As with any other sort of contest, you can psyche out your opponent in a certámen duel. This could involve any­ thing from taunts or aggressive body language to a terrifying manifestation of the Gladius and Aegis – say for instance,

a Gladius that looks like a roaring hell-beast and an Aegis that resembles a shrieking face.

In game terms, the intimidating player rolls an appro­ priate Social Trait (usually Manipulation or Charisma) + an appropriate Ability (probably Intimidation, although Art, Empathy, Expression, or even Seduction could work as well). Each success inflicts a -1 penalty on the defender’s next roll; five successes or more might cause her either to concede the match immediately or lose initiative for the rest of the duel and remain on the defensive throughout the certámen match.