Editing Template:S-start/doc (section)

===Predecessor/successor templates===
These are the templates that are used to substitute ''s-bef'' and/or ''s-aft'' when a box documents a succession different from the usual format of "predecessor-subject-successor", like at the beginning or end of a succession chain and at a vacancy. The templates in this category are four: ''s-new'', ''s-non'', ''s-inc'', and ''s-vac''.

====S-new====
''S-new'' is used instead of ''s-bef'' to signify the beginning of a new succession chain, where there is no predecessor before the subject for a specific title.

Simply using <nowiki>{{s-new}}</nowiki> will produce a plain "New title" cell. Using parameters can change this title: "creation" produces a "New creation" cell instead of the "New title" one, "party" produces a "New political party" one, etc. (see the [[Template:S-new|template page]] for an exhaustive list). There is also a "reason" parameter, which gives the option of entering the reason behind the title's creation, using a short sentence.

Here follows an example of the usage of ''Template:S-new'', taken from the article of [[Aegon I Targaryen]]:

::<nowiki>{{s-start}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-new}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-ttl|title=[[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men]]<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]|years={{Date|1|37}}}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-aft|after=[[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]]}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-end}}</nowiki>

Which will appear like this:

{{s-start}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]<br>[[Protector of the Realm]]|years={{Date|1|37}}}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Aenys I Targaryen|Aenys I]]}}
{{s-end}}

====S-non====
''S-non'' is the opposite of ''s-new'': it is used to signal the conclusion of a chain of succession, replacing ''s-aft'' in the box's successor cell. ''S-non'' fills the slot when a position is abolished, becomes extinct, or otherwise falls into permanent disuse. ''S-vac'' should be used instead if the line of succession resumes after a period of vacancy. 

As the reasons for the end of a title are more numerous and possibly more difficult to describe than those for its creation, ''s-non'' is an open template, allowing for the insertion of practically any message (using the "reason" parameter, which cannot be omitted). It is preferable, however, that these messages are as short as possible, like "Abolished."

''S-non'' must be followed by a <nowiki>|-</nowiki> character in complex tables, or error might occur in the display of these succession boxes.  The use of this character is not necessary if a reason is given, as the use of a reason incorporates the use of the <nowiki>|</nowiki> character. The very first and last lines of each table are also excepted, as it is not necessary to add the character before the first line and after the last one.

Here follows an example of the usage of ''Template:S-non'', taken from the article of the [[Bloodstone Emperor]]:

::<nowiki>{{s-start}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-bef|before=[[Amethyst Empress]]}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-ttl|title=[[God-emperor]] of the [[Great Empire of the Dawn]]}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-non|reason=Last emperor}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-end}}</nowiki>

Which will appear like this:

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Amethyst Empress]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[God-emperor]] of the [[Great Empire of the Dawn]]}}
{{s-non|reason=Last emperor}}
{{s-end}}

====S-inc====
''S-inc'' is used instead of ''s-aft'' to show that the subject is the current holder of a title, and that for this reason there is no successor to the title for the duration of the subject's term. There are incumbents for all succession chains that have not already ended, with the exception of those currently vacant.

One will normally use the proper ''s-inc'' template, <nowiki>{{s-inc}}</nowiki>, which will produce a simple "Incumbent" cell. There is the "heir" parameter, which allows one to include the name of the incumbent's heir (if any), as well as the "heir-type" parameter, where an heir's specific title or status can be stated (usually "Heir apparent" or "Heir presumptive").

Here follows an example of the usage of ''Template:S-inc'', take from the article of [[Tommen Baratheon]]:

::<nowiki>{{s-start}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-bef|before=[[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]]}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-ttl|title=[[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men]]<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]|years={{Date|300}}–present}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-inc|heir=[[Myrcella Baratheon]]|heir-type=Heiress presumptive}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-end}}</nowiki>

Which will appear like this:

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey I]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men]]<br>[[Lord of the Seven Kingdoms]]|years={{Date|300}}–present}}
{{s-inc|heir=[[Myrcella Baratheon]]|heir-type=Heiress presumptive}}
{{s-end}}

====S-vac====
''S-vac'' may be used in place of either ''s-bef'' or ''s-aft'' (or both in the same line), and its purpose is to indicate breaks in succession chains, primarily vacancies. A vacancy is a length of time during which a title is unoccupied—for monarchs, such periods are known as interregna. Vacancies occur to most offices, although it should be noted that the short period that often passes between the end of the previous holder's term and the election/appointment of the next holder does not count as a vacancy.

There are two basic versions for ''s-vac'', each of which requires a parameter. The version for the predecessor cell uses a "last" parameter, where the name of the title's holder before the vacancy can be filled, while the version for the successor cell uses the parameter "next". Furthermore, there are title parameters that change the message displayed ("Vacant"), depending on the specific circumstances: "commission" produces an "In commission" label and "suspended" produces a "Suspended" one, to furnish two examples (see the [[Template:S-vac|template page]] for an exhaustive list).

Apart from the standard edition of ''s-vac'', there is also a pair of versions for the cases where title holders are unknown, and thus there are again missing links in the chains of succession, even though the titles were actually occupied at those times. In these occasions, the "last" and "next" parameters are replaced with "unknlast" and "unknnext" respectively, while the "unknown" title parameter ought to be used. This way readers can navigate unobstructed along even incomplete succession chains.

For all four versions there is also an optional "as" parameter, for changes of title names (see the [[#"As" parameter|relevant section]] lower in this page), as well as a "reason" parameter (preferably only used for vacancies), where a brief explanation for the vacancy can be entered.

Note that ''s-vac'' must in every event be preceded (when a predecessor cell) or followed (when a successor cell) by a <nowiki>|-</nowiki> character in succession boxes, because serious errors can occur in the display of these boxes if the character is omitted. The very first and last lines of each table are excepted, as it is not necessary to add the character before the first line and after the last one.

Here follows an example of the usage of ''Template:S-vac'', taken from the article of [[Pycelle]]:

::<nowiki>{{s-start}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-bef|before=[[Merion]]}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-ttl|title=[[Grand Maester]]|years={{Date|259|300}}}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-vac}}</nowiki>
::<nowiki>{{s-end}}</nowiki>

Which will appear like this:

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Merion]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Grand Maester]]|years={{Date|259|300}}}}
{{s-vac}}
{{s-end}}