Proctection from Evil vs. Poison?

[Larcen]

Would the Protection from Evil spell give you a +2 on the FORT save against the poison on an evil person's sword?

Along the same lines, how about if the poison was part of a natural attack, like a bite?

One of our players argued that the poison itself, once in your bloodstream, is not "evil", so no bonus.

His case had more weight a minute later (game time) when the PC had to make his second FORT save and the evil person was dead. In that instance, it DID seem like it was just the PC vs. the poison, no evil involved. Does the poison carry an evil "taint" on it long after the person who inflicted it is dead?

Thanks in advance for responses.

 

[hong]

I'd grant the bonus. The poison originated from an evil person's attack, even if it wasn't an intrinsic ability of that person.

The fact that the evil guy died doesn't have anything to do with it. If it had been a poison spell, you'd no doubt have granted the bonus, even if the caster carked it between the first and second save. I don't think there's a substantive difference between poison from a spell and poison on a sword.

 

[Artoomis]

First, the subject gets a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made by evil creatures.

Was the poison from an attack by an evil creature? Yes. The bonus should apply.

My rule of thumb is : when in doubt, allow a defensive bonus and disallow an offensive bonus.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

It is not an evil person who damaged you, it is his sword which has no alignment.

The power of the gods is not easily fooled.

Don't overthink the situation and give him the bonus. The exact same nitpick can be applied to a whole host of spells, e.g. Wall of Fire.

If in doubt give the bonus.

I would make exceptions for things that usually have CRs in their own right. No bonus for significant traps. No bonus for summoned monsters (following the lead for invisibility). I would probably give it for poisoned caltrops dropped by an evil person.

 

[da chicken]

Here's how I'd rule:

Poison from spell, spell-like ability, supernatural ability, or inherent attack (such as that of a fiendish viper): yes.

Mundane poison applied to blade or doorknob by creature of evil alignment: no.

For diseases, including lycanthropy and mummy rot:
Disease originates only from evil creature (werewolfism, mummy rot, demon fever, or devil chills), or originates from spell of evil spellcaster (Contagion): yes.

Disease from other source (Otyugh, corpse, peasant): no.

 

[Gromm]

It is not an evil person who damaged you, it is his sword which has no alignment.

Yeah a Balor's sword doesn't have an alignment either, but you get the bonus to your AC anyway. This line of thinking makes any of the alignment based spells near worthless.

The only question is the alignment of the attack's originator. Now if he animates the poison sword and it attacks you or something, I might not let the bonus stand, but thats about it.

 

[Lily Inverse]

I would make exceptions for things that usually have CRs in their own right.

This is a case-by-case, I hope.

No bonus for summoned monsters (following the lead for invisibility).

This argument is disengenius. Summoned monsters have alignements in their own right. Whether they are subject to Protection from Alignment is subject to their alignment, not the caster's, but it's certainly not ignored just because they're summoned. Many of these creatures, being aligned outsiders, have other penalties as well.

I would probably give it for poisoned caltrops dropped by an evil person.

This contradicts the part about traps you said earlier.

All in all, to answer the original question, I'd still say "give the bonus."

 

[Gromm]

Hows this for a rule? If an attack comes from a evil being, be that attack a weapon (natural or otherwise), spell, poison, or what have you, the bonuses apply.
There must be a direct connection between the attacker and the defender. So summoned monsters would not work (since they are their own creatures with their own alignments), but a posioned weapon wielded by an evil person would, wheras a trap set by one would not.