Blighted Desert Flower (Hive Lord)

Hive Mind. The Blighted Desert Flower Hive Lord shares a hive mentality with other Blighted creatures, allowing them to coordinate attacks. 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 Blighted Desert Flower Hive Lord can infect creatures with the Blighted Scourge. A creature hit by the Hive Lord’s attack must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or contract the Blighted Scourge.

Aura of Corruption. The Blighted Desert Flower Hive Lord emits a 20-foot radius aura of blighted energy. Creatures that start their turn within this area must succeed on a DC 16 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.

Spore Discharge. The Hive Lord can release spores as a reaction when it takes damage. Each creature within 10 feet must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 13 (3d8) piercing damage.

Multiattack. The Blighted Desert Flower Hive Lord makes two Tendril Lash attacks.

Tendril Lash. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be infected with the Blighted Scourge.

Blight Burst (Recharge 5-6). The Hive Lord releases a wave of blighted energy in a 20-foot radius. Each creature in that area must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) blighted energy damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. Creatures that fail the save are also infected with the Blighted Scourge.

The Blighted Desert Flower Hive Lord can take 1 legendary action, 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 Hive Lord regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Tendril Lash. The Hive Lord makes a Tendril Lash attack.
• Blighted Siphon (Costs 2 Actions). The Hive Lord targets a creature within 30 feet, attempting to drain its vitality. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) necrotic damage, with the Hive Lord regaining hit points equal to the damage dealt. If the target fails, it also advances one stage in the Blighted Scourge infection.
• Corruptive Spores (Costs 3 Actions). The Hive Lord releases a concentrated burst of spores in a 10-foot radius centered on itself. Each creature in the area must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 13 (3d8) blighted energy damage and be infected with the Blighted Scourge.