iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Angela M. Nelson, Middle-Class Ideology in African American Postwar Comic Strips, in "From Bourgeois to Boojie – Black middle-class performances"

Although black newspapers have served an important social and political role in African American life and culture, Frazier criticized the black press for being the “chief medium of communication” that created and perpetuated the “world of make-believe” for the black bourgeoisie. Frazier argues that magazines like John H. Johnson’s Ebony essentially represented the interests and outlook of the black bourgeoisie and that such periodicals exaggerate blacks’ economic well-being and cultural achievements. The magazine also emphasizes “black societies” (black social organizations and
clubs comprised mainly of middle-class blacks in northern urban areas) in order to help its bourgeois readers to escape their “inferiority and in consequence in American society.”

After World War II the black comic strip series Barry Jordan (July 17, 1954–July 16, 1955) in the Bronze Raven, and Little Magnolia (which appeared sporadically in the first half of 1949) and Swing Papa (April 3, 1948–August 1948) in the Toledo Sepia City Press, explicitly exalted African American urban life as a major cultural narrative.6 Through the use of middle-class culture, the strips also implicitly represented the norms of the patriarchal nuclear family, consumerism, consumption and affluence, individualism, “black society,” and heterosexual romantic love and marriage.

Of more importance, blackness in Swing Papa, Little Magnolia, and Barry Jordan is mediated, figured, and represented by the trope of middle-classness. The significance of middle-class ideology in the black postwar
comic strip is that it exalts, celebrates, and centers black urban life rather than black rural or religious life. The strips also speak to the urban black middle class, expressing a vision of urban black life in America that is equal to whites’ socially, culturally, educationally, economically, and (implicitly) politically. Black middle-classness therefore becomes synonymous with racial integration, peace, harmony, and equality, a recipe that complements the rhetoric of equal civil rights evinced in the activities of the NAACP and similar organizations, and suppresses social contradictions of inequality, racism, discrimination that exist in society.

Magnolia was a traditional gag strip with four panels that include a punch line in the final panel, and it ran in the Feature Section. Little Magnolia is a self-contained black comic strip that revolves around a precocious preteen named Magnolia and her parents, friends, and other adults. Rituals of integration dominate the installments of Little Magnolia, showing the protagonist and parent or friend in the first panel introducing the “situation,” moving to an illustration of the “situation” in the next two panels, and then resolution in the final panel. This strip uses little of the black repertoire,
but Magnolia’s living environment and home explicitly convey middle-class status. Her home, which appears to be an apartment, has a spacious living room and kitchen, comfortable furniture, and art objects. The apron on Magnolia’s mother strongly suggests that she is a homemaker. Magnolia’s father appears to be a professional because he is shown with a vest, shirt, and tie when at home and completely attired with suit jacket when at work.

Little Magnolia is a cultural narrative about black middle-classness, which includes heterosexual marriage, the nuclear family, and conspicuous consumption. As such, it, like Swing Papa, supports Frazier’s claim of a “world of make-believe.”

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

and a little vintage star trek homage because it's cute

a Dressmaker design evoking 1960s starfleet aesthetics, with a red, black and yellow A-line skirt and baby blue bolero jacket detailed with stylised sun, planet and star motifs

rear view of the Dressmaker design showing a back panel with stars in a slingshot trajectory around a planet

detail of the front panel, featuring a stylised sun, sapphire beading, and white buttons evoking stars

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

more d&d ephemera. hulking 7' dragonborn bandit warlord any pronouns ingénue in the big city

A red dragonborn with gold horns, spines and scale patterns, dressed in bloodstained leather trousers and a gauzy wrapped top. It looks off to the side and reaches into an old fashioned purse of gold. Background is a diagonal scarlet stripe dividing an area of sunlit oak leaves from black city cobbles.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

swashbuckling tabaxi jewel thief second

A Dressmaker design featuring a double breasted blue and white bolero over a ruffled lace shirt and blue A-line skirt. Lots of pink and blue ribbons and various jewels.

A reverse view of the dress showing a rear split seam with ruffled petticoats beneath.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

More d&d character looks to wind down tonight. Vengeance paladin of Kelemvor first

A Dressmaker design featuring formal black, grey and teal fabrics, silver chains, and a custom skull choker made of buttons.

Detail of custom skull choker and silver chain belt hung with bells.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

this is the most mentally ill dress I've made yet. behold the wasp.

an intricate Dressmaker design using red, yellow, black and blue fabric and accessories to emulate a brightly coloured wasp

rear view of an intricate Dressmaker design using red, yellow, black and blue fabric and accessories to emulate a brightly coloured wasp

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

oh I guess I never posted this anywhere. our dnd party had the classic dress up for a fancy party session and unfortunately my tablet is busted so I had to improvise something with the lasso tool. far from perfect but a good exercise.

