if it feels damp, I'd guess you're watering too much. what's the ambient temperature in there?

Ria

If you received them through the mail they are probably suffering from the cold and might not recover.
Karyn

i would say that the temperature is about 66-68 during the day and then no lower than 61 at night.

is it normal for them to wilt a bit during the day and then perk up at night? i noticed yesterday that they were very droopy around noon or so and then towards the evening they seemed to firm up a bit.

This suggests that the roots are not adequate for the conditions that it is growing in and/or they are shocked as Karyn suggests. If I have any plants like that I put them in intensive care. i.e. put them in a plastic bag (Large size freezer bag) and inflate and seal it with the plants inside and some water in the base of the bag. Hopefully this will revive them and when they seem stable than open the top of the bag a bit and roll it down over a few days.

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing tips

I'm sure that they are in a warm place now but your being in zone 5/6 it was too cold to send passies to you in the mail (if you did get them mail order).
Karyn

thanks very much for all the advice. they actually seem to be okay now. i've left them alone and they're no longer drooping during the day and they've actually started some new leaves and tendrils. the next challenge will be transplanting into bigger pots but i think i'll hold off on that for a bit seeing as how just adjusting to my house was so traumatic.

just make sure you don't overwater them.. that's the WORST thing I ever did to my passion flowers.