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I have created this thread to ask questions about anything in general related to CYS. This is of course the Newbie Central, and if you're a noob feel free to ask your own questions here. To start,

Can only more recognised figures like mystic, endmaster, MHD, ect have events? If you start a thread for a game and aren't a recognised figure, is it likely everyone will ignore it (this is assuming it's an actually fun game and not trash) and therefore it is not worth it?

     These are some questions I saw when going through other Newbie Central threads. Keep in mind, some of these are pretty old.

1. I am an English teacher and I am looking for a simple and short choose your own adventure story for a class next week Tuesday! Our unit topic is natural disasters and survivor stories and the kids are 11-14 years old (so please no age inappropriate stories). (Lyrosa56) Ok yeah this is awfully specific, but I don't know if this site has any stories on that, but if there is it'd be in the edutuainment section. If you don't know, the way to get to the edutainment section is if you click on storygames on the left, than click on edutainment.

        Since it's short, I would offer to quickly write something up but I have other stories going but maybe someone else would be willing or you could try.

        And yeah you can ask questions in this thread that's what I made it for.

2. As a person just getting started here, what are 3 stories you’d recommend? (Amanderin_Oranges) I would recommend The Price of Freedom: Innocence Lost, Eternal, and Tower of Riddles. I would also just recommend anything by endmaster in general, Tower of Riddles is a series of puzzles so not that if you just want to read. Of course, different people are likely to suggest different stories.
3. Which story here made you think the most, or gave you the hardest choices? (Amanderin_Oranges) Tower of Riddles, there may be a harder one I missed but this one is great for thinking. Another really good one for this is A Hunted and Haunted Halloween.
4. Do you enjoy stories with clear ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ choices, or more ambiguous ones? (Amanderin_Oranges) I prefer ambiguous ones, it usually leaves more room for improvement more easily so people can leave longer reviews and hopefully get them featured and also for the actual improvement of the author's writing ability. I also prefer it because it's more thought-provoking.

5. Hey, I'm new here and I was just wondering how you get points and how that works and stuff. (CrazyCatLady) Points are earned from contributing to the site. You can get points from reading and rating stories (which the authors appreciate!... hopefully), from making your own stories and publishing them, and from admins. There are two ways to get points from admins, either they give you points directly for whatever reason or they commend you. You can get commended on your forum posts and from getting your stories or reviews on stories commended. NOTICE: the following may not be accurate I'm still figuring this out too! When you get one commendation, it gives you 3 points as your commendation of the day. If you get more commendations than the other people in your group (sage, architect, marauder, ect. Visible on the right of your profile) than you get 10 points for most commended and have the Avon title for 24 hours. For more info on titles and commendations, go here.

6. I'm new here and I been wondering about the history of this website. Like how it started and what general events led to what chooseyourstory is today. This may be directed to some of the more longtime members of the community but if anyone has something, I'd really like to hear and understand it. (Nadromeda) This is the official site history, and this is endmaster's thread about the site's history.

7. Hello everybody, im new here, can u giv me tips about this site, if yes ty (The_Shy_Guy) This one is pretty old, 4 months, and first of all I understand not caring too much for spelling and grammer in forums but FOR GOD'S SAKE WHAT WRITING IS THAT. If you didn't notice, there's a Help & Info tab on the left that's quite helpful. The titles of the articles will tell you what they're telling you about.

8. I keep getting lots of duel requests and i have no idea what they are someone help me out and explain :( (ApexShell8495) Duels are basically luck for points. One person checks a box or doesn't check it, the other has to guess if they checked it or not. For a lot more in depth detail, look here.

9. Hey, I read the article saying what an Order was, but I still don't really get it. Are there competitions between Orders? Is it just a thing on your profile? Not a super important question, but I was just wondering. (Liminal) They do not have contests, and it's almost just something on your profile. I say almost because people talk about orders in the sense of teams a lot and say things like "ew, another sage" or "wardens are the best" or whatever. It's not a competition. Notice: I'm not sure about this last part . Also, the order with the most commendations as a whole (for the day?) has it's members's names appear red on forums instead of blue, but sorry if I got that wrong.

