> > I killed the person who had the gatekeeper's key and i stupidly sent the rest of my party to kill monsters to get more gold. can i battle the gatekeeper again for another key or is all hope lost?
>
> Have you tried resurrecting the character who has the key? If that's not an option, then leave the body behind next time you go for the key. I can't speak from experience, but if there's no one with that key in your party, then you should be able to get a duplicate.
>
> You could always have your dead character sell the key at an equipment shop -- then you can be assured of getting a replacement. Yes, the dead characters can conduct business at the shops; after all, it's a fantasy game.

Important key-like items regenerate in their original places if your entire party loses them. So you can go kill the Gatekeeper again and get another key.

But if only the holder of the key is dead, and you have other guys left alive, you can transfer the key to someone who's still alive and don't have to get another one. Dead characters can transfer items, equip weapons and armour, and even buy or sell things at the shop. They just can't fight or cast spells.