Channelling Staffs

Colloquially known as 'mage staffs' or 'wands', channelling staffs are essential to a mage's arsenal regardless of their skillset. Staffs are typically made of metal, though rare materials such as crystal-conductive wood and bones can be used to fashion these tools. Such creations are extremely hard to come by, and most 'legendary' staffs are made of these atypical materials.

They function similarly to crystal energy weapons, though their more complex structure allows for more intricate energy shaping to be conducted.

Quality is Expensive

Channelling staffs aren't an uncommon thing, but a well-made one is expensive and hard to come by. Attempts to commodify channelling staffs has lead to people using cheap materials to manufactre them en-masse and low-quality energy track carvings. As a result, mass-produced staffs end up creating an uneven flow of energy, leading to instability and a risk of magic backfiring. Numerous aspiring mages from poorer economic backgrounds have lost many a finger to these cheaply-made staffs, and as a result magic remains a specialty for the rich and the lucky.

Maintenance

A well-maintained staff is a mage's best friend. One of the first things mages teach apprentices after they obtain a staff is how to polish the inner workings and re-trace (or re-carve) the energy tracks.

Crystal energy flowing through a confined space on a regular basis can lead to residue build-up, whence the need for polishing. And over time, the tracks that allow for energy flow will degrade and need to be re-carved.

Polishing should occur regularly, at least once a month, and re-tracing energy tracks should be done every two years minimum. Tracing the tracks too deeply and too often though will damage the staff's structural integrity beyond repair.