It's a "gable ladder" or "barge". The gable truss is 3 1/2" shorter
than the other trusses so you can install a gable ladder on top. Here's
a site with a pictu

http://www.construction-resource.com...read.php?t=417

The ladder sits on top of the gable truss and is face-nailed to the
second (full-height) truss. The rungs run all the way from the second
truss to the fascia. Blocking fills the gaps on top of the gable truss.


Since you are stick framing it, you could do it the classic way. The
rungs of the "ladders" are called "lookout rafters" and are notched into
the gable rafters instead of sitting on top. The rafter on the far end
is called the "fly rafter".

Cut a 3 1/2" wide by 1 1/2" deep notch in the gable rafter everywhere
you want a lookout, and then place them flat. Face nail them to the
second rafter the same is the truss method.

--
Dennis