If a character can act in the surprise round, can she use her mount to make a charge? Or any action that requires the mount, like fleeing, for example?
If a character can act in the surprise round, can she use her mount to make a charge? Or any action that requires the mount, like fleeing, for example?
Yes, the mount does not receive its own initiative tic. If the rider can act, so can the mount.
Note, though, you can only use the partial charge action (move regular speed and attack, not double speed; can't draw a weapon without quickdraw) during the surprise round unless you have the ability to take both a standard and a move during surprise.
What about two unrelated actions? Like, say, rider casts spell, Mount moves up to speed (assuming controlling the mount is a free or swift action)?
A mount is more or less an accessory of the character controlling it. If they're told to getty up, they don't need to know WHY.
Whats more interesting is when the mount makes the perception roll and the rider is the one going "huh?"
I think I'll give my horse a level in Cavalier and one in Diviner so it can spot the ambushes AND give me an action in the surprise rd!