Social Puzzles & Leverage

Charm alone won't move someone with a line they won't cross. Find what they fear, owe or hide, and bring it to the table.

When someone's refusal anchor stands in your way, repeating the same request more politely won't help. Conversation here is a puzzle.

Leverage

To move someone, find out what they're afraid of, what they owe or who they protect, and bring it into the scene. A crooked policeman loyal to the mob won't change sides because you're charming. Show him proof of what the mob has planned for him, and things change.

Secrets

People guard what they know. They won't drop vital information in passing. Secrets open up only when they trust you enough, fear you enough, or when you have the right leverage. See Relationships.

Factions

People belong to sides: gangs, guilds, families, armies, parties. Helping one person can make an enemy of their rival down the street, sometimes for good.

The clock keeps running

While you're talking, the world isn't waiting. A rival's plan keeps moving towards its next stage, and if it gets there before you act, it happens anyway. See The World Moves On.

See also

• How People Behave
• Relationships
• The World Moves On

Last updated 2026-10-08