CREATIVE PEOPLE WHO LOVE GAMES

AAW Games is a team of highly creative individuals from the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand who dedicate their daily lives to creating content for tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Our passion for gaming is evident in every aspect of our work.

At AAW Games, we prioritize creativity and quality in all our endeavors. We have made a conscious decision to focus on producing a limited number of high-quality products rather than churning out quantity. Our weekly publication schedule includes Mini-Dungeons, Adventure Arcs articles, and engaging blog posts. Additionally, we are committed to environmental sustainability and have implemented measures to minimize waste and promote responsible practices. This includes utilizing recycled materials, minimizing shipping distances, and ensuring the safe use of materials in the production of our physical goods.

To enhance our offerings, we have collaborated with several esteemed companies:

• Dynamic Dungeons: Creates dynamic maps for our Mini-Dungeons.
• Sonor Village: Composes and produces audio soundtracks for our Adventure Arcs.
• Dwarven Forge: Collaborates to create an adventure where model scenery and miniatures are integral to the gameplay experience.

For more information about our latest published products, please visit our website.

AAW Fun Facts

• Adventureaweek.com was conceived Dec 13th, 2010 and launched March 1st, 2012.
• AAW utilizes 100% recyclable and environmentally-friendly materials whenever possible.
• First exhibited at Gen Con in 2014, most recently in 2024.
• Hosts an annual game room at Gen Con every year (find out more here!)
• Has exhibited at Gamehole Con, Gary Con, Gen Con, PAX West, PAX Unplugged, ZoeCon, and more!
• AAW’s Best-selling title of all time: Rise of the Drow.
• AAW holds the distinction of being the first tabletop RPG publisher to:
• Standardize GM, Player, VTT maps.
• Publish a product on Roll20.net. (A00: Crow’s Rest Island)
• Produce an interactive website for running adventures on tablet, phone, computer, etc.

Adventure Arcs

AAW Games has recently embarked on a brand new D&D 2024 project called Adventure Arcs, a new approach to building and running adventures.

Projects Crowdfunding in 2025: Rise of the Drow: After the Fall, The Red Tree of Grudges, Treasure of Falcon Cove.

Over the years we released: Rise of the Drow, Snow White, Aventyr Bestiary, Underworld Races & Classes, Occult Secrets of the Underworld, Drider of the Underworld, Survivalist’s Guide to Spelunking, Adventure Omnibus AI-AII-B-C, Mini-Dungeon Monthly Zine, Mini-Dungeon Tomes I & II, Rultmoork, and more!

Visit the FAQ page to learn more about AAW’s subscription, product lines, and services.

Who is AAW Games?

Jonathan G. Nelson — Owner/Publisher, Author

Jonathan, the owner and publisher of AAW Games, is an accomplished author, game designer, and publisher. As an author and co-author, Jonathan has contributed to notable works such as Rise of the Drow, Snow White, Mini-Dungeons, Applied & Aggregate Spelunking, The Red Tree of Grudges, and more.

Prior to pursuing a career in gaming, Jonathan pursued a diverse range of interests. As a drummer and songwriter in a professional touring rock band produced by Michael Barbiero, Jonathan gained recognition through a video featured on MTV2 and MTV3. Additionally, Jonathan served as a sous-chef in several local Seattle restaurants.

Beyond these professional endeavors, Jonathan is a devoted father and stepfather to four exceptional children.

Stephen Yeardley — Author, Game Designer

After years of encouraging individuals to enhance their lives through the provision of records, financial guidance, instruction, and mentorship, Stephen now dedicates his time to either assisting individuals in rehabilitating rescued animals into new homes or providing Game Masters with thought-provoking adventures that challenge their players. 

A connoisseur of Shakespeare, Sherlock, and Jah Shaka, Stephen was born and raised in London but currently resides in the countryside, utilizing his hometown as a recreational destination. 

When not engaged in professional pursuits, Stephen engages in daily running, tree cultivation, and reading a substantial number of science books as his leisure activities.  In his writing endeavors, Stephen draws inspiration from mimics, doppelgangers, and transmutation spells, cautioning readers to exercise caution.

Thilo Graf — Lead Designer, Editor-In-Chief

Thilo Graf, also known as Endzeitgeist, is a highly accomplished polyglot roleplaying game enthusiast with over two decades of experience as a Game Master and player in a diverse range of games, spanning from highly intricate to exceptionally rules-light. 

In addition to his writing credits with esteemed companies such as Paizo, AAW Games, Kobold Press, Necrotic Gnome, Everybody Games, and numerous others, he has authored over 5,000 RPG reviews. 

Currently, he holds a teaching position at a university and maintains a voracious reading habit, exploring a wide spectrum of disciplines.

Tommi Salama — Lead Cartographer

Since 2014, Tommi Salama has been meticulously creating exceptionally high-quality, hand-drawn digital maps for AAW Games. Notably, he has crafted stunning 3x award-nominated isometric maps for the epic Snow White mega-adventure and setting.

Currently, Tommi Salama is responsible for designing all the maps for Mini-Dungeons, Adventure Arcs, and the majority of AAW Games’ captivating adventures.

Mates Laurentiu — Lead Artist

Mates Laurentiu, also known as “Larry,” is a freelance Romanian artist based in southeastern Romania.

Since his childhood, Larry has cultivated a passion for drawing and painting. He has dedicated his career to character and creature design, as well as book cover and interior illustrations, since 2001. His work can be viewed on his website, avatarart.com.

