Oh this was a 45 second patch, so it was hardly time out. I did it when i was modifying the weather and moon system. That being said, it is needed, as the fact is most players use only 5% of the playable area. Heck i doubt if i held a footrace between vesper and minoc if people would make it in a timely fashion.
I just wanted moongates in a solved state before the runestone chamber blows up.

Perhaps the answer is not to restrict direct travel but to give players an incentive to travel the map. As an example the one type of char that travels the map more than any other is the tamer, not because he is restricted from other means of travel but simply because he has reason to be out in the world. Perhaps somethings could be placed all over the map that would give reason for other types of chars, warriors etc. to travel the roads or forests?