We're level 18. The others did have to run away, regroup and go back to get the body a (and soul, it had nicked her soul for a little bit), and the second fight went like the first one should have. But yeah the revival cost was negligible at that point :P.
Once had this boss battle planned. As a set piece the bad guy was going to monologue, then grab an artefact and transformed... he got held person mid monologue.. and then a player (my partner no less) touched the artefact. Cue rapid thinking over the week what would happen..
Nit even the first time a boss has been interrupted in a monologue.. my players don't respect monologues it seems :P;