If you can smack it around a bit and the power atttack unleashes a sweep of magic, that would make it cool.

The power attack sweeps a magic bolt in an arc around your front side and goes out about 10 or so yards. Presto.

Well if enchanting return as Skill stave's enchantment can be done in different ways, basically the will be polearms like before but can be enchanted with different ways
On ranged target like in Oblivion, but thats strange we can parry with staffs without charges but cant strike with them like before so there is can be another way

On strike http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEjYt6t2hu4&t=1m10s when magic effect applied on successful strike in close combat,
think about enchanted polearm instead of fantasy equivalent of gun, when charges out we still can strike with them but they will work only like polearms since there is will be better polearms then staves like bardiche with better damage and durability, thats can be balanced for staves with higher speed lighter weight and if enchant limits for materials return, bigger enchant pool for them.

Spell adding enchant when spell effect added to player spell book and need to be activated

Like a ward when spell effect start work on equip of item

Last two can be combined so there is can be staffs thats add player shield spell and glow like a magical torch with Light spell enchant, or fortify player magic skills in different schools on equip thats will simulate concentration of mage with such magical tool.

I hope you're a PC player then. Fixing a polearm to look like a staff is easy business.

Yes and silencers and custom camoflauge :celebration:

:rofl:

Unless I'm wrong (please tell me if I am) but is this not a staff being held in one hand with a sword in the other. I thought staffs were two handed.

http://files.g4tv.com/rimg_606x0/ImageDb3/265816_l/elder-scrolls-5-skyrim-screenshots.jpg