_rejected=True)
+        event_map.update(events)
+    defer.returnValue(event_map[event_id])
+
+
+def lexicographical_topological_sort(graph, key):
+    """Performs a lexicographic reverse topological sort on the graph.
+
+    This returns a reverse topological sort (i.e. if node A references B then B
+    appears before A in the sort), with ties broken lexicographically based on
+    return value of the `key` function.
+
+    NOTE: `graph` is modified during the sort.
+
+    Args:
+        graph (dict[str, set[str]]): A representation of the graph where each
+            node is a key in the dict and its value are the nodes edges.
+        key (func): A function that takes a node and returns a value that is
+            comparable and used to order nodes
+
+    Yields:
+        str: The next node in the topological sort
+    """
+
+    # Note, this is basically Kahn's algorithm except we look at nodes with no
+    # outgoing edges, c.f.
+    # https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topological_sorting#Kahn's_algorithm
+    outdegree_map = graph
+    reverse_graph = {}
+
+    # Lists of nodes with zero out degree. Is actually a tuple of
+    # `(key(node), node)` so that sorting does the right thing
+    zero_outdegree = []
+
+    for node, edges in iteritems(graph):
+        if len(edges) == 0:
+            zero_outdegree.append((key(node), node))
+
+        reverse_graph.setdefault(node, set())
+        for edge in edges:
+            reverse_graph.setdefault(edge, set()).add(node)
+
+    # heapq is a built in implementation of a sorted queue.
+    heapq.heapify(zero_outdegree)
+
+    while zero_outdegree:
+        _, node = heapq.heappop(zero_outdegree)
+
+        for parent in reverse_graph[node]:
+            out = outdegree_map[parent]
+            out.discard(node)
+            if len(out) == 0:
+                heapq.heappush(zero_outdegree, (key(parent), parent))
+
+        yield node
diff --git a/synapse/storage/__init__.py b/synapse/storage/__init__.py
index 23b4a8d76d..53c685c173 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/__init__.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from .appservice import ApplicationServiceStore, ApplicationServiceTransactionSt
 from .client_ips import ClientIpStore
 from .deviceinbox import DeviceInboxStore
 from .directory import DirectoryStore
+from .e2e_room_keys import EndToEndRoomKeyStore
 from .end_to_end_keys import EndToEndKeyStore
 from .engines import PostgresEngine
 from .event_federation import EventFederationStore
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ class DataStore(RoomMemberStore, RoomStore,
                 ApplicationServiceTransactionStore,
                 ReceiptsStore,
                 EndToEndKeyStore,
+                EndToEndRoomKeyStore,
                 SearchStore,
                 TagsStore,
                 AccountDataStore,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/_base.py b/synapse/storage/_base.py
index 08dffd774f..d9d0255d0b 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/_base.py
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@ import sys
 import threading
 import time
 
-from six import iteritems, iterkeys, itervalues
-from six.moves import intern, range
+from six import PY2, iteritems, iterkeys, itervalues
+from six.moves import builtins, intern, range
 
+from canonicaljson import json
 from prometheus_client import Histogram
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
@@ -1216,3 +1217,32 @@ class _RollbackButIsFineException(Exception):
     something went wrong.
     """
     pass
+
+
+def db_to_json(db_content):
+    """
+    Take some data from a database row and return a JSON-decoded object.
+
+    Args:
+        db_content (memoryview|buffer|bytes|bytearray|unicode)
+    """
+    # psycopg2 on Python 3 returns memoryview objects, which we need to
+    # cast to bytes to decode
+    if isinstance(db_content, memoryview):
+        db_content = db_content.tobytes()
+
+    # psycopg2 on Python 2 returns buffer objects, which we need to cast to
+    # bytes to decode
+    if PY2 and isinstance(db_content, builtins.buffer):
+        db_content = bytes(db_content)
+
+    # Decode it to a Unicode string before feeding it to json.loads, so we
+    # consistenty get a Unicode-containing object out.
+    if isinstance(db_content, (bytes, bytearray)):
+        db_content = db_content.decode('utf8')
+
+    try:
+        return json.loads(db_content)
+    except Exception:
+        logging.warning("Tried to decode '%r' as JSON and failed", db_content)
+        raise
diff --git a/synapse/storage/client_ips.py b/synapse/storage/client_ips.py
index 8fc678fa67..9ad17b7c25 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/client_ips.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/client_ips.py
@@ -119,21 +119,25 @@ class ClientIpStore(background_updates.BackgroundUpdateStore):
         for entry in iteritems(to_update):
             (user_id, access_token, ip), (user_agent, device_id, last_seen) = entry
 
-            self._simple_upsert_txn(
-                txn,
-                table="user_ips",
-                keyvalues={
-                    "user_id": user_id,
-                    "access_token": access_token,
-                    "ip": ip,
-                    "user_agent": user_agent,
-                    "device_id": device_id,
-                },
-                values={
-                    "last_seen": last_seen,
-                },
-                lock=False,
-            )
+            try:
+                self._simple_upsert_txn(
+                    txn,
+                    table="user_ips",
+                    keyvalues={
+                        "user_id": user_id,
+                        "access_token": access_token,
+                        "ip": ip,
+                        "user_agent": user_agent,
+                        "device_id": device_id,
+                    },
+                    values={
+                        "last_seen": last_seen,
+                    },
+                    lock=False,
+                )
+            except Exception as e:
+                # Failed to upsert, log and continue
+                logger.error("Failed to insert client IP %r: %r", entry, e)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_last_client_ip_by_device(self, user_id, device_id):
diff --git a/synapse/storage/deviceinbox.py b/synapse/storage/deviceinbox.py
index 73646da025..e06b0bc56d 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/deviceinbox.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/deviceinbox.py
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class DeviceInboxStore(BackgroundUpdateStore):
         local_by_user_then_device = {}
         for user_id, messages_by_device in messages_by_user_then_device.items():
             messages_json_for_user = {}
-            devices = messages_by_device.keys()
+            devices = list(messages_by_device.keys())
             if len(devices) == 1 and devices[0] == "*":
                 # Handle wildcard device_ids.
                 sql = (
diff --git a/synapse/storage/devices.py b/synapse/storage/devices.py
index c0943ecf91..d10ff9e4b9 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/devices.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/devices.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ from synapse.api.errors import StoreError
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached, cachedInlineCallbacks, cachedList
 
-from ._base import Cache, SQLBaseStore
+from ._base import Cache, SQLBaseStore, db_to_json
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ class DeviceStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 if device is not None:
                     key_json = device.get("key_json", None)
                     if key_json:
-                        result["keys"] = json.loads(key_json)
+                        result["keys"] = db_to_json(key_json)
                     device_display_name = device.get("device_display_name", None)
                     if device_display_name:
                         result["device_display_name"] = device_display_name
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ class DeviceStore(SQLBaseStore):
             retcol="content",
             desc="_get_cached_user_device",
         )
-        defer.returnValue(json.loads(content))
+        defer.returnValue(db_to_json(content))
 
     @cachedInlineCallbacks()
     def _get_cached_devices_for_user(self, user_id):
@@ -479,7 +479,7 @@ class DeviceStore(SQLBaseStore):
             desc="_get_cached_devices_for_user",
         )
         defer.returnValue({
-            device["device_id"]: json.loads(device["content"])
+            device["device_id"]: db_to_json(device["content"])
             for device in devices
         })
 
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ class DeviceStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
                 key_json = device.get("key_json", None)
                 if key_json:
-                    result["keys"] = json.loads(key_json)
+                    result["keys"] = db_to_json(key_json)
                 device_display_name = device.get("device_display_name", None)
                 if device_display_name:
                     result["device_display_name"] = device_display_name
diff --git a/synapse/storage/directory.py b/synapse/storage/directory.py
index 808194236a..61a029a53c 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/directory.py
@@ -75,7 +75,6 @@ class DirectoryWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             },
             retcol="creator",
             desc="get_room_alias_creator",
-            allow_none=True
         )
 
     @cached(max_entries=5000)
@@ -91,7 +90,7 @@ class DirectoryWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
 class DirectoryStore(DirectoryWorkerStore):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def create_room_alias_association(self, room_alias, room_id, servers, creator=None):
-        """ Creates an associatin between  a room alias and room_id/servers
+        """ Creates an association between a room alias and room_id/servers
 
         Args:
             room_alias (RoomAlias)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/e2e_room_keys.py b/synapse/storage/e2e_room_keys.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f25ded2295
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/storage/e2e_room_keys.py
@@ -0,0 +1,320 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2017 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import json
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.errors import StoreError
+
+from ._base import SQLBaseStore
+
+
+class EndToEndRoomKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def get_e2e_room_key(self, user_id, version, room_id, session_id):
+        """Get the encrypted E2E room key for a given session from a given
+        backup version of room_keys.  We only store the 'best' room key for a given
+        session at a given time, as determined by the handler.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're querying
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup for the set of keys we're querying
+            room_id(str): the ID of the room whose keys we're querying.
+                This is a bit redundant as it's implied by the session_id, but
+                we include for consistency with the rest of the API.
+            session_id(str): the session whose room_key we're querying.
+
+        Returns:
+            A deferred dict giving the session_data and message metadata for
+            this room key.
+        """
+
+        row = yield self._simple_select_one(
+            table="e2e_room_keys",
+            keyvalues={
+                "user_id": user_id,
+                "version": version,
+                "room_id": room_id,
+                "session_id": session_id,
+            },
+            retcols=(
+                "first_message_index",
+                "forwarded_count",
+                "is_verified",
+                "session_data",
+            ),
+            desc="get_e2e_room_key",
+        )
+
+        row["session_data"] = json.loads(row["session_data"])
+
+        defer.returnValue(row)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def set_e2e_room_key(self, user_id, version, room_id, session_id, room_key):
+        """Replaces or inserts the encrypted E2E room key for a given session in
+        a given backup
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're setting
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup we're updating
+            room_id(str): the ID of the room whose keys we're setting
+            session_id(str): the session whose room_key we're setting
+            room_key(dict): the room_key being set
+        Raises:
+            StoreError
+        """
+
+        yield self._simple_upsert(
+            table="e2e_room_keys",
+            keyvalues={
+                "user_id": user_id,
+                "room_id": room_id,
+                "session_id": session_id,
+            },
+            values={
+                "version": version,
+                "first_message_index": room_key['first_message_index'],
+                "forwarded_count": room_key['forwarded_count'],
+                "is_verified": room_key['is_verified'],
+                "session_data": json.dumps(room_key['session_data']),
+            },
+            lock=False,
+        )
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def get_e2e_room_keys(
+        self, user_id, version, room_id=None, session_id=None
+    ):
+        """Bulk get the E2E room keys for a given backup, optionally filtered to a given
+        room, or a given session.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're querying
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup for the set of keys we're querying
+            room_id(str): Optional. the ID of the room whose keys we're querying, if any.
+                If not specified, we return the keys for all the rooms in the backup.
+            session_id(str): Optional. the session whose room_key we're querying, if any.
+                If specified, we also require the room_id to be specified.
+                If not specified, we return all the keys in this version of
+                the backup (or for the specified room)
+
+        Returns:
+            A deferred list of dicts giving the session_data and message metadata for
+            these room keys.
+        """
+
+        keyvalues = {
+            "user_id": user_id,
+            "version": version,
+        }
+        if room_id:
+            keyvalues['room_id'] = room_id
+            if session_id:
+                keyvalues['session_id'] = session_id
+
+        rows = yield self._simple_select_list(
+            table="e2e_room_keys",
+            keyvalues=keyvalues,
+            retcols=(
+                "user_id",
+                "room_id",
+                "session_id",
+                "first_message_index",
+                "forwarded_count",
+                "is_verified",
+                "session_data",
+            ),
+            desc="get_e2e_room_keys",
+        )
+
+        sessions = {'rooms': {}}
+        for row in rows:
+            room_entry = sessions['rooms'].setdefault(row['room_id'], {"sessions": {}})
+            room_entry['sessions'][row['session_id']] = {
+                "first_message_index": row["first_message_index"],
+                "forwarded_count": row["forwarded_count"],
+                "is_verified": row["is_verified"],
+                "session_data": json.loads(row["session_data"]),
+            }
+
+        defer.returnValue(sessions)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def delete_e2e_room_keys(
+        self, user_id, version, room_id=None, session_id=None
+    ):
+        """Bulk delete the E2E room keys for a given backup, optionally filtered to a given
+        room or a given session.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're deleting from
+            version(str): the version ID of the backup for the set of keys we're deleting
+            room_id(str): Optional. the ID of the room whose keys we're deleting, if any.
+                If not specified, we delete the keys for all the rooms in the backup.
+            session_id(str): Optional. the session whose room_key we're querying, if any.
+                If specified, we also require the room_id to be specified.
+                If not specified, we delete all the keys in this version of
+                the backup (or for the specified room)
+
+        Returns:
+            A deferred of the deletion transaction
+        """
+
+        keyvalues = {
+            "user_id": user_id,
+            "version": version,
+        }
+        if room_id:
+            keyvalues['room_id'] = room_id
+            if session_id:
+                keyvalues['session_id'] = session_id
+
+        yield self._simple_delete(
+            table="e2e_room_keys",
+            keyvalues=keyvalues,
+            desc="delete_e2e_room_keys",
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _get_current_version(txn, user_id):
+        txn.execute(
+            "SELECT MAX(version) FROM e2e_room_keys_versions "
+            "WHERE user_id=? AND deleted=0",
+            (user_id,)
+        )
+        row = txn.fetchone()
+        if not row:
+            raise StoreError(404, 'No current backup version')
+        return row[0]
+
+    def get_e2e_room_keys_version_info(self, user_id, version=None):
+        """Get info metadata about a version of our room_keys backup.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're querying
+            version(str): Optional. the version ID of the backup we're querying about
+                If missing, we return the information about the current version.
+        Raises:
+            StoreError: with code 404 if there are no e2e_room_keys_versions present
+        Returns:
+            A deferred dict giving the info metadata for this backup version
+        """
+
+        def _get_e2e_room_keys_version_info_txn(txn):
+            if version is None:
+                this_version = self._get_current_version(txn, user_id)
+            else:
+                this_version = version
+
+            result = self._simple_select_one_txn(
+                txn,
+                table="e2e_room_keys_versions",
+                keyvalues={
+                    "user_id": user_id,
+                    "version": this_version,
+                    "deleted": 0,
+                },
+                retcols=(
+                    "version",
+                    "algorithm",
+                    "auth_data",
+                ),
+            )
+            result["auth_data"] = json.loads(result["auth_data"])
+            return result
+
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            "get_e2e_room_keys_version_info",
+            _get_e2e_room_keys_version_info_txn
+        )
+
+    def create_e2e_room_keys_version(self, user_id, info):
+        """Atomically creates a new version of this user's e2e_room_keys store
+        with the given version info.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup we're creating a version
+            info(dict): the info about the backup version to be created
+
+        Returns:
+            A deferred string for the newly created version ID
+        """
+
+        def _create_e2e_room_keys_version_txn(txn):
+            txn.execute(
+                "SELECT MAX(version) FROM e2e_room_keys_versions WHERE user_id=?",
+                (user_id,)
+            )
+            current_version = txn.fetchone()[0]
+            if current_version is None:
+                current_version = '0'
+
+            new_version = str(int(current_version) + 1)
+
+            self._simple_insert_txn(
+                txn,
+                table="e2e_room_keys_versions",
+                values={
+                    "user_id": user_id,
+                    "version": new_version,
+                    "algorithm": info["algorithm"],
+                    "auth_data": json.dumps(info["auth_data"]),
+                },
+            )
+
+            return new_version
+
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            "create_e2e_room_keys_version_txn", _create_e2e_room_keys_version_txn
+        )
+
+    def delete_e2e_room_keys_version(self, user_id, version=None):
+        """Delete a given backup version of the user's room keys.
+        Doesn't delete their actual key data.
+
+        Args:
+            user_id(str): the user whose backup version we're deleting
+            version(str): Optional. the version ID of the backup version we're deleting
+                If missing, we delete the current backup version info.
+        Raises:
+            StoreError: with code 404 if there are no e2e_room_keys_versions present,
+                or if the version requested doesn't exist.
+        """
+
+        def _delete_e2e_room_keys_version_txn(txn):
+            if version is None:
+                this_version = self._get_current_version(txn, user_id)
+            else:
+                this_version = version
+
+            return self._simple_update_one_txn(
+                txn,
+                table="e2e_room_keys_versions",
+                keyvalues={
+                    "user_id": user_id,
+                    "version": this_version,
+                },
+                updatevalues={
+                    "deleted": 1,
+                }
+            )
+
+        return self.runInteraction(
+            "delete_e2e_room_keys_version",
+            _delete_e2e_room_keys_version_txn
+        )
diff --git a/synapse/storage/end_to_end_keys.py b/synapse/storage/end_to_end_keys.py
index 523b4360c3..1f1721e820 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/end_to_end_keys.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/end_to_end_keys.py
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 from six import iteritems
 
