Well, you could argue whether or not Duskwood's current visual issues are caused by the Emerald Dream gate in the center, but it's pretty common fact that the area was changed greatly by Deadwind Pass and the events in Karazhan. First there was the noble slaughter, then there was the Dark Riders killing Sven's family...then the whole mess with Stalvan and Morgan Ladimore...

Really, the entire area was cursed with a plague of darkness. I'm sure the gate isn't exactly helping things, but I don't think you can point all the troubles of the zone on just there.

Anyway, I just went through this questline on my first Alliance character I pay attention to. Very fun little questline, and it makes me wish there were more like it. Not more tragedy persay, but more along the lines of being a detective. In the end, your character was searching for clues over the questline, trying to figure it all out, the feeling of impending doom coming due to those ghosts and all.

Makes me want to find out if there is actually a Detective outfit in WoW right now. Bubble corn pipe included.