Cind. Found this:
http://aoc.wikia.com/wiki/Developer_Quotes/Master_and_Apprentice_System
"Finally, but most importantly, we offer a Master-apprentice system. Here you may include a lower level player in your party, and "sponsor" her or him with levels. This boosts the lower level player's hit-points and power - without giving access to the level locked areas or powers. This is - we think - the most useful option to really let friends play together even though they gain levels at different speeds."
Which is a really cool idea imo.