With new powers and confidence I once again led my party to the dungeon. What did I see inside? The Skeleton Master once again in his place! My head was filled with horrifying thoughts - will the monsters repopulate every time you enter the dungeon? Fortunately, everything was explained - Skeleton Masters have the ability to resurrect themselves after their first death. After the second they simply turn to dust and stop bothering you. Pity that knowing this did not help me much. When I tried to go up the staircase, I sent swarms of bats to fly. While I gazed at them (they were not monsters), I was surrounded by a crowd of the original Skeleton Master's friends and quickly dispatched.
Another reload and off to the castle we go. Yet another surprise - all the killed monsters have regenerated after all! I did rest up, but no more than a week of game time has passed, so why did the monsters regenerate? Three possibilities presented themselves.