Even if the gaining of negative levels translates over into Pathfinder, they would be stopped by the death ward - but not trap the soul. The negative levels are attached to the soul being trapped after the save is failed as the demi-lich noms on the trapped creature's vital forces.
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Hello
First: the demi-lich has not been re-writed for PFRPG.The special Trap the Soul (Su) is not a death attack (see spell Trap the Soul p362 core rulebook).
So Deathward doesn't protect against the Trap the Soul and if the save is failed, the soul of the target is drawn from its body and trapped...But...for the power of demi-lich, if the target makes his saving throw, "...it gains three negative levels...":
Does Deathward protect against this effect????If we consider that "...it gains three negative levels..." is an energy drain, so deathward protects, but it means too that Trap the Soul is an energy drain, and deatward should protect against the "drain of the soul"!
It is then a contradiction.??????How do you see that!!!
Just because the result for failing a save gives you negative levels, it does not mean the entirety of the supernatural ability is "negative energy." Deathward would protect you against the actual trapping of the soul, just the level drain if you make the save. Besides, a quick Google search would lead you to this information (emphasis mine):
Trap the Soul (Su): A demilich can trap the souls of up to eight living creatures per day. To use this power, it selects any target it can see within 300 feet. The target is allowed a fortitude saving throw (DC 36). If the target makes its saving throw, it gains four Energy Drains (this does not count as a use of trap the soul). If the target fails its save, the soul of the target is instantly drawn from its body and trapped within one of the gems incorporated into the demilich’s form. The gem gleams for 24 hours, indicating the captive soul within. The soulless body collapses in a mass of corruption and molders in a single round, reduced to dust. If left to its own devices, the demilich slowly devours the soul over 24 hours—at the end of that time the soul is completely absorbed, and the victim is forever gone. If the demilich is overcome before the soul is eaten, crushing the gem releases the soul, after which time it is free to seek the afterlife or be returned to its body by the use of either resurrection, true resurrection, clone, or miracle. A potential victim protected by a death ward spell is not immune to trap the soul, but receives a +5 bonus on its fortitude saving throw and is effective against the level loss on a successful save. The DC is Charisma-based.
Also, note that the Demilich requires a Fortitude save for this effect, while the spell (even in 3.5) calls for a Will save. This is because it being a prime supernatural ability for this deadly creature.
