Niyah Monroe

Name Niyah Monroe

Position Computer Hacker

Basic Info
Personality
History

Character Information

Gender		Female
Age		36

Physical Appearance

Height		5’7” (169cm)
Weight		122 lbs (55Kg)
Hair Color		Dark Brown
Eye Color		Chocolate Brown eyes
Physical Description		Niyah has a confidence bordering on arrogance when working on tech, either behind her computer or surrounded by dismantled devices. Whenever she's out in the field or out and about that confidence seems to falter a bit, primarily due to awkward body posture and a sense of absentmindedness. Her sharp features—high cheekbones and a squared jaw—seem to hold a quiet determination, though her movements occasionally stiffen and her face scowls, as if weighed down by unseen aches. Long, dark locs, often tied back or in a top bun for practicality, frame a face that shifts between intense focus and quiet unease. Her clothing is practical and unassuming: cargo pants, a metal band t-shirt, and a lightweight jacket with enough pockets to hold tools and devices. A compact, well-worn messenger bag is slung across her chest, its contents a tangle of cables, scavenged tech and custom devices. Though her steps are measured, her hands and mind are deft.

Family

Spouse		Olivia Flowers (1989 - 2024)
Father		Peter Monroe (1962 - 2024)
Mother		Ayanna Monroe-Freeman (1965 - 2024)
Brother(s)		Malcolm Monroe (1985 - ???) Jaden Monroe (1990 - 2024)
Other Family		As far as Niyah is aware she has no surviving relatives following Judgement Day.

Personality & Traits

General Overview		Niyah is a study in contrasts. When working on tech she’s fully in her element. Dissecting code, rewiring systems, or piecing together salvaged devices. Her sharp wit and quick problem-solving make her an invaluable asset, though her bluntness and sarcasm in these moments can come across as dismissive. She’s not one for sugarcoating, especially when it comes to her craft. Outside her technological comfort zone, however, Niyah becomes noticeably more reserved. Social interactions, particularly in unfamiliar settings, leave her awkward and introspective, prone to retreating into her thoughts or hyper-focusing on minutiae to avoid engaging with others. Her lingering physical pain from an old accident adds another layer of tension to her presence, occasionally breaking through as a stiff movement or scowl, which she tries (and often fails) to mask.
Strengths & Weaknesses		Strengths Analytical Mind – With years of practice and a natural aptitude for analysing and problem-solving, Niyah can assess situations, identify issues, and evaluate possible solutions. Unwavering Focus – When given the time and room to settle down, Niyah’s ability to focus intensifies to the point where next to nothing will break the flow. Under the right circumstances she’s been known to work without the need to eat, sleep or drink. Resourceful Innovator – Niyah has a knack for making the most of what she has, often turning scraps of scavenged tech into functional tools or devising creative solutions with minimal resources. Her ability to "MacGyver" her way out of tough situations has earned her a reputation as someone who can fix—or break—almost anything, even with limited supplies. Weaknesses Introverted – Niyah finds long or intense social interactions draining. She needs time alone to recharge, and her preference for solitude often leads to her retreating into herself, especially when surrounded by others for too long. While she values connection, she’s more comfortable working in small, intimate groups of people close to her or alone. Nihilistic – Even before Judgement Day Niyah’s life experiences have led to a bleak worldview. She often questions the meaning or purpose of life, struggling to hold onto hope. This outlook can make her appear detached, and at times, she may feel that efforts to resist are ultimately futile, which can hinder her emotional connections or drive. Physical Limitations – Due to the lasting effects of her car accident, Niyah struggles with bouts of pain in her spine and lower limbs, which can slow her down or limit her ability to operate in high-stakes physical situations. Though she rarely complains, her tendency to push through the discomfort can sometimes aggravate her condition, leaving her vulnerable in the field.
Ambitions		Niyah believes in the positive force of human ingenuity and technology. Before Judgment Day, she was working on creating a benevolent true A.I. designed to work for the betterment of humanity. In the wake of Judgment Day, and in honor of her late wife, Niyah has found a new purpose: to safeguard the best of humanity’s achievements. She is dedicating herself to building both physical and digital archives to preserve humanity's greatest works of art, science, and innovation, ensuring that the essence of what humanity has created endures, even in the face of devastation.
Hobbies & Interests		Niyah’s passions have always leaned toward the digital and electronic. From a young age, she immersed herself in video games, tinkered with computers alongside her dad in his shop, and delighted in dismantling and reassembling devices to see how they worked. Technology was her playground, and she thrived in its endless possibilities. Since Judgment Day, however, the dangers of using electronics have forced her to adapt. In this new world, she’s turned to books and board games for relaxation, finding solace in the tactile simplicity of printed pages and the strategy of tabletop games. Though these pastimes are a far cry from her digital roots, they’ve become a welcome escape—reminders of the creativity and ingenuity that still define humanity.

