Protection from Evil and Possession

[Username22221]

If someone casts protection from evil on a possessed creature, does the creature that is possessing the host (a ghost in this case) get to make a will save to stop the effect from happening?

[Username22221]

Mysterious Stranger wrote:

Second, the subject immediately receives another saving throw (if one was allowed to begin with) against any spells or effects that possess or exercise mental control over the creature (including enchantment [charm] effects and enchantment [compulsion] effects, such as charm person, command, and dominate person). This saving throw is made with a +2 morale bonus, using the same DC as the original effect. If successful, such effects are suppressed for the duration of this spell. The effects resume when the duration of this spell expires. While under the effects of this spell, the target is immune to any new attempts to possess or exercise mental control over the target. This spell does not expel a controlling life force (such as a ghost or spellcaster using magic jar), but it does prevent them from controlling the target. This second effect only functions against spells and effects created by evil creatures or objects, subject to GM discretion.

The description clearly states they do.

The one being possessed gets a free saving throw if the spell gets cast on them, I get that part. But since the ghost is in charge and is using its own save bonuses and prot. from evil has a saving throw. Can the ghost in charge of the body make a will save to just not be affected by the prot. from evil, denying the host body a chance to make its new save?

[Mysterious Stranger]

No, the Ghost is not the target of the spell. The saving throw is listed as Will negates (harmless). That means the target of the spell can make a saving throw if they wish, but normally they do not because the effect does not harm the target. Some characters must make a save vs any magic cast on them, those character would make a save vs the protection from evil.

Because the ghost is in control the character casting protection from evil will need to make a touch attack to cast the spell on the target. But that and hoping the target fails the save is all the ghost can do to avoid the spell.

[Claxon]

Yep, it's a pretty strong response to possession. Giving an extra save with a +2, and there's very little the ghost can do about it.

[Mysterious Stranger]

A couple things to keep in mind is that the ghost is going to be hostile to the caster trying to cast protection from evil. That means that the caster needs to make a touch attack to cast it on the possessed creature. Unless the caster is casting defensively this can provoke an AoO from the ghost. Since their primary attack is a touch attack that deals a decent amount of damage that can be a problem. Even if the caster can cast the spell on the target, they still have to make the second save or they are still in control of the target. Also, protection from evil only prevents the ghost from exercising control for the duration of the spell (1 minute per caster level. After the duration of the spell runs out the ghost can resume control of the possessed target.

So, while the spell is helpful against a possessing ghost it does not actually stop it.

[Azothath]

Protectioan from Evil:A1 read the spell description closely.
IF the target is possessed by an Evil entity, he(the target, not the ghost) gets a +2 morl to a new save BUT only the effects of the possession are suppressed for the duration (of the Prot E). During that time-out you should try to bolster his saves to rid him of the possession or tie him up, etc. Magic Circle against Evil:A3 is a longer term solution.
See Possession:N5 and Magic Jar:N5, also Moment of Greatness:E1, Owl's Wis:T2. Channel to harm undead can be convincing. Command Undead:N2 forces a Will save.
Skinsend:N2 would mean they need possess object to take over your skin. Gaseous Form:T3, Sanctuary:A1 create interesting dilemmas. There are other interesting interactions like Flesh to Stone:T6, maybe Blink:T3.