10. Does anyone have any storygame recommendations for the horror genre specifically? I tend to like psychological more than gory, but if the premise is interesting enough I'll put up with it. Thanks in advance! (Liminal) I suck in this area because I haven't really read many of the horror stories, so here's the thread.

11. I'm a proper idiot I've never used this website before at all help me (Venusasagirl) the title of this thread was hi guys please HOW DO I MAKE STORY GAMES PROPERLY. There's plenty of articles for that is Help & Info, but as it doesn't have everything I would link the thread as well but the replies aren't very helpful except Anthraxus linking to the articles, and I'm not sure exactly how to answer this because there's lots of layers. The genre, what you mean by "make it properly", ect.

     There was also a bunch of stuff asking for recommendations. I looked at every thread that was available without pressing the older threads button at the bottom. If there's a bug, there's a Bugs and Problems forums area and the Wishing Well is where to go if you have suggestions on something to add to the site. I hope this helps someone :D

     Also, if there's random spamming of random stuff just ignore it the admins will handle it. Spammers get banned. You'll also want to keep that in mind and not spam yourself (I know a lot of you know this, this is for the noobs! Even though I'm technically one too...)

     I have now looked at the next page of newbie threads.

1. Newbie here. I've gone through most of the Help & Info articles, but I can't find a tutorial on how to give the player the option to set their own name to be used throughout the game. Is it even possible? Any help is much appreciated! (ikan2) This was 6 months old, so maybe the article explaining this wasn't posted yet? Anyway, here's the article. If you're getting frustrated with it, maybe leave it alone and make story games without player made names for a while then come back to it. If you go to Help & Info and don't click on the article then look under the name, it's labeled expert so don't be too mad you can't figure it out if you're new.
2. There's a flood of questions from UD, so I'm going to skip that also because you can find all the answers in the Help & Info section except for AI. He asked about rules on AI, there are technically no "rules" but this site it pretty heavily anti-AI and if you want people here to respect you don't use AI. Even if it was allowed, you shouldn't use it.
3. Hi.I am a newbie writing my first story. It has 3 main branches with smaller choices in each and I just want to know what word count I should aim for. (jarethflash17) This answer is from DBNB and it's quoted from the thread, this is not from me: "Since this is not an article or assignment that is word count specific, you should aim to use enough words to properly develop and tell your story. There are plenty of stories here that have lower word counts with well written and developed characters and plots.  It would not be beneficial to your story to pick a word count and then pad your sentences and paragraphs with unnecessary words simply to hit that goal.  Focus on producing quality writing and the word count will take care of itself." -DBNB

There is more on this page and past this page, but I've gone though a lot of threads. Hope this is handy to newbies. 

If you have an idea for an event or game you want to run, you should PM a mod with a detailed description. They will let you know if the idea is appropriate, well timed, and should go forward.

Thanks :D

      I was just wondering, isn't a guillotine that medieval execution thingy where you put your head so your neck is in a large wooden rectangle thing with a overly large metal blade at the top and they drop something or let go of something or whatever and the thing at the top drops down and decapitates the person? Here's an image of what I'm talking about (from google):

Yep! Surprisingly enough, it was last used in 1977, one month before Star Wars came out. 

Today's edition of What Do Words Mean? with your host Avo, now upgraded to three syllables!

She's still one syllable away from learning what a dictionary is

No, it was not medieval.  It was invented in the eighteenth century.  

The earliest designs of a guillotine-like device can be found in High History of the Holy Grail from 1210, and there are functional examples of similar devices, such as the Halifax Gibbet, may have been used for executions as early as 1280, but certainly by 1532 where one is shown in a woodcut being used to commit an execution. There is a very recognizably guillotine like device called The Maiden that was built in 1564 and used until 1716 on display in the National Museum of Scotland. The term guillotine of course didn't come into use until the 18th century, but the concept and practical usage has been around since the medieval period.

