I totally agree, this is my Trascendent setup
I picked also proficiencies in club and morning stars, because most of cipher and monk abilities target fortitude and will, or make sure your party pick these. You can also pick little and medium shield, dagger and quarterstaff for defense, or wands to help party from distance. For clubs, Kapana Taga is good at attack and defense
I'm pushing diplomacy for RPG purpose and it fit well with Aretezzo's Cane if you wanna use a club, it can be good also with Shining Bulwark.
Anyway best passive skill for a CC defensive character is history as you say, but if you wanna give the cloack to someone else, with Casita Samelia's Legacy Intimidate is indeed good, and you can use it also with Aretezzo's Cane
My two cents, let's hear Boeroer about that