The spell Protection of Calrena and its related spells have an unknown spell effect, and as a result, do nothing. When cast, a message is returned stating "Unknown spell effect 161 in spell Protection of Calrena (id 4069)."
This affects the following spells:
Bulwark of Calrena
Protection of Calrena
Guard of Calrena
Protection of Calrena
Ward of Calrena
Ether Ward
Mana Ward
Magi Ward
A similar issue occurs in the Enchanter spell Wall of Alendar, and possibly related spells. An enchanter would have to do their own research here; I only noticed it due to a bot casting it on another character of mine.
All of the Calrena/Ward series spells are intended to absorb magic damage before dissipating. Wizards have functioning spells of this type in the form of Manasink and Spellshield (which, oddly enough, are classified outside the ward/Calrena lines in the spell list you get when right-clicking a spell memorization slot.) Perhaps the correct effect can be extrapolated from these spells?