"Most certainly madam," Bellia says. "The water will be kept hot for your return."

Hallanann looks at the group and says, "Alright. Shall we?" Then he starts heading out of the inn to start making his way to Dain Ironheart.

Gold follows close behind after reserving the room he is ready to learn what he can about or from Dain Ironheart.

Krusk follows the other party members out of the tavern.

The walk south down the east side of the city is uneventful.  Because the city is built on the side of a mountain there are many steep twisting roads and stairs.  Despite the snow and ice from the cold weather, no one slips and falls.

Dain's shrine is a small, stone building, radiating heat from the forge Dain tends to. Dain himself is a male Kelder dwarven cleric of Goran. As a defender of Burok Torn, Dain is stout and strong.  The heat of the forge is a pleasant comfort after being cold all day.

"Why hello.  I'm Dain: Dain Ironheart, cleric for higher.  If you need a scroll of zone of truth, I'm your guy.  If you need to speak to the dead, that's me to.  Want a sharper edge on your blade?  You guessed it, I can do that too.  What can I do for you?"

"Good afternoon, Dain Ironheart. I'm Hallanann. We were hoping you might be able to tell us about the nature of the magic dome over a portion of the north side of the city."

"Ah, the dome.  Just before the Academy sealed itself away behind the golden dome, I felt some form of magic.  The dome is a troubling thing really.  I'm worried about my friends who are inside.  I must get inside, and I think I know how.  I just need some willing assistants." Dain explains.

Gold is glad to hear Dain's ideas "What kind of help to you need?  We are very curious and want to help put the city and the magic surrounding it back to normal.  What is your idea.  I for one, am more than willing to help."

Krusk holds out his pike, saying, “Can you make sharp?”

"I'd love to hear more of what you have in mind."  Lia says with a smile for Dain.

Dain has a warm smile that dissipates as he thinks of the severity of the current situation.  "What I have here on this cart, I must warn you, is quite dangerous.  It is a barrel full of nails, metal shrapnel, and alchmical reagents.  I call it Karak-morr, the Dwarven word for Sledgehammer." Dain explains.  "The dome is clearly made to keep something in rather than keep people out.  I intent to blast, what I hope to be temporary, hole in the dome."  Dain pauses. "Then I plan to go into the Academy and make contact with my engineer friends.  I'm sure something is badly wrong inside, and would very much appreciate some company on my mission.  When detonated, this bomb will easily do enough damage to kill you or me. (8d8 fire + 2d6 piercing to everything witin 10 feet) It can be detonated by breaking it, for example with an ax or an arrow.  Tomorrow early in the morning, when the streets are clear, I plan to attempt to break in.  Will you join me?"

"In the mean time, if you leave your weapons with me I will put a sharp edge on them and the blessing of Goran.  (+1 to damage and hit)  I will charge you only material which is 10 gold pieces."

"I see no reason why we shouldn't go with you."  Lia says with a nod.  "Anything you can do for crossbow bolts though?"

Krusk leaves his pike and a pouch of 10 GP for him

"You've tried digging under, yes?" Chikra asks, slightly skeptical. "No one has appeared at any edges of the dome, begging to be let out? No messages at all?"

She considers. "Even if it doesn't work, I'll gladly take the offer to improve my weapons." She removes her tail blade and gives him that and her longsword (keeping her other weapons). "Half now, half on completion?"

"I'm in. If for no other reason, out of sheer curiosity to see if your plan can work," Hallanann says as he hands over 10 gold and his two daggers. "Well, that, and it seems like the essence of magic might be at stake."

"You can pay me when I am done."  Dain says.  He seems more interested in your help than payment for his service.

"The dome is a curious thing.  If my measurements and calculations are correct, it is a near perfect sphere.  It propagates directly though solid material, but does not replace it.  If the solid material is removed, I have observed that the whole is very quickly replaced by the golden dome.  My conclusion is that it would continue to propagate underground if so provoked."

"Lia," Dain says. "I can bless and sharpen 10 cross bolts for 10 gold pieces"

"Sounds good." Lia says and leaves the bolts as requested.

"Dain, I am very interested in helping you and your impressive skills with weapons is commendable.  I have seen lances for sell at around 10gp.  Do you have one I can purchase?  If you do I will give you my longsword and the new lance and 30gp (20 for upgrade on each item and 10 for the lance) and be most greatful for your help.  Will that work for you?"  Gold stand ready to help in any way he can.  "And I am very exited to follow you into the dome."  Gold rummages through his pouch and pulls out the 30gp.  "Also the lance can wait until much later but the longsword will be useful for me on our quest.  Thanks again"