Blighted Ice Bat (Hive Lord)

Hive Mind. The Blighted Ice Bat 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 Ice Bat Hive Lord carry the Blighted Scourge infection. A creature hit by its bite must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or contract the Blighted Scourge.

Keen Hearing. The Blighted Ice Bat Hive Lord has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.

Enhanced Frost Aura. The Blighted Ice Bat Hive Lord emits a 15-foot radius of frigid air. Any creature that starts its turn within the aura must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) cold damage and reduce its speed by 15 feet until the start of the creature’s next turn. Blighted creatures are immune to this effect.

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

Multiattack. The Blighted Ice Bat Hive Lord makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its freezing claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or contract the Blighted Scourge.

Freezing Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) cold damage.

Frost Dive. The Blighted Ice Bat Hive Lord can move up to 30 feet towards a creature and make one Bite attack.

Scourged Ground (Recharge 5–6). As a bonus action, the Blighted Ice Bat Hive Lord 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 in this area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or advance in the Blighted Scourge infection.

The Blighted Ice Bat 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 Ice Bat regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Frost Dive (Costs 1 Action): The Blighted Ice Bat Hive Lord makes a Freezing Claws attack.

Blighted Siphon (Costs 2 Actions): The Blighted Ice Bat Hive Lord targets one creature within 30 feet, attempting to drain its vitality. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 18 (4d8) cold and necrotic damage combined, with the Hive Lord regaining hit points equal to half the damage dealt. A failed save also advances the Blighted Scourge infection.

Corruptive Frost Burst (Costs 3 Actions): The Hive Lord emits a blast of corrupted frost in a 20-foot radius. Each creature in the area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 22 (5d8) cold damage and be infected with the Blighted Scourge.