What is the importance of the Three Boxes of Orden in the novel, Wizard’s First Rule?

The three boxes of Orden are magical. Once a player puts the boxes in play, he or she has one year to open one box. A box can only be opened when all three are present. If the player fails to open a box within a year, the player dies. Each box has a different result when opened, and there is no way to tell in advance which box is being opened. One box kills the player. The second box destroys every creature, living and dead. The third box gives the player unlimited power over all things, living and dead, for good or evil. The villain Darken Rahl hopes to open the last box and become the evil ruler of all three lands and the underworld. Richard and Kahlan undertake a quest to keep him from collecting all three boxes. When that fails, they must prevent him from opening the right box.