Is there a way to not loose a level when cloning?

[Max Caysey]

On the other hand, I don't know if 'form' is clearly defined. You would be in that form if you were naturally a sarrukh, and then you could put an 18 in INT and start at 38. So this might just be a gm call either way?

Thats my argument… you are still you, and if you had started as a sarrukh, you would have had 38 int (starting with 18) so why should that not be the case when polymorphing? You still have your starting stats…

It makes more sense to me, that you keep your point bought/ rolled up stats, and then apply what ever racial modifier your target form might have - positive or negative - just as if you had started your character as that race/monster…

Now it does not specifically say that one does so, but you are still you, so…