-from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
+from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached
 
-from ._base import SQLBaseStore
+from ._base import SQLBaseStore, db_to_json
 
 
 class EndToEndKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class EndToEndKeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         for user_id, device_keys in iteritems(results):
             for device_id, device_info in iteritems(device_keys):
-                device_info["keys"] = json.loads(device_info.pop("key_json"))
+                device_info["keys"] = db_to_json(device_info.pop("key_json"))
 
         defer.returnValue(results)
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py b/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py
index 8a0386c1a4..42225f8a2a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py
@@ -41,13 +41,18 @@ class PostgresEngine(object):
         db_conn.set_isolation_level(
             self.module.extensions.ISOLATION_LEVEL_REPEATABLE_READ
         )
+
+        # Set the bytea output to escape, vs the default of hex
+        cursor = db_conn.cursor()
+        cursor.execute("SET bytea_output TO escape")
+
         # Asynchronous commit, don't wait for the server to call fsync before
         # ending the transaction.
         # https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/wal-async-commit.html
         if not self.synchronous_commit:
-            cursor = db_conn.cursor()
             cursor.execute("SET synchronous_commit TO OFF")
-            cursor.close()
+
+        cursor.close()
 
     def is_deadlock(self, error):
         if isinstance(error, self.module.DatabaseError):
diff --git a/synapse/storage/event_federation.py b/synapse/storage/event_federation.py
index 24345b20a6..3faca2a042 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/event_federation.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/event_federation.py
@@ -376,33 +376,25 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore,
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_missing_events(self, room_id, earliest_events, latest_events,
-                           limit, min_depth):
+                           limit):
         ids = yield self.runInteraction(
             "get_missing_events",
             self._get_missing_events,
-            room_id, earliest_events, latest_events, limit, min_depth
+            room_id, earliest_events, latest_events, limit,
         )
-
         events = yield self._get_events(ids)
-
-        events = sorted(
-            [ev for ev in events if ev.depth >= min_depth],
-            key=lambda e: e.depth,
-        )
-
-        defer.returnValue(events[:limit])
+        defer.returnValue(events)
 
     def _get_missing_events(self, txn, room_id, earliest_events, latest_events,
-                            limit, min_depth):
-
-        earliest_events = set(earliest_events)
-        front = set(latest_events) - earliest_events
+                            limit):
 
-        event_results = set()
+        seen_events = set(earliest_events)
+        front = set(latest_events) - seen_events
+        event_results = []
 
         query = (
             "SELECT prev_event_id FROM event_edges "
-            "WHERE event_id = ? AND is_state = ? "
+            "WHERE room_id = ? AND event_id = ? AND is_state = ? "
             "LIMIT ?"
         )
 
@@ -411,18 +403,20 @@ class EventFederationWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SignatureWorkerStore,
             for event_id in front:
                 txn.execute(
                     query,
-                    (event_id, False, limit - len(event_results))
+                    (room_id, event_id, False, limit - len(event_results))
                 )
 
-                for e_id, in txn:
-                    new_front.add(e_id)
+                new_results = set(t[0] for t in txn) - seen_events
 
-            new_front -= earliest_events
-            new_front -= event_results
+                new_front |= new_results
+                seen_events |= new_results
+                event_results.extend(new_results)
 
             front = new_front
-            event_results |= new_front
 
+        # we built the list working backwards from latest_events; we now need to
+        # reverse it so that the events are approximately chronological.
+        event_results.reverse()
         return event_results
 
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/events.py b/synapse/storage/events.py
index 025a7fb6d9..8881b009df 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/events.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/events.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import logging
 from collections import OrderedDict, deque, namedtuple
 from functools import wraps
 
-from six import iteritems
+from six import iteritems, text_type
 from six.moves import range
 
 from canonicaljson import json
@@ -34,10 +34,12 @@ from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
 from synapse.events import EventBase  # noqa: F401
 from synapse.events.snapshot import EventContext  # noqa: F401
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
+from synapse.state import StateResolutionStore
 from synapse.storage.background_updates import BackgroundUpdateStore
 from synapse.storage.event_federation import EventFederationStore
 from synapse.storage.events_worker import EventsWorkerStore
 from synapse.types import RoomStreamToken, get_domain_from_id
+from synapse.util import batch_iter
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import ObservableDeferred
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached, cachedInlineCallbacks
 from synapse.util.frozenutils import frozendict_json_encoder
@@ -386,12 +388,10 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                             )
 
                         for room_id, ev_ctx_rm in iteritems(events_by_room):
-                            # Work out new extremities by recursively adding and removing
-                            # the new events.
                             latest_event_ids = yield self.get_latest_event_ids_in_room(
                                 room_id
                             )
-                            new_latest_event_ids = yield self._calculate_new_extremeties(
+                            new_latest_event_ids = yield self._calculate_new_extremities(
                                 room_id, ev_ctx_rm, latest_event_ids
                             )
 
@@ -400,6 +400,12 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                                 # No change in extremities, so no change in state
                                 continue
 
+                            # there should always be at least one forward extremity.
+                            # (except during the initial persistence of the send_join
+                            # results, in which case there will be no existing
+                            # extremities, so we'll `continue` above and skip this bit.)
+                            assert new_latest_event_ids, "No forward extremities left!"
+
                             new_forward_extremeties[room_id] = new_latest_event_ids
 
                             len_1 = (
@@ -517,44 +523,79 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                     )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _calculate_new_extremeties(self, room_id, event_contexts, latest_event_ids):
-        """Calculates the new forward extremeties for a room given events to
+    def _calculate_new_extremities(self, room_id, event_contexts, latest_event_ids):
+        """Calculates the new forward extremities for a room given events to
         persist.
 
         Assumes that we are only persisting events for one room at a time.
         """
-        new_latest_event_ids = set(latest_event_ids)
-        # First, add all the new events to the list
-        new_latest_event_ids.update(
-            event.event_id for event, ctx in event_contexts
+
+        # we're only interested in new events which aren't outliers and which aren't
+        # being rejected.
+        new_events = [
+            event for event, ctx in event_contexts
             if not event.internal_metadata.is_outlier() and not ctx.rejected
+        ]
+
+        # start with the existing forward extremities
+        result = set(latest_event_ids)
+
+        # add all the new events to the list
+        result.update(
+            event.event_id for event in new_events
         )
-        # Now remove all events that are referenced by the to-be-added events
-        new_latest_event_ids.difference_update(
+
+        # Now remove all events which are prev_events of any of the new events
+        result.difference_update(
             e_id
-            for event, ctx in event_contexts
+            for event in new_events
             for e_id, _ in event.prev_events
-            if not event.internal_metadata.is_outlier() and not ctx.rejected
         )
 
-        # And finally remove any events that are referenced by previously added
-        # events.
-        rows = yield self._simple_select_many_batch(
-            table="event_edges",
-            column="prev_event_id",
-            iterable=list(new_latest_event_ids),
-            retcols=["prev_event_id"],
-            keyvalues={
-                "is_state": False,
-            },
-            desc="_calculate_new_extremeties",
-        )
+        # Finally, remove any events which are prev_events of any existing events.
+        existing_prevs = yield self._get_events_which_are_prevs(result)
+        result.difference_update(existing_prevs)
 
-        new_latest_event_ids.difference_update(
-            row["prev_event_id"] for row in rows
-        )
+        defer.returnValue(result)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _get_events_which_are_prevs(self, event_ids):
+        """Filter the supplied list of event_ids to get those which are prev_events of
+        existing (non-outlier/rejected) events.
+
+        Args:
+            event_ids (Iterable[str]): event ids to filter
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[List[str]]: filtered event ids
+        """
+        results = []
+
+        def _get_events(txn, batch):
+            sql = """
+            SELECT prev_event_id
+            FROM event_edges
+                INNER JOIN events USING (event_id)
+                LEFT JOIN rejections USING (event_id)
+            WHERE
+                prev_event_id IN (%s)
+                AND NOT events.outlier
+                AND rejections.event_id IS NULL
+            """ % (
+                ",".join("?" for _ in batch),
+            )
+
+            txn.execute(sql, batch)
+            results.extend(r[0] for r in txn)
+
+        for chunk in batch_iter(event_ids, 100):
+            yield self.runInteraction(
+                "_get_events_which_are_prevs",
+                _get_events,
+                chunk,
+            )
 
-        defer.returnValue(new_latest_event_ids)
+        defer.returnValue(results)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _get_new_state_after_events(self, room_id, events_context, old_latest_event_ids,
@@ -586,10 +627,6 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
             the new current state is only returned if we've already calculated
             it.
         """
-
-        if not new_latest_event_ids:
-            return
-
         # map from state_group to ((type, key) -> event_id) state map
         state_groups_map = {}
 
@@ -695,19 +732,17 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
 
         # Ok, we need to defer to the state handler to resolve our state sets.
 
-        def get_events(ev_ids):
-            return self.get_events(
-                ev_ids, get_prev_content=False, check_redacted=False,
-            )
-
         state_groups = {
             sg: state_groups_map[sg] for sg in new_state_groups
         }
 
         events_map = {ev.event_id: ev for ev, _ in events_context}
+        room_version = yield self.get_room_version(room_id)
+
         logger.debug("calling resolve_state_groups from preserve_events")
         res = yield self._state_resolution_handler.resolve_state_groups(
-            room_id, state_groups, events_map, get_events
+            room_id, room_version, state_groups, events_map,
+            state_res_store=StateResolutionStore(self)
         )
 
         defer.returnValue((res.state, None))
@@ -816,6 +851,27 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         # Insert into event_to_state_groups.
         self._store_event_state_mappings_txn(txn, events_and_contexts)
 
+        # We want to store event_auth mappings for rejected events, as they're
+        # used in state res v2.
+        # This is only necessary if the rejected event appears in an accepted
+        # event's auth chain, but its easier for now just to store them (and
+        # it doesn't take much storage compared to storing the entire event
+        # anyway).
+        self._simple_insert_many_txn(
+            txn,
+            table="event_auth",
+            values=[
+                {
+                    "event_id": event.event_id,
+                    "room_id": event.room_id,
+                    "auth_id": auth_id,
+                }
+                for event, _ in events_and_contexts
+                for auth_id, _ in event.auth_events
+                if event.is_state()
+            ],
+        )
+
         # _store_rejected_events_txn filters out any events which were
         # rejected, and returns the filtered list.
         events_and_contexts = self._store_rejected_events_txn(
@@ -928,6 +984,10 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                 )
 
                 self._invalidate_cache_and_stream(
+                    txn, self.get_room_summary, (room_id,)
+                )
+
+                self._invalidate_cache_and_stream(
                     txn, self.get_current_state_ids, (room_id,)
                 )
 
@@ -1218,7 +1278,7 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                     "sender": event.sender,
                     "contains_url": (
                         "url" in event.content
-                        and isinstance(event.content["url"], basestring)
+                        and isinstance(event.content["url"], text_type)
                     ),
                 }
                 for event, _ in events_and_contexts
@@ -1287,21 +1347,6 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
                     txn, event.room_id, event.redacts
                 )
 
-        self._simple_insert_many_txn(
-            txn,
-            table="event_auth",
-            values=[
-                {
-                    "event_id": event.event_id,
-                    "room_id": event.room_id,
-                    "auth_id": auth_id,
-                }
-                for event, _ in events_and_contexts
-                for auth_id, _ in event.auth_events
-                if event.is_state()
-            ],
-        )
-
         # Update the event_forward_extremities, event_backward_extremities and
         # event_edges tables.
         self._handle_mult_prev_events(
@@ -1527,7 +1572,7 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
 
                     contains_url = "url" in content
                     if contains_url:
-                        contains_url &= isinstance(content["url"], basestring)
+                        contains_url &= isinstance(content["url"], text_type)
                 except (KeyError, AttributeError):
                     # If the event is missing a necessary field then
                     # skip over it.
@@ -1884,20 +1929,6 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
             ")"
         )
 
-        # create an index on should_delete because later we'll be looking for
-        # the should_delete / shouldn't_delete subsets
-        txn.execute(
-            "CREATE INDEX events_to_purge_should_delete"
-            " ON events_to_purge(should_delete)",
-        )
-
-        # We do joins against events_to_purge for e.g. calculating state
-        # groups to purge, etc., so lets make an index.
-        txn.execute(
-            "CREATE INDEX events_to_purge_id"
-            " ON events_to_purge(event_id)",
-        )
-
         # First ensure that we're not about to delete all the forward extremeties
         txn.execute(
             "SELECT e.event_id, e.depth FROM events as e "
@@ -1908,9 +1939,9 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
             (room_id,)
         )
         rows = txn.fetchall()
-        max_depth = max(row[0] for row in rows)
+        max_depth = max(row[1] for row in rows)
 
