Ancient Blighted Oak (Hive Lord)

False Appearance. While the Ancient Blighted Oak Hive Lord remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal, dead tree.

Hive Mind. The Ancient Blighted Oak Hive Lord shares a hive mentality with other Blighted creatures, acting in unison with nearby Blighted allies. If one Blighted creature is aware of a hostile creature, all others in the hive mind are also aware.

Blighted Scourge. Natural weapon attacks by the Ancient Blighted Oak Hive Lord can infect creatures with the Blighted Scourge. A creature hit by the Hive Lord’s attack must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or contract the Blighted Scourge.

Rooted Resilience. When rooted in place, the oak has advantage on saving throws against being pushed or knocked prone.

Aura of Corruption. The Ancient Blighted Oak Hive Lord radiates a 20-foot aura of decay. Any creature that starts its turn within the aura must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 10 3d6 blighted energy damage and advance one stage in the Blighted Scourge infection. Blighted creatures are immune to this effect.

Multiattack. The Ancient Blighted Oak Hive Lord makes two Root attacks.

Root. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 17). The Ancient Blighted Oak Hive Lord can grapple up to four creatures this way.

Branch Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (4d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.

Corrupted Ground (Recharge 5-6). The Hive Lord corrupts a 20-foot radius area of ground within 30 feet for 1 minute. The area becomes difficult terrain, and creatures that start their turn in the area must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 10 3d6 blighted energy damage and advance one stage in the Blighted Scourge infection.

Blight Discharge (3/Day). As a ranged attack, the Hive Lord releases concentrated blight energy toward a target within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 17 Wisdom or Constitution saving throw, taking 30 (8d8) blighted energy damage and advancing one stage in the Blighted Scourge infection on a failed save. On a success, the target takes half damage and resists infection.

The Ancient Blighted Oak can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The oak regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Root Strike. The oak makes one Root attack.
• Grasping Vines (Costs 2 Actions). Vines sprout from the ground in a 20-foot radius centered on a point within 30 feet. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be restrained until the end of its next turn.
• Entangling Ground (Costs 3 Actions). The ground in a 20-foot radius around the oak becomes entangled with blighted roots. Creatures in this area must succeed on a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained. The restrained condition lasts until the creature breaks free with a DC 17 Strength check.