iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Final poem of the week! It addresses the same issue as my last poem: systemic issues oft targeting women &the LGBTQ+, & etc. Going to try and let the poem speak for itself here, it’s pretty heavy handed in what it posits. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "The Root of All Evil."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

A final mini for my series where I make HeroForge minis of all the characters of my fantasy novel. This one is of Swordmage Ray, a general in the Dead God's army. His part is small in this story, but I have more planend for him in the future. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini made by the maker of this post, depicting an armored knight in all black plate and pauldrons. His sword is black steel with embedded gems, and the edge of the blade is sparking with flame.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Ramping it up with some heavier topics, this poem directly responds to the poor treatment of women & the LGBTQ+ community lately & posits why I believe that mistreatment happens - a systemic issue my next poem will address too. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "The Lording Men."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

A lesser antagonist from my WIP fantasy novel recreated in HeroForge: the giant champion/mortal-vessel of Mil'Ho'An, the god of war, valor, strength, and honor. He is a warchief for one of the ten orc tribes of La'Rann. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini designed by the maker of this post depicting a tall, muscular, green giant with tusks, horns, and a furrowed brow. He's wielding a massive rusty and boney two-handed axe. He's got a fur cape and a necklace of teeth and tusks.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

A poem I meant to post last week about the state of certain technology in the world. It notes a negative shift in literacy, attention spans, comprehension, & critical thinking recently. I don't believe this shift is for the better. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "Your Short Life".

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Corvus Goodhill is a captain of the elvish legion, an occasional steward for the king (who he's close friends with due to shared grief and loss), a father to Mira and his adopted daughter, Luna, and a trainer for the princes, Beiro & Adran. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini designed by the maker of this post, depicting a knight in gilded armor with a golden shield. He's got short brown hair and brown eyes.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

A much older poem! This one was written for a high school English class about 8 years ago, to study MLK Jr's Letter From Birmingham Jail & write a poem based on its longest sentence as pertains to the struggles of our life at the time. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "It isn't Fair."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Lt. Zakor Zenhuan is the lone survivor of the Dead Man's Brigade in my wip fantasy novel. Originally a hunter, he was never meant to be a legionnaire, but he's now served for over a decade. He helps train the princes, Beiro and Adran. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini designed by the maker of this post, depicting a scarred man in leather armor. He's got a quiver on his hip and two crossbows in his hands (one in each). His hair is short and brown, and his eyes are brown too.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

This poem was originally written as a song, matching an instrumental song of the same name from my RPG game, Struck at Midnight: Dance of the Dead, but I feel it works wonderfully as a poem too due to its specific cadence and structure. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "Midnight Musings."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Vinoc, one of two druid brothers in my wip fantasy novel! He's a supporting character, serving as the protector of Rose Willagrown and raising her alone in hiding. His stubbornness and his dogma threaten to grow the divide between them. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini designed by the maker of this post, featuring a fur-wearing, twisted-staff wielding, tea-drinking, bearded old druid with brown hair and eyes.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

A vent poem about certain technology and the current usage and effects of this technology on art, writing, and other creative expressions. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "End of Line."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Morrick, one of two druid brothers in my wip fantasy novel! He's a supporting character, serving as a magical and political mentor and advisor, as well as a healer and as a ceremonial speaker. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini designed by the user. Depicts a druid in various shades of green and simple cloth and furs. He's got a staff, a drinking horn, and an antlered hat. He's also got a brown beard.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Totally forgot to share some poems and minis last week! Also apparently I never shared this one on here weeks ago when I did on my other socials (@marianastrae on most platforms, check it out to support!). #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "The Dotted Line".