-        if max_depth <= token.topological:
+        if max_depth < token.topological:
             # We need to ensure we don't delete all the events from the database
             # otherwise we wouldn't be able to send any events (due to not
             # having any backwards extremeties)
@@ -1924,19 +1955,45 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         should_delete_params = ()
         if not delete_local_events:
             should_delete_expr += " AND event_id NOT LIKE ?"
-            should_delete_params += ("%:" + self.hs.hostname, )
+
+            # We include the parameter twice since we use the expression twice
+            should_delete_params += (
+                "%:" + self.hs.hostname,
+                "%:" + self.hs.hostname,
+            )
 
         should_delete_params += (room_id, token.topological)
 
+        # Note that we insert events that are outliers and aren't going to be
+        # deleted, as nothing will happen to them.
         txn.execute(
             "INSERT INTO events_to_purge"
             " SELECT event_id, %s"
             " FROM events AS e LEFT JOIN state_events USING (event_id)"
-            " WHERE e.room_id = ? AND topological_ordering < ?" % (
+            " WHERE (NOT outlier OR (%s)) AND e.room_id = ? AND topological_ordering < ?"
+            % (
+                should_delete_expr,
                 should_delete_expr,
             ),
             should_delete_params,
         )
+
+        # We create the indices *after* insertion as that's a lot faster.
+
+        # create an index on should_delete because later we'll be looking for
+        # the should_delete / shouldn't_delete subsets
+        txn.execute(
+            "CREATE INDEX events_to_purge_should_delete"
+            " ON events_to_purge(should_delete)",
+        )
+
+        # We do joins against events_to_purge for e.g. calculating state
+        # groups to purge, etc., so lets make an index.
+        txn.execute(
+            "CREATE INDEX events_to_purge_id"
+            " ON events_to_purge(event_id)",
+        )
+
         txn.execute(
             "SELECT event_id, should_delete FROM events_to_purge"
         )
@@ -2032,7 +2089,7 @@ class EventsStore(EventFederationStore, EventsWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore
         for sg in remaining_state_groups:
             logger.info("[purge] de-delta-ing remaining state group %s", sg)
             curr_state = self._get_state_groups_from_groups_txn(
-                txn, [sg], types=None
+                txn, [sg],
             )
             curr_state = curr_state[sg]
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/events_worker.py b/synapse/storage/events_worker.py
index 59822178ff..a8326f5296 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/events_worker.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/events_worker.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
+
 import itertools
 import logging
 from collections import namedtuple
@@ -265,7 +266,7 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
         with Measure(self._clock, "_fetch_event_list"):
             try:
-                event_id_lists = zip(*event_list)[0]
+                event_id_lists = list(zip(*event_list))[0]
                 event_ids = [
                     item for sublist in event_id_lists for item in sublist
                 ]
@@ -299,14 +300,14 @@ class EventsWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
                 logger.exception("do_fetch")
 
                 # We only want to resolve deferreds from the main thread
-                def fire(evs):
+                def fire(evs, exc):
                     for _, d in evs:
                         if not d.called:
                             with PreserveLoggingContext():
-                                d.errback(e)
+                                d.errback(exc)
 
                 with PreserveLoggingContext():
-                    self.hs.get_reactor().callFromThread(fire, event_list)
+                    self.hs.get_reactor().callFromThread(fire, event_list, e)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _enqueue_events(self, events, check_redacted=True, allow_rejected=False):
diff --git a/synapse/storage/filtering.py b/synapse/storage/filtering.py
index 2d5896c5b4..6ddcc909bf 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/filtering.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/filtering.py
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
+from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.errors import Codes, SynapseError
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cachedInlineCallbacks
 
-from ._base import SQLBaseStore
+from ._base import SQLBaseStore, db_to_json
 
 
 class FilteringStore(SQLBaseStore):
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class FilteringStore(SQLBaseStore):
             desc="get_user_filter",
         )
 
-        defer.returnValue(json.loads(bytes(def_json).decode("utf-8")))
+        defer.returnValue(db_to_json(def_json))
 
     def add_user_filter(self, user_localpart, user_filter):
         def_json = encode_canonical_json(user_filter)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/keys.py b/synapse/storage/keys.py
index f547977600..8af17921e3 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/keys.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/keys.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 # py2 sqlite has buffer hardcoded as only binary type, so we must use it,
 # despite being deprecated and removed in favor of memoryview
 if six.PY2:
-    db_binary_type = buffer
+    db_binary_type = six.moves.builtins.buffer
 else:
     db_binary_type = memoryview
 
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ class KeyStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
         key_id = "%s:%s" % (verify_key.alg, verify_key.version)
 
+        # XXX fix this to not need a lock (#3819)
         def _txn(txn):
             self._simple_upsert_txn(
                 txn,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/monthly_active_users.py b/synapse/storage/monthly_active_users.py
index 06f9a75a97..cf4104dc2e 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/monthly_active_users.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/monthly_active_users.py
@@ -33,20 +33,29 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
         self._clock = hs.get_clock()
         self.hs = hs
         self.reserved_users = ()
+        # Do not add more reserved users than the total allowable number
+        self._initialise_reserved_users(
+            dbconn.cursor(),
+            hs.config.mau_limits_reserved_threepids[:self.hs.config.max_mau_value],
+        )
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def initialise_reserved_users(self, threepids):
-        # TODO Why can't I do this in init?
-        store = self.hs.get_datastore()
+    def _initialise_reserved_users(self, txn, threepids):
+        """Ensures that reserved threepids are accounted for in the MAU table, should
+        be called on start up.
+
+        Args:
+            txn (cursor):
+            threepids (list[dict]): List of threepid dicts to reserve
+        """
         reserved_user_list = []
 
-        # Do not add more reserved users than the total allowable number
-        for tp in threepids[:self.hs.config.max_mau_value]:
-            user_id = yield store.get_user_id_by_threepid(
+        for tp in threepids:
+            user_id = self.get_user_id_by_threepid_txn(
+                txn,
                 tp["medium"], tp["address"]
             )
             if user_id:
-                yield self.upsert_monthly_active_user(user_id)
+                self.upsert_monthly_active_user_txn(txn, user_id)
                 reserved_user_list.append(user_id)
             else:
                 logger.warning(
@@ -56,8 +65,7 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def reap_monthly_active_users(self):
-        """
-        Cleans out monthly active user table to ensure that no stale
+        """Cleans out monthly active user table to ensure that no stale
         entries exist.
 
         Returns:
@@ -147,16 +155,63 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
             return count
         return self.runInteraction("count_users", _count_users)
 
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def get_registered_reserved_users_count(self):
+        """Of the reserved threepids defined in config, how many are associated
+        with registered users?
+
+        Returns:
+            Defered[int]: Number of real reserved users
+        """
+        count = 0
+        for tp in self.hs.config.mau_limits_reserved_threepids:
+            user_id = yield self.hs.get_datastore().get_user_id_by_threepid(
+                tp["medium"], tp["address"]
+            )
+            if user_id:
+                count = count + 1
+        defer.returnValue(count)
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def upsert_monthly_active_user(self, user_id):
+        """Updates or inserts the user into the monthly active user table, which
+        is used to track the current MAU usage of the server
+
+        Args:
+            user_id (str): user to add/update
         """
-            Updates or inserts monthly active user member
-            Arguments:
-                user_id (str): user to add/update
-            Deferred[bool]: True if a new entry was created, False if an
-                existing one was updated.
+        is_insert = yield self.runInteraction(
+            "upsert_monthly_active_user", self.upsert_monthly_active_user_txn,
+            user_id
+        )
+
+        if is_insert:
+            self.user_last_seen_monthly_active.invalidate((user_id,))
+            self.get_monthly_active_count.invalidate(())
+
+    def upsert_monthly_active_user_txn(self, txn, user_id):
+        """Updates or inserts monthly active user member
+
+        Note that, after calling this method, it will generally be necessary
+        to invalidate the caches on user_last_seen_monthly_active and
+        get_monthly_active_count. We can't do that here, because we are running
+        in a database thread rather than the main thread, and we can't call
+        txn.call_after because txn may not be a LoggingTransaction.
+
+        Args:
+            txn (cursor):
+            user_id (str): user to add/update
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: True if a new entry was created, False if an
+            existing one was updated.
         """
-        is_insert = self._simple_upsert(
-            desc="upsert_monthly_active_user",
+        # Am consciously deciding to lock the table on the basis that is ought
+        # never be a big table and alternative approaches (batching multiple
+        # upserts into a single txn) introduced a lot of extra complexity.
+        # See https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/issues/3854 for more
+        is_insert = self._simple_upsert_txn(
+            txn,
             table="monthly_active_users",
             keyvalues={
                 "user_id": user_id,
@@ -164,11 +219,9 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
             values={
                 "timestamp": int(self._clock.time_msec()),
             },
-            lock=False,
         )
-        if is_insert:
-            self.user_last_seen_monthly_active.invalidate((user_id,))
-            self.get_monthly_active_count.invalidate(())
+
+        return is_insert
 
     @cached(num_args=1)
     def user_last_seen_monthly_active(self, user_id):
@@ -199,7 +252,16 @@ class MonthlyActiveUsersStore(SQLBaseStore):
         Args:
             user_id(str): the user_id to query
         """
+
         if self.hs.config.limit_usage_by_mau:
+            # Trial users and guests should not be included as part of MAU group
+            is_guest = yield self.is_guest(user_id)
+            if is_guest:
+                return
+            is_trial = yield self.is_trial_user(user_id)
+            if is_trial:
+                return
+
             last_seen_timestamp = yield self.user_last_seen_monthly_active(user_id)
             now = self.hs.get_clock().time_msec()
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/profile.py b/synapse/storage/profile.py
index e6848c70a0..10133f0a4a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/profile.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/profile.py
@@ -123,8 +123,6 @@ class ProfileWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             desc="get_from_remote_profile_cache",
         )
 
-
-class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
     def set_profile_displayname(self, user_localpart, new_displayname, batchnum):
         return self._simple_upsert(
             table="profiles",
@@ -165,6 +163,8 @@ class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
             lock=False  # we can do this because user_id has a unique index
         )
 
+
+class ProfileStore(ProfileWorkerStore):
     def add_remote_profile_cache(self, user_id, displayname, avatar_url):
         """Ensure we are caching the remote user's profiles.
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/pusher.py b/synapse/storage/pusher.py
index 8443bd4c1b..2743b52bad 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/pusher.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/pusher.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
-import types
+
+import six
 
 from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
 
@@ -27,6 +28,11 @@ from ._base import SQLBaseStore
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+if six.PY2:
+    db_binary_type = six.moves.builtins.buffer
+else:
+    db_binary_type = memoryview
+
 
 class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
     def _decode_pushers_rows(self, rows):
@@ -34,18 +40,18 @@ class PusherWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             dataJson = r['data']
             r['data'] = None
             try:
-                if isinstance(dataJson, types.BufferType):
+                if isinstance(dataJson, db_binary_type):
                     dataJson = str(dataJson).decode("UTF8")
 
                 r['data'] = json.loads(dataJson)
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.warn(
                     "Invalid JSON in data for pusher %d: %s, %s",
-                    r['id'], dataJson, e.message,
+                    r['id'], dataJson, e.args[0],
                 )
                 pass
 
-            if isinstance(r['pushkey'], types.BufferType):
+            if isinstance(r['pushkey'], db_binary_type):
                 r['pushkey'] = str(r['pushkey']).decode("UTF8")
 
         return rows
diff --git a/synapse/storage/registration.py b/synapse/storage/registration.py
index 50706519aa..65061f4c61 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/registration.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/registration.py
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached, cachedInlineCallbacks
 
 
 class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
+    def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
+        super(RegistrationWorkerStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
+
+        self.config = hs.config
+
     @cached()
     def get_user_by_id(self, user_id):
         return self._simple_select_one(
@@ -36,12 +41,33 @@ class RegistrationWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             retcols=[
                 "name", "password_hash", "is_guest",
                 "consent_version", "consent_server_notice_sent",
-                "appservice_id",
+                "appservice_id", "creation_ts",
             ],
             allow_none=True,
             desc="get_user_by_id",
         )
 
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def is_trial_user(self, user_id):
+        """Checks if user is in the "trial" period, i.e. within the first
+        N days of registration defined by `mau_trial_days` config
+
+        Args:
+            user_id (str)
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[bool]
+        """
+
+        info = yield self.get_user_by_id(user_id)
+        if not info:
+            defer.returnValue(False)
+
+        now = self.clock.time_msec()
+        trial_duration_ms = self.config.mau_trial_days * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000
+        is_trial = (now - info["creation_ts"] * 1000) < trial_duration_ms
+        defer.returnValue(is_trial)
+
     @cached()
     def get_user_by_access_token(self, token):
         """Get a user from the given access token.
@@ -436,17 +462,44 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationWorkerStore,
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_user_id_by_threepid(self, medium, address):
-        ret = yield self._simple_select_one(
+        """Returns user id from threepid
+
+        Args:
+            medium (str): threepid medium e.g. email
+            address (str): threepid address e.g. me@example.com
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[str|None]: user id or None if no user id/threepid mapping exists
+        """
+        user_id = yield self.runInteraction(
+            "get_user_id_by_threepid", self.get_user_id_by_threepid_txn,
+            medium, address
+        )
+        defer.returnValue(user_id)
+
+    def get_user_id_by_threepid_txn(self, txn, medium, address):
+        """Returns user id from threepid
+
+        Args:
+            txn (cursor):
+            medium (str): threepid medium e.g. email
+            address (str): threepid address e.g. me@example.com
+
+        Returns:
+            str|None: user id or None if no user id/threepid mapping exists
+        """
+        ret = self._simple_select_one_txn(
+            txn,
             "user_threepids",
             {
                 "medium": medium,
                 "address": address
             },
-            ['user_id'], True, 'get_user_id_by_threepid'
+            ['user_id'], True
         )
         if ret:
-            defer.returnValue(ret['user_id'])
-        defer.returnValue(None)
+            return ret['user_id']
+        return None
 
     def user_delete_threepid(self, user_id, medium, address):
         return self._simple_delete(
@@ -529,7 +582,7 @@ class RegistrationStore(RegistrationWorkerStore,
         def _find_next_generated_user_id(txn):
             txn.execute("SELECT name FROM users")
 
