[unLeashed3k]

function YYZ.doIt()
    for i = 1, ZO_CompassContainer:GetNumChildren() do
       local description, type, distance, drawLayer, suppressed = ZO_CompassContainer:GetCenterOveredPinInfo(i)
       if description ~= "" then
           d(string.format("%s is type: %d", description, type))
        end
    end
end

So happy! Got this outputting what I want to get started. Thank you a million times for getting me on track. I'll try to keep the amateur questions to a minimum now that I have one foothold on this mountain. ha!

Edit: just wish there was a function to gather all marker pins on the compass rather than just the markers the avatar is directly facing; something like ZO_CompassContainer:GetAllPinInfo()