Cursed Wounds

[Whiplashbash]

Ok, another question for the group.
Please settle a debate with the group. A Clay Golem strikes a creature, such as a Troll or such which has regeneration. Does it ( the regenerating creature ) heal? I say no, because the text says "wounds will not heal naturally". Further, it is Extraordinary, not magical, so it is "natural" to the species in question. The other camp says that it is not fire, acid or some other contingent effect the damage is subdual and cannot go below 0. Please direct ( with RAW, if possible )

 

[Dandu]

Ok, another question for the group.
Please settle a debate with the group. A Clay Golem strikes a creature, such as a Troll or such which has regeneration. Does it ( the regenerating creature ) heal? I say no, because the text says "wounds will not heal naturally". Further, it is Extraordinary, not magical, so it is "natural" to the species in question. The other camp says that it is not fire, acid or some other contingent effect the damage is subdual and cannot go below 0. Please direct ( with RAW, if possible )

Regeneration (Ex)

Fire and acid deal normal damage to a troll. If a troll loses a limb or body part, the lost portion regrows in 3d6 minutes. The creature can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump.

Cursed Wound (Ex)

The damage a clay golem deals doesn’t heal naturally and resists healing spells. A character attempting to cast a conjuration (healing) spell on a creature damaged by a clay golem must succeed on a DC 26 caster level check, or the spell has no effect on the injured character.


I'd be tempted to say that the clay golem's cursed wound ability overrides the healing factor of the troll, since damage of a magical nature (ie, damage from a Vile spell) will also not be regenerated.

 

[jefgorbach]

Vile damage is a special-case added by the Book of Vile Darkness where half the damage represents an evil violation of the victim's body or soul and is incurable except by magical means taken in a holy place. (ie a healing potion doesn't work unless drunk on holy ground)

So IMO a Clay golem with Vile Martial Strike(fists) would do half nonlethal / have incurable damage whereas a normal clay golem would do strictly nonlethal damage since the troll's description specifically states only Acid,Fire prevent its regenerative ability.

 

[frankthedm]

Further, it is Extraordinary, not magical, so it is "natural" to the species in question.

Extraordinary Abilities (Ex)
Extraordinary abilities are nonmagical, though they may break the laws of physics.

Cursed wound would definitely stop fast healing. The text on regeneration is not specifically natural healing so Cursed Wound would not stop a troll or Tarrasque from regenerating unless the GM wanted it to. It is certainly in theme of Cursed Wound, but RAW is unspecific.

Regeneration
Creatures with this extraordinary ability recover from wounds quickly and can even regrow or reattach severed body parts. Damage dealt to the creature is treated as nonlethal damage, and the creature automatically cures itself of nonlethal damage at a fixed rate per round, as given in the creature’s entry.

Fast Healing
A creature with fast healing has the extraordinary ability to regain hit points at an exceptional rate. Except for what is noted here, fast healing is like natural healing.

Cursed Wound (Ex)
The damage a clay golem deals doesn’t heal naturally and resists healing spells.

 

[Whiplashbash]

I can see from the text what you are saying about regeneration not being like natural healing or fast healing, but what else could it be? You're wounded, you heal. Even the spell Regeneration is a conjuration just like regular Cure spells.
I think, rather than looking at it from a "Healing" point of view, look at it from the Curse perspective. RAW, Greater Restoration (Conjuration, Healing..) will not remove a Curse, correct? There could always be an arguement about the -6 ability reduction, but Bestow Curse is specific about what WILL remove the damage; not as clear as to what WON'T, other than dispelling. I see regeneation as an "upgraded" form of healing and as such subject to the damage/ penality of a Curse degrading it.

 

[the Jester]

I would rule that a troll only takes nonlethal damage from a clay golem, but that the nonlethal damage inflicted is cursed and will not regenerate.

Which means that a clay golem cannot straight up beat a troll to death, but can pummel it into a coma from which it will never wake.