Smoke elemental's engulf -- can save repeatedly, or once?

[outshyn]

Here is the smoke elemental listing:

http://dxcontent.com/MDB_MonsterBlock.asp?MDBID=2481

In particular, there is an altered engulf ability (you are not pinned, but you suffer smoke inhalation). There is an initial reflex save to get out of the area of effect, and I am fine with that part. However, if a creature doesn't get out of the way, on his/her turn there is smoke inhalation damage (3d6) for multiple rounds, with some kind of saving throw. Here is the relevant text:

Quote:

Each round a creature begins its turn engulfed, it suffers from burning eyes (-2 on attack rolls and Perception checks) and takes 3d6 points of fire damage from smoke inhalation. The penalties and damage continue for a number of rounds equal to the smoke elemental's Hit Dice even after escaping the engulf. A creature can make a Fortitude save (DC is listed with each elemental) to end the penalties and damage.

Now, is that fortitude save intended to happen ONCE? Or every round? And is it supposed to happen before or after the character takes the damage? Right now, best I can think of: just like catching on fire, you take the damage at the start of your turn, but after that can save to end the effect, and can re-do the save every time.

I don't know if that's going easy on things. The elemental is a CR 5. Doing it this way means the PC takes 3d6 each round but with a save, so it's small bits of damage that can eventually be overcome. Another way to do it is to say that the save happens once right at the start, and if you make it, no damage at all ever, but if you fail, you're locked into 3d6 every round for 8 rounds. That seems... oddly weak and overly harsh for a CR 5, depending upon whether you save or not.

Am I looking at this correctly? What would you do?

[turtle006]

I read it as 3d6 damage every round you are engulfed (and -2 penalty), with no save; and then a Fortitude save to end it, after you leave the area, or it persists for a number of rounds equal to the HD of the elemental. One save after you leave the area or damage and penalty until it expires.

EDIT: Reading the text of the ability reinforces what I thought, there is a Reflex save to avoid being engulfed altogether, if that is failed, you take the damage and penalty as above.