Energy Drain

[stevelabny]

Again, DMing 3e for the first time as we play through all 20 levels.


Here's one that it seems the DM I played under was doing wrong, according to the rulebooks

Is the following right?

Undead creature with energy drain makes a touch attack against you.

You take damage (if any) AND are immediately gain one (or more) negative levels. WITH NO SAVE. the negative levels manifest as -1 to all skill checks, attack rolls and saves. and -5 hp. and the loss of your highest spell slot.

exactly 24 hours later you make a saving throw for each negative level youve gained. Any saves you fail, the level loss becomes permanent.

I'm basically trying to verify that
1> there is no original save for the negative levels
2> the save to see if theyre permanent is 24 hours later, giving you enough time for the party cleric to memorize Restorations and prevent any chance of it being permanent.

 

[sledged]

I'm basically trying to verify that
1> there is no original save for the negative levels

Correct.

2> the save to see if theyre permanent is 24 hours later, giving you enough time for the party cleric to memorize Restorations and prevent any chance of it being permanent.

Correct, again.

 

[Li Shenron]

I'm basically trying to verify that
1> there is no original save for the negative levels
2> the save to see if theyre permanent is 24 hours later, giving you enough time for the party cleric to memorize Restorations and prevent any chance of it being permanent.

Yes, that's pretty much how it works. Only add that 24 hours later you roll a separate ST for each negative level, which tend to average the number of n.l. which would become permanent (it's not really that they became permanent, they actually disappear but you lose a real character level).

I have seen many groups playing instead that you get a save when struck to avoid the drain altogether, and/or negative levels vanish after 24hrs without having a chance for "permanency".

 

[Bauglir]

Also, restoration will continue to work up to a day per caster level from the time when the energy drain is applied, even after saves have been failed (in this case it gives only the minimum xp required to get back to the original level)