I would say you'd have to make one save each day for each negative level you have.
I was just looking into this because I had the same question and for anyone else looking for the answer this is what I found.
Based on the wording it is one negative level per day rather then all of them in one save. "A creature with temporary negative levels [plural] receives a new saving throw to remove the negative level [singular] each day"
At least that's my interpretation.
I've been reading posts for days trying to lock down this exact question. [I've got a player with a level 9 sorc who has 3 negative levels and I feel bad for the guy!]
I've read through many posts in other threads. In some cases, responders were indignant regarding "necro-ing" old threads, which is what I'm being part of here, but I really can't find the matter clarified anywhere else or in any FAQs. There was one thread with a link (repeated several times) to a James Jacob "definitive answer", but it wasn't quoted and the link led to JJ talking about sugar cookies or something, with nothing on the page addressing the issue.
I'm inclined to agree with BackedUp20 regarding the 1 point per day based on the singular/plural use in that rule sentence, but we're looking at rather murky grammar.
No one else replied here, and, again, I can't find it stated clearly anywhere else. Is there a more authoritative statement on the matter? Thanks in advance for any help. Apologies in advance if I've missed something obvious.
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I think there is a rule inconsistency between the core rule book and the back of the bestiary.
In 3.5 there was no such thing as a permanent negative level, you just lost a level. When the rules changed the bestiary had this:
"Energy Drain (Su) This attack saps a living opponent's vital energy and happens automatically when a melee or ranged attack hits. Each successful energy drain bestows one or more negative levels (the creature's description specifies how many). If an attack that includes an energy drain scores a critical hit, it bestows twice the listed number of negative levels. Unless otherwise specified in the creature's description, a draining creature gains 5 temporary hit points for each negative level it bestows on an opponent. These temporary hit points last for a maximum of 1 hour. Negative levels remain until 24 hours have passed or until they are removed with a spell, such as restoration. If a negative level is not removed before 24 hours have passed, the affected creature must attempt a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 draining creature's racial HD + draining creature's Cha modifier; the exact DC is given in the creature's descriptive text). On a success, the negative level goes away with no harm to the creature. On a failure, the negative level becomes permanent. A separate saving throw is required for each negative level.
Format: energy drain (2 levels, DC 18); Location: Special Attacks and individual attacks."
and the core rule book had this:
"Energy Drain and Negative Levels
Some spells and a number of undead creatures have the ability to drain away life and energy; this dreadful attack results in “negative levels.” These cause a character to take a number of penalties.
For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative –1 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. 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.
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 through spells like restoration. 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 the round after it is restored to life."
While they don't necessarily contradict, they also don't exactly mesh. It is also interesting that Enervation and Energy Drain spells have their own rules for dealing with their effects. I suggest picking the core version if you want energy drain to be less nasty, or the bestiary rules if you want it to have more serious consequences.
Note: Death Ward suppresses all negative levels for the duration of the spell!
If they're talking about the same thing - and I think some of the other discussions I've read tried to point out a difference - I can see the difference between save or permanent v. save each day. But either way it seems we're still left with the issue of plural or singular ("THE negative level" emphasis mine).
The rules in question have been out for years now, and so much ink has been spilled (so to speak) writing about so much of this....I think Paizo does a fantastic job so much of the time. It kind of astounds me that something as integral to the game as energy drain would not be definitively explained in errata or FAQ somewhere. If it is, then my astonishment goes to my not being able to easily find it with the various available search engines.
And I worry that I don't know all the protocols for the boards. Is it acceptable to take something like this to the "Ask James Jacobs" thread, or would that get me despised by the regulars for whom this is all obvious and ancient business?
Your best option would probably be to check out this thread:
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qade?FAQSuggested-Errata-Negative-Levels-and#1
Hit the FAQ button if you feel it needs clarification by the developers. When will it be answered? I don't know, but that is the best option for an official response. I suspect the developers are hesitant to answer rules questions beyond "play it the way YOU think works best at your table".
I also recommend reading the first post in this thread for a detailed look at the issues at hand:
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2qkqf?This-Sucks-Energy-Draining-and-Negative-L evels#1
Thanks, Fergie.