How do the powers that one gets from the outsiders mark work?

[ani444]

Why do different people get different powers? How does the Outsider choose peoples powers? Is it based on occupation, enviroment or/and personality? (example: Delihla is a artist so her magic is in part based around her art and Corvo got his powers during the rat plague, so he can summon rats.) Does the Outsider choose their powers? Why can Daud and Delihla share their powers with others but Corvo can't? Played and loved Dishonored for a while now, but i've always be curious about questions like this. (P.S. Haven't played Dishonored 2 yet, so i'd like it if you put spoiler tags if you talk about it, thanks!)

[Tom Noland]

I would imagine that it has to do with personality/way of thinking. They each got there powers at different times that probably shaped exactly what powers they acquired.

Corvo got his powers during the Rat Plague while he was in hiding and hunting the conspirators that orchestrated the death of the empress. This could explain the rat swarm and stealth abilities

Daud gained his powers after being abducted by an actor (I think?) and was leader of an assassin group. He spent time travelling and seeking out outsider shrines which could explain why he has Void Gaze instead of Dark Vision. Being leader of an assassin group might have evolved his powers for Summon Assassin and Arcane Bond.

Delilah had a very mixed upbringing, starting in the palace, leading through homelessness, imprisonment, training by Sokolov, seducing a barrister, and finally leading a coven of witches. According to the wiki page for her she gained the mark between training under Sokolov and seducing the Barrister but much of that life could explain the much more violent and manipulative powers she gained.

You also must remember that the Outsider likes to set people up and see how they handle the situation which could explain why there is a mix between abilities that lends aid to both lethal and non-lethal styles. There is no real way to tell if the powers come naturally from the circumstances of the person or if the outsider grants those powers because of the circumstances.

[Zilentis]

yeah like silver said, like emilys powers in dishonored 2 are based around power and control
-shadow walk allows her to hide in plain site and allow to take out enemys with ease
which someone who is powerful can do irl
-domino decide peoples fate and make 1 persons fate effect the others
which a queen or dictator can do now
-mezmerize mezmerizes people
which someone who has power can do
-far reach allows emily to pull objects and people towards her
which someone powerful can do, by summoning anyone they want