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Message: <blockquote data-quote="andargor" data-source="post: 3258109" data-attributes="member: 7231">IOC we have two players that are a team. One is a largish (but still Medium sized) half-orc, and on his shoulders rides a gnome character (alternatively, on one shoulder). When in combat, the gnome jumps down into one of the adjacent squares.However, it becomes tricky when the party is surprised, or the half-orc and/or the gnome are flat-footed. Unlike mounts, they have separate initiatives. Questions such as AoOs, both by them and directed at them, actions performed before the gnome jumps down, either of them targeted by attacks or spells, etc., continually arise.The player cry of "...but I'm on his shoulders!" becomes very frequent in intense situations, and frustrations arise on both sides. So I would like to provide a fair but permanent ruling for this mechanic. The fact that the gnome rides on the half-orc's shoulder(s) is an RP element I would not like to quash.For the moment, I have ruled that the gnome actually occupies a square that he choses adjacent to the half-orc for all intents and purposes, event though they roleplay as if the gnome is on top of the half-orc. That's ok, but not totally satisfactory since it does not cover movement when combat begins (or a trap that suddenly springs open under the half-orc).I'm also considering allowing the gnome to occupy the 5' "cube" above the half-orc, and move with the half-orc until he jumps down (a move-equivalent action, can be combined in a 5 ft. step). Any AoOs, attacks, weapons reach , spells, etc., would take that into consideration. If the half-orc falls, the gnome falls with him. The gnome would not have any particular bonuses or penalties for being on the half-orc's shoulders (AC, can get grappled, saves, etc.), but would simply occupy a cube 5' off the ground.Thoughts? Any other rules I should be aware of that covers this?</blockquote>

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