minor encounter suggestions requested

[Gilladian]

I'm brain dead today, and my game is tomorrow... although with luck they won't get to this encounter for another week.

The PCs are 7th level, 3.5 edition.

They're traveling through a series of caves, chasing a party of dwarf adventurers (a cleric, 4 fighters, a sorcerer), also 7th level, who are well aware the PCs are pursuing them.

They're leaving behind "traps and ambushes" for the PCs.

These are a vibrant, active, often explored, and lived in series of caves under a large city...

I've come up with three potential things, but need about 2 more. One I'd LIKE to involve some roleplay, as the previous 3 involve combat, trapfinding, and scouting out the correct trail, plus some dwarven stonework.

What could a bunch of dwarves do/modify/meet that they could "sic" on their pursuers?

 

[Rune]

Dwarves have darkvision, so they might devise some sort of device to snuff out light-sources to slow pursuit. This, combined with some sort of snare would really hinder things for many a group. Then, the dwarves could double back and ambush the PCs before running again.

But that's a trap. What if they left someone behind them in the caves that desperately needed the PCs' help (say, mortally wounded, or diseased)? Ideally, the PCs would be forced to choose between helping the innocent (?) or continuing the chase.

 

[bobhayes]

The dwarves could run across one or more xorn, who they are able to communicate with (if one of the dwarves speaks Terran), and the dwarves could bribe the xorn to ambush the pursuing party, or could just tell the xorn that the pursuing party are carrying a lot of gems.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

The PCs could meet a colony of myconids, who might help or hinder the PCs depending on negotiations.

The dwarves could stampede a herd of rother or underground lizards in the PC's direction ... an obstacle that could be avoided by either combat or clever uses of skill checks.

The dwarves could also attack an underground caravan, and leave a bunch of injured non-combatants behind them in the hopes that the PCs will stop to help out the wounded and injured.

 

[Gilladian]

Would you believe, I've used both Xorn and Myconids in the last adventure I wrote for them, so I don't want to reuse them. The caravan idea is good, and I like the concept of them having to make a choice about helping the injured or pressing on with their exploration.

Hmmmm.... ideas are starting to percolate! More!