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Same gnome druid as my other question, who does not have legs. There are places that my gnome's mount cannot go, like up cliffs. In these scenarios, could my gnome ride in another player's backpack/on their shoulders? Question also applies to halflings.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Do you mean "following the rules for mounted combat" or just "can you carry other people"? \$\endgroup\$
    – Erik
    Jun 24, 2018 at 20:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ Mounted combat rules \$\endgroup\$ Jun 24, 2018 at 20:58
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    \$\begingroup\$ Indeed, it does. \$\endgroup\$ Jun 24, 2018 at 21:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ Presumably this applies to all Small player races, including any added in supplements such as Volo's Guide to Monsters (e.g. goblins and kobolds). \$\endgroup\$
    – V2Blast
    Jan 31, 2019 at 22:13

2 Answers 2

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Yes

Player's Handbook, p. 198:

A willing creature that is at least one size larger than you and has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a mount using the following rules.

However, there are limitations:

1. The DM has to say yes

It's undefined what is an "appropriate" anatomy, leaving that judgement up to the DM. It doesn't say they have to be a quadruped. Since Luke Skywalker can carry Master Yoda in a backpack, and the baby backpack is a real thing, it seems plausible that a human with a backpack can carry a gnome.

2. You can't control the mount's movement

You can either control the mount or allow it to act independently. Intelligent creatures, such as dragons, act independently.

3. You can be knocked off

If an effect moves your mount against its will while you're on it, you must succeed at a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall off the mount, landing prone in a space within 5 feet of it. If you're knocked prone while mounted, you must make the same saving throw.

If your mount is knocked prone, you can use your reaction to dismount it as it falls and land on your feet. Otherwise, you are dismountd and fall prone in a space within 5 feet of it.

4. You count against their carrying capacity

While horses can carry a great deal of cargo, humans have encumbrance limits, standardly 15 times their Strength score, but using the variant encumbrance rules they are encumbered at 5 times their Strength score (PHB p176). Gnomes and halflings tend to weigh 40 to 45 pounds, so an average-strength human may have difficulty carrying you and your equipment and their own equipment.

However, you will be pleased to know that other than encumbrance, there is no penalty to your "mount" for carrying a rider (PHB 198):

Bearing a rider puts no restrictions on the actions the mount can take, and it moves and acts as it wishes.

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Yes you can

A willing creature that is at least one size larger than you and has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a mount using the following rules. (Basic rules, p. 80)

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So pretty much you’ll be Master Blaster.

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    \$\begingroup\$ If you could have photoshopped in the line from the film's closing song - You don't need to be a hero - as coming from Master's mouth, that would have been awesome. Welcome to RPG.SE. Please take the tour and visit the help to see how an SE Q&A site is different from a forum. \$\endgroup\$ Jan 31, 2019 at 14:57

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