-            regex = re.compile("^@(\d+):")
+            regex = re.compile(r"^@(\d+):")
 
             found = set()
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/room.py b/synapse/storage/room.py
index 3378fc77d1..61013b8919 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/room.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/room.py
@@ -186,6 +186,35 @@ class RoomWorkerStore(SQLBaseStore):
             desc="is_room_blocked",
         )
 
+    @cachedInlineCallbacks(max_entries=10000)
+    def get_ratelimit_for_user(self, user_id):
+        """Check if there are any overrides for ratelimiting for the given
+        user
+
+        Args:
+            user_id (str)
+
+        Returns:
+            RatelimitOverride if there is an override, else None. If the contents
+            of RatelimitOverride are None or 0 then ratelimitng has been
+            disabled for that user entirely.
+        """
+        row = yield self._simple_select_one(
+            table="ratelimit_override",
+            keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
+            retcols=("messages_per_second", "burst_count"),
+            allow_none=True,
+            desc="get_ratelimit_for_user",
+        )
+
+        if row:
+            defer.returnValue(RatelimitOverride(
+                messages_per_second=row["messages_per_second"],
+                burst_count=row["burst_count"],
+            ))
+        else:
+            defer.returnValue(None)
+
 
 class RoomStore(RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
 
@@ -469,35 +498,6 @@ class RoomStore(RoomWorkerStore, SearchStore):
             "get_all_new_public_rooms", get_all_new_public_rooms
         )
 
-    @cachedInlineCallbacks(max_entries=10000)
-    def get_ratelimit_for_user(self, user_id):
-        """Check if there are any overrides for ratelimiting for the given
-        user
-
-        Args:
-            user_id (str)
-
-        Returns:
-            RatelimitOverride if there is an override, else None. If the contents
-            of RatelimitOverride are None or 0 then ratelimitng has been
-            disabled for that user entirely.
-        """
-        row = yield self._simple_select_one(
-            table="ratelimit_override",
-            keyvalues={"user_id": user_id},
-            retcols=("messages_per_second", "burst_count"),
-            allow_none=True,
-            desc="get_ratelimit_for_user",
-        )
-
-        if row:
-            defer.returnValue(RatelimitOverride(
-                messages_per_second=row["messages_per_second"],
-                burst_count=row["burst_count"],
-            ))
-        else:
-            defer.returnValue(None)
-
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def block_room(self, room_id, user_id):
         yield self._simple_insert(
diff --git a/synapse/storage/roommember.py b/synapse/storage/roommember.py
index 9b4e6d6aa8..0707f9a86a 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/roommember.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/roommember.py
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@ ProfileInfo = namedtuple(
     "ProfileInfo", ("avatar_url", "display_name")
 )
 
+# "members" points to a truncated list of (user_id, event_id) tuples for users of
+# a given membership type, suitable for use in calculating heroes for a room.
+# "count" points to the total numberr of users of a given membership type.
+MemberSummary = namedtuple(
+    "MemberSummary", ("members", "count")
+)
 
 _MEMBERSHIP_PROFILE_UPDATE_NAME = "room_membership_profile_update"
 
@@ -82,6 +88,65 @@ class RoomMemberWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore):
             return [to_ascii(r[0]) for r in txn]
         return self.runInteraction("get_users_in_room", f)
 
+    @cached(max_entries=100000)
+    def get_room_summary(self, room_id):
+        """ Get the details of a room roughly suitable for use by the room
+        summary extension to /sync. Useful when lazy loading room members.
+        Args:
+            room_id (str): The room ID to query
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[dict[str, MemberSummary]:
+                dict of membership states, pointing to a MemberSummary named tuple.
+        """
+
+        def _get_room_summary_txn(txn):
+            # first get counts.
+            # We do this all in one transaction to keep the cache small.
+            # FIXME: get rid of this when we have room_stats
+            sql = """
+                SELECT count(*), m.membership FROM room_memberships as m
+                 INNER JOIN current_state_events as c
+                 ON m.event_id = c.event_id
+                 AND m.room_id = c.room_id
+                 AND m.user_id = c.state_key
+                 WHERE c.type = 'm.room.member' AND c.room_id = ?
+                 GROUP BY m.membership
+            """
+
+            txn.execute(sql, (room_id,))
+            res = {}
+            for count, membership in txn:
+                summary = res.setdefault(to_ascii(membership), MemberSummary([], count))
+
+            # we order by membership and then fairly arbitrarily by event_id so
+            # heroes are consistent
+            sql = """
+                SELECT m.user_id, m.membership, m.event_id
+                FROM room_memberships as m
+                 INNER JOIN current_state_events as c
+                 ON m.event_id = c.event_id
+                 AND m.room_id = c.room_id
+                 AND m.user_id = c.state_key
+                 WHERE c.type = 'm.room.member' AND c.room_id = ?
+                 ORDER BY
+                    CASE m.membership WHEN ? THEN 1 WHEN ? THEN 2 ELSE 3 END ASC,
+                    m.event_id ASC
+                 LIMIT ?
+            """
+
+            # 6 is 5 (number of heroes) plus 1, in case one of them is the calling user.
+            txn.execute(sql, (room_id, Membership.JOIN, Membership.INVITE, 6))
+            for user_id, membership, event_id in txn:
+                summary = res[to_ascii(membership)]
+                # we will always have a summary for this membership type at this
+                # point given the summary currently contains the counts.
+                members = summary.members
+                members.append((to_ascii(user_id), to_ascii(event_id)))
+
+            return res
+
+        return self.runInteraction("get_room_summary", _get_room_summary_txn)
+
     @cached()
     def get_invited_rooms_for_user(self, user_id):
         """ Get all the rooms the user is invited to
diff --git a/synapse/storage/schema/delta/51/e2e_room_keys.sql b/synapse/storage/schema/delta/51/e2e_room_keys.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c0e66a697d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/storage/schema/delta/51/e2e_room_keys.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/* Copyright 2017 New Vector Ltd
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+-- users' optionally backed up encrypted e2e sessions
+CREATE TABLE e2e_room_keys (
+    user_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+    room_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+    session_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+    version TEXT NOT NULL,
+    first_message_index INT,
+    forwarded_count INT,
+    is_verified BOOLEAN,
+    session_data TEXT NOT NULL
+);
+
+CREATE UNIQUE INDEX e2e_room_keys_idx ON e2e_room_keys(user_id, room_id, session_id);
+
+-- the metadata for each generation of encrypted e2e session backups
+CREATE TABLE e2e_room_keys_versions (
+    user_id TEXT NOT NULL,
+    version TEXT NOT NULL,
+    algorithm TEXT NOT NULL,
+    auth_data TEXT NOT NULL,
+    deleted SMALLINT DEFAULT 0 NOT NULL
+);
+
+CREATE UNIQUE INDEX e2e_room_keys_versions_idx ON e2e_room_keys_versions(user_id, version);
diff --git a/synapse/storage/signatures.py b/synapse/storage/signatures.py
index 5623391f6e..158e9dbe7b 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/signatures.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/signatures.py
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ from ._base import SQLBaseStore
 # py2 sqlite has buffer hardcoded as only binary type, so we must use it,
 # despite being deprecated and removed in favor of memoryview
 if six.PY2:
-    db_binary_type = buffer
+    db_binary_type = six.moves.builtins.buffer
 else:
     db_binary_type = memoryview
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/state.py b/synapse/storage/state.py
index dd03c4168b..ef65929bb2 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/state.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/state.py
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ from collections import namedtuple
 from six import iteritems, itervalues
 from six.moves import range
 
+import attr
+
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
@@ -48,6 +50,318 @@ class _GetStateGroupDelta(namedtuple("_GetStateGroupDelta", ("prev_group", "delt
         return len(self.delta_ids) if self.delta_ids else 0
 
 
+@attr.s(slots=True)
+class StateFilter(object):
+    """A filter used when querying for state.
+
+    Attributes:
+        types (dict[str, set[str]|None]): Map from type to set of state keys (or
+            None). This specifies which state_keys for the given type to fetch
+            from the DB. If None then all events with that type are fetched. If
+            the set is empty then no events with that type are fetched.
+        include_others (bool): Whether to fetch events with types that do not
+            appear in `types`.
+    """
+
+    types = attr.ib()
+    include_others = attr.ib(default=False)
+
+    def __attrs_post_init__(self):
+        # If `include_others` is set we canonicalise the filter by removing
+        # wildcards from the types dictionary
+        if self.include_others:
+            self.types = {
+                k: v for k, v in iteritems(self.types)
+                if v is not None
+            }
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def all():
+        """Creates a filter that fetches everything.
+
+        Returns:
+            StateFilter
+        """
+        return StateFilter(types={}, include_others=True)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def none():
+        """Creates a filter that fetches nothing.
+
+        Returns:
+            StateFilter
+        """
+        return StateFilter(types={}, include_others=False)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def from_types(types):
+        """Creates a filter that only fetches the given types
+
+        Args:
+            types (Iterable[tuple[str, str|None]]): A list of type and state
+                keys to fetch. A state_key of None fetches everything for
+                that type
+
+        Returns:
+            StateFilter
+        """
+        type_dict = {}
+        for typ, s in types:
+            if typ in type_dict:
+                if type_dict[typ] is None:
+                    continue
+
+            if s is None:
+                type_dict[typ] = None
+                continue
+
+            type_dict.setdefault(typ, set()).add(s)
+
+        return StateFilter(types=type_dict)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def from_lazy_load_member_list(members):
+        """Creates a filter that returns all non-member events, plus the member
+        events for the given users
+
+        Args:
+            members (iterable[str]): Set of user IDs
+
+        Returns:
+            StateFilter
+        """
+        return StateFilter(
+            types={EventTypes.Member: set(members)},
+            include_others=True,
+        )
+
+    def return_expanded(self):
+        """Creates a new StateFilter where type wild cards have been removed
+        (except for memberships). The returned filter is a superset of the
+        current one, i.e. anything that passes the current filter will pass
+        the returned filter.
+
+        This helps the caching as the DictionaryCache knows if it has *all* the
+        state, but does not know if it has all of the keys of a particular type,
+        which makes wildcard lookups expensive unless we have a complete cache.
+        Hence, if we are doing a wildcard lookup, populate the cache fully so
+        that we can do an efficient lookup next time.
+
+        Note that since we have two caches, one for membership events and one for
+        other events, we can be a bit more clever than simply returning
+        `StateFilter.all()` if `has_wildcards()` is True.
+
+        We return a StateFilter where:
+            1. the list of membership events to return is the same
+            2. if there is a wildcard that matches non-member events we
+               return all non-member events
+
+        Returns:
+            StateFilter
+        """
+
+        if self.is_full():
+            # If we're going to return everything then there's nothing to do
+            return self
+
+        if not self.has_wildcards():
+            # If there are no wild cards, there's nothing to do
+            return self
+
+        if EventTypes.Member in self.types:
+            get_all_members = self.types[EventTypes.Member] is None
+        else:
+            get_all_members = self.include_others
+
+        has_non_member_wildcard = self.include_others or any(
+            state_keys is None
+            for t, state_keys in iteritems(self.types)
+            if t != EventTypes.Member
+        )
+
+        if not has_non_member_wildcard:
+            # If there are no non-member wild cards we can just return ourselves
+            return self
+
+        if get_all_members:
+            # We want to return everything.
+            return StateFilter.all()
+        else:
+            # We want to return all non-members, but only particular
+            # memberships
+            return StateFilter(
+                types={EventTypes.Member: self.types[EventTypes.Member]},
+                include_others=True,
+            )
+
+    def make_sql_filter_clause(self):
+        """Converts the filter to an SQL clause.
+
+        For example:
+
+            f = StateFilter.from_types([("m.room.create", "")])
+            clause, args = f.make_sql_filter_clause()
+            clause == "(type = ? AND state_key = ?)"
+            args == ['m.room.create', '']
+
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple[str, list]: The SQL string (may be empty) and arguments. An
+            empty SQL string is returned when the filter matches everything
+            (i.e. is "full").
+        """
+
+        where_clause = ""
+        where_args = []
+
+        if self.is_full():
+            return where_clause, where_args
+
+        if not self.include_others and not self.types:
+            # i.e. this is an empty filter, so we need to return a clause that
+            # will match nothing
+            return "1 = 2", []
+
+        # First we build up a lost of clauses for each type/state_key combo
+        clauses = []
+        for etype, state_keys in iteritems(self.types):
+            if state_keys is None:
+                clauses.append("(type = ?)")
+                where_args.append(etype)
+                continue
+
+            for state_key in state_keys:
+                clauses.append("(type = ? AND state_key = ?)")
+                where_args.extend((etype, state_key))
+
+        # This will match anything that appears in `self.types`
+        where_clause = " OR ".join(clauses)
+
+        # If we want to include stuff that's not in the types dict then we add
+        # a `OR type NOT IN (...)` clause to the end.
+        if self.include_others:
+            if where_clause:
+                where_clause += " OR "
+
+            where_clause += "type NOT IN (%s)" % (
+                ",".join(["?"] * len(self.types)),
+            )
+            where_args.extend(self.types)
+
+        return where_clause, where_args
+
+    def max_entries_returned(self):
+        """Returns the maximum number of entries this filter will return if
+        known, otherwise returns None.
+
+        For example a simple state filter asking for `("m.room.create", "")`
+        will return 1, whereas the default state filter will return None.
+
+        This is used to bail out early if the right number of entries have been
+        fetched.
+        """
+        if self.has_wildcards():
+            return None
+
+        return len(self.concrete_types())
+
+    def filter_state(self, state_dict):
+        """Returns the state filtered with by this StateFilter
+
+        Args:
+            state (dict[tuple[str, str], Any]): The state map to filter
+
+        Returns:
+            dict[tuple[str, str], Any]: The filtered state map
+        """
+        if self.is_full():
+            return dict(state_dict)
+
+        filtered_state = {}
+        for k, v in iteritems(state_dict):
+            typ, state_key = k
+            if typ in self.types:
+                state_keys = self.types[typ]
+                if state_keys is None or state_key in state_keys:
+                    filtered_state[k] = v
+            elif self.include_others:
+                filtered_state[k] = v
+
+        return filtered_state
+
+    def is_full(self):
+        """Whether this filter fetches everything or not
+
+        Returns:
+            bool
+        """
+        return self.include_others and not self.types
+
+    def has_wildcards(self):
+        """Whether the filter includes wildcards or is attempting to fetch
+        specific state.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool
+        """
+
+        return (
+            self.include_others
+            or any(
+                state_keys is None
+                for state_keys in itervalues(self.types)
+            )
+        )
+
+    def concrete_types(self):
+        """Returns a list of concrete type/state_keys (i.e. not None) that
+        will be fetched. This will be a complete list if `has_wildcards`
+        returns False, but otherwise will be a subset (or even empty).
+
+        Returns:
+            list[tuple[str,str]]
+        """
+        return [
+            (t, s)
+            for t, state_keys in iteritems(self.types)
+            if state_keys is not None
+            for s in state_keys
+        ]
+
+    def get_member_split(self):
+        """Return the filter split into two: one which assumes it's exclusively
+        matching against member state, and one which assumes it's matching
+        against non member state.
+
+        This is useful due to the returned filters giving correct results for
+        `is_full()`, `has_wildcards()`, etc, when operating against maps that
+        either exclusively contain member events or only contain non-member
+        events. (Which is the case when dealing with the member vs non-member
+        state caches).
+
+        Returns:
+            tuple[StateFilter, StateFilter]: The member and non member filters
+        """
+
+        if EventTypes.Member in self.types:
+            state_keys = self.types[EventTypes.Member]
+            if state_keys is None:
+                member_filter = StateFilter.all()
+            else:
+                member_filter = StateFilter({EventTypes.Member: state_keys})
+        elif self.include_others:
+            member_filter = StateFilter.all()
+        else:
+            member_filter = StateFilter.none()
+
+        non_member_filter = StateFilter(
+            types={k: v for k, v in iteritems(self.types) if k != EventTypes.Member},
+            include_others=self.include_others,
+        )
+
+        return member_filter, non_member_filter
+
+
 # this inherits from EventsWorkerStore because it calls self.get_events
 class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
     """The parts of StateGroupStore that can be called from workers.
@@ -60,8 +374,43 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
     def __init__(self, db_conn, hs):
         super(StateGroupWorkerStore, self).__init__(db_conn, hs)
 
