It is also possible to avoid setting off any mines by hugging the north wall. This is the easiest method to bypass the mines so that you can engage (or bypass) the orcs guarding the Black Cove entrance.
On the topic of psychology, I find that the thrill of engaging in the taboo is an eventually overwhelming motivator for most people. The overwhelming majority of us cannot be outright assholes to our peers, or we face dramatic consequences. This fear of consequence creates a taboo towards bad behavior, and people are often enticed to engage in taboos for the thrill and novelty alone.
The girl falls for the bad boy, people love sex in naughty places, doing what your parents said you cannot, or being an asshole on the internet without any consequences? Taboos are incredibly intoxicating.