Within these three openings are the hallows set for them. And behold what I would do to them if their three heads were therein ... She setteth her hand toward the openings and draweth forth a pin that was fastened into the wall, and a cutting blade of steel droppeth down, of steel sharper than any razor, and closeth up the three openings. "Even thus will I cut off their heads when they shall set them into those three openings thinking to adore the hallows that are beyond."

Anyone can clearly see that that is not a guillotine, but a trap made by a particularly annoying gamemaster who is sick and tired of their game and just wants to kill the whole party.

     I'm taking Gower's side on this one. Sorry for my mistake. I'm pretty sure Gower is a teacher, right? So what he's saying is more likely accurate.

Gower is quoting from one of the sources Anthrax mentioned.

But yes, assuming he knows what he's talking about in most things is smart.

I have another question (I hope no one minds), this one's about grammer. How do you know when to use were or where?

It's spelled grammar.

Anyway, "were" is the plural past tense of "is"

"Where" is what I believe is called a interrogative pronoun, but I could be wrong. Anyway, it indicates or asks about a location. Ex. I know where you live. Where are your vital organs?

Thanks :D

     Earlier and just now too, I was looking at who was on CYS out of boredom and noticed someone by the username PurpleFlyProductions. I took a look at their profile, and I noticed multiple of their story game's descriptions said it's just a test. Bad idea. Make a serious attempt or that story is likely gonna get torn down. Plus, if you're doing it to get better it'll be more effective to make a story you put more time and effort into anyway.

I know this isn't exactly an important question... but how the heck did Mizal get such a cool title on her profile page?!?! I want rainbow color changing text :(

I swear if someone says you have to be an admin to get that my head's going to explode.

Mizal has years of dedication to this site. With notable story games, thorough reviews, and constant site activity - she has clawed her way into Modhood and has been award rainbow text.

Glory to CYStia

It'll take me years to get rainbow text if I ever do :(

Is rainbow text the only thing or can mods pretty much mess with their profile in tons of ways? I noticed custom titles like Malks.

Oh you silly noob. CYS is not so advanced we'd have such features.

The rainbow text, the capital M in her name (unless it was updated through SQL at some point), and the custom titles are all straight from the code, done manually by the code monkeys (if any are still alive).

...that is, unless things changed since a year or so ago.

If you call me silly one more time I'll find a way to carve your eyes out.

So silly. What a goof.

*sounds of anthraxus's door creaking open*

*sounds of my four dogs all growling welcome to the intruder*
"Silly, silly noob"

*Sounds of me raising my fully loaded gun and pointing it at the dogs*

And don't get smart with me, it isn't broken, it won't malfunction when used, we're not placed in such a way the I'm pointing at a wall, I'm not unable to use the gun in anyway, I'm not imobile, such and such. And the door doesn't close on me and break my neck, I hate when people pull that on me.

*Shoots you* Why waste time talking? That is a silly move.

I respawn because I had... a clone in an alternate dimension waiting to jump in? Out of my pocket I pull out a massive bazooka and let loose destruction while also using white out on the sign calling me silly and writing "This is definitly not anger issues." on it.

I would do more, but I don't know the layout of your imaginary house and don't want to assume or shape how it is with my actions when it's YOUR imaginary house so I'll leave it at that.

This has gotten too silly for me. You obviously want it more, so you win. You've out sillied me. Good job.

>:(

What remains of Anthraxus isn't pretty after I run out of amo.

     The only story in the newley created section I haven't read and rated is Shadow of a God-King (that's the title, right?) but I'm too young too read it!!!  X(

     Anyways, I was wondering about proofreading, how many people do you suggest getting a story proofread by? I read it, a few others did, and I know it's good to get insight from multiple people with fresh eyes. I haven't exactly seen tons of profiles saying "I can proofread!" and my proofread thread only got gryphon to read it, Liminal never read it or if he did never PMed me or posted in the thread his review ._.

     I thought google wouldn't be good for a question like this. In poems, I noticed multiple using "so" (or So) in a way that confused me, do poems use so in a different way?

