Orro: You don’t hear anything beyond the sounds of the rat and small bubbles and drips coming from the lab equipment. 

You also get the feeling to really explore this room, you’re gonna have to actually go inside and investigate hands on if you want to find anything out. On top of that, you don’t find any traps with your investigation.

Please make an arcana check if you plan to investigate the lab equipment to see what is trying to be done.

What would you like to do?

He'll go inside, sure. Arcana: 8

Kayassa nods as she gets up off the goblin, keeping her hand near her dagger incase the goblin got any funny ideas. "As long as there isn't funny business from you then yes you can go free."

Duncan follows Orro in to the room, weapon always at the ready. Though not one for investigation himself, he'll gladly help if Orro points in him in the right direction.

Vulmar follows, naturally, feeling a little unsettled by their surroundings.

Investigating the lab setup, and with the help of Duncan, Orro would be able to deduce that whoever is using this equipment is attempting to brew potions, specifically potions of invisibility. They don’t however seem to have been very successful so far. There are various texts about basic alchemy and potion making.

There is also a tome buried in the nearby notes and books that appears to be a journal of some sort, written in dwarvish by a dwarf named Urmon. It describes the legend of Wave Echo Cave and the Forge of Spells (I’m not sure we covered this yet, but here is the general info anyway:)

More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver’s Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge (called the Forge of Spells), where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby human town of Phandalin prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path.

A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost.

For centuries, rumors of buried riches have attracted treasure seekers and opportunists to the area around Phandalin, but no one has ever succeeded in locating the lost mine. In recent years, people have resettled the area, and Phandalin is now a rough-and-tumble frontier town.

It also describes a magical mace called Lightbringer that was commissioned by priests of Lathander, that was apparently lost in the rubble of the destroyed Wave Echo Cave. 

Lastly, the goblin gives a small shy nod at Kayassa’s words. He still is shaking and at least right now doesn’t appear to want to move.

What would you like to do?

Orro shows the tome to Duncan, and reads out loud those passages. "This seems like what Gundren was after. And these Redbrands, perhaps, too."

He looks around for any potions, too...

Kayassa will force the goblin up and drag him along while keeping her dagger against him incase he attempts to run or attack. "Goblins seem to like me lately. Maybe when I am done here I can gather some and take them back to the Feywild to serve as bodyguards or some such for my Master!" 

'I mean that is of you want to deal with them...' 

Daphina pushes herself onto her feet, moving to stand next to Kayassa and the goblin. Daphina nods at Kayassa before joining the others in the room.

Orro: you don’t find any potions, but there are a few vials of materials nearby that you believe might have some value with an apothecary or alchemist. 

The voice in Kayassa’s head gives a baritone chuckle at the suggestion. “I can’t say I wouldn’t be open to the idea, Kayassa dear. Perhaps bring me back just one... as an experiment of sorts. To play around with.” The archfey tells you. 

What would you like to do?

(Are there any other doors in the lab?)

Orro brings the book and anything else interesting back to the group and updates them on what he found, and if there are other doors in the room. "We should free the captives. These people should not be holding anyone. Even goblins. Now we know why they're after this cave. The one Gundren had the map to, that this Black Spider wants. I'm guessing they want to loot it. I should remember this, but do we have any idea where the map might be? The map case was empty when we found the dead horses. But Sildar talked about the map. I'm just really not great with details. Anyone remember?"

Duncan listens in and nods in agreement when Orro mentions freeing the captives. But not having been around for when the map case was found simply stands guard to listen to what the group knows.

Map has been updated on the resource doc to include the new room.

The party is currently in the workshop (room 11 on the map), and on the east wall of the room, there is in fact a door leading into a room which you do not know.

I have also included a red arrow on the map that points towards the direction of the crypts that the Redbrand told you. 

Additionally with the groups combined brainpower, you would remember Sildar thought that the map and Gundren would both be at Cragmaw Castle— where you can assume the goblin kidnappers took him. 

What would you like to do?

Kayassa nods even though it looks as if she is doing it to an idea she had instead of to her patron. It seems that she would find further use for her new goblin "friend" for now. "Well shall we continue on?"

Vulmar nods with a smile.

"Indeed, let's find these captives.  Once our sweep of this place is done, we can consider further steps."

Duncan nods, feeling refreshed from his short rest, and heads to the direction in which they were told the captives were being held.

Orro asks if the charmed Redbrand will stick around for much longer, and if not, asks if they should bind him to be able to bring him back to town to face justice. Otherwise he's happy to continue on through the next door.

“We should tie him up.” Daphina suggests, pulling rope out of her bag.

The bandit had been charmed for what I would say would be about 15-20 minutes. The spell lasts for a total of an hour, and the creature know they have been charmed at the end.

For reference, I’d say the party has been down here in the dungeon for 45 minutes to an hour including the rest you just had.

(I will wait for confirmation on what to do with the Redbrand before continuing. Also, Kayassa, can I assume that the goblin is continuing to follow you?)

What would you like to do?

Kayassa would either send the Redbrand running or suggest that they get rid of him one way or the other. She is also going to keep the goblin close so that it does not try to flee.