From when we encountered short swords being used correctly, it was for dual wielders. Though Ashley could use it, she's correct in thinking that she will do more good maintaining her menagerie.
>Upon hit
Ashley's hit potential against a AC15 is 25%, even for a goblin she'd miss 3/4 of the time.
Her lynxes output more damage bonus with her rally than the extra damage of the short sword especially since her hit bonus is +0, she doesn't even have basic weapon proficiency. If she could find a charisma based weapon not just as bonus damage, then that would be potentially useful. Something like a summoned weapon, like a living weapon. Interesting idea.
Another idea is to take this short sword and extract the magic it has for use on another weapon. It could even be combined with Cat's great sword and this bonus 2d6 would stack assuming her charisma wins against enemies' charisma. That transfer could be done by a weapon smith who knows arcane craftsmanship. That sort of person would exist in Neverwinter.
[Ashley] Also I want 1/4 of half or 1/8th of the loot sales, you can keep the rest, my sacrifice is half the loot I would get if everyone split evenly and that's okay. If I have enough I'm buying a thieves' kit and a shield.