+        # Originally the state store used a single DictionaryCache to cache the
+        # event IDs for the state types in a given state group to avoid hammering
+        # on the state_group* tables.
+        #
+        # The point of using a DictionaryCache is that it can cache a subset
+        # of the state events for a given state group (i.e. a subset of the keys for a
+        # given dict which is an entry in the cache for a given state group ID).
+        #
+        # However, this poses problems when performing complicated queries
+        # on the store - for instance: "give me all the state for this group, but
+        # limit members to this subset of users", as DictionaryCache's API isn't
+        # rich enough to say "please cache any of these fields, apart from this subset".
+        # This is problematic when lazy loading members, which requires this behaviour,
+        # as without it the cache has no choice but to speculatively load all
+        # state events for the group, which negates the efficiency being sought.
+        #
+        # Rather than overcomplicating DictionaryCache's API, we instead split the
+        # state_group_cache into two halves - one for tracking non-member events,
+        # and the other for tracking member_events.  This means that lazy loading
+        # queries can be made in a cache-friendly manner by querying both caches
+        # separately and then merging the result.  So for the example above, you
+        # would query the members cache for a specific subset of state keys
+        # (which DictionaryCache will handle efficiently and fine) and the non-members
+        # cache for all state (which DictionaryCache will similarly handle fine)
+        # and then just merge the results together.
+        #
+        # We size the non-members cache to be smaller than the members cache as the
+        # vast majority of state in Matrix (today) is member events.
+
         self._state_group_cache = DictionaryCache(
-            "*stateGroupCache*", 500000 * get_cache_factor_for("stateGroupCache")
+            "*stateGroupCache*",
+            # TODO: this hasn't been tuned yet
+            50000 * get_cache_factor_for("stateGroupCache")
+        )
+        self._state_group_members_cache = DictionaryCache(
+            "*stateGroupMembersCache*",
+            500000 * get_cache_factor_for("stateGroupMembersCache")
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -117,61 +466,41 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     # FIXME: how should this be cached?
-    def get_filtered_current_state_ids(self, room_id, types, filtered_types=None):
+    def get_filtered_current_state_ids(self, room_id, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
         """Get the current state event of a given type for a room based on the
         current_state_events table.  This may not be as up-to-date as the result
         of doing a fresh state resolution as per state_handler.get_current_state
+
         Args:
             room_id (str)
-            types (list[(Str, (Str|None))]): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. `state_key` may be
-                None, which matches any `state_key`
-            filtered_types (list[Str]|None): List of types to apply the above filter to.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
+
         Returns:
-            deferred: dict of (type, state_key) -> event
+            Deferred[dict[tuple[str, str], str]]: Map from type/state_key to
+            event ID.
         """
 
-        include_other_types = False if filtered_types is None else True
-
         def _get_filtered_current_state_ids_txn(txn):
             results = {}
-            sql = """SELECT type, state_key, event_id FROM current_state_events
-                     WHERE room_id = ? %s"""
-            # Turns out that postgres doesn't like doing a list of OR's and
-            # is about 1000x slower, so we just issue a query for each specific
-            # type seperately.
-            if types:
-                clause_to_args = [
-                    (
-                        "AND type = ? AND state_key = ?",
-                        (etype, state_key)
-                    ) if state_key is not None else (
-                        "AND type = ?",
-                        (etype,)
-                    )
-                    for etype, state_key in types
-                ]
-
-                if include_other_types:
-                    unique_types = set(filtered_types)
-                    clause_to_args.append(
-                        (
-                            "AND type <> ? " * len(unique_types),
-                            list(unique_types)
-                        )
-                    )
-            else:
-                # If types is None we fetch all the state, and so just use an
-                # empty where clause with no extra args.
-                clause_to_args = [("", [])]
-            for where_clause, where_args in clause_to_args:
-                args = [room_id]
-                args.extend(where_args)
-                txn.execute(sql % (where_clause,), args)
-                for row in txn:
-                    typ, state_key, event_id = row
-                    key = (intern_string(typ), intern_string(state_key))
-                    results[key] = event_id
+            sql = """
+                SELECT type, state_key, event_id FROM current_state_events
+                WHERE room_id = ?
+            """
+
+            where_clause, where_args = state_filter.make_sql_filter_clause()
+
+            if where_clause:
+                sql += " AND (%s)" % (where_clause,)
+
+            args = [room_id]
+            args.extend(where_args)
+            txn.execute(sql, args)
+            for row in txn:
+                typ, state_key, event_id = row
+                key = (intern_string(typ), intern_string(state_key))
+                results[key] = event_id
+
             return results
 
         return self.runInteraction(
@@ -220,7 +549,17 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_state_groups_ids(self, room_id, event_ids):
+    def get_state_groups_ids(self, _room_id, event_ids):
+        """Get the event IDs of all the state for the state groups for the given events
+
+        Args:
+            _room_id (str): id of the room for these events
+            event_ids (iterable[str]): ids of the events
+
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[dict[int, dict[tuple[str, str], str]]]:
+                dict of state_group_id -> (dict of (type, state_key) -> event id)
+        """
         if not event_ids:
             defer.returnValue({})
 
@@ -235,7 +574,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_state_ids_for_group(self, state_group):
-        """Get the state IDs for the given state group
+        """Get the event IDs of all the state in the given state group
 
         Args:
             state_group (int)
@@ -251,7 +590,9 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
     def get_state_groups(self, room_id, event_ids):
         """ Get the state groups for the given list of event_ids
 
-        The return value is a dict mapping group names to lists of events.
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[dict[int, list[EventBase]]]:
+                dict of state_group_id -> list of state events.
         """
         if not event_ids:
             defer.returnValue({})
@@ -275,18 +616,17 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         })
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _get_state_groups_from_groups(self, groups, types):
+    def _get_state_groups_from_groups(self, groups, state_filter):
         """Returns the state groups for a given set of groups, filtering on
         types of state events.
 
         Args:
             groups(list[int]): list of state group IDs to query
-            types (Iterable[str, str|None]|None): list of 2-tuples of the form
-                (`type`, `state_key`), where a `state_key` of `None` matches all
-                state_keys for the `type`. If None, all types are returned.
-
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
         Returns:
-            dictionary state_group -> (dict of (type, state_key) -> event id)
+            Deferred[dict[int, dict[tuple[str, str], str]]]:
+                dict of state_group_id -> (dict of (type, state_key) -> event id)
         """
         results = {}
 
@@ -294,19 +634,23 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         for chunk in chunks:
             res = yield self.runInteraction(
                 "_get_state_groups_from_groups",
-                self._get_state_groups_from_groups_txn, chunk, types,
+                self._get_state_groups_from_groups_txn, chunk, state_filter,
             )
             results.update(res)
 
         defer.returnValue(results)
 
     def _get_state_groups_from_groups_txn(
-        self, txn, groups, types=None,
+        self, txn, groups, state_filter=StateFilter.all(),
     ):
         results = {group: {} for group in groups}
 
-        if types is not None:
-            types = list(set(types))  # deduplicate types list
+        where_clause, where_args = state_filter.make_sql_filter_clause()
+
+        # Unless the filter clause is empty, we're going to append it after an
+        # existing where clause
+        if where_clause:
+            where_clause = " AND (%s)" % (where_clause,)
 
         if isinstance(self.database_engine, PostgresEngine):
             # Temporarily disable sequential scans in this transaction. This is
@@ -322,69 +666,33 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
             # group for the given type, state_key.
             # This may return multiple rows per (type, state_key), but last_value
             # should be the same.
-            sql = ("""
+            sql = """
                 WITH RECURSIVE state(state_group) AS (
                     VALUES(?::bigint)
                     UNION ALL
                     SELECT prev_state_group FROM state_group_edges e, state s
                     WHERE s.state_group = e.state_group
                 )
-                SELECT type, state_key, last_value(event_id) OVER (
+                SELECT DISTINCT type, state_key, last_value(event_id) OVER (
                     PARTITION BY type, state_key ORDER BY state_group ASC
                     ROWS BETWEEN UNBOUNDED PRECEDING AND UNBOUNDED FOLLOWING
                 ) AS event_id FROM state_groups_state
                 WHERE state_group IN (
                     SELECT state_group FROM state
                 )
-                %s
-            """)
-
-            # Turns out that postgres doesn't like doing a list of OR's and
-            # is about 1000x slower, so we just issue a query for each specific
-            # type seperately.
-            if types is not None:
-                clause_to_args = [
-                    (
-                        "AND type = ? AND state_key = ?",
-                        (etype, state_key)
-                    ) if state_key is not None else (
-                        "AND type = ?",
-                        (etype,)
-                    )
-                    for etype, state_key in types
-                ]
-            else:
-                # If types is None we fetch all the state, and so just use an
-                # empty where clause with no extra args.
-                clause_to_args = [("", [])]
+            """
 
-            for where_clause, where_args in clause_to_args:
-                for group in groups:
-                    args = [group]
-                    args.extend(where_args)
+            for group in groups:
+                args = [group]
+                args.extend(where_args)
 
-                    txn.execute(sql % (where_clause,), args)
-                    for row in txn:
-                        typ, state_key, event_id = row
-                        key = (typ, state_key)
-                        results[group][key] = event_id
+                txn.execute(sql + where_clause, args)
+                for row in txn:
+                    typ, state_key, event_id = row
+                    key = (typ, state_key)
+                    results[group][key] = event_id
         else:
-            where_args = []
-            where_clauses = []
-            wildcard_types = False
-            if types is not None:
-                for typ in types:
-                    if typ[1] is None:
-                        where_clauses.append("(type = ?)")
-                        where_args.append(typ[0])
-                        wildcard_types = True
-                    else:
-                        where_clauses.append("(type = ? AND state_key = ?)")
-                        where_args.extend([typ[0], typ[1]])
-
-                where_clause = "AND (%s)" % (" OR ".join(where_clauses))
-            else:
-                where_clause = ""
+            max_entries_returned = state_filter.max_entries_returned()
 
             # We don't use WITH RECURSIVE on sqlite3 as there are distributions
             # that ship with an sqlite3 version that doesn't support it (e.g. wheezy)
@@ -398,12 +706,11 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                     # without the right indices (which we can't add until
                     # after we finish deduping state, which requires this func)
                     args = [next_group]
-                    if types:
-                        args.extend(where_args)
+                    args.extend(where_args)
 
                     txn.execute(
                         "SELECT type, state_key, event_id FROM state_groups_state"
-                        " WHERE state_group = ? %s" % (where_clause,),
+                        " WHERE state_group = ? " + where_clause,
                         args
                     )
                     results[group].update(
@@ -419,9 +726,8 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                     # wildcards (i.e. Nones) in which case we have to do an exhaustive
                     # search
                     if (
-                        types is not None and
-                        not wildcard_types and
-                        len(results[group]) == len(types)
+                        max_entries_returned is not None and
+                        len(results[group]) == max_entries_returned
                     ):
                         break
 
@@ -436,20 +742,14 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         return results
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_state_for_events(self, event_ids, types, filtered_types=None):
+    def get_state_for_events(self, event_ids, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
         """Given a list of event_ids and type tuples, return a list of state
-        dicts for each event. The state dicts will only have the type/state_keys
-        that are in the `types` list.
+        dicts for each event.
 
