How evil is this? An encounter for 9th-level PCs...

[psychognome]

This encounter consists of two creatures:
Human vampire fighter level 5
Human vampire cleric level 5
The fighter from the Monster Manual can be paired by our cleric. For her domains we'll choose Trickery, and one of the additional vampire domains, it doesn't matter really. So, for the cleric's 2nd-level domain spell we'll choose invisibility. Enter the PCs.
On the first round of combat the cleric turns invisible, and for the rest of the fight stands out of the PCs' sight and casts spontaneous inflict on her fighter friend, thus healing him. Oh, and as a reminder, if the PCs try to use cure spells to deal damage to the fighter, he gets a fortitude save.
So, now we have an invisible cleric who's boosting up a capable fighter, and taking 5-foot steps to keep out of the PCs' way. And unless the PCs have access to spells like see invisibility or true seeing they can't do anything about the cleric (unless they want to use area spells, which aren't an option as the fighter will mostly stick to melee).
So, how evil is this?

 

[Grazzt]

Oooh- I like it. Very interesting. Now, if you throw in a lich or two or perhaps a death knight, you'd have an encounter with the flavor of Rappan Athuk.

 

[psychognome]

A lich and a couple of death knights? Hey, I think that can be achieved! Give the Lich some cleric levels and the son-of-a-er-lich will be healing and buffing up the death knights! Hooray!

 

[psychognome]

Oh, come on! I know that you all want to say something! Could you tell me what you think? Please?

 

[Trine]

Well, one thing about your strategy. The PC's are going to hear the Vampiric cleric casting their inflict spells on the Fighter, unless she's interested in making each spell a full-round action to Metamagic Still Spell it. Biggest problem with that idea is that she's going to quickly be using her more powerful spells with less effect.

That should quickly tell them to get their magical detection spells going, or that they should be getting out of there to prepare for the fight again (this time with see invisibility and dispel magic ready).

 

[psychognome]

Ah, but the thing that you don't see, dear Watson, is that even though the players hear her chanting her spells, they can't see him, and unless they're interested in making Listen checks to pinpoint her location they can't really spot her. And the cleric will be constantly on the move, so that the PCs won't know whether she's there or not. She's not stupid.
Any more comments?

 

[Blacksway]

Yes but S/he's also within 5 foot of the fighter as 'inflict wound' spells at touch attacks....

DOH!

 

[psychognome]

Yes but S/he's also within 5 foot of the fighter as 'inflict wound' spells at touch attacks....

DOH!

Yeah, but she can start a round next to the fighter, use 'inflict wound', and then move her full speed away from the fighter, thus possibly tricking the PCs into thinking that she's in an adjacent square to the fighter. DuH!