Daran Phillips (Cataclysmic Gerosha)

Daran Phillips is a minor character, featuring in the prologue of Purge-Flare: Stickin' It to Pencil. He offers introductory narration for readers, via a meeting with his gang.

Character bio
Most details about how Daran came to be the leader of the Finneytown Ferrets remains shrouded in mystery. However, of what little is known of him, it is known that he became the Ferrets' leader at some point. He also developed a keen interest in tracking the notorious human trafficking ring known as "Gleeful-N'-Young," as well as rumors of its members' demise, after they abducted his cousin Ashley in 2009.

In the story, he is discussed holding a meeting with his gang about the upcoming "Gerosha Job." He is aware that Arfaas is readying his men, and that Clyde is readying his. He mentions that he believes Frank Morvel is going to be the associate that hits up Gerosha - if Clyde is unable to get Mike "the Pencil" Javelin to do it instead. Yet, he also mentions his awareness - and hopes - that the rumors are true of there being more than one Extirpon. Based on the fact that it was Chris that saved Ashley from Clyde's men in 2009, Daran believes Chris is trying to impersonate Extirpon.

He tells his gang that he firmly believes that Chris, if the rumors are true, will go after Pencil next. This is because Chris realizes that the quickest way to create additional problems for Clyde, is to force him to have to use Frank for the Gerosha Job, instead of Pencil. Frank's grandiose measures will mean that Gleeful-N'-Young and the Hebbleskins will need additional help from the Society of the Icy Finger to create sufficient distractions for Emeraldon and Ciem. Otherwise, Frank will have only Lava Tigre for backup. And that...is unacceptable.

Unbeknownst to Daran, Rappaccini has already set up a Screwworm operation in Evansville to distract Ciem, while Hebbleskin troops move under cover of darkness to take over City Lake No. 1 Park in Gerosha. This would also lead to revenge on Emeraldon for his interference in Florida with regards to the Abdygalis Shard compass hunt. On top of that, Wishpon is addressing another component of the hunt, keeping Anarteq and Nemara busy.

Daran tells his gang that, in spite how angry they are that their girlfriends and sisters have been taken away by Gleeful-N'-Young, that he'd rather let Chris kill Pencil, if that is to be the case. He doesn't want them risking their lives to shoot up the airport in retaliation.

One evening after Daran informs his gang of his suspicions and wishes, a majority of it comes true. The Finneytown Ferrets stay out of the conflict, and Chris really does arrive to assassinate Pencil.