The Bribe-Taker is the stage at which the path returns to its true nature and acquires the first genuinely otherworldly ability.
Bribery works literally: as soon as you hand the target a bribe — real or purely symbolic — power opens over them. Anything counts as a bribe, from money placed in the hand to an object tossed toward the target; and even if they accept nothing, the bribe still counts as given.
The act of bribery is divided into four kinds:
Weakening — the target loses strength;
Charming — the target is filled with goodwill;
Arrogance — the target overestimates itself;
Bond — a thread is drawn between the Bribe-Taker and the target.
The stage's method of action explains its philosophy more precisely than any description of the ability: every person, any organization, and every system has a point which, once pressed, can change everything. The Bribe-Taker does not waste strength fighting the whole system, does not bribe everyone indiscriminately, and does not hurl lavish gifts at the strongest. He finds that single one who, because of his own desires, fears, or need, has become a key node — and makes it so that this person understands: in serving the Bribe-Taker, he serves himself.
