"The Pattern is a circuit. Each step gets harder as the current grows, utilizing the Blood of Dworkin as its conductor."
The question, of course, is what is it empowering? What is it connecting?
Gains from walking this version of the Pattern: Connection to the underlying rules of Shadow, use of the Pattern as a battery, as it both absorbs power from Shadow and those who walk it. End result of connection has built up enough energy to transfer you anywhere.
Related: The Pattern is a node of power. The Keep of the Four Worlds is powerful because it borders four elemental worlds of energy. The Pattern borders (in a metaphysical sense) a near-infinite number of worlds.
Related: The Pattern may represent a bargain of sorts, an agreement that each initiate makes by walking it.
Related: Perhaps it is being used to bind something underneath it.
Related: Perhaps what is underneath it is learning of the family as each person makes the Walk.
Pattern Ghosts are likely a record of the Walk.