The idea is: You should have a "Lost & Found" character (or store)!
i.e. If the game detects that you have killed a quest-item-giving monster (or opened a quest-item-giving chest...) but lost/misplaced the quest item before using it, the "Lost & Found" character/store could give it back to you (possibly with some cost).
[If the item still exists elsewhere in the world, the Lost & Found could delete it from that location when creating it for you. And of course, you'd have to be sure the character didn't already USE said item, if it was a one-use thing, like a key or potion.]
This would help stupid/clumsy players (like me), and ALSO provide a workaround in case an important item doesn't get created properly.
I remember my first time through Eschalon I, I managed to kill (I forget who... some goblin king?) who was supposed to have a key, and SOMEHOW, didn't. (Or I managed to spectacularly lose it.) You had to edit my game save to get it back for me... A "Lost & Found" woulda been most useful.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
*SHRUG* Just a thought. Sorry for having it so late...
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)