Duncan, seeing the dragonborn start to bolt says "oh no you don't" and attempts to grapple him before he's able to leave the tent.

athletics 18 ((**** yes! Making up for the natty ones!!))

((we're all in a small space, I'm assuming we're all very close to each other, so if you need rules I'd consider this my attack of opportunity as he attempts to leave us.))

You hold them fast they struggle weakly against be your grip until he falls unconscious. (Just from exhaustion)

Releasing his grip, though prepared to tighten it again if it's a ruse, Duncan looks to his companions and says "I'm fully prepared to help this poor thing... though I need answers first. It disturbed our sleep, came in beaten and battered, and drained the energy from that crazy glowing stone from the fire!" He then takes his rope from his pack and ties the dragonborn up (loosely, just enough so that it can't immediately run).

Dimble sends Hoot to look at the other camp, looking for any survivors 

Triscyne says remains quiet at first as Duncan struggles with the Dragonborn and proceeds to tie it up. But after a few moments after he's done, he squats down next to the Dragonborn again.
"Are you sure this isn't a bit much, Duncan? It sounds like whatever it was that happened to him, this bird, was under like some kind of necromantic curse. Wasn't his fault at least, and his family might be hurt. Let's pack up quickly and try and see if we can help him find his family." he says, nodding as he notices Dimble already sending out his owl to scout ahead, then gathering what few supplies he had unpacked for the night.

Kodiak looks confused at Duncan's actions but makes no move to stop him. When Triscyne speaks he gives a nod and begins packing up the camp back into the cart.

Duncan nods, saying "That may be... but I'd rather not run blind into a trap or a monster as she was about to do." pointing to the dragonborn. He then attempts to wake the dragonborn and says "You with us? We're all willing to help... but you're gonna need to stay calm. Give us some details as we walk." and, as the party seems keen, allows the dragonborn to head towards the camp, controlled by the ropes, as it answers his, and anyone else's questions.

Dumaia was listening to party talk. Not being able to take the wanton swapping of pronouns any longer, she pipes up loud enough for everyone to hear but she directs the message more towards Duncan and Tri. "Alright, you've referred to the Dragonborn as both a he and a she. Which is it? What, are you trying to tell me the dragonborn is gender-fluid or something? MAKE UP YOUR MIND!"

(I was going to ask this OOC before I noticed the dialogues were in character and it was perfect. @DM: I'm confused now, is the Dragonborn a male or a female? Damaia would be able to tell because the dragonborn is there in front of her.)

(the she was a typo, fixing it now) As hoot flies over the other camp the owl sees the 5 burned out camp fires, but no sign of bodies.

Kodiak pipes in from over by the cart where he has begun storing most of the tents and supplies back where they were yesterday. "Haven't seen many dragonborn in my life, but I'm quite sure that's a male."

Jasmal does a theatrical bend over and gawk, agreeing that it's a male.

(Sorry all I'm a bit swamped at work and it's harder to run these things than I expected, trying to keep up as best I can.)

With your camp packed and ready to go you are all left with some choices to ponder.

Do you take the Dragonborn with you or leave them?

Do you spend time on investigation or count this as a freak occurrence?

Do you head on to Spindle Pine now or search for whatever might have done this?

 Tri, having finished packing up, moves to walk alongside the Dragonborn as Duncan leads it by the rope. "Sorry about this, friend. Some of us were quite spooked by your appearance at our camp yesterday. Do you have any idea where you are? Where you have last seen your family? We're coming with you to find them, if you can help point us in the right direction."

"W-we were camped nearby, heading south. Skirting the pines for talk of strange shadows... They seem to have found us anyway." There is an air of stoic realization on his features.

"I'm gonna untie you if you promise not to run yeah? We're here to help." Duncan says to the male dragonborn, adding "Who is this 'they' that found you?"

"The shadows." He hangs his head. "... I won't run."

Duncan immediately pulls the ropes off him, and wraps them back onto his back introducing himself saying "I'm Duncan, what's your name? And we're all here to look into the shadows as well. What can you tell us that will help us deal with them?" then looking to the team says "Shall we be on our way while we talk? No reason to wait eh?"

The Dragonborn nods. "Dizzik, ummm... I don't have much recollection about last night. I just remember screams, and the bird like creature and it spat something on me then I was blinded with pain... I ran and saw the light and as my vision darkened it was all I could see... So I ran..." He begins to weep softly and look away from the group.

Dimble has been blind and deaf to this all having been looking through Hoot so has no idea what is going on. "Hey guys, just had a look at that campsite, the fires have burnt down but there are no bodies. Living or Dead"

Damaia is now somewhat interested in this business with Shadows. She suspects that the forces of Hell may be behind this. So she will go with Duncan and Tri to check out the camp site.

Hearing the dragonborn talk about the vines she quips, "So if we ever encounter a large doom bird, we have to not get spat on. Got it."