There are many amazing and incredible things in the universe, and lots of them seem to happen to you. Or perhaps just around you. Wonder is a tough Theme to explain, because sometimes inexplicability is at the heart of it. This Theme doesn't make "wonderful things", it creates "things of wonder:" events, objects, even people, who are amazing and almost unbelievable.
Comprehension allows you to understand what you find, or to help find ways to explain it to others. It can also let you create amazing and unexpected new branches of science. Empathy lets you help others cope with something that may be overwhelming to them, or lets you spread the Wonder around one person at a time. If you'd like to affect dozens of folks at once, or millions, Magnetism is your route. Romance and Wonder go together like white on rice. Nothing says amazing like having someone you love there to see it too… or falling in love with someone from a new civilization. Plot Immunity will let you keep from being hurt by the amazing things you discover. Intrigue will let you take the amazing things you find and then immediately suppress them.
As with Romance, this Capability can be used (if you so desire) to make your character immune to wonderment. You are the Mister Magoo of the universe, unaware of all the amazing things that happen around you. With a few more points, you can extend this effect to the rest of the party, though anyone can counter your attempt simply by disagreeing (you don't lose the Twist).
Here's what you can do by spending a Twist through Wonder:
- Witness a record-breaking event. Make something amazing completely pass you by as you fail to notice.
- Create a piece of art destined to become famous. Make an unimportant NPC stare in uncomprehending amazement for a few seconds, regardless of Cognitech score. Discover a new non-sentient life form.
- Give a depressed person a new view on life. Make an important NPC stare in uncomprehending amazement for a few seconds, regardless of Cognitech score. Explain that the incredible organic nebula outside is merely your starship's screen saver. Turn a one-in-a-million chance into certainty.
- Create artwork that is immediately recognized for its genius and power. Find relics from dead civilizations. Trap an unimportant NPC in Infinity Hypnosis (where they stand and contemplate the infinite for hours). Turn a one-in-ten-billion chance into certainty.
- Discover a heretofore unknown human civilization. Create a new Profession that is unlike any other. Briefly do something that should be truly impossible. Trap an important NPC in Infinity Hypnosis .
Uncovering a race of alien beings or a whole new Capability falls under Wonder's purview (at level 5), but should be reserved for Story Trigger use rather than casual everyday use unless the GM is comfortable with it.
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Optional rule: the GM may extract a Complication from anyone who makes a Wonder Woman joke.
Wonder and Terror make an excellent combination for people who like sudden, wrenching changes in their stories. "Oh wow, look at the OH GOD IT'S GOT MY FACE!"