QUOTE(Konradude @ Apr 17 2006, 10:21 AM)
the stone useless? Ever clicked on it??? You enchant stuff.

On the gates not being there - They open gradually, not straight away. The map is simply saying there is a site for an Oblivion gate there, and a gate will appear in the future.
On Valenwood - You can go pretty much as the map shows into Valenwood so yes, gates can appear there. Of course there is no Settlements.
How do the gates open? Is it based upon level or progress through the main quest?
I find the gates kind of... Scary.

They always have nasty beasties outside them and turn the sky a nasty colour. *shivers* Have to get rid of them and I do not want to have a whole load I need to do at one time. :-p