So the Obelisks have no purpose?

[Drunkenstein]

I just bought the Pale Reach so I will be playing it after work tomorrow.
I also should note that I did everything and I do mean EVERYTHING without any guides or help from others.
However, the one thing that keeps bugging me are the obelisks - do they really have no purpose apart from a bit of trivia?
I mean I would have thought they had some purpose just like those altars where you have to place certain fish to get a reward, but apparently they do nothing even if you get all the visions.

[Tolkien Book Fan]

Just lore, that's it. They are the one thing in the game I don't bother with. If I try and get enough Panic to activate them, I invariably get chased away by monsters.