A heavily stylised tiefling swashbuckler in red and black, dressed in tight boots and trousers and an open shirt, with a voluminous cape decorated with gold coins.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

faking the garter on this one is the most scared I have been so far that I was about to CTD the game (custom fit for my d&d tiefling swashbuckler)

A black dress with high hip cutouts and an open collared swashbuckler-style bodice cinched with a red silk scarf. Decorative elements have been used to evoke a sword belt and thigh garter.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

some of my favourite dressmaker fits so far

A sequined red and gold feathered firebird-themed dress cinched with a red silk flower

A soft draped silk dress in a pseudo-peasant style, decorated with rustic plant and animal shaped buttons.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

at the beach straight up babing it

a person with a short goatee, headphones and gothic ballcap at a sunny beach

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

"no ethical consumption under capitalism" is a phrase expressing that as consumers we're inherently complicit in the exploitations of capitalism, and to counter that system we're obligated to act beyond the bounds of consumption. not "if you can't beat 'em join 'em". you absolute fucking dunce.

Alba Rose @revolvyerom.bsky.social
Counterpoint: No ethical consumption under capitalism, make that $ from art

(quoted post)
R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social
every time I learn some leftist artist still maintains a twitter presence I lose a degree of respect for their integrity. and yeah I know I know "but my audience is there, but I have to make money". yes that's the faustian pact you're in, the one I'm reacting to. my disgust is what that income buys.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

the thing is literally anyone who pays attention to how empires end can make the same predictions, and this has been true for thousands of years. but a core aspect of empire is that most people inside it think the guys in charge have solved Forever Power this time for real

tweet by scorpy @socpens:

maybe ill never die because am special

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Painterly Plains: mortalityplays.itch.io/painterly-pl... Painterly Patios: mortalityplays.itch.io/painterly-pa... Painterly Peaks: mortalityplays.itch.io/painterly-pe... Painterly Paving: mortalityplays.itch.io/painterly-pa...

Painterly Plains cover image, showing sample maps

Painterly Patios cover image, showing sample maps

Painterly Peaks cover image, showing sample maps

Painterly Paving cover image, showing sample maps

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

The materials in the Megapack can also be purchased as four smaller packs: Patios, Paving, Peaks, and Plains (linked in next reply!) Each small pack is $5 and includes three texture sets in the full Painterly palette. You can see how powerful and flexible these materials are in the example maps!

Four versions of the same map created with the Painterly Plains pack. One depicts a simple forest road in summer, one in spring, one in winter, and one in a red and black hellish environment. Text reads:

Switch hues to quickly adapt the look and feel of a map without redrawing terrain!

(these are all the same map, drawn only using the dirt, grass and foliage terrain tools from this pack! Default Dungeondraft assets and lighting overlaid for illustration.)

Two versions of the same map created with the Painterly Patios pack. One depicts a bright stone altar structure in a sun-drenched desert, the other shows the same structure in black volcanic stone surrounded by ash. Text reads:

Switch hues to quickly adapt the look and feel of a map without redrawing terrain. These are both the same map!

Both examples use only the sand and paving terrain tools from this pack. Dungeondraft default assets, water and lighting are overlaid for illustration.

Two versions of the same map created with the Painterly Peaks pack. Both depict a series of high mountain pathways criss-crossing deep pools and rivers. The first appears warm, green and temperate, while the second is icy and frozen. Text reads:

Switch hues to quickly adapt the look and feel of a map without redrawing terrain. These are both the same map!

Both examples use only the rock and pebble terrain tools from this pack. Dungeondraft default assets, water and lighting are overlaid for illustration.

Two versions of the same map created with the Painterly Paving pack. Both show a mediterranean looking market square, in the centre of which is a mosaic of a sea creature leaping over waves. The first image is bright and cheerful, showing the square in its heyday. The second is dark, abandoned and overgrown with moss. Text reads:

Switch hues to quickly adapt the look and feel of a map without redrawing terrain. These are both the same map!

Both examples use only the stone and tile terrain tools from this pack. Dungeondraft default assets and lighting are overlaid for illustration.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Every material set uses the same range of 20 basic hues, plus a greyscale texture and a green/brown 'mossy' option. The packs were designed to work well with Dungeondraft's built-in lighting and shadow tools, so you can paint organic, dynamic landscapes from the terrain later up!

Twelve sets of swatches showcasing the palette range of the materials included. Text reads:
66 Grass options
66 Sand options
66 Dirt options
66 Stone options
66 Foliage options
66 Pebble options
2 Paving textures
132 Paving options
2 Rock textures
132 Rock options
2 Tile textures
132 Tile options

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

ohhh this pack is going to bang. same map, no adjustments except switching the terrain materials. there are only two textures used here in different hues.

tiled dungeondraft map showing a river running through a dense grassy meadow, flanked by earthy cliffs

tiled dungeondraft map showing a river running through a sunbaked yellowed valley, flanked by crumbling rocks

tiled dungeondraft map showing a river running through a snowy plain, flanked by black volcanic rocks and blue-purple crystal formations

tiled dungeondraft map showing a river running through a moody purple grassland, flanked by dense clusters of purple-pink crystals

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

got ticked off that I couldn't find terrain brushes for dungeondraft with the flexibility and hue range I want for painterly looking maps, soooo now I'm making my own cartography assets

a simple dungeondraft map with cliffs, rocks and shaded grasslands painted in

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Courtesy of the Clydeside Pissers Union, enjoy three sticker designs for prettying up your favourite gay bar or making a stink in your local trans-exclusionary bog. For the occasions when 'a trans person used this bathroom and nobody got hurt' is not enough. free.mortalityplays.com/bathroom-sti...

