The gods and all other great supernatural beings in the Vodoni sphere had only two choices when the supernova became inevitable. Their first choice was to stay and risk destruction. The fact that no power could divine the future past the time of the nova frightened the majestic beings terribly. The second choice was to leave the sphere with the rest of the exodus. Unfortunately, the gods were incapable of leaving their own sphere while retaining their power. The future seemed hopeless.
Under the guidance of the Crystal King, however, a vessel was created capable of carrying all of the gods, if they agreed to be bound. As the deadline approached, more and more powers joined the crystal ark called the eye of the gods.
To prevent any one force from gaining control of all, the key to releasing the gods again was entrusted to a neutral mortal. The Crystal King had faith in Vulkaran, as the young emperor had shown strength and resolve in dealing with the epic crisis before his people. The elemental lords, however, had equal faith in the adage that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” and that the forces of the inner planes would triumph in the end.
What neither side counted on was Vulkaran's determination to keep both sides imprisoned. “Surely,” they felt, “a mortal would call on the powers of the gods to increase his own power.” But Vulkaran never did. The emperor used his own cunning and will to shape his people and forge his war machine, and the longer the immortals remained imprisoned, the greater Vulkaran's own deification seemed to be assured. Vulkaran didn't need the gods a fraction as much as they need him.
The eye of the gods has no direct powers of its own, it is merely a vessel, a prison. Its power lies in the fact that the owner of the artifact can free any divinity imprisoned within if the key words are known. Naturally, the shadiest of gods will promise anything to gain their freedom, tempting a possessor with great wealth and power. A powerful wizard can use its residual energy to power specially-created spells, wards, and magical devices (that is what Vulkarus has done). Only Vulkaran knows the key words and this is how it should remain during the entire adventure. If the PCs start summoning up gods to do their bidding, campaign balance is going to be destroyed.
The eye of the gods looks like a normal crystal ball.