Personal History

Born in 1988 in Bowie, Maryland, Niyah Monroe grew up in a family shaped by hard work, ingenuity, and quiet resilience. Her parents, Ayanna and Peter Monroe, were the cornerstones of her early life. Ayanna, a passionate civil rights lawyer. Peter, a self-taught electronics repairman, opened a shop in the late eighties that quickly became a hub of activity in Bowie. For Niyah, the repair workshop in the back was more than a workspace—it was a playground for her burgeoning curiosity, where she learned to breathe new life into old devices under her father’s patient guidance.

As a child, Niyah was naturally curious and introspective, often diving deep into books, games, and anything that challenged her mind. She’d always felt a bit like an odd duck around other girls, which she attributed to being into what was typically seen as male dominated hobbies. The full picture of this sense of unease came into full view when she met Olivia. At the age of thirteen Olivia moved from Alabama to the street where the Monroe family lived, in Bowie. Her father having taking a promotion in a local branch of his corporate employer.

From the moment they met, Niyah and Olivia were inseparable, bonding over shared curiosity and a love for mysteries—whether it was reading murder mysteries, watching thriller movies, or simply unraveling the intricacies of adolescence together. Their connection ran deeper than either could articulate, an unspoken understanding that grew stronger with every passing year. That was, until early 2002, when Olivia suddenly seemed distant and aloof. Upon insistence from Niyah she reluctantly admitted for having developed romantic feelings for her closest friend.

The two called a meeting with all of their parents, both coming out as lesbian at fifteen. It was a pivotal moment. While Niyah’s parents reacted with love and understanding the same could not be said for the very conservative father of Olivia. Several months later, after a particularly tense confrontation with her deeply conservative father, Olivia moved in with the Monroe family. This left her estranged from her parents, but gave her the freedom to embrace who she truly was. The Monroes welcomed her with open arms, though the decision stoked tension with Niyah’s older brother, Malcolm, whose growing alignment with alt-right ideologies cast a shadow over family gatherings.

After graduating from Bowie High School in 2006, Niyah was accepted into the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Attending MIT was a dream realized, and at the same time heartbreaking. It was the first time since meeting that she’d be forced to live without Olivia closeby. The prospect of attending MIT was too much to decline, though. It offered access to cutting-edge research and peers who shared her passion for technology.

Despite the demands of MIT, Niyah took a two-year gap between high school and college to travel the world with Olivia. Having been granted deferral to delay her start at the prestigious institute. Armed with little more than backpacks, the pair hitchhiked across Europe, starting in Poland, traveling south until they made the cross from Spain to the African continent, where they explored the ancient ruins of Egypt, and traversed the wide-open landscapes of South Africa. They did odd jobs and joined volunteer programmes for room and board to get through the different regions and connected with a huge range of diverse cultures and people. The adventure was transformative for Niyah, exposing her to the beauty and resilience of humanity in all its diversity. From volunteering in rural clinics to sharing meals with families who spoke no common language, Niyah came to see technology not just as a tool for progress, but as a bridge that could connect and uplift communities across the globe.

