Demonic Ambush: Need Some DM Help

[Pants]

So for my next game this weekend I'm planning to have my PC's get ambushed by some mean and p.o.ed demons. I've pretty much set up how the ambush is going to occur (somewhat...), but my real problem is with the challenge of the encounter. Personally, I want this to be a challenging fight, but my PC's are very inconsistant when it comes to fighting things. They aren't the most stat high group either, but well here's a rundown of the PC's (I hope my players don't read this site...)

10th lvl Dwarven Rogue TN
10th lvl Sun Elf Wizard 'LG'
8th lvl Gnomish Druid CN
9th Human lvl Cleric NG

Now what I do want to do is challenge them and the demons are being ordered to take prisoners (some may die, but they're going for prisoners. It's all in the plot ) and I'm horrible with CR's and EL's. But here's a rundown of what they're up against:

2 Human Wizards both lvl 7 (memorized mostly hold or other based spells eg Ray of Enfeeble and Hold person. Both have a Dimension Anchor Memorized)
8 Human Guards (low lvl Warriors)
1 Human Expert 5/Aristocrat 3 (Yes, he is a combatant)
3 Bar-lguras (from BoVD)
2 Rutterkin (from BoVD as well)
8 Manes (see above)
8 Dretches
1 Succubus Advanced to 9 HD with a snazzy sword and some upped stats

I guess I should give a rundown of the quest, as things will make a bit more sense. Basically, the world that I run is a psuedo-low magic world and the characters have just learned about large caches of magic weapons that are being made by some unknown group. The weapons are throughly evil (they cause the wielder to go into a Berserk like state) that are being used to spread chaos all over the land. The characters managed to make off with half of the load of weapons and dump them in the ocean. They are now coming to the location of the last batch of weapons (located in a large city) and are going to try to get rid of them as well. The last time they managed to get away without spilling any blood, but this time the 'evil bad dudes' will be prepared.

The Succubus is impersonating a Guard and has a Misdirect spell cast on her. She will essentially be the trap springer. The Manes and Dretches are all covered with Silent Images (representing large crates), the Barlgura's are Invisible along with the Wizards who are maintaining the Silent Images. The Rutterkin and the Guards are hiding in a set of boxes (the openings covered by Illusionary Walls) and all are awaiting the word of the Succubus.

Now, I'm trying to make this a difficult encounter, one where they may get away or they get captured. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Note: The weapons they are searching for do detect as Evil, but if the Cleric of the group has a Detect Evil going, the whole plan will probably be shot.

 

[Hatchling Dragon]

Heh, if they have an Invisible informant inside (iether via spell or actual Invisible scout) you could have the various 'crates' that contain/are demols labled with names like "Short Swords", or whatever weapons they've found to date.

Mabye a rumor that this shipment is spread out and disguised, about to go on a Caravan of unsuspecting merchants. Then they'll find out there's evil, but they'll have no reason to suspect the source of that evil. Quite a shocker when you open a crate expecting to find an evil magic sword, only to discover it's a demon that's none too happy you just blew his cover.

I wonder if it would be helpfull, considering you're using demonic instead of Undead forces, to Unhallow the sight before the fight. Then again that could be a big tip-off that something major's going on, as it's not too cheap a spell to be tossin around lightly.

Hatchling Dragon

 

[Pants]

Mabye a rumor that this shipment is spread out and disguised, about to go on a Caravan of unsuspecting merchants. Then they'll find out there's evil, but they'll have no reason to suspect the source of that evil. Quite a shocker when you open a crate expecting to find an evil magic sword, only to discover it's a demon that's none too happy you just blew his cover.

Yeah, I was thinking along the lines of something like this. Although I do like the spread out and disguised part, I never thought of that.
However, I do have a question that's related to this, can Detect Magic detect Illusions or Invisible people? If not, then great, but if so... then I have to make a whole new plan.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

Use the Ethereal...

Start the fight by having the demonic types follow the PC's for a while on the Ethereal plane. They can cast their initial buffs more or less with Impunity, then manifest on the Prime ready to smash the players around.

For what its worth, I do not think that the illusions spells (Silent Image, etc) can make one object appear as another. You may be able to create perfect concealment, however.

Also, open the fight with a few "Impairment" type spells. Upon returning to the Prime, cast as many of the following spells as you can:

1) Web: Saturate the area as much as you can, specifically, try to block any exits.
2) Slow: Its always fun to start things off with your players at a severe dis-advantage.
3) Silence: Prevent the spell casters from countering your magic.

As for combat, you may also wish to use grappling against some of these opponents.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[s/LaSH]

Detect magic will detect illusions and invisible people, but a) you need to concentrate for three rounds just to identify where the auras are, and b) you won't necessarily identify them as illusions (you need a Spellcraft check). Invisibility will be detected, but again, not for 3 rounds and if you're not within the quarter circle of the detection, you're not detected at all.

I don't know Barlguras; can they fly or stick to walls? If so, put them on the ceiling of the Evil Warehouse Of Doom, outside the normal range of detect magic. Never underestimate the power of something hanging from the ceiling. Same goes for the wizards; Levitation should help, plus it keeps them out of melee. Plus it lasts 10 minutes/level, so it'll hold up from the moment the PCs arrive. And if you're really mean, line the ceiling of the room with copious rafters so the wizards can maneuver by hand while levitating.

You need someone keeping watch for the PCs' arrival. A sacrificial approach is quite demonic... one example might be having a 'controller' creature (like an illithid or formian taskmaster) at the front gate, with one of its minions in a cage in the warehouse proper. When the controller dies, its minion regains independance and you know someone's at the door, giving you just enough time to levitate into the rafters. (And slaughter/set loose the minion.)

A succubus could very well pretend to be someone in need of rescue instead of just a guard. That way, she can stab someone in the back when the PCs are 'protecting' her. But that might not fit with the original plan or the personality of this particular demon.

Of course, if you want the PCs to have a chance, there's an obvious tactical error the demons have made: they're sequestered in a warehouse, with only one way out - the way the PCs are coming. If the PCs somehow discover their presence, they could definitely use it to their advantage (until the succubus 'ports in behind them).

'Porting is quite an advantage... if things go pear-shaped for the monsters, they could set fire to the building and 'port to the single entrance. Wait until the PCs drop from smoke poisoning and make off with them. And hey, it's not like demons care about human underlings.