Raising a 2nd level character

[Umbral Reaver]

From the PFSRD:

"The subject of the spell gains two permanent negative levels when it is raised, just as if it had been hit by an energy-draining creature. If the subject is 1st level, it takes 2 points of Constitution drain instead."

It appears that if you raise a 2nd level character, the negative levels kill them again.

[Rezdave]

Most APL 2 groups can't afford a raise dead so the question is probably only academic.

I don't have a "rules" answer, but here are my suggestions:

1) The raised character comes back at 1st level, but must "buy off" the two negative levels before becoming 2nd level. Basically, they need 6,000 XP to make 2nd level, rather than 1,000;

2) As above, but the cost is only 3,000 XP ... basically, they have to "re-earn" 2nd level twice over before they can actually earn it;

3) They come back as a 1st-level Commoner and have to earn xp to advance to Com2 before they can advance to Adventurer1 and start over. Could be 1,500 xp or 3,000 or 6,000 as above. Once they make Adv1, the two Com levels and stats are wiped out.

FWIW,

Rez

[Enevhar Aldarion]

If it is lose two levels if above 1st level or lose two Con if 1st level, I would say a 2nd level character would lose one level back to 1st AND lose one Con.

[Umbral Reaver]

That makes sense. Unlike 3.5, none of these penalties are forever. Characters don't lose levels, but gain negative levels. They don't lose Con, they gain Con drain. Restoration will fix these problems.

[Zagyg]

Umbral Reaver wrote:

From the PFSRD:

"The subject of the spell gains two permanent negative levels when it is raised, just as if it had been hit by an energy-draining creature. If the subject is 1st level, it takes 2 points of Constitution drain instead."

It appears that if you raise a 2nd level character, the negative levels kill them again.

The PFSRD (energy drain and negative levels) give you the answer on the last paragraph.

If you are 1st level, you loose 2 Con pts. If you are 2nd level, you loose 2 permanent level and need a restoration spell (on the following round, effectively bringing you back to level 1.

If add all the expensive material components (5000 + 1000 gp), low level characters should have a the hard time to be raised and will probably RIP !

[Noir le Lotus]

Restoration casting time is 1 minute. Things are getting complicated when you need a 9th level cleric, a 7th level cleric, expensive material components and a good timing ...