Tragedy struck during Niyah’s final year at MIT. While driving home for winter break, looking forward to seeing Olivia again over Christmas, she was t-boned at an intersection as she come into Bowie after a long drive. The other driver was under the influence and had ran a red light. The collision shattered Niyah’s sense of invincibility, leaving her with severe injuries to her spine and lower limbs that required over a year of surgeries and grueling physical therapy. The long recovery process tested her patience and resolve, as she grappled not only with chronic pain but also with the fear that she might never regain her independence or return to the work she loved.

During that time Olivia paused her studies in Museum Studies and Cultural History at George Washington University, to stand by her. It grew as a hot button topic between Niyah and her high school sweetheart, as Niyah felt terrible for affecting Olivia’s career path in such a negative way. But the time spent working through all of it was what really cemented their relationship as an unbreakable bond.

Returning to MIT and graduating in 2014, Niyah launched her career as a freelance ethical hacker, using her skills to protect vulnerable communities, nonprofits, and small businesses from cyber threats. By 2015, she had taken on a project as a lead developer in the AURA Project (Artificial Understanding and Responsible Advancement), an ambitious initiative focused on building benevolent A.I. systems to serve humanity’s needs. Her work often overlapped with Olivia’s, who had dedicated herself to digitizing and preserving endangered cultural artifacts, art, and literature through a nonprofit organization associated with the Smithsonian.

When same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in 2015, Niyah and Olivia married in a small ceremony surrounded by close friends and family. Those years were some of the happiest in Niyah’s life, as she and Olivia worked side by side to build something meaningful. Niyah dreamed of a future where A.I. could solve problems like healthcare inequities and education access, while Olivia envisioned a world where the best of humanity’s achievements would be preserved for future generations. Together, they saw themselves as architects of a brighter, more equitable world.

By 2024, however, the cracks in that world had grown impossible to ignore. Escalating tensions and global instability weighed heavily on both of them, though they never imagined the speed with which it would all collapse. Judgment Day destroyed the life Niyah had built and the dreams she had shared with Olivia, leaving her with nothing but her grief and the stubborn determination to ensure that her wife’s legacy—and humanity’s best creations—would not be lost to the ashes.

Service Record

Education

- Bowie High School, Bowie, MD — Graduated, Class of 2006
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Class of 2014
Specialization: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity
Notable Projects: Developed an early prototype for ethical machine learning algorithms during senior thesis.

Professional Career

Freelance Ethical Hacker (2014–2015)
   - Provided cybersecurity solutions to nonprofits, small businesses, and advocacy groups.
   - Specialized in vulnerability assessments, network penetration testing, and data protection for underserved communities.
   Notable Achievement: Secured a pro bono contract with a human rights organization to prevent leaks of sensitive data in politically unstable regions.

Lead Developer, AURA Project (2015–2024)
   - Spearheaded research and development on Artificial Intelligence frameworks for human-centric applications.
   - Focused on designing machine learning systems aimed at solving global challenges, including education access and public health disparities.
Notable Achievement: Co-authored a groundbreaking white paper on aligning A.I. with ethical and societal values, presented at the 2020 Global Tech Symposium.

Digital Security Consultant (2018–2024)
   - Advised cultural heritage organizations, including nonprofits associated with the Smithsonian, on securing digital archives.
   - Collaborated with Olivia to digitize and protect endangered works of art and literature.
Notable Achievement: Developed an encrypted cloud storage solution tailored for small-scale cultural institutions, ensuring long-term data preservation.

Volunteer Work

Coding and Digital Literacy Instructor (2014–2024)
- Organized and led free coding workshops for underprivileged youth in Bowie and Washington, D.C.
- Mentored dozens of students in cybersecurity fundamentals, ethical hacking, and coding, fostering interest in technology careers.