Three sticker (or flyer) designs, ready to decorate your local bar or rabble-rouse in public bathrooms.

Design 1: A classic bathroom silhouette icon, wearing a dress on its left side, trousers on the right, and a balaclava over its head. Text reads “DANGER: Subversive pisser in this area”

Design 2: Cross-stitch text in blue, purple and pink reads “Trans, Cis. Intersex, Non-binary – we’d all rather piss at home”. Corners are decorated with traditional floral elements.

Design 3: Black and yellow hazard borders and a yellow warning triangle accompany the text “Genital surveillance in effect in this area”. Beneath it, smaller text reads “Nobody is safe until we are all safe. Protect your trans siblings.”

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

A gorgeous illustration ready for framing as an individual print, or for trimming down to use as a bookmark (or anything else you like - it's yours!) Created by @axehandle.bsky.social free.mortalityplays.com/tiger-bookma...

A vertical illustration of a pastel toned tiger looking over its shoulder at the viewer, beneath a stylised sun and a ring of pale flowers. Balanced negative space on both sides of the image make it suitable to frame as a centred print, or to trim down for use as a bookmark.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

"The Captain's a stand-up fellow. Best not cross his First Mate." Painted a classic rpg companion portrait for my current d&d character (Fortunato, tiefling swashbuckler, ex-mob, certified good guy).

A bright red tiefling grins at the viewer, with his head cocked at an angle. In the foreground his claws toy with a switchblade. He has long tangled black hair, horns and eyes that glow like hot coals, and a vivid scar on his cheek.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Gary What The Fuck Are You Talking About

An incomprehensible table labeled 'Character Race Table II: Class Level Limitations' that I am not smart enough to describe or transcribe except that there are a lot of numbers, parentheses and footnotes.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

just like real life

$} else if (m->action == ACT_GETTING_BLOWN) { m->vel[1] -= m->gettingBlownGravity;$

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

when cami and I were trying to set up @murdermatinee.bsky.social we were hit with this one

discord screenshot:

toon gemini elf:
maybe i don't have to verify the email?? it's identical to the one you said
trying to send it again

1% sass:
safasdfdsads it came through this time
and the code
iS
FARTJ-DK647

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

nice argument, however I have already portrayed myself as the nutritious wholegrain european sourdough and you as the sickly unfermented american white sliced loaf

images of 'BREAD IN EUROPE' (flour, salt, olive oil, sourdough starter, fermented for 3 days) vs. 'BREAD IN THE USA' (refined, bleached with chloride, sunflower oil, fortified with iron and synthetic vitamins, not fermented)

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

This one isn't cropped. it's just a picture of onions in honey.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

they deleted bc they stole it from tumblr lol

Screencap of a post by tumblr user 'evilvillain123456789'dated April 23rd 2024.

Text: Can I please have a cappuccino but with oat milk and a big pump of sugarfree chocolate syrup and... Lol I remember your stupid ass from 2,300 years ago. We were living in seleucis on the tigris river during the same span of summers... do you rememver a red ibis bird with beautiful plumes? Yeah U were a sort of dull brown goat that didn't train and dint make milk or kids. Yeah? No? Eventually the Zoroastrian homesteaders who owned you started feeding you contaminated barley to try and kill you lol. Maybe you remember the ergotism? Anyway. also I want one of these 🫵stupid little breads in the case

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Have a click around the gallery if you're looking for home printables to brighten up cards or gifts - the bookplates could pair especially well with this printable bookmark set! free.mortalityplays.com/bookmark-set/

A set of four print-resolution images suitable to be trimmed into bookmarks.

Magpie: A magpie perched on a blossoming branch in the foreground. In the background is a natural vista, featuring a sun among pink clouds over a river flowing from distant mountains.

Snake: A stylised pink and purple snake coiled up in a figure-eight like shape.

Monster: A many-eyed purple-brown monster with a mouth full of oversized, yellow teeth. Luminous looking yellow-green mucus drips from the teeth.

Glass: A skeletal hand emerges from the darkness, clutching a wine glass. Inside the glass is a clear liquid and a ghostly skull nestled inside a curl of smoke.

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Gifting a book or comic book this year? Here's a free set of hi-res bookplates for you to print at home and customise with the recipient's name or your own message. OR just slap them into your own books to make sure everyone knows who has great taste. free.mortalityplays.com/comic-bookpl...

A set of brightly coloured print resolution bookplates evoking traditional media and classic comics. Narration boxes at the top and bottom of the plates read 'That was when I knew...I had to turn the page!'. In the middle of the bookplates are large speech bubbles, with optional text reading 'This book belongs to...'

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R/L Monroe @mortalityplays.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

yippeee!!! (by kirii.lines on instagram)

close up of a fresh forearm tattoo designed with geometric lines and shapes evoking a CMYK test sheet and print registration marks

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