The Torchwarden Staff, referred to as a "matchstick" by most citizens of Emblem, was a standard issue item carried by every Torchwarden. Artificers and Wizards of the city produced the staves in large numbers; though the items were illegal by Common law, matchsticks were sanctioned by the Council of Commonlight, and were by far the most mass-produced magic Weapons known to Mortalkind.
The staves were simple in form but made with impressive Spellcraft, giving even untrained wardens the power to perform their duties. Matchsticks were common across the city, but they marked the Torchwardens as something apart, enforcers who answered to the Court of the Torch rather than the streets. A matchstick could detect and dispel magic, produce fire, and hold citizenry in place. It gave its wielder abilities far beyond those of ordinary guards, making them effective in riots, disputes, or confrontations with criminals.
At the same time, the staff allowed for overreach. A careless or overconfident warden could cause serious harm, and corruption was rife in the capital due to the maliciousness of some.