Larger than a horse the giant direfly resembles an amalgamation of a fly and hornet, clad in blood-red chitin with jaundice light seeping from its abdomen. Beneath stunted mandibles is a lipless, human-like mouth complete with corroded teeth. From between two eye-clusters juts a chitin horn, not unlike that of a greater beetle. Though, the shape of this protrusion is not uniform among the species.

Arcane Alteration. Even in the feywild, giant direflies are not a naturally occurring species. Specialized hive crofters breed these beasts from direfly swarms, selecting the largest insect from among the hive and saturating it with foul magic. This mystical enhancement steadily enlarges the direfy, as does a diet rich in humanoid flesh. At the same time, the crofter trains the monstrosity to be either a guard animal similar or serve as a flying mount for the waning nobility. Those insects rode by waning house knights and the like bear custom-made saddles and livery into battle; some even have barding bolted directly to their chitin if they are owned by fey of greater rank.

Maddening Whisperer. Instead of the typical buzz insects produce the giant direfly emits a chorus of baleful screams. The echo of a insect’s voices lend an eerie, sinister air to the woods they inhabit, and up close the jumble of words begin to make sense to the listeners. When exposed to the whispers for too long a mortal’s sanity begins to fray at the edges.

Giant Direfly

Large monstrosity, unaligned

Armor Class 14

Hit Points 51 (6d10 + 18)

Speed 10ft

Flight 30ft

Str 16 Dex 18 Con 16 Int 2 Wis 12 Cha 6

Damage Resistances lightning, thunder

Senses darkvision 120ft, passive Perception 12

Languages understands commands in sylvan.

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Charge:

If the giant direfly moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Illumination:

The giant direfly sheds dim light in a radius of 30ft.

Actions

Gore:

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage.

Howling Maledictions (Rechage 5-6):

The giant direfly shouts foul curses and dire prophecies in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Charisma saving throw, taking 18 (5d6) psychic damage on failure.