Using VERY tough monster with low level characters. Advice please

[EOL]

In many fantasy novels the forces of evil vastly over power the forces of good, and generally it is their own evil tendencies which allow the forces of good to triumph.

For example you could have two horribly powerful evil monsters fighting each other for control of the artifact. They are obviously going to ignore the party because if they have to focus all of their energy on the other combatant. In describing the battle it should become clear that these people could level towns, as such the players should get out as quickly as possible. This also might explain why the evil, hideously powerful monster doesn't immediately chase the party.

 

[Doc_Subtlety]

Well, here's another wild possibility:

The monster's *not* as deadly as advertised. That way, even if it all goes to hell, the players won't get killed.

For example:
- An army of illusionary Shadows backed up by an EL+3 amount of *real* Shadows.

- A Shades trap set to create a 60% strength Iron Golem. Can't chase the PCs out of a certain range of the trap, and it doesn't hit nearly as hard if they make the save.

Another possibility:
A dumb monster that can be lured away from the artifact, Capture the Flag style. For instance, if the guardian is a hydra, the PCs may be able to distract it with some goats, or something.

 

[Umbran]

I don't want to use anything 'normal' looking, like a golem, because the evil god is also the god of chaos, so his most powerful servants tend to be nasty icky things.

Also, I was going to remove the dokonu's shapeshifting power.

So basically what I would like help with is ways of setting up the encounter with the creature so it scares the players horribly and they feel like the only just escaped with their skins without running too much of a risk of a TPK.

Okay, your description leaves things making a whole lot more sense

One thing - why does a golem have to look "normal"? It a construct - it can be created with whatever physical form the maker wants. You want a spider-goem, go ahead and describe it as a spider, and use the normal (or slightly modified) stats

Also, you're missing one major possibility - the guardian has been ordered to let teh party get away! Make it as nasty a critter as you want - but the forces of evil want the darned thing to get out there to do it's work, so the beast will roar, and occasionally nip, but it's ordered not to kill.

If the players notice, let them try to figure out why

 

[Infinite Monkey@Work]

Perfect!!!
Thats exactly what I will do. The spider lets them escape.
Wahooo!!!