The Arches of There
Many have been dared to pass through, some did. Fewer still came out the same.
- Metthos
Points of power
You'll see the markers along the Half Way, long before you see them with your own eyes: Brass plaques informing travellers that should they veer far from the road, the council of There will take no responsibility for any environmental or magical mishaps that may occur. The mishaps these signs refer to, are the ones caused by two fifteen foot high stone arches, placed about a mile away from each other, on either side of the Half Way.
Unblinking
Scholars and Arcanists cannot agree on a definitive history of the arches. They existed before There came to be, they are made of an unknown red-grey mineral, and perhaps most interestingly, they have the same inscription carved on their surface. The runes are not of any currently spoken or written language, but linguistic analysis has suggested that the phrase might be "Unblinking, Awake, Waiting" - Rightfully so, this phrase makes sensible people rather nervous.
Altered
Throughout the history of There, of course, people have passed through an arch. Sometimes as a dare, sometimes with the intent of providing further answers. Every single person who was asked about it, has mentioned that the air under the arch is 'thicker' or 'stifling', making it hard to breathe. It is important to note that at least one in twenty people who have passed through an arch came out the other side with some aspect of themselves permanently changed, from hair or eye colour, to major changes in their personality or personal moral code. Another important detail to think about, is that no person in living memory has passed through both arches, or twice through the same one.
Speculation
Academic discussion about the purpose and origin of the Arches of There continues to this day. Current thinking is that the arches are defunct gateways to another plane or world, and there are some who are researching reactivating them. There are others who are vehemently against this pursuit.