A Grandfather's Plea part 1

After the defeat of the undead gnome, Snow sought audience with King Larcus of Rath while the rest of the party went to the king's magister (who is none other than the Primus of the College of Melf) to seek the restoration of their companion. That companion, and others, had been made a goldfish by the magic pool. 

Magister Antonius had the party assemble and wait for him well outside of the city as there were several goldfish to see restored. While they were waiting for the wizard's arrival, a well-dressed man wearing the sigil of a noble house approached the party and asked them to rescue his daughter from the clutches of the Bridlerns. He advised that he had no coin to pay them, but promised a favor and the favor of a nobleman is good to have. 

So, as Antonius worked his magic, Fenris and Aaron made all due haste for the Barony of Bridlern, accompanied by the aged nobleman. The trip was three days of rushed travel and culminated at the Horned Keep of Bridlern. Along the way, Fenris and Aaron learned that their employer was none other than Van Draken, a nobleman who had been a tournament knight of some renown well into his elder years. The missing maiden was Alyssa Draken and he said she could be identified by her distinctive red hair. 

As they had made haste on their journey, Van said he was too tired to enter the town. He wanted to rest his weary bones on the green outside of Briddleton, which the lord's keep overlooked. Fenris and Aaron reconnoitered the town and sought what information they could on the noble family. 

They discovered that the young heir of Bridlern was the scourge of Briddleton's young women, indeed all the lower bred women of the entire province. Investigation by the adventurers determined that Alyssa had likely been kidnapped and violated.

Meanwhile, Antonius the Wizard had restored several of the goldfish to their true selves, including Tathlan, who experienced a mental breakdown from the process. He was restored to the size and shape of his former self, but could not help thinking that he was a goldfish still -- and one out of water.  As he flopped on the ground and blew out his cheeks, his companions restrained him. They were only able to calm his frazzled nerves by pouring water on him and speaking gentle words. The Magister could only nod thoughtfully and admit, "Sometimes that happens." He warned them, that for the rest of his life, Tathlan was in danger of having such attacks. In times of great stress, or after having suffered wounds, he would be prone to such fits. The only hope to calm him would be the presence of water and the assurance of his friends.

Having restored their companion, the party then went out after Fenris and Aaron and after riding through two days and a night caught up to them in the town of Briddleton.