For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative penalty as follows:
- –1 on all skill checks and ability checks
- –1 on all attack rolls and combat maneuver checks
- –1 on Combat Maneuver Defense and all saving throws.
- –5 current and maximum hit points
- –1 effective level for the purpose of all level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting and caster level).
- Esoteric Abilities Affected
- Spellcasters lose one prepared spell or available spell slot of the highest-level, currently available spell level as if that spell had been cast. This spell slot remains unavailable as long as the negative level remains. If the character is a multiclass spellcaster, this affects only one class, whichever has the highest level spells available or the character’s choice if they are the same spell level.
- Psionic characters lose a number of power points equal to the cost of the highest level of power he can manifest. The power points cannot be restored while the negative level remains.
- A veilweaver or other creature with Essence loses 1 point of essence per negative level. The lost essence cannot be restored while the negative level remains.
- If the effective level (see above) an Invoker, Hexcrafter, or Martial Glyph user is reduced beyond the minimum necessary to cast an invocation, hex, or glyph, he loses access to the abilities of that level/tier. (E.g. an 8th-level Mystic who gains a negative level can only use basic glyphs.)
- A Ki Cultivator‘s maximum ki pool is reduced due to a lower cultivator level (see above).
- An Aura user whose aura bonus is based on level reduces the bonus if her effective level (see above) is reduced below the minimum for that bonus. (E.g. an 11th Dragon Speaker with 2 negative levels would have only a +2 aura bonus.)
If a creature’s negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies.
A creature with temporary negative levels receives a new saving throw to remove the negative level each day. The DC of this save is the same as the effect that caused the negative levels.
Level Drain
Some abilities and spells (such as raise dead) bestow permanent level drain on a creature. These are treated just like temporary negative levels, but they do not allow a new save each day to remove them. Level drain can be removed only through spells like restoration or other powerful esoteric effects.
Permanent negative levels remain after a dead creature is restored to life. A creature whose permanent negative levels equal its Hit Dice cannot be brought back to life through spells like raise dead and resurrection without also receiving a restoration spell, cast no later than the round after it is restored to life.