1) Coping? - At the moment, Darias is still kind of in "mission mode." He's worried that the gods (or whoever) are going to kill his family if he doesn't "fix this." He doesn't really know what "this" is, and that is maddening. It's just starting to dawn on him, slowly, just what he's done. Still, he's trying to keep focused on following the damn compass where it's supposed to be sending them. The new and dangerous world is somewhat exciting and quite frightening.
2) Blondie? - We met him in the Demon Lands. The only things that have come from here have been evil monsters. Still, the fact that he seems human, wears Pelorian robes, appears to have been attacked by the demon-trolls, and healed Darias' injuries seems to indicate that he's not a threat. Maybe. Perhaps he's part of what Pelor wanted them to do. Who knows? Perhaps the black-skinned woman carrying the compass attacked him and stole it from him? Maybe he is a servant of Pelor? Darias still doesn't trust him, and will insist (as inoccuously as he can) that he never be on watch or left alone.
3) Actual Across/Parables - The Parables talk about fire and brimstone and poison gas and toxic plants. Well, maybe some of the plants are poisonous. Certainly, they are strange, as are the animals (many of which, particularly the birds, Darias sketches when idle moments strike). But fire and noxious gases seem absent. Perhaps they lay further on?
4) Compass/Quest - It came from the demon woman, but seems to be touched by Pelor. Darias has a direction to travel, but after that… nothing. He keeps the group moving, but is doing so very uncomfortably. He doesn't know what to do. No idea at all. At this point, he's just planning to keep walking as much and as fast as possible toward where the compass points and is desperately hoping they'll stumble upon something, anything, that will give him a clue as to what he's supposed to do to save his family.
Darias is very driven and irritable, trying to keep everyone moving as quickly as possible, because, as far as he knows, he has a short time to figure out what he is supposed to do or his family and fri… well, acquaintances mostly… will be killed… and according to the compass, they still have a long, long way to go. He is highly stressed, frustrated at the gods, the compass, the entire situation in general.
Just keep moving. Think. Find the answer. Keep moving.
