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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ExploderWizard" data-source="post: 5216028" data-attributes="member: 66434">The old phrase "just because it didn't work doesn't mean it was a bad idea" applies here. The answer to your question depends on how the situation was played out.  This can viewed several different ways. A feigned surrender could be seen as a bluff of sorts. The only real failure on the part of the DM here would be the assignment of autofail due to being unforseen. This is why motivations for NPC's are important. Suppose the orcs have a policy to strip and bind all captives then present them to chief who enjoys hearing pleas for mercy before slowly boiling the captives? If the PC's surrender in this case then the likely result will be a slow death by stewpot with perhaps a tiny sliver of hope for an escape once they realize the gravity of their mistake.  On the other hand, what if the orcs are engaged in a bitter feud with some hobgoblins? The orc chief wants any non-hobgoblin captives disarmed but brought to him for possible discussions of an alliance. In this case the PC's get a meeting with the boss and a chance to discuss business or at least get a measure of him during the meeting.  Knowing about what drives the orcs plays a large role in deciding the success or failure on any attempted plan. If the PC's attempt to find out any information about the orcs then perhaps they will gain some insight about the likelihood of certain schemes working.</blockquote>