Maryland

Maryland has emerged from the chaos of the past decades as a fractured, uneasy territory. Though it avoided direct occupation during the Wars of 2021 and 2030, the fallout from those conflicts and the destruction of Washington, D.C., during the 2030 Incident have left the state economically and socially unstable. The suburban tracts that once defined Maryland are now gutted monuments to a vanished era, while its cities are battlegrounds for a more grounded yet no less dangerous conflict—one waged between street gangs, biker crews, and shadowy criminal enterprises.

The Suburban Collapse

The suburbs of Maryland, particularly those surrounding the former capital, were devastated by waves of refugees and conflict-induced neglect. These once-prosperous neighborhoods now stand abandoned, their empty homes overtaken by squatters, vandals, and criminal elements. The lack of government intervention in these areas has turned them into sprawling gray zones—regions where neither law nor infrastructure exists.

Gangs have carved up the suburban ruins, turning neighborhoods into de facto fiefdoms. These groups enforce their own rules, engage in constant turf wars, and exploit the abandoned homes for hideouts, drug production, and human trafficking.

The Exiles of D.C.

When Washington, D.C., was destroyed in 2030, the survivors who had previously sought refuge under military protection in the District poured back into Maryland. This mass migration has overwhelmed Maryland’s urban centers, leading to overcrowded slums and a deep resentment among locals. Former D.C. residents have formed tight-knit communities in places like Greenbelt and College Park, often at odds with Maryland natives over resources and opportunities.

Baltimore: The Capital of Chaos

Baltimore has become Maryland’s de facto center of power, but it is a power that operates more like a feudal city-state than a unified government. The city's economy revolves around black markets, smuggling, and illicit trades, as legitimate industries struggle to function in the face of rampant crime and political corruption.

Gang Warfare:

Baltimore’s streets are dominated by rival factions locked in a brutal struggle for dominance.

• The Harbor Rats: A vicious street gang controlling Baltimore’s ports. They thrive on smuggling weapons, drugs, and contraband through the city’s shipping lanes and extort local businesses.
• The Ravens’ Fangs: A biker gang notorious for their fast-moving raids and control of major highways. Their fleet of modified motorcycles and trucks allows them to dominate both local and intercity trade routes.
• The Iron Saints: A more disciplined and militaristic group that rose from disbanded private security forces after the wars. They control parts of the city’s downtown, offering “protection” to residents while running protection rackets.

The Slums of the Inner Harbor:

Once a tourist destination, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is now a slum packed with refugees and displaced locals. Makeshift shanties rise alongside the crumbling high-rises, and the waterways are choked with garbage and derelict boats. The Harbor Rats hold sway here, but no one group has full control, making the area a hotbed of crime and conflict.

The Black Market Hub:

Despite the chaos, Baltimore has become one of the East Coast’s largest black market hubs. Everything from weapons to rare medical supplies to high-tech augmentations can be found here—for a price. The city’s markets are frequented by mercenaries, smugglers, and desperate survivors from across the region, making it a dangerous but lucrative place for trade.

Street Gangs and Crime Across Maryland

• The Highway Lords: Biker gangs like the Highway Lords have taken control of Maryland’s highways and major roads. They operate with brutal efficiency, extorting travelers and convoys in exchange for “safe passage.” The bikers are particularly dominant in rural Maryland, where law enforcement is practically nonexistent.
  The Concrete Kings:
• In the remains of suburban cities like Rockville and Silver Spring, the Concrete Kings dominate. This gang specializes in arms dealing and has a reputation for ruthlessness. They’ve fortified abandoned malls and shopping centers, turning them into heavily guarded strongholds.
• The Beltway Shadow: The ruins of the Capitol Beltway are controlled by a loose coalition of smaller gangs that prey on anyone brave—or foolish—enough to travel through the area. These groups frequently clash with biker gangs for control of strategic points like overpasses and interchanges.

Criminal Economies

• Drug Production: Maryland’s gangs have turned the abandoned suburbs into drug labs and grow operations. The isolation of these areas makes them ideal for producing synthetic drugs and high-potency narcotics, which are then smuggled into urban centers.
• Human Trafficking: The economic collapse and influx of refugees have fueled an underground trade in human trafficking. Vulnerable populations, especially those displaced by the destruction of D.C., are exploited by gangs who profit from forced labor and prostitution rings.
• Weapons and Augmentations: Though cybernetic technology remains rare, Maryland’s black markets are a major source of illegal weapons and basic augmentations. Stolen military tech and scavenged hardware from the wars are frequently modified and sold to mercenaries and gang members.

Points of Interest in Maryland

• The Fort Meade Corridor: Once a hub of cybersecurity and intelligence, the area around Fort Meade is now a shadow of its former self. The military withdrew after the wars, leaving behind empty office parks and high-security installations that have been repurposed by gangs and mercenary groups.
• Annapolis Refuge: Annapolis has managed to maintain some semblance of order, becoming a rare safe zone in the chaos. The city functions as a fortified enclave, governed by a coalition of local leaders and former military personnel. However, this stability comes at a cost: Annapolis has strict entry requirements and little tolerance for outsiders.
• The Eastern Shore: Maryland’s Eastern Shore has become a haven for those seeking to escape the violence of the state’s urban centers. Small farming communities survive here, but the isolation makes them vulnerable to raids by biker gangs and roving criminals.

Maryland’s Future

The state remains deeply fractured, with little in the way of central authority. Baltimore’s dominance and the continued rise of gang power suggest that Maryland is unlikely to see peace anytime soon. Instead, it has adapted to its new reality, becoming a region where survival is determined by alliances, resources, and the ability to navigate a treacherous landscape of crime and violence.