Patch 1.06 is a myth as far as I know - 1.05b is the latest.
Ageing is very important - after a certain age, your stats start dropping and if you don't use youth potions (which are quite hard to find early on) you will eventually become completely feeble and permanently die!
To avoid this, do not use the rest function, but instead return to town and use the Innkeepers services.
Happy hunting
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Regards
Mouse