Can poison kill?

[BSF]

Level loss is brutally straightforward and WotC didn't dictate that you _need_ to keep track of everything.

LEVEL LOSS
A character who loses a level instantly loses one Hit Die. The character’s base attack bonus, base saving throw bonuses, and special class abilities are now reduced to the new, lower level. Likewise, the character loses any ability score gain, skill ranks, and any feat associated with the level (if applicable). If the exact ability score or skill ranks increased from a level now lost is unknown (or the player has forgotten), lose 1 point from the highest ability score or ranks from the highest-ranked skills. If a familiar or companion creature has abilities tied to a character who has lost a level, the creature’s abilities are adjusted to fit the character’s new level.

The victim’s experience point total is immediately set to the midpoint of the previous level.

Personally, I keep track of all of it. I can tell you exactly where my PC has been the last 17 levels and I could revert to the exact stats at any given level by printing ut that character sheet. But there are a lot of people out there that don't keep track of it.

The interesting thing to note is that you lose one Hit Die. The rules don't mention losing the hit points you gained, even if you kept track of it, you just immediately lose a Hit Die. If I had a player that kept track of each level, I would just revert. If I don't, hmmm. I don't know if I like the possibility of just rolling a hit die and possibly losing 1 hp, then rolling again when the level is gained and potentially gaining a full hit die. Maybe just adjust by an average?

 

[Li Shenron]

The interesting thing to note is that you lose one Hit Die. The rules don't mention losing the hit points you gained, even if you kept track of it, you just immediately lose a Hit Die. If I had a player that kept track of each level, I would just revert. If I don't, hmmm. I don't know if I like the possibility of just rolling a hit die and possibly losing 1 hp, then rolling again when the level is gained and potentially gaining a full hit die. Maybe just adjust by an average?

That is what I meant. As a general idea I also go with rolling one HD and deduct the result (in the unlikely case, you don't get below the minimum*). When you gain the level back, you could find yourself with either more or less hp than before.

*e.g. if you were a 2nd level Wiz (Con 10) who had 5hp (rolled a 1 on lv2), losing a level couldn't put you below 4hp (your minimum at lv1)