Suck it, hierophants!

> go circle
You step into the etched circle, and you notice a dim light within it begin to glow softly.
>
A peevish watchsoul flickers into view, lading the air with a sacred warmth.

>
The lights within the circle glow brighter, and begin to slowly pulsate.
> 'I hate this, I hate this, I hate this...
You say, "I hate this, I hate this, I hate this..."
>
A sinister Maelshyvean hierophant sweeps into view, held aloft by a mass of barbed ebony tentacles beneath its robes.

>
A sinister Maelshyvean hierophant sweeps into view, held aloft by a mass of barbed ebony tentacles beneath its robes.

> ear nervous
You twitch an ear nervously.
>
The lights begin to pulsate faster and brighter, shifting colors as they go.
>
The lights begin to cast shadows around the room.  Some of them are from objects that are visible, some from those unseen.
>
A mass of writhing ebon tendrils slither out from under the hierophant's robes, leaping skyward as it begins to moan a gutteral incantation!
The Maelshyvean hierophant begins to advance on you!
The Maelshyvean hierophant advances from nearby and is closing steadily.
>
A mass of writhing ebon tendrils slither out from under the hierophant's robes, leaping skyward as it begins to moan a gutteral incantation!
The Maelshyvean hierophant begins to advance on you!
The Maelshyvean hierophant advances from nearby and is closing steadily.
>
The Maelshyvean hierophant closes to melee range on you!
>
The Maelshyvean hierophant closes to melee range on you!
>
The lights continue to gain in brightness, flickering very quickly now.  Prismatic silhouettes are cast on the walls, continually shifting colors and intensity.
> bob

You bob suddenly, lowering yourself into a smaller target.
[You're mighty, adeptly balanced and in superior position.]
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R>
The air feels alive with energy from the chaotic gyrations of the lights coming from the circle.  A low groaning sound seems to emanate from the walls.
R>
A sinister Maelshyvean hierophant gestures, muttering a quiet riddle.
A white glow flares around you.
A pair of immense ghostly hands sweep forward to grasp you in a translucent embrace!
The ghostly hands interlock their wispy fingers, locking themselves tightly around you.
R>
The Maelshyvean hierophant moves into a position to parry.
R> bob

You bob suddenly, lowering yourself into a smaller target.
[You're mighty, adeptly balanced and in superior position.]
Roundtime: 4 sec.
R>
A peevish watchsoul near you flies furiously through the air toward a sinister Maelshyvean hierophant!
The watchsoul passes through a sinister Maelshyvean hierophant's body with no discernible effect.
R>
You feel fully attuned to the mana streams again.

R>
A mass of writhing ebon tendrils slither out from under the hierophant's robes, leaping skyward as it begins to moan a gutteral incantation!
* A sinister Maelshyvean hierophant feints high at you.  You barely block with an illuminated tower shield with a triquetra-shaped boss.
[You're mighty, nimbly balanced and have slight advantage.]
R>
A silver glow blooms around you, laced with strands of white brilliance.
* Moving fluidly, a sinister Maelshyvean hierophant thrusts a bloodwood staff capped with an upturned claw of obsidian at you.  You barely fail to block with tower shield.
The staff lands a glancing strike to your chest.
[You're mighty, nimbly balanced with opponent in good position.]
R> bob

You bob suddenly, lowering yourself into a smaller target.
[You're mighty, adeptly balanced and in strong position.]
Roundtime: 3 sec.
R>
The groaning sound culminates in a section of wall on the south side of the room opening up, allowing a way out of this place.  The passage north seals itself off.
As the lights within the circle fade and die, you step out.
R>
* A sinister Maelshyvean hierophant feints high at you.  You evade, ducking in the nick of time.
[You're mighty, adeptly balanced and have slight advantage.]
> ret
You retreat back to pole range.
> ret
You retreat from combat.
>
A sinister Maelshyvean hierophant gestures at you.
A crackling yellow haze forms up around a sinister Maelshyvean hierophant's form, quickly pooling up into a small, cohesive cloud in front of it.  It quickly lurches forward in an erratic bolt at you!
The spectral grey fog shrouding you churns rapidly!
l
Your silvery-white glow shines brightly like a holy armor.
Yellow haze brushes up against your chest, pathetic sparks grazing you.

>
[Maelshyve's Fortress, Hall of Malice]
Tapestries bearing the prominent image of a skyward-turned claw in blood red adorn the walls to either side, embroidered upon dark blue velvet.  Etched into the floor is a curiously placed circle of intricate runes.
You also see a peevish watchsoul, a sinister Maelshyvean hierophant and a sinister Maelshyvean hierophant.
Obvious exits: south.
> s
You pad south.