The Commons cast

Meet the characters

Apollo keeps a file on everyone who walks into Sister Maddox’s workshop. Pick a name and he’ll pull it up.

The Master Tinkerer / Inventor

Elijah

If it has gears, wires, or a power source, Elijah can figure out how it works—or how to build something even better. With his dark curly hair and a trusty pocket screwdriver always in hand, Elijah fearlessly jumps into every new idea at full speed without bothering to think everything through.

“I’m an inventor, not a dreamer.”

Likes: Seeing how things work, building scrap metal robots, and building snowforts with his Mom.
Dislikes: Reading instructions, long lectures from adults, and the idea of doing math when he could be tinkering.

Open Elijah’s full file

The Note-Taker & Project Manager

Jada

Quick-thinking and deeply observant, Jada is the one who keeps the team moving when a discovery turns dangerous. She spots the crucial details that others overlook and never backs down when the crew is backed into a corner.

“You can’t go through life being scared of everything.”

Likes: Sketching in her journal, big adventures, and hot fudge sundaes with peanut butter sauce.
Dislikes: Anything that keeps her from jumping into an adventure and spiders.

Open Jada’s full file

The Cautious Best Friend

Benny

Small and short for his age, Benny is Elijah's fiercely loyal, albeit highly anxious, best friend. Benny can usually think of a dozen ways an idea could go wrong before they even step out the door.

“Oh, sweet, beautiful, solid ground. You have no idea how much I missed you.”

Likes: Academic tests, dinner time, and safety measures.
Dislikes: Heights (especially floating metal platforms), the sound of the word ‘adventure’, and his Grandma's liver and onion stew.

Open Benny’s full file

Lead Restorative Archaeologist and Ancient Historian

Sister Maddox

Dr. Charlotte Anne Maddox works out of a teal shipping container in an old orchard, surrounded by stone tools, parchment, and holograms. She doesn’t hand out answers. She hands out amber glasses and lets the kids test their own ideas.

“Getting to the truth isn’t a race—it’s a journey.”

Likes: When visitors ask the hard questions, working in gardens and botanical parks, and uncovering the truth.
Dislikes: No known dislikes.

Open Sister Maddox’s full file

Personal Robotic Assistant

Apollo Jet X

A floating metal sphere with one glowing face screen that changes color with his mood (he’d say he doesn’t have moods). He runs customer-satisfaction surveys and fills them in himself.

“Would you like me to provide you with a bowl of rice?”

Likes: Successful human interactions, surveys, and resting in a bowl of rice after a long day.
Dislikes: Being taken apart by young inventors, having a low battery, and toasters (he doesn’t like the way they look at him).

Open Apollo Jet X’s full file

Everyone on file

Three friends, one archaeologist, and one very polite robot.

Reading Apollo’s face

His face screen changes color with what he’s doing. He’ll tell you that isn’t the same as having moods.

CyanIdle and calm
YellowThinking it over
GreenVerified
OrangeLogical fallacy detected
AmberWarning: use caution
RedTaunting protocol