Debate Style: Rhetoric

From Edge of Darkness Wiki

Your character has extensive practice and training in formal techniques of public speaking and debate, either in life or undeath. He may be a politician, philosopher, diplomat or someone who just takes pleasure in arguing politics at the local tavern. Dots purchased in this Merit allow access to special debate maneuvers. Each maneuver is a prerequisite for the next. So, your character can’t have Ambiguous Statement until he has Ad Captandum. The maneuvers and their effects are described below. Only one maneuver can be performed in a given turn.

Ad Captandum (•)

Your character is skilled at creating simple, short statements with surprisingly effective emotional impact. This “sound bite” delivery makes it that much easier to influence any audience. When your character makes use of Ad Captandum training, she gains a +1 bonus to any Presence- or Manipulation-based argument.

Ambiguous Statement (••)

Your character knows how to craft loaded statements that make it difficult for an opponent to deny while maintaining an appealing stance. The opponent is essentially tricked into associating his position with something indefensible: arguing against the audience’s virtues, for instance, or attacking an unassailable subject (such as the gods). When making an Ambiguous Statement, your character may substitute her Manipulation for her Integrity until her next turn.

Synonymia (•••)

Your character knows how to strengthen a statement with a formal trick that involves stringing a series of synonyms together in rhythmic speech, underscoring the point and making sure that everyone in the audience understands it clearly. Some of the terms inserted into the Synonymia may not actually be exactly identical in meaning to the original statement, broadening its meaning and making it more difficult to attack. The argument (which must be based on Presence or Manipulation) is made at a –2 penalty. If the argument is successful, the next argument leveled against the speaker is made at a –3 penalty.

Apologue (••••)

Your character is a skilled and clever raconteur. She can enthrall an audience with her entertaining delivery (so long as the argument is based on Presence or Manipulation), getting the point across and impressing them all at the same time. No matter how many opponents level arguments against her, you may apply her full Integrity to all arguments in a single turn.

Innuendo (•••••)

Your character has achieved unparalleled skill in rhetoric, placing her among legendary speakers and politicians. Her subtlety is such that she can conceal a direct personal attack in an apparently innocent statement, swaying the opinion of the audience without damaging her own position. She may perform a Humiliating Attack (gaining the +3 bonus) on a Presence or Manipulation argument roll without sacrificing her Integrity for the turn or losing Integrity for the rest of the debate.

Drawback: To perform an Innuendo attack, you must expend a point of your character’s Willpower before you make the initial attack roll. The Willpower does not grant an additional +3 bonus to the roll. If the attack fails, the Willpower is wasted.

See Also Debate Style: Reason • Debate Style: Rhetoric

v · d · e Characteristics Attributes Intelligence • Wits • Resolve • Strength • Dexterity • Stamina • Presence • Manipulation • Composure Traits Defense • Health • Initiative • Size • Speed • Willpower Skills Academics • Computer • Crafts • Investigation • Medicine • Occult • Politics • Science • Athletics • Brawl • Drive • Firearms • Larceny • Stealth • Survival • Weaponry • Animal Ken • Empathy • Expression • Intimidation • Persuasion • Socialize • Streetwise • Subterfuge References Help/Start • Main Page • User Guide • Rules • Mini Character Sheets • Staff • Bestiary • Glossary