Mediator today.

"One... million..." you say quietly yet with enough power to echo throughout the council chambers. "That is the size of the host that shall be marching through Macedon in roughly 1 week's time. 3,000 represents the numbers of Xerxes' fleet sailing across the Aegean as we speak."

"And who are you to barge in and interrupt this council in session?" challenges a particularly grizzled magistrate, his eyes pointedly glaring at your choice in attire.

"Last I checked, Athens was a direct democracy. Any citizen can step forth and speak in these sessions, not just the wealthy or well-educated."

Numerous grumbles of agreement answer you but even these were quickly rebuffed.

"No citizen of Athens would be dressed like a barbarian from the north," scoffs the very same magistrate.

"And no well mannered, well educated Athenian would resort to fist and foot when met with disagreement," you quip back smoothly.

Silence follows once more in the agora as the old man in question, now properly cowed, returns to his seat. Wits and words were the key to swaying these philosophers and scholars. You could already feel a migraine brewing so without further delay, you continue.

"As for who I am, consider me a messenger from Noble Athena herself. Now that I have your attention, let us focus on the task at hand. Xerxes doesn't march upon Hellas with the same intentions as his father. He has only one goal in mind; **** for Darius' embarrassing defeat at Marathon. Athens and her sister cities are the only ones to openly defy Persia and triumph. This has stirred numerous rebellions across the Empire, all of which have unfortunately been stamped out. Xerxes seeks to make an example of you to the entire world. Observe."

You lift your hands and conjure a projection of Athens... burning to the ground. The Magistrates all clamor in disgust and terror as you show the citizens slaughtered or enslaved, their many monuments and tributes to the Gods torn asunder by the God King's slaves. A blood red moon hangs overhead in the evening sky as Athena herself weeps for her people.

"This future... shall come to pass should you noble men of Athens stand by and do nothing. This is the truth, and it would be remiss of you all to deny it."

"What then must we do to prevent this tragedy... Oracle?" asks the younger Magistrate, Themistocles he was called.

You give him a sidelong glance before addressing the assembly as a whole.

"Give this man his ships. It's a wall of stout wooden hulls, firm sails, and bronze shields that shall hold the invasion **** at bay. No amount of numbers will triumph over a sturdy fleet with an able commander at its helm. War is coming whether you wish it or not, but know that you have the blessings of Athena to guide you."

"This man is no Oracle," comes the challenge of yet another detractor. "Sorcery and deceit fill his words and actions. If he is truly a messenger of the Gods, then we must consult the Gods themselves! Let us seek council in the Temple of Athena. Only she can confirm his message."

Various murmurs ring out amongst the partisans. Taking a glance at their collective thoughts, you discover that Athens too had their own Oracle like Sparta and, most famously, Delphi. As you follow the procession back out into the warm rays of Apollo's sun, you stretch your senses to find this Oracle of Athens. You had little chance of completely hijacking her mind without risking Athena's wrath unless of course that was your aim, but a small amount of suggestion wouldn't hurt your endeavors if need be.