Interpreting Tone Through Diction

Examine the following passage carefully:

'In the midst of the tumultuous debate, he stood, a veritable bastion of equanimity, making his points with a prowess that seemed to command both attention and respect, as the cacophony of dissent swirled around him, distorting the clarity of dialogue.'

Consider the author's choice of diction in this excerpt. Which of the following words best captures the author’s intended tone regarding the speaker's demeanor?