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

One more mini for today! This one depicts Lore Scald, an elf and wizard in my novel. She studies abroad in The Thousand Isles, but revisits Gaelathas every few years to study ancient ruins and teach Rose magic as one of her only friends. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A Hero Forge mini depicting a woman in a fine blue shirt and jacket, blue pants, blue belt, and even a blue bag on her hip. Her wand is a spiraling pearly white, she holds a rolled up piece of paper in the other hand, and lightning erupts from the tip of her wand. Her eyes are blue, her hair is blonde and put up in a high ponytail.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

An older poem of mine about a hypothetical couple in the wintertime. It was an experiment in a different type of poem and to utilize certain techniques I was studying at the time. In my mind at least, the hypothetical couple is sapphic. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "At the Cottage."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Another Hero Forge mini for a character of my fantasy novel! This one is of Thia Nightbreeze, a huntress and good friend to Beiro and Adran. She grows up alongside them in Willagrown Manor, since her only surviving family lives across the sea. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini depicting an elvish huntress. She's wearing leather and hide and fur and a sleeveless green top. Her hair is tied half up behind her, there's a quiver on her hip, and a magical javelin on her back. She is wielding a bow and arrow in her hands.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Meant to post this poem last week, along with a few of the posts to follow. In good news, however, I am now 20% through my first wave of revisions on my manuscript draft! Anyway, here's a poem about dice and TTRPGs in general. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "Dice Roll-Call."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Another mini! This one is Mira's sister, Luna. She doesn't look like this at first, but I can't spoil why or how she ends up like this. She's a willful sorcerer, mischief maker, and extremely unhinged pre-teen. A bit of a glass cannon really. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini made by the maker of this post, it depicts a young teenage girl in a blue and white dress. Her hair has gone silver, and her eyes are milky white orbs with no pupils. She wields a wooden staff with silver thread tied around it in one hand, and a potion bottle in the other that is bubbling over with acid. There are more vials on a pouch at her side.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

As promised, here's another poem for this week to match my last one! Inspired by #daggerheart, this poem personifies Fear and was a fun exploration in metaphor and symbolism. It mimics the structure of the one I wrote first about Hope. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "I Am Fear."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

A new HeroForge mini for my series where I make minis for all the characters of my fantasy novel! This is Miracle / Mira Goodhill, the bodyguard of Prince Adran and an aspiring knight. She's a skilled swordsman and a loyal friend. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge miniature made by the user. It depicts a half elf woman with brown hair, leather boots, leather vambraces and shoulder pad, a fine red tunic with silver buttons, a dashing silver rapier, and a red headband. She has muddy blue eyes and a scabbard on her belt.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

A poem for this week with a matching one to follow so stay tuned! Inspired by #daggerheart, this poem personifies Hope and was a fun exploration in metaphor, symbolism, and poem structure. The next one I'll post is about Fear. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the maker of this post, titled "I Am Hope."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

And finally we have my favorite character to write in my novel: the antagonist of the series! Raven Verron is the Undying King. He is also a half elf, a lich, and a champion of Deya'Ill, the god of Death. His quest: burn the living down. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A gaunt, withered man with ghost-pale skin and a skeletal hand. He is wearing black and red robes, a shimmering, black cloak and feathered mantle, and a beaked masquerade mask. His eyes are red and bloody. He wields a curved dagger and a sentient whip of woven twine.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Another poem from last week that I meant to post before today! This one I'm quite proud of, though it was written a month or so ago now. I have always loved the color gray, and its use in symbolism. This poem is an homage to nuance. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem written by the poster, titled "Thin Gray Line."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Another HeroForge mini made last week to represent a character from my novel! This one's of Elihan Willagrown, the king of the Gaelahan Enclave and father of the main characters. They will inherit from him, a legacy of war and inaction. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

An elf in green and gold-lined clothing, wielding two twin blades and wearing a crown of leaves and woven branches. His hair is long and blonde, his eyes are green. There is an amulet around his neck.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

New poem from last week! This one refers to the feeling of having ones voice and identity repressed, and is written from the perspective of the silencer, to show how dangerous and cruel the rhetoric is, as well as double-edged. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

