So, while familiarizing myself with an adventure module I plan to GM within the next week or two, I noticed that the Shadow's ability to deal Str damage is specifically called out as a negative energy effect. Now, one of the players is an Aasimar Evangelist of Sarenrae with Deathless Spirit (Negative Energy Resistance 5). So before I am actually faced with this situation in game, would the Aasimar's resistance come into play against this Str damage or not, and why or why not?
I believe energy resistance applies only against hit point damage.
I thought the same thing originally, but the problem I'm having is when I went to confirm it, the wording of the Energy Resistance section made it ambiguous.
A creature with resistance to energy has the ability (usually extraordinary) to ignore some damage of a certain type per attack, but it does not have total immunity.
Based on that description, the specific description of the Shadow's ability as a negative energy effect, and the fact that the creature does deal "damage," I feel like RAW it should work. It does seem rather powerful, though. Certainly more powerful than standard energy resistances.