Revison: Mathemagics [3]
We've done it!!!
Well, Jibril Saadiya has done it.
Magical energy has a property called "wavelength" - a term Jibril made up to reflect how this property is much like the waves of the ocean. By once again adjusting the spellwork that pulls magic from the air and collects it inside the confines of the crystal we've managed to produce a prototype that actually drains magic quickly enough to work as a counter-spell. It had something to do with matching the "phase sequence" of the quartz to the "natural wavelength" of magical interference. Magical energy conjured within range of the crystal is dissipated back into aether faster than it can be pulled - this dissipation was originally done through heat, but now only produces an annoying hum. Our researchers are still trying to understand the equations that comprise this new field of mathematics - now termed "Mathemagics".
During testing the anti-magic field has been shown to extend in a small sphere around the crystal, utterly preventing magic from being cast in or on the area. Curiously enough, it doesn't prevent fireballs from passing through the field (we extend our deepest apologies to the family of the apprentice who helped us discover this phenomenon), although it does prevent fireballs from being conjured within it. While our mages can't effectively carry the crystals into combat, we can distribute them to our commanders to give them some measure of protection. We are very pleased to note that the anti-magic pendants don't dispel conjured crystal constructs, likely due to the fact that it passively pulls magic from the air around it rather than actively working to break down the crystal structure. Expensive.
Confirm Orders
A) Capture enemy mages for interrogation if possible; if not, recover their corpses.
B) Abandon assault on the Desert, shift troops to Jungle. Deploy Myark and Tower of Frost here.