Matlock (1983: Doomsday)

Matlock is a confederation of towns in former Derbyshire, United Kingdom. Lying on an 8.8 mile stretch of the east banks of the River Derwent, it is surrounded by a wall 8.9 miles (14.5km) long on its eastern border. After Doomsday Matlock became a market town, but under former MP-cum-dictator Greg Knight it grew to become a haven for drugs growth, gambling, prostitution, and mercenary activity. Despite having almost nothing in the way of agriculture or industry the confederation remains comfortable from the profits from its activities and intimidation of local farming communities.

Pre-Doomsday
A former spa town, Matlock lay on the River Derwent, and has prospered from both the hydrotherapy industry (a post-Doomsday selling point) and the mills constructed on the river and it tributary Bentley Brook. It was an unimportant collection of small villages — Matlock Town, Matlock Green, Matlock Bridge, Matlock Bank — until thermal springs were discovered in 1698. The population increased rapidly in the 1800s, largely due to hugely popular hydros being built. At one stage there were around twenty hydros, most on Matlock Bank. The largest was built in 1853 by John Smedley. This closed in 1954, and re-opened in 1955 as the headquarters of the Derbyshire County Council.

Doomsday
Matlock and its neighbours were not directly affected by Doomsday; no nuclear weapons were detonated in the immediate vicinity. However, Chesterfield (ten miles to the northwest) was half-destroyed when a malfunctioning warhead detonated slightly too early, and was later consumed by a firestorm; furthermore, several devices were detonated twenty or more miles distant - the cities of Derby, Sheffield, Nottingham, and numerous others over Greater Manchester.

Geography
Matlock lies on the east bank of the River Derwent as it flows through Derbyshire. It is enclosed by a large stone which was built to repel raiders, though having been without a major attack for years this wall now is as much about delivering an imposing image as it is for defense. This wall is built along high ground wherever possible; the valley is so steep that there is over a hundred metres difference between its highest and lowest points. The wall connects to the restored Riber Castle which overlooks the south side of the town of Matlock.

The Matlock Confederation is composed of several towns and villages. From north to south:
 * Rowsley
 * Darley Dale
 * Hackney
 * Matlock

Foreign relations
Matlock's relationships with other nearby powers varies. It has numerous opponents, but Matlock lacks the army to deal with them, and its opponents generally lack the motive to attack. It also has numerous friendly city-states; Alfreton, ten miles to the southeast, is a fairly close ally of Matlock and provides the confederation with coal. Matlock generally puts this coal to its own use or resells it to visitors at massive prices. Its novelty and unique trade opportunities mean that nomadic clans and tribes generally try to avoid behaviour that would see them banned from the walled state.

It has been encountered by expeditions from the Celtic Alliance, Duchy of Lancaster and the Kingdom of Cleveland, all of whom made note of the state's considerable moral decay. The state briefly entertained a detachment of troops from the True British Army in the mid-90s, but the garrison left when it was decided the state was far too remote to be a useful command centre.