A rectangular box made of acacia wood, with a gold plated exterior casing. It is 4 ft long, 2.5 ft wide, and 2.5 ft tall. The box's lid has two gold angel statues kneeling on it, with wings pointed towards each other. The ark is carried around by at least four people, who can lift it up by holding two long wooden poles, that fit into loops around the bottom of the ark. The ark was built by Moses to house the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments written on. Inside was also stored a gold jar of Manna food, another gold jar with Holy Anointing Oil, and the Staff of Moses. The ark represents the creator God's relationship with humanity. The box itself is imbued with powerful divine magic. The creator god was said to manifest his voice between the two angels, and opening the ark without the correct ritual would result in the destruction of the person trying to open it.
Radiant Blast. If a creature tries to open it without the Ark Opening Ritual, the ark will release a blast of divine energy. Every mortal creature looking at the ark is instantly killed, with their faces melting from the enormous amount of magical Radiant damage.
Blight Curse. If the ark is captured and kept by enemies of the creator god, there will be a magical environmental effect of disease (boils, sickness) on all creatures within a 5 mile radius of the ark.
History:
The ark was built in around 1050 BC by Moses, in the Sinai desert mountains. Later, it was usually kept in the inner most sacred area of the temple of god in Jerusalem, the "holy of holies." Whenever the ark was being transported outside, it was covered by a cloth to hide it from view. The ark was also used in war, being paraded with the army during battles to boost the soldier’s morale, and to appeal for the god’s assistance.
When the ark was captured by the Philistines and kept as loot in one of their temples, the local population was cursed with disease, such as boils. When the Philistines attempted to open it, all who were looking at the ark (over seventy people) were instantly killed. The Philistines considered it a cursed artefact and rejected it, giving it back to the Israelites, since they feared that simply destroying the ark would earn further retribution.
The ark was secretly transported and then buried in a cave on Mount Nebo in Jordan, by the Israelites. This was done to hide it from the invading Babylonian army, and it has not been found since. There are rumours it was later discovered by the Knight’s Templar during the Crusades.
Notes: Judaism, Christianity, Damage, Container, evocation