Agents traits and retinues

[Greek_fire19]

Diplomats could have a bodyguard, who increases their defence against assassination, which rises to 'intimidating bodyguard' who as well as offering increased protection, offers also more influence, due to the intimidating effect he has on people.
I think this would be a nice way to simulate the importance of the threat of force in negotiations.

Personally I think there should be lots of possible ancillaries for diplomats, most of which increase influence. The best diplomats should arrive at foreign courts with a large entourage of musicians, entertainers, scribes, assistants, secretaries, bodyguards and mules loaded with luxuries and treaured items.

The effect this would have would carry much more influence with foreign kings than a single diplomat arriving on a mangey horse, even if he does have a 'way with words' or whatever.

For a diplomat, influence ought to be the ability to persuade a foreign king that it would be advantageous to him to be on good terms with your kingdom and do as you say. Ancillaries would be the most realistic way of demonstrating this.

A 'company of troops' might be another nice ancillary for this, as well as defending against assassination.