Commendations are like a newer form of xp, but they can't be taken away (for now).
They are sorta given for contributing to the site in a meaningful way regarding writing. So forum posts helping people with their writing, or quality short stories / works. Also for writing storygames (but it isn't ideal for this, so admins aren't giving them out there as much) and comments on storygames.
If I recall, storygame commendation count is dependant on the story length, so admins don't pick the exact number, which leads to it being either too much (if the story is bad) or too little (if it is good). I am being general here btw.
Forum posts get 1, and storygame comments get 3.
Commendations are then added for all members in the order, to give each order a total. Sages are winning by a heap so this sorta failed, as it was supposed to encourage people to contribute more in a friendly competition way. (Orders are given to everyone and are random).
Also when you get a commendation you get xp as well, so that is nice. Further if you are in the top 5 you get special titles dependant on the order, they do nothing, bragging rights I guess. If you are first you get the most special title btw.
Also there is some more nice little gimmicks regarding most commendations in the day, and stuff like that (regarding red usernames, and bolded red usernames and what not).
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Good luck with your work, I feel you could do either fantasy or edutainment, as long as edutainment is not just a side thing for the whole story. Then again I believe admins can change it if you pick the wrong one, so no pressure.
I do wonder why you are using 'basic' variables tho, pretty sure that is more likely to limit you since I don't think advanced are that complex and they do give more options.
Maybe make a test storygame and see what it actually changes? Since honestly, I don't recall the differences, and this way you can make sure you don't mess anything up.
Pretty sure changing it now shouldn't effect you in a negative way, but maybe someone else knows if it would.
TL;DR
Commendations are nice, but not really used by you for anything (it is automated). Also good luck, either category should work (pretty sure).