Roxanne Thompson — Layout Specialist

Roxanne has dedicated over half of her professional life to layout design, having acquired proficiency in Pagemaker, Quark Xpress, and later, Adobe InDesign. In 2014, her interest in tabletop board games led her to seek opportunities to combine these passions. She joined AAW in 2017, primarily focusing on the Mini-Dungeon line.

In addition to her layout work, Roxanne pursues various hobbies, including music, video games, writing, and her role as a stay-at-home mother to four dogs and two cats. She can be found weekly on Twitch.tv/QuiettGentleman, engaging in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) with her husband and friends on various shows.

Claire Stricklin — Author

Claire Stricklin is a multifaceted individual with diverse interests and accomplishments. She is a Philadelphia transplant, a planeswalker, a Georgia Tech graduate, a warrior poet, a transgender woman, an enthusiast of greyhounds, and a Game Master. Her literary works include numerous adventures published by AAW Games, a dissertation on actual play podcasts, and both the Handbook of Heroes and Facet webcomics. Currently, she holds a professorship at Rutgers University, where she has successfully convinced the English department to allow her to teach “Writing for Tabletop Games.” 

Robert Adducci — RPG Designer, Author, marketing pro

Robert Adducci is a freelance role-playing game (RPG) designer and marketing professional. He has design credits with various publishers, including AAW Games, Wizards of the Coast, Paizo, Ulisses North America, Schwalb Entertainment, Kobold Press, Alligator Alley Entertainment, and Soldier Spy. Notably, he served as a community manager for the D&D Adventurers League from 2014 to 2018.

Robert is an ardent fan of the Dark Sun campaign setting and founded the Burnt World of Athas website (Athas.org). He was born and resides in the deserts of Athas, also known as Phoenix, Arizona.

Tim Hibbetts — Author, Artist, Cartographer

Tim commenced his involvement in role-playing games shortly after the cooling of the magma, approximately in the year 1980. He temporarily suspended his participation in the early 1990s while working on an extraterrestrial assignment, returning around the year 2010. His current focus encompasses both words and images, occasionally blurring the distinction between the two.

Joe Tuccillo — VTT (FoundrY) Specialist

Joe has dedicated nearly three decades to role-playing games, having played Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). 

Currently, he is employed by AAW and other publishers, where he is responsible for content conversions for Foundry VTT. Additionally, he maintains a YouTube channel dedicated to third-party content, known as GMToolbox. Joe resides in Arizona with his wife, their two children, and two canine companions.

Bill Buchalter — Author

Bill’s foray into role-playing games commenced in 1983, during his teenage years, when he immersed himself in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. As a natural-born dungeon master, he swiftly developed his skills in crafting compelling narratives and immersive worlds that captivated his friends. During the Living Forgotten Realms campaign in 4th edition, Bill’s contributions extended to both writing and Dungeon Mastering numerous adventures. Upon transitioning to 5th edition, he continued his creative endeavors, writing numerous Mini-Dungeons for AAW Games. Presently, Bill finds joy in exploring a diverse range of tabletop role-playing games, including Pathfinder, SWADE, and 13th Age, among others.

Júlio Rocha — Illustrator, Concept Artist

With the assistance of his four feline companions and one canine, Júlio endeavors to create captivating works of dark fantasy and science fiction.

Blair McMillan — VTT (Foundry) specialist

Blair, who had always been interested in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), finally had the opportunity to play in 2017 when he joined a work group. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted his focus to digital gaming, where he discovered the Foundry VTT platform. Recognizing the need for accessible content, Blair began creating modules to assist content creators.

Residing in Brisbane, Australia, with his wife, children, two dogs, and two cats, Blair’s household is undoubtedly busy.

Rafael Tschope — Layout Artist & video editor

Rafael Tschope engaged in roleplaying even before taking his first breath. His mother made the decision that he should be born as a Level 0 Human. Fascinated with Venture Publisher, he interpreted this as a means of earning a living, dual-classing as a Video Maker. Currently, as a Designer and Video Maker, he is pleased to assist his fellow adventurers at AAW Games and numerous RPG Publishing Guilds in Brazil, as well as in any enigmatic realms he is summoned to act upon.

Kim Van Deun — Illustrator

Since 2015, Kim Van Deun AKA sketch_ferret has dedicated their career to illustrating fantasy worlds, opting for the freelance lifestyle. Kim’s work encompasses artwork for card games, board games, and covers and interior art for numerous popular TTRPG books and modules.

Kim’s work can be viewed at http://eyesintheforest.com

Fredrik Eriksson — Illustrator & COmic Artist

Fredrik Eriksson is an Art teacher and freelance artist based in Sweden. His primary artistic focus is on creating fantasy and horror illustrations.

His work can be viewed at http://artoffredrik.artstation.com

Tony Ohrazda — Author

AAW Games has recently introduced Tony, a seasoned player and Game Master, to the Mini-Dungeon community. His experiences in mountain rescue, emergency response, and disease prevention may occasionally manifest in his game design. 

Other influences include an active lifestyle, a passion for nature, affection for furry creatures, and an appreciation for the arts.

Garrett White — Author

Garrett has cultivated a profound passion for fantasy since childhood. Engaging in imaginative play, such as battling invisible orcs with a stick and conjuring dragons for entertainment, he has consistently allowed his imagination to guide his adventures. Upon discovering tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), he recognized an opportunity to channel his entire enthusiasm into a shared experience. The initial thought that arises when commencing a writing project is often, “What am I doing? What if they discover my pretence of competence?” This is typically followed by, “How can I ensure that this becomes an enjoyable experience for all involved?” Garrett’s first published work, “Mini-Dungeon: Of Crystal and Bone,” was released through AAW and has since become a cherished milestone in his literary journey.