         Args:
             event_ids (list[string])
-            types (list[(str, str|None)]|None): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. If `state_key` is None,
-                all events are returned of the given type.
-                May be None, which matches any key.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns:
             deferred: A dict of (event_id) -> (type, state_key) -> [state_events]
@@ -459,7 +759,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         groups = set(itervalues(event_to_groups))
-        group_to_state = yield self._get_state_for_groups(groups, types, filtered_types)
+        group_to_state = yield self._get_state_for_groups(groups, state_filter)
 
         state_event_map = yield self.get_events(
             [ev_id for sd in itervalues(group_to_state) for ev_id in itervalues(sd)],
@@ -478,20 +778,15 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         defer.returnValue({event: event_to_state[event] for event in event_ids})
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_state_ids_for_events(self, event_ids, types=None, filtered_types=None):
+    def get_state_ids_for_events(self, event_ids, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
         """
         Get the state dicts corresponding to a list of events, containing the event_ids
         of the state events (as opposed to the events themselves)
 
         Args:
             event_ids(list(str)): events whose state should be returned
-            types(list[(str, str|None)]|None): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. If `state_key` is None,
-                all events are returned of the given type.
-                May be None, which matches any key.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns:
             A deferred dict from event_id -> (type, state_key) -> event_id
@@ -501,7 +796,7 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         groups = set(itervalues(event_to_groups))
-        group_to_state = yield self._get_state_for_groups(groups, types, filtered_types)
+        group_to_state = yield self._get_state_for_groups(groups, state_filter)
 
         event_to_state = {
             event_id: group_to_state[group]
@@ -511,45 +806,35 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
         defer.returnValue({event: event_to_state[event] for event in event_ids})
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_state_for_event(self, event_id, types=None, filtered_types=None):
+    def get_state_for_event(self, event_id, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
         """
         Get the state dict corresponding to a particular event
 
         Args:
             event_id(str): event whose state should be returned
-            types(list[(str, str|None)]|None): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. If `state_key` is None,
-                all events are returned of the given type.
-                May be None, which matches any key.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns:
             A deferred dict from (type, state_key) -> state_event
         """
-        state_map = yield self.get_state_for_events([event_id], types, filtered_types)
+        state_map = yield self.get_state_for_events([event_id], state_filter)
         defer.returnValue(state_map[event_id])
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def get_state_ids_for_event(self, event_id, types=None, filtered_types=None):
+    def get_state_ids_for_event(self, event_id, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
         """
         Get the state dict corresponding to a particular event
 
         Args:
             event_id(str): event whose state should be returned
-            types(list[(str, str|None)]|None): List of (type, state_key) tuples
-                which are used to filter the state fetched. If `state_key` is None,
-                all events are returned of the given type.
-                May be None, which matches any key.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns:
             A deferred dict from (type, state_key) -> state_event
         """
-        state_map = yield self.get_state_ids_for_events([event_id], types, filtered_types)
+        state_map = yield self.get_state_ids_for_events([event_id], state_filter)
         defer.returnValue(state_map[event_id])
 
     @cached(max_entries=50000)
@@ -580,179 +865,207 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
         defer.returnValue({row["event_id"]: row["state_group"] for row in rows})
 
-    def _get_some_state_from_cache(self, group, types, filtered_types=None):
+    def _get_state_for_group_using_cache(self, cache, group, state_filter):
         """Checks if group is in cache. See `_get_state_for_groups`
 
         Args:
+            cache(DictionaryCache): the state group cache to use
             group(int): The state group to lookup
-            types(list[str, str|None]): List of 2-tuples of the form
-                (`type`, `state_key`), where a `state_key` of `None` matches all
-                state_keys for the `type`.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns 2-tuple (`state_dict`, `got_all`).
         `got_all` is a bool indicating if we successfully retrieved all
         requests state from the cache, if False we need to query the DB for the
         missing state.
         """
-        is_all, known_absent, state_dict_ids = self._state_group_cache.get(group)
+        is_all, known_absent, state_dict_ids = cache.get(group)
 
-        type_to_key = {}
+        if is_all or state_filter.is_full():
+            # Either we have everything or want everything, either way
+            # `is_all` tells us whether we've gotten everything.
+            return state_filter.filter_state(state_dict_ids), is_all
 
-        # tracks whether any of ourrequested types are missing from the cache
+        # tracks whether any of our requested types are missing from the cache
         missing_types = False
 
-        for typ, state_key in types:
-            key = (typ, state_key)
-
-            if (
-                state_key is None or
-                (filtered_types is not None and typ not in filtered_types)
-            ):
-                type_to_key[typ] = None
-                # we mark the type as missing from the cache because
-                # when the cache was populated it might have been done with a
-                # restricted set of state_keys, so the wildcard will not work
-                # and the cache may be incomplete.
-                missing_types = True
-            else:
-                if type_to_key.get(typ, object()) is not None:
-                    type_to_key.setdefault(typ, set()).add(state_key)
-
+        if state_filter.has_wildcards():
+            # We don't know if we fetched all the state keys for the types in
+            # the filter that are wildcards, so we have to assume that we may
+            # have missed some.
+            missing_types = True
+        else:
+            # There aren't any wild cards, so `concrete_types()` returns the
+            # complete list of event types we're wanting.
+            for key in state_filter.concrete_types():
                 if key not in state_dict_ids and key not in known_absent:
                     missing_types = True
+                    break
 
-        sentinel = object()
-
-        def include(typ, state_key):
-            valid_state_keys = type_to_key.get(typ, sentinel)
-            if valid_state_keys is sentinel:
-                return filtered_types is not None and typ not in filtered_types
-            if valid_state_keys is None:
-                return True
-            if state_key in valid_state_keys:
-                return True
-            return False
-
-        got_all = is_all
-        if not got_all:
-            # the cache is incomplete. We may still have got all the results we need, if
-            # we don't have any wildcards in the match list.
-            if not missing_types and filtered_types is None:
-                got_all = True
-
-        return {
-            k: v for k, v in iteritems(state_dict_ids)
-            if include(k[0], k[1])
-        }, got_all
-
-    def _get_all_state_from_cache(self, group):
-        """Checks if group is in cache. See `_get_state_for_groups`
+        return state_filter.filter_state(state_dict_ids), not missing_types
 
-        Returns 2-tuple (`state_dict`, `got_all`). `got_all` is a bool
-        indicating if we successfully retrieved all requests state from the
-        cache, if False we need to query the DB for the missing state.
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def _get_state_for_groups(self, groups, state_filter=StateFilter.all()):
+        """Gets the state at each of a list of state groups, optionally
+        filtering by type/state_key
 
         Args:
-            group: The state group to lookup
+            groups (iterable[int]): list of state groups for which we want
+                to get the state.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
+        Returns:
+            Deferred[dict[int, dict[tuple[str, str], str]]]:
+                dict of state_group_id -> (dict of (type, state_key) -> event id)
         """
-        is_all, _, state_dict_ids = self._state_group_cache.get(group)
 
-        return state_dict_ids, is_all
+        member_filter, non_member_filter = state_filter.get_member_split()
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def _get_state_for_groups(self, groups, types=None, filtered_types=None):
+        # Now we look them up in the member and non-member caches
+        non_member_state, incomplete_groups_nm, = (
+            yield self._get_state_for_groups_using_cache(
+                groups, self._state_group_cache,
+                state_filter=non_member_filter,
+            )
+        )
+
+        member_state, incomplete_groups_m, = (
+            yield self._get_state_for_groups_using_cache(
+                groups, self._state_group_members_cache,
+                state_filter=member_filter,
+            )
+        )
+
+        state = dict(non_member_state)
+        for group in groups:
+            state[group].update(member_state[group])
+
+        # Now fetch any missing groups from the database
+
+        incomplete_groups = incomplete_groups_m | incomplete_groups_nm
+
+        if not incomplete_groups:
+            defer.returnValue(state)
+
+        cache_sequence_nm = self._state_group_cache.sequence
+        cache_sequence_m = self._state_group_members_cache.sequence
+
+        # Help the cache hit ratio by expanding the filter a bit
+        db_state_filter = state_filter.return_expanded()
+
+        group_to_state_dict = yield self._get_state_groups_from_groups(
+            list(incomplete_groups),
+            state_filter=db_state_filter,
+        )
+
+        # Now lets update the caches
+        self._insert_into_cache(
+            group_to_state_dict,
+            db_state_filter,
+            cache_seq_num_members=cache_sequence_m,
+            cache_seq_num_non_members=cache_sequence_nm,
+        )
+
+        # And finally update the result dict, by filtering out any extra
+        # stuff we pulled out of the database.
+        for group, group_state_dict in iteritems(group_to_state_dict):
+            # We just replace any existing entries, as we will have loaded
+            # everything we need from the database anyway.
+            state[group] = state_filter.filter_state(group_state_dict)
+
+        defer.returnValue(state)
+
+    def _get_state_for_groups_using_cache(
+        self, groups, cache, state_filter,
+    ):
         """Gets the state at each of a list of state groups, optionally
-        filtering by type/state_key
+        filtering by type/state_key, querying from a specific cache.
 
         Args:
             groups (iterable[int]): list of state groups for which we want
                 to get the state.
-            types (None|iterable[(str, None|str)]):
-                indicates the state type/keys required. If None, the whole
-                state is fetched and returned.
-
-                Otherwise, each entry should be a `(type, state_key)` tuple to
-                include in the response. A `state_key` of None is a wildcard
-                meaning that we require all state with that type.
-            filtered_types(list[str]|None): Only apply filtering via `types` to this
-                list of event types.  Other types of events are returned unfiltered.
-                If None, `types` filtering is applied to all events.
+            cache (DictionaryCache): the cache of group ids to state dicts which
+                we will pass through - either the normal state cache or the specific
+                members state cache.
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
 
         Returns:
-            Deferred[dict[int, dict[(type, state_key), EventBase]]]
-                a dictionary mapping from state group to state dictionary.
+            tuple[dict[int, dict[tuple[str, str], str]], set[int]]: Tuple of
+            dict of state_group_id -> (dict of (type, state_key) -> event id)
+            of entries in the cache, and the state group ids either missing
+            from the cache or incomplete.
         """
-        if types:
-            types = frozenset(types)
         results = {}
-        missing_groups = []
-        if types is not None:
-            for group in set(groups):
-                state_dict_ids, got_all = self._get_some_state_from_cache(
-                    group, types, filtered_types
-                )
-                results[group] = state_dict_ids
+        incomplete_groups = set()
+        for group in set(groups):
+            state_dict_ids, got_all = self._get_state_for_group_using_cache(
+                cache, group, state_filter
+            )
+            results[group] = state_dict_ids
 
-                if not got_all:
-                    missing_groups.append(group)
-        else:
-            for group in set(groups):
-                state_dict_ids, got_all = self._get_all_state_from_cache(
-                    group
-                )
+            if not got_all:
+                incomplete_groups.add(group)
+
+        return results, incomplete_groups
 
-                results[group] = state_dict_ids
+    def _insert_into_cache(self, group_to_state_dict, state_filter,
+                           cache_seq_num_members, cache_seq_num_non_members):
+        """Inserts results from querying the database into the relevant cache.
 
-                if not got_all:
-                    missing_groups.append(group)
+        Args:
+            group_to_state_dict (dict): The new entries pulled from database.
+                Map from state group to state dict
+            state_filter (StateFilter): The state filter used to fetch state
+                from the database.
+            cache_seq_num_members (int): Sequence number of member cache since
+                last lookup in cache
+            cache_seq_num_non_members (int): Sequence number of member cache since
+                last lookup in cache
+        """
 
-        if missing_groups:
-            # Okay, so we have some missing_types, lets fetch them.
-            cache_seq_num = self._state_group_cache.sequence
+        # We need to work out which types we've fetched from the DB for the
+        # member vs non-member caches. This should be as accurate as possible,
+        # but can be an underestimate (e.g. when we have wild cards)
 
-            # the DictionaryCache knows if it has *all* the state, but
-            # does not know if it has all of the keys of a particular type,
-            # which makes wildcard lookups expensive unless we have a complete
-            # cache. Hence, if we are doing a wildcard lookup, populate the
-            # cache fully so that we can do an efficient lookup next time.
+        member_filter, non_member_filter = state_filter.get_member_split()
+        if member_filter.is_full():
+            # We fetched all member events
+            member_types = None
+        else:
+            # `concrete_types()` will only return a subset when there are wild
+            # cards in the filter, but that's fine.
+            member_types = member_filter.concrete_types()
 
-            if filtered_types or (types and any(k is None for (t, k) in types)):
-                types_to_fetch = None
-            else:
-                types_to_fetch = types
+        if non_member_filter.is_full():
+            # We fetched all non member events
+            non_member_types = None
+        else:
+            non_member_types = non_member_filter.concrete_types()
 
-            group_to_state_dict = yield self._get_state_groups_from_groups(
-                missing_groups, types_to_fetch
-            )
+        for group, group_state_dict in iteritems(group_to_state_dict):
+            state_dict_members = {}
+            state_dict_non_members = {}
 
-            for group, group_state_dict in iteritems(group_to_state_dict):
-                state_dict = results[group]
-
-                # update the result, filtering by `types`.
-                if types:
-                    for k, v in iteritems(group_state_dict):
-                        (typ, _) = k
-                        if (
-                            (k in types or (typ, None) in types) or
-                            (filtered_types and typ not in filtered_types)
-                        ):
-                            state_dict[k] = v
+            for k, v in iteritems(group_state_dict):
+                if k[0] == EventTypes.Member:
+                    state_dict_members[k] = v
                 else:
-                    state_dict.update(group_state_dict)
-
-                # update the cache with all the things we fetched from the
-                # database.
-                self._state_group_cache.update(
-                    cache_seq_num,
-                    key=group,
-                    value=group_state_dict,
-                    fetched_keys=types_to_fetch,
-                )
+                    state_dict_non_members[k] = v
 
-        defer.returnValue(results)
+            self._state_group_members_cache.update(
+                cache_seq_num_members,
+                key=group,
+                value=state_dict_members,
+                fetched_keys=member_types,
+            )
+
+            self._state_group_cache.update(
+                cache_seq_num_non_members,
+                key=group,
+                value=state_dict_non_members,
+                fetched_keys=non_member_types,
+            )
 
     def store_state_group(self, event_id, room_id, prev_group, delta_ids,
                           current_state_ids):
@@ -847,15 +1160,33 @@ class StateGroupWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
                     ],
                 )
 
-            # Prefill the state group cache with this group.
+            # Prefill the state group caches with this group.
             # It's fine to use the sequence like this as the state group map
             # is immutable. (If the map wasn't immutable then this prefill could
             # race with another update)
+
+            current_member_state_ids = {
+                s: ev
+                for (s, ev) in iteritems(current_state_ids)
+                if s[0] == EventTypes.Member
+            }
+            txn.call_after(
+                self._state_group_members_cache.update,
+                self._state_group_members_cache.sequence,
+                key=state_group,
+                value=dict(current_member_state_ids),
+            )
+
+            current_non_member_state_ids = {
+                s: ev
+                for (s, ev) in iteritems(current_state_ids)
+                if s[0] != EventTypes.Member
+            }
             txn.call_after(
                 self._state_group_cache.update,
                 self._state_group_cache.sequence,
                 key=state_group,
-                value=dict(current_state_ids),
+                value=dict(current_non_member_state_ids),
             )
 
             return state_group
@@ -1043,12 +1374,12 @@ class StateStore(StateGroupWorkerStore, BackgroundUpdateStore):
                         continue
 
                     prev_state = self._get_state_groups_from_groups_txn(
-                        txn, [prev_group], types=None
+                        txn, [prev_group],
                     )
                     prev_state = prev_state[prev_group]
 
                     curr_state = self._get_state_groups_from_groups_txn(
-                        txn, [state_group], types=None
+                        txn, [state_group],
                     )
                     curr_state = curr_state[state_group]
 
diff --git a/synapse/storage/stream.py b/synapse/storage/stream.py
index 4c296d72c0..d6cfdba519 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/stream.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/stream.py
@@ -630,7 +630,21 @@ class StreamWorkerStore(EventsWorkerStore, SQLBaseStore):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_all_new_events_stream(self, from_id, current_id, limit):
-        """Get all new events"""
+        """Get all new events
+
+         Returns all events with from_id < stream_ordering <= current_id.
+
+         Args:
+             from_id (int):  the stream_ordering of the last event we processed
+             current_id (int):  the stream_ordering of the most recently processed event
+             limit (int): the maximum number of events to return
+
+         Returns:
+             Deferred[Tuple[int, list[FrozenEvent]]]: A tuple of (next_id, events), where
+             `next_id` is the next value to pass as `from_id` (it will either be the
+             stream_ordering of the last returned event, or, if fewer than `limit` events
+             were found, `current_id`.
+         """
 
         def get_all_new_events_stream_txn(txn):
             sql = (
diff --git a/synapse/storage/transactions.py b/synapse/storage/transactions.py
index 428e7fa36e..d8bf953ec0 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/transactions.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/transactions.py
@@ -18,19 +18,19 @@ from collections import namedtuple
 
 import six
 
-from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json, json
+from canonicaljson import encode_canonical_json
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
-from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached
+from synapse.util.caches.expiringcache import ExpiringCache
 
-from ._base import SQLBaseStore
+from ._base import SQLBaseStore, db_to_json
 
 # py2 sqlite has buffer hardcoded as only binary type, so we must use it,
 # despite being deprecated and removed in favor of memoryview
 if six.PY2:
-    db_binary_type = buffer
+    db_binary_type = six.moves.builtins.buffer
 else:
     db_binary_type = memoryview
 
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ _UpdateTransactionRow = namedtuple(
     )
 )
 
+SENTINEL = object()
+
 
 class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
     """A collection of queries for handling PDUs.
@@ -60,6 +62,12 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
 
         self._clock.looping_call(self._start_cleanup_transactions, 30 * 60 * 1000)
 
+        self._destination_retry_cache = ExpiringCache(
+            cache_name="get_destination_retry_timings",
+            clock=self._clock,
+            expiry_ms=5 * 60 * 1000,
+        )
+
     def get_received_txn_response(self, transaction_id, origin):
         """For an incoming transaction from a given origin, check if we have
         already responded to it. If so, return the response code and response
@@ -95,7 +103,8 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         )
 
         if result and result["response_code"]:
-            return result["response_code"], json.loads(str(result["response_json"]))
+            return result["response_code"], db_to_json(result["response_json"])
+
         else:
             return None
 
@@ -155,7 +164,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
         """
         pass
 
-    @cached(max_entries=10000)
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_destination_retry_timings(self, destination):
         """Gets the current retry timings (if any) for a given destination.
 
