The setting being the party are members of a trading caravan, travelling though a mediaeval  world.
Latest event was held at Candlestone, Wales. Further out than the usual sites, but since the players had decided the trading caravan was going to the Jaguar Sun Empire, which involved an IC sea crossing, a sandy coastal site was very apropriate. The weather was glorious. As always, food is included in the event price, which helps keep 24hr time in, no dropping OOC to cook/leave site for a chippy. Sitting in the sun, while a wench cooks slabs of meat and a chap plays lovely tunes on a harp was amazingly atmospheric.

After the usual quick briefing from a friendly ref, we were given our metal IC coins, and headed off across the sand dunes. We met up with some Celestial Knights escorting a missionary who had also been dropped off by a recent ship, and we headed inland together. A local guide showed us to a campsite where traders were requested to stay, until the neccessary paperwork was completed to allow further exploration into the interiour, towards the city. There was another trader already present, cooking over the campfire. Near two gravestones. This was our first inkling that the trade would not run as smoothly as hoped. She had been waiting for the paperwork to be completed for the last six month, with two other traders, who had died while waiting. Fortunatly we had aquired the services of a noble sponsor before setting sail, so we hoped that our stay would be shorter.

A quiet evening for me, discussing the pay of the guards, buying food off the trader and drinking in the tavern. Like most people, I slept in the IC camp. And was awakened in the early hours by sounds of violent disagreements between caravan members. (There is some friction due to different nationalities having different histories/politics/attitudes/religions) In this case, it was between those who felt all the caravan members should share their property with the entire caravan, particularly after death, and those who believe in looting the fallen and profiting personally. Turns out, some people react violently when called a thief. :-)

There was the usual impressive effort with site dressing, not only was there a candle-lit IC tavern in the camp, but the locals had one as well, with all tables and walls covered, and even some hangings on the ceiling. And an office in a compound. And the ruined castle needed to be explored. And the circle of sand infront of the throne for the duel to the death. And the ritual involving burying a body.

The locals had suitable robes for the heat, with certain people showing their status and allegience with makeup and feather masks. Being able to work out which people we needed to discuss politics with, and which ones to stick to trade matters due to the colour of their feathers and makeup created more tension. (Some were willing to trade with foreigners, others thought we were abominations. Some only thought we were abominations if any of their countrymen were around.)

The on-going levels of distrust is fantastic, one chap has already admitted the reason originally given for him joining us was untrue, which means alot of previously accepted information is being revalued, information is being shared, but how accurate is it?
We've discovered the world is far larger than we believed, we're still getting unwanted attention from the assassin's guild, a charming chap called Giovanni appears to be playing with us like a cat with a mouse, but does that make him evil, or is he mostly talk? We're turning a nice profit, but at what cost?

http://www.nyctophobia.org.uk/
next event is 10-12 August, Harmer Green Scout Camp, Welwyn, and I for one can't wait. :-)