Can you give an example of a couple that confused you?

     I forget the exact poem, about gold not lasting or something. Two lines started with so, and one said "So Eden sank to grief" (I don't remember if it ended with a period or comma, which is why there's no punctuation).

'Nothing Gold Can Stay' by Robert Frost

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour. - This so references the prior line, indicating that the flower-like state of the earliest leaves as they turn from green to gold is very brief.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief, - Speculation of course, but I believe that Frost is drawing a comparison between the shift of golden leaves to brown and dead and the fall of grace in man represented by the eviction from Eden.
So dawn goes down to day. - Indicating the further passage of time as the golden leaves, like the golden dawn, pass on to less special states.
Nothing gold can stay.

In this case it is a conjunction, indicating "for this reason, therefore" -
adverb
1. to such a great extent.
"the words tumbled out so fast that I could barely hear them"
2. to the same extent (used in comparisons).
"he isn't so bad as you'd think"
conjunction
1. and for this reason; therefore.
"it was still painful so I went to see a specialist"
2. with the aim that; in order that.
"they whisper to each other so that no one else can hear"

Thanks.

Now go read The Outsiders

      I am for a school thing, which is why I know about the poem. I'm not allowed to read ahead, we're on chapter 5 and we're not going to be reading any more until 2 weeks later. :(

Oh, nice! I loved that book. Your class may be Gen Alpha's last chance at a literate society.

      Lol. Half the teachers, for the first time, seem to be throwing in their own stuff with the curriculum. One even gives us candy! We just have to act when the principle or a vice principle checks in and play dumb if they ask about it. Probably one of my first rule breaking experiences, now that I think about it.

     This isn't 6th grade or elementary school, I like these teachers a lot more. And they don't feel like robots without a personality following a formula for an "engaging class".

     In poetry, when do you know to end one stanza and start another? I've just kinda been doing it where it feels right-ish. I write poetry mostly as a hobby and because it gets my emotions out and is calming, but I also want to get better at it.

It all depends on what kind of poem you're trying to make. Most commonly you'll see a 4 line stanza, usually following a ABAB pattern. I'm pretty sure I was also learning some of Shakespear's sonnets at your age. I'd recommend looking into the different types and try your hand at a couple different ones. There are a lot of different rules for each kind but if that feels daunting there's no harm in doing whatever and calling your poem 'free-verse.'

Thanks :D

What Surana said basically, there are so many different kinds of poems there is no one answer there.

Depending on the type they'd be formatted using different rhyme scheme layouts, different numbers of lines, different numbers of syllables per line... and then there's the whole concept of meter and flow, which some people have a natural ear for and some are just going to struggle with. It's what makes them sound awesome when spoken out loud though.

To begin with though, it's hard to go wrong with four lines of alternating rhyme, and aim for going back and forth between eight and six syllables--look at some of the classic Christmas songs for a simple demonstration. (O Little Town of Bethlehem if you need something specific to search for, assuming your filter even lets you look at Google results.)

Or haikus are always fun: just 3 lines with 5-7-5 syllables, and it should have some kind of observation to do with nature.

Relevant to the site:

“A Poppy Blooms” by Katsushika Hokusai

I write, erase, rewrite
Erase again, and then
A poppy blooms.

(Okay, I lied, that's not 5-7-5, but those numbers are just the English rules--haikus are Japanese and they don't translate across in a 1 for 1 way like that because of hope different the languages are.)

      Thanks! And I can't look at most music, but there's one youtuber I'm subscibed to who I can see like half of her piano covers.

PS. Wait - was I supposed to say the second part replying to your first post?

     If you're making a page where one link can go to different pages, how can I change a variable? And it can't be the same for all possible results because it's a fight with different outcomes.

