I found an Orc stronghold, but wasn't allowed in because I'm not an orc and haven't proven myself. However, when I was leaving, I walked by the orc's blacksmith and noticed that there was a place to mine. Surprisingly, it kept going and I ended up just letting my character mine nonstop while I was watching TV. When it finally stopped, I had 4,000 quarrel stone!
Why did that happen? I thought I wouldn't be allowed to mine in an Orc stronghold unless I've proven myself worthy.
Best Answer
You can Mine inside an orc stronghold IF
1) You are an Orc
2) You helped them
3) You killed all of them
The first option is open when you have created a character, choose orc, and then you just have to go to their strongholds for ores.
The second one, you have to prove yourself to various quests, it may be battling giants, fist fighting with the orc leader, etc... (I was granted entrance when I finished the quest where you may get the best warhammer in the game)
The last one, I think is not lore friendly, but once you get inside the mines without their permission (they will give their warnings and ask you to leave) they will attack you.