diff --git a/levelup/commands/owner.py b/levelup/commands/owner.py
index dc07aba..401c260 100644
--- a/levelup/commands/owner.py
+++ b/levelup/commands/owner.py
@@ -308,12 +308,12 @@ class Owner(MixinMeta):
         If no value is provided, shows the current setting.
         """
         if enabled is None:
-            current = await self.db.get_use_skia()
+            current = self.db.get_use_skia()
             return await ctx.send(
                 f"Skia image generation is currently {'enabled' if current else 'disabled'}."
             )
         
-        await self.db.set_use_skia(enabled)
+        self.db.set_use_skia(enabled)
         await ctx.send(
             f"Skia image generation has been {'enabled' if enabled else 'disabled'}."
         )
diff --git a/levelup/common/db.py b/levelup/common/db.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ed3045
--- /dev/null
+++ b/levelup/common/db.py
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+"""Database management for the LevelUp cog."""
+
+import typing as t
+import msgpack
+from pathlib import Path
+import logging
+
+log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+class DB:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.configs: t.Dict[int, GuildSettings] = {}
+        self.cache_seconds = 300
+        self.render_gifs = True
+        self.use_skia = True
+        self.force_embeds = False
+        self.ignore_bots = True
+        self.auto_cleanup = False
+        self.ignored_guilds: t.List[int] = []
+        self.external_api_url = None
+        self.internal_api_port = None
+
+    def save(self):
+        """Save the database to disk"""
+        data = {
+            "cache_seconds": self.cache_seconds,
+            "render_gifs": self.render_gifs,
+            "use_skia": self.use_skia,
+            "force_embeds": self.force_embeds,
+            "ignore_bots": self.ignore_bots,
+            "auto_cleanup": self.auto_cleanup,
+            "ignored_guilds": self.ignored_guilds,
+            "external_api_url": self.external_api_url,
+            "internal_api_port": self.internal_api_port,
+            "configs": {},
+        }
+        for guild_id, conf in self.configs.items():
+            data["configs"][guild_id] = conf.to_json()
+        with open(DB_PATH, "wb") as f:
+            msgpack.dump(data, f)
+
+    def load(self):
+        """Load the database from disk"""
+        if not DB_PATH.exists():
+            self.save()
+            return
+        try:
+            with open(DB_PATH, "rb") as f:
+                data = msgpack.load(f)
+            self.cache_seconds = data.get("cache_seconds", 300)
+            self.render_gifs = data.get("render_gifs", True)
+            self.use_skia = data.get("use_skia", True)
+            self.force_embeds = data.get("force_embeds", False)
+            self.ignore_bots = data.get("ignore_bots", True)
+            self.auto_cleanup = data.get("auto_cleanup", False)
+            self.ignored_guilds = data.get("ignored_guilds", [])
+            self.external_api_url = data.get("external_api_url")
+            self.internal_api_port = data.get("internal_api_port")
+            for guild_id, conf_data in data.get("configs", {}).items():
+                self.configs[guild_id] = GuildSettings.from_json(conf_data)
+        except Exception as e:
+            log.error("Error loading database", exc_info=e)
+            if DB_PATH.exists():
+                backup_path = DB_PATH.with_suffix(".bak")
+                DB_PATH.rename(backup_path)
+                log.info(f"Backed up corrupt database to {backup_path}")
+            self.save()
+
+    def set_use_skia(self, value: bool):
+        """Set whether to use Skia for image generation."""
+        self.use_skia = value
+        self.save()
+
+    def get_use_skia(self) -> bool:
+        """Get whether to use Skia for image generation."""
+        return self.use_skia 
\ No newline at end of file