Blighted Giant Vulture Flock Leader (Hive Lord)

Hive Mind. The Blighted Giant Vulture Flock Leader (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 Giant Vulture Flock Leader (Hive Lord) can infect creatures with the Blighted Scourge. A creature hit by the Hive Lord’s attack must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or contract the Blighted Scourge.

Aura of Command. The Blighted Giant Vulture Flock Leader (Hive Lord) emanates a 20-foot aura that grants advantage on attack rolls to any Blighted creatures within the aura.

Blighted Shroud. As a reaction when the Hive Lord takes damage, it emits a cloud of blighted energy in a 15-foot radius. Each creature in the area must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) blighted energy damage and advance one stage in the Blighted Scourge infection.

Multiattack. The Blighted Giant Vulture Flock Leader (Hive Lord) makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its talons.

Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be infected with the Blighted Scourge.

Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 5) slashing damage.

Blighted Screech (Recharge 5-6). The Blighted Giant Vulture Flock Leader (Hive Lord) lets out a terrifying necrotic screech. Each creature within 40 feet that can hear the screech must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take 35 (10d6) blighted energy damage and be infected with the Blighted Scourge. Blighted creatures in the area instead gain 15 temporary hit points.

The Blighted Giant Vulture Flock Leader (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.

• Talons Attack. The Hive Lord makes a Talons attack.
• Blighted Siphon (Costs 2 Actions). The Hive Lord targets one creature within 30 feet, attempting to drain its vitality. The target must succeed on a DC 18 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 Screech (Costs 3 Actions). The Hive Lord emits a focused screech infused with blighted energy. Each creature within 20 feet must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or take 18 (4d8) blighted energy damage and be infected with the Blighted Scourge.