I wish Meta-Game Awareness is a feat available so I can explain about the Styx Oarsman and Rule of Three. Played in Planescape PBP using a blood-thristy half-orc druid avenger named bloodseeker.
"Any further comments besides the lack of broken crockery?"
Finrod asks the Company; "Come. Let us set up an ambush for the ones that will certainly return with reinforcements." He pointedly does not help to bury the bodies.
What precautions are you looking to take?
Sunaj suggests to litter the probable attack vectors with broken crockery.
Sunaj decides not to unleash the full fury of his arcane might as the proximity of the company's melee combatants to the priestess may prove disastrous. Instead, he cloaks his form once more, as he moves to the rear of the enemy.
Sunaj passes the time taking cover and observing the drow, noting their colors and other insignia. "Conserve your spells, drow are very resistant to magic. Hit them with spells only if absolutely necessary."
Sunaj waits for any leader types to appear, now that he has revealed his magic.
"After checking the map, I see three locations where ambushes would be easiest. Two spots where we would be when you journey on the second day, and one on third day , almost as you are leaving. I also see a couple of places that would be nicely defensible if we are spending the night."
"The other thing of note is that there are ridges and hillocks all along our path, so it is feasable that we could be ambushed along the way, just that there's less cover than would be optimal for a 40-some-odd force."
While everyone is sleeping, Sunaj takes advantage of the power of his ring and works through the night, to discover other possible attack vectors that may be launched against the part as they journey through Spider Haunt and the Gap.
I remember reading about these places in Shadowdale, Book 1 of the Avatar Trilogy.
"Anyone have an estimate of the number of hours to get to the area in question? I want to time our arrival in the area around just past noon to give us the advantage of daylight."
"Based on my readings Shadow Gap and Spiderhaunt are the more likely ambush areas."
"We will need a plan indeed...but as I'm sure we all know no plan, even the most carefully thought out can cope with every eventuality...So let us have a basic plan..a simple one that can adapt to circumstances."
"These Drow count many fiends amongst their allies....servants of the foul Goddess they serve..I am equipped and trained to deal with such...my role therefore is clear..what of the rest of you?"
"Don't worry about my role. I have a high art: I wound with cruelty those who wound me."
"Now anyone has a map of the area we're going to?"
We need to send this baby to the next page before it starts giving us dots.
"We need the map to determine the most likely place for an ambush and from there determine the points from which we can launch a counter-ambush."
"Aside from what you have said, Onyx, I would like to add that some highborn drow do exhibit 'talent' above the norm, some levitate, while still others do have the power to look into the hearts of men."
"That said: there are some drow who have thrown off their fear of the surface world and can operate here without penalty. But they are most often non-Lolth worshipping outcasts. But does not mean that they are not dangerous. Because they all are DANGEROUS."
Oh and have I seduced the little minx? I rolled a 32.
Sunaj removes his hat and back returns his mixed-blooded countenance. "So, you see what I am proposing to use against the drow is: trickery and misdirection. Anyone here have a problem with underhanded tactics? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
In the IC thread, we need to get a map. From there we determine the likely point from where the drow emerged onto the surface; the location of the survivors; the place where the battle happened and the route the caravan was taking.
With these info, we then divine the possible dispostions of the drow, which we can then use as premises for our trap... (if they are waiting a certain point then we can tempt them with a bait that will most likely get them all killed.) Drow have a low opinion of non-drow that they usually underestimate us, but hey they're different.
Using hat of disguise. In case they put in their mind that I am actually a drow, ready action to use dimension door. I know it's stupid, but dumber things have happened in RL and in RPG.
His image shimmers suddenly a drow is now in front of everyone.
Sunaj raises his left eyebrow at Finrod's tirade. He smiles and whispers to Finrod.
In Elven
Spoiler:
"What would you have me do cower inside a cave or depart this continent like what your people have done?
To the hearing of everyone, he declares that:
"The poison the drow use is not intended to kill but only to incapacitate. Slaves are a prime commodity in the Underdark. Tis a rare drow who will not attempt to capture slaves."
"Master Umil, I pray you for a guide to the survivors."
"Lady Kara, the recovery of the survivors would surely hasten if you grace them with your presence."