--Open the box marked "Transgrandular Conflubulators"--Take the stairs down (entrance) there just might be a few prisoners you can help

Stanman May Your Light Forever Shine

You're on a mission, and haven't got time to waste trying to converse with a skull - especially as you'd probably have to ask it to translate into layman's English!

So, let's stock up with a variety of potentially useful stuff. I'll helpfully colour code each option depending on whether I'm ignoring it or using it.

Magic potions - he's an evil wizard, so I doubt you'd want to get near enough to either spike his tea or pour the bottle's contents on him. So that's two options discounted.

The small, furry woodland creatures probably won't be much help to you, and given they're in a store room either they're more dangerous than they sound or they've been captured for nefarious purposes. They can probably wait until you return after completing your quest.

Miscellaneous armour and clothing sounds potentially useful. You may be going up against a mage, but it's probably a good idea to defend yourself against conventional attacks as well.

Half-charged magic wands - without knowing how much charge they hold and how much energy is drained by a single attack, it's probably best to leave them alone.

Talking skulls - as I said above, you're here to get supplies, not have a conversation!

Rare spellcasting components - you're an innovator with magic ability - the original spells may no longer exist but I'm sure you can find them useful somehow!

Weaponry for minions - minions are generally the footsoldiers of evil-aligned people. So the weapons would probably work great against someone 'good' aligned, but be rubbish against someone 'evil' aligned (after all, you don't want your minions trying to overthrow you!)

Magic reversal charms - definitely a good idea!

And that's your three items. If you could buy yourself some extra time, the holy artifacts and books could come in useful, but it's probably better to use more conventional combat items. You're on a time-limited mission, so shopping can wait until after the evil mage has been defeated. And he's not likely to give up his quest for power on the promise of a financial bribe. You probably have as much idea as I do what "transgrandular conflubulators" are, so it's probably wise to avoid them!

As to which direction to take, we found out last time that the dungeon is downstairs and upstairs is dangerous.

Unlike Berk, I won't open the trap door, so the only way is up. (And yes, I like finding obscure YT references!)

---I will take "small furry woodland creatures" - aka squirrels. Because they will provide me a link to the troll, and his help will be very appreciated.
---I will, per other person's suggestion, ask a few hints from the familliars. Whether I will take them with myself is still up in the air. Likely not, they are old and set in their ways while I am the Innovator.
---I will NOT take with me any "Rare spellcasting components". Because this may be exactly the component the evil mage needs to cast "The Spell Of Doom!". And the same goes for "Transgrandular Conflubulators".
---I will take with me "Magic reversal charms". Because they will come in handy way down the line when my companions are petrified (literally) or transmogrified.
---I will also check "Holy artifacts and books". Because if whoever sent you here was a god, you'll find info on him or her there.

Oops, it may be four choices though, depending on the interpretation. :( Drat. I guess I'll pass the on familliars then.

And I will then go UP the stairs.

Faraway