@@ -166,10 +175,20 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
             None if not retrying
             Otherwise a dict for the retry scheme
         """
-        return self.runInteraction(
+
+        result = self._destination_retry_cache.get(destination, SENTINEL)
+        if result is not SENTINEL:
+            defer.returnValue(result)
+
+        result = yield self.runInteraction(
             "get_destination_retry_timings",
             self._get_destination_retry_timings, destination)
 
+        # We don't hugely care about race conditions between getting and
+        # invalidating the cache, since we time out fairly quickly anyway.
+        self._destination_retry_cache[destination] = result
+        defer.returnValue(result)
+
     def _get_destination_retry_timings(self, txn, destination):
         result = self._simple_select_one_txn(
             txn,
@@ -197,8 +216,7 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
             retry_interval (int) - how long until next retry in ms
         """
 
-        # XXX: we could chose to not bother persisting this if our cache thinks
-        # this is a NOOP
+        self._destination_retry_cache.pop(destination, None)
         return self.runInteraction(
             "set_destination_retry_timings",
             self._set_destination_retry_timings,
@@ -211,10 +229,6 @@ class TransactionStore(SQLBaseStore):
                                        retry_last_ts, retry_interval):
         self.database_engine.lock_table(txn, "destinations")
 
-        self._invalidate_cache_and_stream(
-            txn, self.get_destination_retry_timings, (destination,)
-        )
-
         # We need to be careful here as the data may have changed from under us
         # due to a worker setting the timings.
 
diff --git a/synapse/util/__init__.py b/synapse/util/__init__.py
index 680ea928c7..0ae7e2ef3b 100644
--- a/synapse/util/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/util/__init__.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
+import re
 from itertools import islice
 
 import attr
@@ -68,7 +69,10 @@ class Clock(object):
         """
         call = task.LoopingCall(f)
         call.clock = self._reactor
-        call.start(msec / 1000.0, now=False)
+        d = call.start(msec / 1000.0, now=False)
+        d.addErrback(
+            log_failure, "Looping call died", consumeErrors=False,
+        )
         return call
 
     def call_later(self, delay, callback, *args, **kwargs):
@@ -109,3 +113,53 @@ def batch_iter(iterable, size):
     sourceiter = iter(iterable)
     # call islice until it returns an empty tuple
     return iter(lambda: tuple(islice(sourceiter, size)), ())
+
+
+def log_failure(failure, msg, consumeErrors=True):
+    """Creates a function suitable for passing to `Deferred.addErrback` that
+    logs any failures that occur.
+
+    Args:
+        msg (str): Message to log
+        consumeErrors (bool): If true consumes the failure, otherwise passes
+            on down the callback chain
+
+    Returns:
+        func(Failure)
+    """
+
+    logger.error(
+        msg,
+        exc_info=(
+            failure.type,
+            failure.value,
+            failure.getTracebackObject()
+        )
+    )
+
+    if not consumeErrors:
+        return failure
+
+
+def glob_to_regex(glob):
+    """Converts a glob to a compiled regex object.
+
+    The regex is anchored at the beginning and end of the string.
+
+    Args:
+        glob (str)
+
+    Returns:
+        re.RegexObject
+    """
+    res = ''
+    for c in glob:
+        if c == '*':
+            res = res + '.*'
+        elif c == '?':
+            res = res + '.'
+        else:
+            res = res + re.escape(c)
+
+    # \A anchors at start of string, \Z at end of string
+    return re.compile(r"\A" + res + r"\Z", re.IGNORECASE)
diff --git a/synapse/util/async_helpers.py b/synapse/util/async_helpers.py
index 9b3f2f4b96..ec7b2c9672 100644
--- a/synapse/util/async_helpers.py
+++ b/synapse/util/async_helpers.py
@@ -374,29 +374,25 @@ class ReadWriteLock(object):
         defer.returnValue(_ctx_manager())
 
 
-class DeferredTimeoutError(Exception):
-    """
-    This error is raised by default when a L{Deferred} times out.
-    """
-
+def _cancelled_to_timed_out_error(value, timeout):
+    if isinstance(value, failure.Failure):
+        value.trap(CancelledError)
+        raise defer.TimeoutError(timeout, "Deferred")
+    return value
 
-def add_timeout_to_deferred(deferred, timeout, reactor, on_timeout_cancel=None):
-    """
-    Add a timeout to a deferred by scheduling it to be cancelled after
-    timeout seconds.
 
-    This is essentially a backport of deferred.addTimeout, which was introduced
-    in twisted 16.5.
+def timeout_deferred(deferred, timeout, reactor, on_timeout_cancel=None):
+    """The in built twisted `Deferred.addTimeout` fails to time out deferreds
+    that have a canceller that throws exceptions. This method creates a new
+    deferred that wraps and times out the given deferred, correctly handling
+    the case where the given deferred's canceller throws.
 
-    If the deferred gets timed out, it errbacks with a DeferredTimeoutError,
-    unless a cancelable function was passed to its initialization or unless
-    a different on_timeout_cancel callable is provided.
+    NOTE: Unlike `Deferred.addTimeout`, this function returns a new deferred
 
     Args:
-        deferred (defer.Deferred): deferred to be timed out
-        timeout (Number): seconds to time out after
-        reactor (twisted.internet.reactor): the Twisted reactor to use
-
+        deferred (Deferred)
+        timeout (float): Timeout in seconds
+        reactor (twisted.internet.reactor): The twisted reactor to use
         on_timeout_cancel (callable): A callable which is called immediately
             after the deferred times out, and not if this deferred is
             otherwise cancelled before the timeout.
@@ -406,13 +402,26 @@ def add_timeout_to_deferred(deferred, timeout, reactor, on_timeout_cancel=None):
             the timeout.
 
             The default callable (if none is provided) will translate a
-            CancelledError Failure into a DeferredTimeoutError.
+            CancelledError Failure into a defer.TimeoutError.
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred
     """
+
+    new_d = defer.Deferred()
+
     timed_out = [False]
 
     def time_it_out():
         timed_out[0] = True
-        deferred.cancel()
+
+        try:
+            deferred.cancel()
+        except:   # noqa: E722, if we throw any exception it'll break time outs
+            logger.exception("Canceller failed during timeout")
+
+        if not new_d.called:
+            new_d.errback(defer.TimeoutError(timeout, "Deferred"))
 
     delayed_call = reactor.callLater(timeout, time_it_out)
 
@@ -432,9 +441,14 @@ def add_timeout_to_deferred(deferred, timeout, reactor, on_timeout_cancel=None):
 
     deferred.addBoth(cancel_timeout)
 
+    def success_cb(val):
+        if not new_d.called:
+            new_d.callback(val)
 
-def _cancelled_to_timed_out_error(value, timeout):
-    if isinstance(value, failure.Failure):
-        value.trap(CancelledError)
-        raise DeferredTimeoutError(timeout, "Deferred")
-    return value
+    def failure_cb(val):
+        if not new_d.called:
+            new_d.errback(val)
+
+    deferred.addCallbacks(success_cb, failure_cb)
+
+    return new_d
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py b/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py
index 7b065b195e..f37d5bec08 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
+import logging
 import os
 
 import six
@@ -20,6 +21,8 @@ from six.moves import intern
 
 from prometheus_client.core import REGISTRY, Gauge, GaugeMetricFamily
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR = float(os.environ.get("SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR", 0.5))
 
 
@@ -76,16 +79,20 @@ def register_cache(cache_type, cache_name, cache):
             return []
 
         def collect(self):
-            if cache_type == "response_cache":
-                response_cache_size.labels(cache_name).set(len(cache))
-                response_cache_hits.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits)
-                response_cache_evicted.labels(cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
-                response_cache_total.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits + self.misses)
-            else:
-                cache_size.labels(cache_name).set(len(cache))
-                cache_hits.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits)
-                cache_evicted.labels(cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
-                cache_total.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits + self.misses)
+            try:
+                if cache_type == "response_cache":
+                    response_cache_size.labels(cache_name).set(len(cache))
+                    response_cache_hits.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits)
+                    response_cache_evicted.labels(cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
+                    response_cache_total.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits + self.misses)
+                else:
+                    cache_size.labels(cache_name).set(len(cache))
+                    cache_hits.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits)
+                    cache_evicted.labels(cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
+                    cache_total.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits + self.misses)
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.warn("Error calculating metrics for %s: %s", cache_name, e)
+                raise
 
             yield GaugeMetricFamily("__unused", "")
 
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py b/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py
index ce85b2ae11..f369780277 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py
@@ -16,12 +16,17 @@
 import logging
 from collections import OrderedDict
 
+from six import iteritems, itervalues
+
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.util.caches import register_cache
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
+SENTINEL = object()
+
+
 class ExpiringCache(object):
     def __init__(self, cache_name, clock, max_len=0, expiry_ms=0,
                  reset_expiry_on_get=False, iterable=False):
@@ -54,11 +59,8 @@ class ExpiringCache(object):
 
         self.iterable = iterable
 
-        self._size_estimate = 0
-
         self.metrics = register_cache("expiring", cache_name, self)
 
-    def start(self):
         if not self._expiry_ms:
             # Don't bother starting the loop if things never expire
             return
@@ -75,16 +77,11 @@ class ExpiringCache(object):
         now = self._clock.time_msec()
         self._cache[key] = _CacheEntry(now, value)
 
-        if self.iterable:
-            self._size_estimate += len(value)
-
         # Evict if there are now too many items
         while self._max_len and len(self) > self._max_len:
             _key, value = self._cache.popitem(last=False)
             if self.iterable:
-                removed_len = len(value.value)
-                self.metrics.inc_evictions(removed_len)
-                self._size_estimate -= removed_len
+                self.metrics.inc_evictions(len(value.value))
             else:
                 self.metrics.inc_evictions()
 
@@ -101,6 +98,21 @@ class ExpiringCache(object):
 
         return entry.value
 
+    def pop(self, key, default=SENTINEL):
+        """Removes and returns the value with the given key from the cache.
+
+        If the key isn't in the cache then `default` will be returned if
+        specified, otherwise `KeyError` will get raised.
+
+        Identical functionality to `dict.pop(..)`.
+        """
+
+        value = self._cache.pop(key, default)
+        if value is SENTINEL:
+            raise KeyError(key)
+
+        return value
+
     def __contains__(self, key):
         return key in self._cache
 
@@ -128,14 +140,16 @@ class ExpiringCache(object):
 
         keys_to_delete = set()
 
-        for key, cache_entry in self._cache.items():
+        for key, cache_entry in iteritems(self._cache):
             if now - cache_entry.time > self._expiry_ms:
                 keys_to_delete.add(key)
 
         for k in keys_to_delete:
             value = self._cache.pop(k)
             if self.iterable:
-                self._size_estimate -= len(value.value)
+                self.metrics.inc_evictions(len(value.value))
+            else:
+                self.metrics.inc_evictions()
 
         logger.debug(
             "[%s] _prune_cache before: %d, after len: %d",
@@ -144,12 +158,14 @@ class ExpiringCache(object):
 
     def __len__(self):
         if self.iterable:
-            return self._size_estimate
+            return sum(len(entry.value) for entry in itervalues(self._cache))
         else:
             return len(self._cache)
 
 
 class _CacheEntry(object):
+    __slots__ = ["time", "value"]
+
     def __init__(self, time, value):
         self.time = time
         self.value = value
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py b/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py
index f2bde74dc5..625aedc940 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 
 import logging
 
+from six import integer_types
+
 from sortedcontainers import SortedDict
 
 from synapse.util import caches
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ class StreamChangeCache(object):
     def has_entity_changed(self, entity, stream_pos):
         """Returns True if the entity may have been updated since stream_pos
         """
-        assert type(stream_pos) is int or type(stream_pos) is long
+        assert type(stream_pos) in integer_types
 
         if stream_pos < self._earliest_known_stream_pos:
             self.metrics.inc_misses()
diff --git a/synapse/util/logcontext.py b/synapse/util/logcontext.py
index a0c2d37610..4c6e92beb8 100644
--- a/synapse/util/logcontext.py
+++ b/synapse/util/logcontext.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ See doc/log_contexts.rst for details on how this works.
 import logging
 import threading
 
-from twisted.internet import defer
+from twisted.internet import defer, threads
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class LoggingContext(object):
 
     sentinel = Sentinel()
 
-    def __init__(self, name=None, parent_context=None):
+    def __init__(self, name=None, parent_context=None, request=None):
         self.previous_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
         self.name = name
 
@@ -218,6 +218,13 @@ class LoggingContext(object):
 
         self.parent_context = parent_context
 
+        if self.parent_context is not None:
+            self.parent_context.copy_to(self)
+
+        if request is not None:
+            # the request param overrides the request from the parent context
+            self.request = request
+
     def __str__(self):
         return "%s@%x" % (self.name, id(self))
 
@@ -256,9 +263,6 @@ class LoggingContext(object):
             )
         self.alive = True
 
-        if self.parent_context is not None:
-            self.parent_context.copy_to(self)
-
         return self
 
     def __exit__(self, type, value, traceback):
@@ -439,6 +443,35 @@ class PreserveLoggingContext(object):
                 )
 
 
+def nested_logging_context(suffix, parent_context=None):
+    """Creates a new logging context as a child of another.
+
+    The nested logging context will have a 'request' made up of the parent context's
+    request, plus the given suffix.
+
+    CPU/db usage stats will be added to the parent context's on exit.
+
+    Normal usage looks like:
+
+        with nested_logging_context(suffix):
+            # ... do stuff
+
+    Args:
+        suffix (str): suffix to add to the parent context's 'request'.
+        parent_context (LoggingContext|None): parent context. Will use the current context
+            if None.
+
+    Returns:
+        LoggingContext: new logging context.
+    """
+    if parent_context is None:
+        parent_context = LoggingContext.current_context()
+    return LoggingContext(
+        parent_context=parent_context,
+        request=parent_context.request + "-" + suffix,
+    )
+
+
 def preserve_fn(f):
     """Function decorator which wraps the function with run_in_background"""
     def g(*args, **kwargs):
@@ -529,58 +562,76 @@ def _set_context_cb(result, context):
     return result
 
 
-# modules to ignore in `logcontext_tracer`
-_to_ignore = [
-    "synapse.util.logcontext",
-    "synapse.http.server",
-    "synapse.storage._base",
-    "synapse.util.async_helpers",
-]
+def defer_to_thread(reactor, f, *args, **kwargs):
+    """
+    Calls the function `f` using a thread from the reactor's default threadpool and
+    returns the result as a Deferred.
+
+    Creates a new logcontext for `f`, which is created as a child of the current
+    logcontext (so its CPU usage metrics will get attributed to the current
+    logcontext). `f` should preserve the logcontext it is given.
 
