Consume Likeness?

[Venger]

Okay, so, Consume Likeness has a number of problems, like all corrupt spells (like, being permanent, for example, but errata said that damage/drain is taken at the beginning for those) however, its permanent duration imposes a different and significantly more confusing problem.

So, the duration is permanent.

Let's go ahead and say that a dread necromancer eats the face of some guy.

he is now entitled to wear his face forever (until dispelled as normal for permanent stuff) or until he takes damage or is killed.

he is allowed to resume this shape "at will" but can use a standard to turn to his normal shape.

if this happens, does that count as ending the spell?

or, is this simply part of the spell?

can this only be used for one identity at a time, or can a "library" of many faces and shapes be built?

if the latter, then when it is dispelled, are all the faces lost? or suppressed until the spell is cast again?

example:

the viscount is strutting his stuff wearing the face of feudal lord ken watanabe.

a savvy wizard zaps him with dispel magic just because, and makes the roll, so the viscount returns to his normal shape.

since a shape can be assumed "at will" can he instantly turn back? or does "at will" only apply when the spell is active? if it does, it the spell considered "active" for time you spend in your own shape, or only in disguise?

also, does death ward prevent you from taking the wis drain?

I know undeadedness makes you take cha damage or something, despite your immunity to ability drain. but what if you are not?

[Ravens_cry]

At will actions still take actions, they just don't have a limit, aside from action economy, how often they can do it.
Permanent generally means it can be dispelled.