One last mini of a character from my fantasy novel before the night's over! This one is of Mercia Willagrown, the mother of Beiro, Adran, and Rose - all of whom we have already made minis for! She also goes by the nickname "Mercy". #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A HeroForge mini in a green dress. They have brown hair and brown eyes. They are playing a wooden flute and reading from a book.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

New poem! This one reflects on the dangerous rhetoric often used against me and my community. It is written from the perspective of the metaphorical "witch hunter" in this case to show how awful and ridiculous their "witch hunt" is. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem by the maker of this post, titled "Witch Hunter."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Another mini, another character from my fantasy novel! This one is of Rose, the sister of Beiro & Adran who I made last time. Unlike her brothers, Rose is human and she doesn't grow up in the enclave. Can't say much more without spoiling! #writesky #writersky #writingcommunity #amwriting #ttrpg

A HeroForge miniature dressed in a simple, purple gown and a fur shawl. She has red hair, red eyes, a ring on her right hand, a necrotic flame in her right hand, and a red-eyed raven perched on her left hand.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Saved this poem to share today specifically! This one touches on one of my favorite topics, The Bystander Effect, and various deviations of it. As a bonus fact, the novel I've been working on also addresses this topic! #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky #writersky #poetry #poem

A poem titled "The Bystander Effect". It is written by the author of this post.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Me again, continuing with my new series where I make the characters of my book as minis in HeroForge. Last time we made the mc, Adran Willagrown II, and now I’ve made his twin brother (not identical), Beiro. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A TTRPG miniature made in HeroForge. They have curly wheat-blonde hair, a green tunic lined with yellow thread, multiple belts, a fancy quiver on their hip, and an amulet around their neck. They wield a carved long bow with a spectral arrow of light knocked between their fingers and the grip.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Sharing another poem this week! This one's inspired by my own life and experience, both as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and from living with an invisible disability. It utilizes my love for glass as a metaphorical device. #poetry #poem #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky

A poem shared and written by the maker of the post, titled "Like Stained Glass."

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Thought it’d be fun to celebrate the first draft of my book this week, by making minis of all my characters over the the next few months as sort of a weekly series. To start off, here is Adran Willagrown II, our main protagonist in the book. #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky #ttrpg

A TTRPG miniature made in HeroForge. He has dark brown hair, a fine red tunic, beige trousers, leather boots and belt, and a scabbard on his hip. He wields a sword and a simple, reinforced wooden buckler. He has brown eyes, tan skin, and is wearing an amulet around his neck with a green gem.

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

New poem! Going to be posting 2-3 poems a week to share off some of my writing, and also to challenge myself this year to write more and write more poetry in general. This one is inspired by recent events and how the news impacted me. #poetry #poem #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky #writesky

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Some of my favorite themes to write include those of duality, conflicting perspectives, muddled morality, mental health, the burdens of war & leadership, and having to reckon with the legacies we inherit. What are your favorites? #writingcommunity #writersky #writesky #amwriting #booksky

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

I just finished the first draft of my fantasy novel and I'm inviting you to join this journey with me as I take the next steps for the first time! I have loved writing this story and I'll be sharing more about it every week, so stay tuned! #writingcommunity #writersky #writesky #amwriting #booksky

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Marian Astra @marianastrae.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Hi! I'm Marian Astra, a newly aspiring author, screenwriter, and director that you may recognize from some of my prior work, such as my short film last year, Dungeons In Dissociations. I'll be posting some of my writing here every week so stay tuned! #writingcommunity #writersky #writesky #amwriting

A graduation photo with text: "Meet the Author! (Writer/Director) (She/Her, LGBTQ+) Fantasy Author, poet, director, game dev, and a player/GM of TTRPGs"

A film poster, two video game title screen drawings, and a board game cover with text: "You may recognize me from any of my previous projects! You can check out Arcanum Incantatum on TheGameCrafter.com!"

Icons for Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Bluesky, each with the username @marianastrae next to them. There's also text saying: "Enjoy my writing? Consider a follow to show support! Stay tuned on all my poems, books, films, & games!"

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