Hm, your question is a bit general (though, tbf we are in a thread called General Questions so yeah...) and difficult to answer but I'll have a crack at it. First, check the Help and Info section to see if there are any useful articles there - there are plenty of advanced articles about Variables and Scripting but I could have sworn we used to have an article explaining what Variables are and how to use for them beginners and if it's been deleted or only ever existed in my imagination we sure could do with a beginner's guide written by someone who knows what they're talking about. I dp have a tentative understanding of variables though and will try to help.

First, on the main Storygame Properties page make sure you've got Variables turned on to Advanced under the Editor Options setting. Then, on your page links to other pages click the Modify Variables button next to the link (it looks like a blue plus sign with a line under it) and this allows you to change previously-created Variables. If you've going for fighting you might want one that subtracts Health from your reader's Health variable (on the variable you can have a setting that if it falls below 1 - i.e. to 0 - the player has died and is sent to a specific page titled "Sucks to be you" or something similar). You might want to deduct health from an enemy too, with a similar page to be sent to if you vanquish them (this variable you would probably not want to be visible for players).

That's probably a good starting point for you but if you have any more queries of a more technical nature the Advanced Editor Forums where wiser and more technologically skilled members can provide more advice. Mainly the best way to learn is the way I learned: play around with different settings, save and exit, play through the story and see what happens, what things work and what things don't. Hope this helps :)

     Thanks, but that's on the link so it'll apply to any page it sends you to. Maybe I wasn't clear enough or I'm misunderstanding, but if I did that no matter what page the reader got sent to it'd be the same change in variable. I know the modify variable thing, I'm using script so it sends the player to a random page from a given list and each page would have different changes in variables.

Just set the variable to change to the desired result as part of the same criteria that triggers $DEST.

You can use BEGIN and END to bookend code blocks if that helps you keep them organized.

Thanks :D

     Is there some requirement to writing an article? I just want to write an article on some things that I thought pretty much everyone knew that surprisingly Blister needed a lecture on.

We're going to have to start getting pickier about articles soon, lots of members seem to want to write them just because, but there aren't too many subjects left that really require a whole article to explain.

If this is about some basic grammatical thing anyhow, Blister can learn that anywhere on the internet if he cared to look it up. We don't really need to cater to alt spamming lurkers here, you've surely got better uses of your time.

It's about infodumps and time lapsing (he was skipping too much time) mostly but I might run into more stuff. This is excluding stiff that I thought were more basic.

and writing articles just because makes sense considering the points it gives.

That sounds like it could be a good thread in the Writing Workshop.

Write up your article and post it in a thread. People will tell you if it is article worthy.

I was wondering, is there some kind of translator? I would hate to keep pasting things into google translate...

I'm not sure what the context is here, but if you're reading a foreign language game your browser or at least the one on your phone should offer to translate automatically.

It did once but the option has vanished... ah well. Thanks anyway.

Close the window and restart it?

This isn't for one story. It's been like this for about a month now. I can't read the non-english stories without way too much effort  >.<

That's okay, non English speakers have never done anything of importance.

Well there is Finali Incantatum. Sure it's a fan fic, but it is still sizable and pretty well written.

You forgot the sarcasm tag. How are we supposed to understand. ;)

Oh, Fabrikant is still alive.

Questionable. But, active. Was on a bit of a mission in summer. But will have more time again till the end of the year.

For some phones/browsers, you might be able to click the three vertical dots next to the tabs button at the top of your screen, which has an option for translating text. If you're on a laptop, right click and the option to translate the page should pop up.

Oh yeah, thanks! :D

Sorry, I know this is a random question, but if something's a reply to the first thing in a thread than I think it's 212 characters long before you go into another line, and if that's the case if you want to center something that's 4 characters than you put 104 spaces before it, right?

there is? How... do I do that? I can't fine a certering thing at the moment... and it's for my thunderdome entry, if that complicates anything.

I use HTML, I can't speak for the RTE using subclass.

I use HTML too, just not when I don't need to because RTE is easier.

Are there glitches with commenting? I'm asking because I commented on a story and it put it there twice.

Which story is it? I could help delete the duplicate. 

Edit: Done :)

It's Dreams of Plague by megzahill

EDIT: thanks :D