So you're a pure mage, IRL, and you see an Orcish brigand flying at you in a rage. You snap on your trusty Ebonyflesh right before the axe hits...what happens?

What do you think happens? I've wondered about this since I started using them. Realistically, what would happen to you if someone thrusts a sword at you, and it hits your fleshspell? How the heck does that work as protection? Does it still hurt? Is it impenetrable? Why are you asking so many questions Spike!?

Please, discuss.

My headcanon is similar to how Greed's ability from Fullmetal Alchemist works: You're realigning the carbon in your body to make make it more durable and resistant to the incoming attack.

On another note, I think the way Wards work is that you disrupt the natural flow of magicka in the atmosphere and condense it to create the shield.

thats exactly what I was going to say

Kakuzu from Naruto.

The above responses seem correct enough at least.

maybe its like hitting a transparent stone wall?

Considering ebony armor isn't impregnable, I would say that it might prevent a major wound yet since it's your skin turned into armor then it would not only hurt but pierce your skin instead of piercing armor....it would prevent death but definitely not pain unless the spell magically stops your nerves from working

Given that you can see the magical energy flash when you take a hit, it makes me think of the personal shields from Dune, and specifically the David Lynch version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkQFhPJuxgk

I think the Flesh spells slow the motion of the weapon or arrow and dull the blow, absorbing or deflecting some or most of the kinetic energy of the attack.