+    The result deferred follows the Synapse logcontext rules: you should `yield`
+    on it.
+
+    Args:
+        reactor (twisted.internet.base.ReactorBase): The reactor in whose main thread
+            the Deferred will be invoked, and whose threadpool we should use for the
+            function.
 
-def logcontext_tracer(frame, event, arg):
-    """A tracer that logs whenever a logcontext "unexpectedly" changes within
-    a function. Probably inaccurate.
+            Normally this will be hs.get_reactor().
 
-    Use by calling `sys.settrace(logcontext_tracer)` in the main thread.
+        f (callable): The function to call.
+
+        args: positional arguments to pass to f.
+
+        kwargs: keyword arguments to pass to f.
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred: A Deferred which fires a callback with the result of `f`, or an
+            errback if `f` throws an exception.
     """
-    if event == 'call':
-        name = frame.f_globals["__name__"]
-        if name.startswith("synapse"):
-            if name == "synapse.util.logcontext":
-                if frame.f_code.co_name in ["__enter__", "__exit__"]:
-                    tracer = frame.f_back.f_trace
-                    if tracer:
-                        tracer.just_changed = True
-
-            tracer = frame.f_trace
-            if tracer:
-                return tracer
-
-            if not any(name.startswith(ig) for ig in _to_ignore):
-                return LineTracer()
-
-
-class LineTracer(object):
-    __slots__ = ["context", "just_changed"]
-
-    def __init__(self):
-        self.context = LoggingContext.current_context()
-        self.just_changed = False
-
-    def __call__(self, frame, event, arg):
-        if event in 'line':
-            if self.just_changed:
-                self.context = LoggingContext.current_context()
-                self.just_changed = False
-            else:
-                c = LoggingContext.current_context()
-                if c != self.context:
-                    logger.info(
-                        "Context changed! %s -> %s, %s, %s",
-                        self.context, c,
-                        frame.f_code.co_filename, frame.f_lineno
-                    )
-                    self.context = c
+    return defer_to_threadpool(reactor, reactor.getThreadPool(), f, *args, **kwargs)
 
-        return self
+
+def defer_to_threadpool(reactor, threadpool, f, *args, **kwargs):
+    """
+    A wrapper for twisted.internet.threads.deferToThreadpool, which handles
+    logcontexts correctly.
+
+    Calls the function `f` using a thread from the given threadpool and returns
+    the result as a Deferred.
+
+    Creates a new logcontext for `f`, which is created as a child of the current
+    logcontext (so its CPU usage metrics will get attributed to the current
+    logcontext). `f` should preserve the logcontext it is given.
+
+    The result deferred follows the Synapse logcontext rules: you should `yield`
+    on it.
+
+    Args:
+        reactor (twisted.internet.base.ReactorBase): The reactor in whose main thread
+            the Deferred will be invoked. Normally this will be hs.get_reactor().
+
+        threadpool (twisted.python.threadpool.ThreadPool): The threadpool to use for
+            running `f`. Normally this will be hs.get_reactor().getThreadPool().
+
+        f (callable): The function to call.
+
+        args: positional arguments to pass to f.
+
+        kwargs: keyword arguments to pass to f.
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred: A Deferred which fires a callback with the result of `f`, or an
+            errback if `f` throws an exception.
+    """
+    logcontext = LoggingContext.current_context()
+
+    def g():
+        with LoggingContext(parent_context=logcontext):
+            return f(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    return make_deferred_yieldable(
+        threads.deferToThreadPool(reactor, threadpool, g)
+    )
diff --git a/synapse/util/manhole.py b/synapse/util/manhole.py
index 14be3c7396..9cb7e9c9ab 100644
--- a/synapse/util/manhole.py
+++ b/synapse/util/manhole.py
@@ -19,22 +19,40 @@ from twisted.conch.ssh.keys import Key
 from twisted.cred import checkers, portal
 
 PUBLIC_KEY = (
-    "ssh-rsa AAAAB3NzaC1yc2EAAAABIwAAAGEArzJx8OYOnJmzf4tfBEvLi8DVPrJ3/c9k2I/Az"
-    "64fxjHf9imyRJbixtQhlH9lfNjUIx+4LmrJH5QNRsFporcHDKOTwTTYLh5KmRpslkYHRivcJS"
-    "kbh/C+BR3utDS555mV"
+    "ssh-rsa AAAAB3NzaC1yc2EAAAADAQABAAABAQDHhGATaW4KhE23+7nrH4jFx3yLq9OjaEs5"
+    "XALqeK+7385NlLja3DE/DO9mGhnd9+bAy39EKT3sTV6+WXQ4yD0TvEEyUEMtjWkSEm6U32+C"
+    "DaS3TW/vPBUMeJQwq+Ydcif1UlnpXrDDTamD0AU9VaEvHq+3HAkipqn0TGpKON6aqk4vauDx"
+    "oXSsV5TXBVrxP/y7HpMOpU4GUWsaaacBTKKNnUaQB4UflvydaPJUuwdaCUJGTMjbhWrjVfK+"
+    "jslseSPxU6XvrkZMyCr4znxvuDxjMk1RGIdO7v+rbBMLEgqtSMNqJbYeVCnj2CFgc3fcTcld"
+    "X2uOJDrJb/WRlHulthCh"
 )
 
 PRIVATE_KEY = """-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----
-MIIByAIBAAJhAK8ycfDmDpyZs3+LXwRLy4vA1T6yd/3PZNiPwM+uH8Yx3/YpskSW
-4sbUIZR/ZXzY1CMfuC5qyR+UDUbBaaK3Bwyjk8E02C4eSpkabJZGB0Yr3CUpG4fw
-vgUd7rQ0ueeZlQIBIwJgbh+1VZfr7WftK5lu7MHtqE1S1vPWZQYE3+VUn8yJADyb
-Z4fsZaCrzW9lkIqXkE3GIY+ojdhZhkO1gbG0118sIgphwSWKRxK0mvh6ERxKqIt1
-xJEJO74EykXZV4oNJ8sjAjEA3J9r2ZghVhGN6V8DnQrTk24Td0E8hU8AcP0FVP+8
-PQm/g/aXf2QQkQT+omdHVEJrAjEAy0pL0EBH6EVS98evDCBtQw22OZT52qXlAwZ2
-gyTriKFVoqjeEjt3SZKKqXHSApP/AjBLpF99zcJJZRq2abgYlf9lv1chkrWqDHUu
-DZttmYJeEfiFBBavVYIF1dOlZT0G8jMCMBc7sOSZodFnAiryP+Qg9otSBjJ3bQML
-pSTqy7c3a2AScC/YyOwkDaICHnnD3XyjMwIxALRzl0tQEKMXs6hH8ToUdlLROCrP
-EhQ0wahUTCk1gKA4uPD6TMTChavbh4K63OvbKg==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 -----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----"""
 
 
@@ -52,6 +70,8 @@ def manhole(username, password, globals):
     Returns:
         twisted.internet.protocol.Factory: A factory to pass to ``listenTCP``
     """
+    if not isinstance(password, bytes):
+        password = password.encode('ascii')
 
     checker = checkers.InMemoryUsernamePasswordDatabaseDontUse(
         **{username: password}
@@ -64,7 +84,7 @@ def manhole(username, password, globals):
     )
 
     factory = manhole_ssh.ConchFactory(portal.Portal(rlm, [checker]))
-    factory.publicKeys['ssh-rsa'] = Key.fromString(PUBLIC_KEY)
-    factory.privateKeys['ssh-rsa'] = Key.fromString(PRIVATE_KEY)
+    factory.publicKeys[b'ssh-rsa'] = Key.fromString(PUBLIC_KEY)
+    factory.privateKeys[b'ssh-rsa'] = Key.fromString(PRIVATE_KEY)
 
     return factory
diff --git a/synapse/util/metrics.py b/synapse/util/metrics.py
index 97f1267380..4b4ac5f6c7 100644
--- a/synapse/util/metrics.py
+++ b/synapse/util/metrics.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from prometheus_client import Counter
 
 from twisted.internet import defer
 
+from synapse.metrics import InFlightGauge
 from synapse.util.logcontext import LoggingContext
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -45,6 +46,13 @@ block_db_txn_duration = Counter(
 block_db_sched_duration = Counter(
     "synapse_util_metrics_block_db_sched_duration_seconds", "", ["block_name"])
 
+# Tracks the number of blocks currently active
+in_flight = InFlightGauge(
+    "synapse_util_metrics_block_in_flight", "",
+    labels=["block_name"],
+    sub_metrics=["real_time_max", "real_time_sum"],
+)
+
 
 def measure_func(name):
     def wrapper(func):
@@ -82,10 +90,14 @@ class Measure(object):
 
         self.start_usage = self.start_context.get_resource_usage()
 
+        in_flight.register((self.name,), self._update_in_flight)
+
     def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):
         if isinstance(exc_type, Exception) or not self.start_context:
             return
 
+        in_flight.unregister((self.name,), self._update_in_flight)
+
         duration = self.clock.time() - self.start
 
         block_counter.labels(self.name).inc()
@@ -120,3 +132,13 @@ class Measure(object):
 
         if self.created_context:
             self.start_context.__exit__(exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb)
+
+    def _update_in_flight(self, metrics):
+        """Gets called when processing in flight metrics
+        """
+        duration = self.clock.time() - self.start
+
+        metrics.real_time_max = max(metrics.real_time_max, duration)
+        metrics.real_time_sum += duration
+
+        # TODO: Add other in flight metrics.
diff --git a/synapse/util/retryutils.py b/synapse/util/retryutils.py
index 8a3a06fd74..26cce7d197 100644
--- a/synapse/util/retryutils.py
+++ b/synapse/util/retryutils.py
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class RetryDestinationLimiter(object):
             else:
                 self.retry_interval = self.min_retry_interval
 
-            logger.debug(
+            logger.info(
                 "Connection to %s was unsuccessful (%s(%s)); backoff now %i",
                 self.destination, exc_type, exc_val, self.retry_interval
             )
diff --git a/synapse/visibility.py b/synapse/visibility.py
index d4680863d3..0281a7c919 100644
--- a/synapse/visibility.py
+++ b/synapse/visibility.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 
 from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes, Membership
 from synapse.events.utils import prune_event
+from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.types import get_domain_from_id
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ def filter_events_for_client(store, user_id, events, is_peeking=False,
     )
     event_id_to_state = yield store.get_state_for_events(
         frozenset(e.event_id for e in events),
-        types=types,
+        state_filter=StateFilter.from_types(types),
     )
 
     ignore_dict_content = yield store.get_global_account_data_by_type_for_user(
@@ -219,7 +220,7 @@ def filter_events_for_server(store, server_name, events):
     # Whatever else we do, we need to check for senders which have requested
     # erasure of their data.
     erased_senders = yield store.are_users_erased(
-        e.sender for e in events,
+        (e.sender for e in events),
     )
 
     def redact_disallowed(event, state):
@@ -273,8 +274,8 @@ def filter_events_for_server(store, server_name, events):
     # need to check membership (as we know the server is in the room).
     event_to_state_ids = yield store.get_state_ids_for_events(
         frozenset(e.event_id for e in events),
-        types=(
-            (EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility, ""),
+        state_filter=StateFilter.from_types(
+            types=((EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility, ""),),
         )
     )
 
@@ -314,9 +315,11 @@ def filter_events_for_server(store, server_name, events):
     # of the history vis and membership state at those events.
     event_to_state_ids = yield store.get_state_ids_for_events(
         frozenset(e.event_id for e in events),
-        types=(
-            (EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility, ""),
-            (EventTypes.Member, None),
+        state_filter=StateFilter.from_types(
+            types=(
+                (EventTypes.RoomHistoryVisibility, ""),
+                (EventTypes.Member, None),
+            ),
         )
     )
 
@@ -324,14 +327,13 @@ def filter_events_for_server(store, server_name, events):
     # server's domain.
     #
     # event_to_state_ids contains lots of duplicates, so it turns out to be
-    # cheaper to build a complete set of unique
-    # ((type, state_key), event_id) tuples, and then filter out the ones we
-    # don't want.
+    # cheaper to build a complete event_id => (type, state_key) dict, and then
+    # filter out the ones we don't want
     #
-    state_key_to_event_id_set = {
-        e
+    event_id_to_state_key = {
+        event_id: key
         for key_to_eid in itervalues(event_to_state_ids)
-        for e in key_to_eid.items()
+        for key, event_id in iteritems(key_to_eid)
     }
 
     def include(typ, state_key):
@@ -346,7 +348,7 @@ def filter_events_for_server(store, server_name, events):
 
     event_map = yield store.get_events([
         e_id
-        for key, e_id in state_key_to_event_id_set
+        for e_id, key in iteritems(event_id_to_state_key)
         if include(key[0], key[1])
     ])