Abstract: A router receives a request to access a resource. In response to the request, the router identifies routing metadata comprising first metadata specifying a first location of the resource and a first merit value and second metadata specifying a second location of the resource and a second merit value. The router determines, based at least in part on the first merit value of the first metadata and the second merit value of the second metadata, an authoritative state of the resource associated with the first location or the second location. Based at least in part on the determination, the router identifies a preferred location for a new resource. In the event of a rollback, merit values are assigned to cause a reversal of the preferred path for the creation of new resources.