Yes.

To get to the Dragon isles you need to complete the Brasswall  story line, then go to the igloo on the same island that was previously blocked off.

First off, go to the northern islands (the snow island is what you're looking for.)

From there, do the story line in the city, and follow the dialogue, as this quest is not part of the quest journal (since it's still brand new).

First, go talk to the casino owner. Then go to the east side (above ground) of the district. After the cut scene, you'll be able to go in that collapsed way. (Spirit barriers, gotta love em.)

All that you need is to go to the silent temple.  It's in the southern most part of the Silent Forest.

There's more than just one artifact actually, so telling you where they are is a matter of looking around for chests that are gold and green. There is one in the camp east of Cedar if you want to check there, and another in the fairy forest to get ya started. From there, just explore around and keep an eye out. You'll find more in no time. 

BTW, there are known like 6 or 7 artifacts presently, and Alice will sell ya them and give you the recipe for crafting them on a whim.

Capturing ghosts? I'm guessing you're talking about the mansion quest, or the lost souls quest.

The mansion quest requires you to go around the bottom floor of the mansion looking for blue souls. If you find em, bring em back to the center of the map (where ya walked in) and talk to the blue spirit. From there, get four souls by giving money to the greedy spirit (direct left), acquiring hot spring water from the garden above the room (top left), gathering 5 herbs (top right) and finding the ghostly lotion (due right). Once you acquire these souls, go back to the center and tromp the boss enemy.

After the mansion is cleared of ghosts, go left, and talk to the woman with the spirits by her for the lost souls quest. Then go out into the world and find the silver chests that you've been seeing, but cannot open.

Hope this helps.

Before you can enter the volcano you must complete the temple of Lilith's lair.

Let me give you a Rundown of Chapter 2 after Valorie joins the party.
1) Go into the silent forest and get the crystal to the east.

2) Go south in the silent forest until you see a temple. 

3) Go into the fay forest and complete the story there.

4) Go to the mansion. 

5) Lillith's Lair is in the West Beach. Take it down.

         a. Bonus but helpful: free everyone inside the place after taking down Lillith.

6) Go to the camp east of the volcano.

7) Talk to Commander Blaze. She is awesome.

8) Go to the Volcano. 

9) Talk to the governor in Lakeview.

10) Finish what the Goddess has for you. 

11) Get onto the boat and sail to chapter 3.

Not sure but I think it is when you finish the Dragon Isles chapter then at the end a witch recommends you to the academy.