Blighted Elephant (Hive Lord)

Hive Mind. The Blighted Elephant (Hive Lord) shares a hive mentality with other Blighted creatures, allowing them to act in unison. 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 Elephant carry the Blighted Scourge infection. A creature hit by the Blighted Elephant's attacks must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or contract the Blighted Scourge.

Blight Discharge (3/Day). Ranged Attack: The Blighted Elephant (Hive Lord) releases concentrated blight energy toward one target within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 16 Constitution or Wisdom saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) blight damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. A failed save also advances the Blighted Scourge infection.

Death Burst Empowerment. Upon death, the Blighted Elephant (Hive Lord) releases a burst of necrotic energy. Each creature within 15 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) necrotic damage and be infected with the Blighted Scourge. The Hive Lord can also summon two Blighted creatures (CR 3 or lower) within 15 feet as a reaction to this burst.

Multiattack. The Blighted Elephant makes two attacks: one with its gore and one with its stomp.

Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 7) piercing damage. If the elephant moved at least 20 feet straight toward the target immediately before the hit, the target must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone target. Hit: 22 (3d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage.

Trample. The blighted elephant can trample a creature that is prone. The creature must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (3d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Scourged Ground (Recharge 5–6). As a bonus action, the Blighted Elephant corrupts a 15-foot radius area within 60 feet of it for 1 minute. The area becomes difficult terrain for enemies, and when a creature in this area takes damage, it suffers an additional 1d6 blighted energy damage. Infected creatures within this area must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or advance in the Blighted Scourge infection.

Blighted Call (2/Day). When a creature within the Scourged Ground takes damage, the blighted elephant can use its reaction to summon a blighted creature (typically a CR 2 or lower blighted beast) in an unoccupied space within 10 feet of the target.

The Blighted Elephant (Hive Lord) can take up to 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 Blighted Elephant regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Trample (Costs 1 Action): The Blighted Elephant makes a Stomp attack against a prone creature within 5 feet.

• Blighted Siphon (Costs 2 Actions): The Blighted Elephant targets one creature within 30 feet, attempting to drain its vitality. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 17 (5d6) necrotic damage, with the Blighted Elephant regaining hit points equal to the damage dealt. If the target fails, it also advances one stage in the Blighted Scourge infection.

• Corruptive Stomp (Costs 3 Actions): The Blighted Elephant releases a powerful stomp imbued with blighted energy in a 15-foot radius. Each creature in the area must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 18 (4d8) blighted energy damage and be infected with the Blighted Scourge.