[Brogan]

One cool thing that they could do is place them at a spot where most of the roads converge (which being a city with people coming in and out, makes perfect sense). It's the same reason why the crown is so hotly contested. All roads lead to it. Now I would still allow it to be easily avoided, but if the major lanes of travel all lead to it with roughly equal times to get there (a road can wind with cliffs to either side, equalling out relative distance to warpgates) Possibly because of this reason alone will it be important. If (a very big if) you can secure it, you can stop an enemy advance and have the ability to strike virtually anywhere utilizing the highways. It could be made a neutral zone even. While not granting some special award up front, it opens the way to gain territories that do. (literally and figuratively)