The Mage makes the Hobbits and several other Hobbits and Elves invisible including himself. He is human and looks to be particularly scrawny specimen. He stands but 5’4” and has thin arms and legs but a small pot belly. He has a scraggly beard going to grey and his hair has receded very high. He also has a longish nose and large ears. He could be anywhere from 35 to 55 in age. His magic appears to be similar to your own. He studied in Minas Tirith and at faraway Rhûn in the land of wine. He is interested in trading spells.
I really need two firm marching orders please.
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Elf.”
Gwaelur really does think that he is hysterically funny, and is fairly certain that in this non-life or death situation Gil-Gandel will be amused. He wanders off to gear up, chuckling to himself at his joke.
ETA:
Mulligan (scout)
Rüdan
Gwaelur and Bitur
Jari and Víli
Nolí & Karfi
Thoroncir and Hraedsig
Ghan & Deor
Gil-Gandel and Rorimac
Based on what you just said, is this what you were thinking for a primary marching order Gil-Gandel?
Time to teach Rorimac the set of whistles and calls that were worked out for invisible scouts. It’s not like we haven’t done this before.
That will do fine, Gwaelur.
Bear in mind, everyone, that I will (Valar permitting!) be taking a short sabbatical soon - possibly after this business in Goblin Gate is over - and you will need someone else to lead you, especially since Ghân is likely to be absent at the same time.
Assuming he said “rear”, Hraedsig is happy to move toward the back if so desired.
Yes, Hraedsig - indeed, in case of a sudden attack from the rear, your aura of protection would be invaluable to the Dwarves forming our rearguard, and your own strong right arm as well.
Thoroncir would prefer not to be preceded by quite so many Dwarves, but he will go where he is asked, for the common good.
Well, you took a ballista bolt through the vitals last time - I think you can let someone else have a turn just for once. Experience to date suggests that there will be enough goblins to go around before the day is done. 
starts up another round of “Cleansing the Mountains”.
Consider it done.
Rorimac, are you interested in scouting out front with me, depending on how stealthy you feel, or are you going to stay in the pack?
And when are we off?
“I think I will scout with you. Might as well take advantage of the invisibility. That way if there is trouble, I don’t have to worry about trying to shoot over someone’s head. Watching goblins being shot by invisible arrows should be…interesting. .”
Right until the first arrow hits and then your invisibility vanishes 
Then we get the fun of watching you be chased by multiple angry arrow ridden goblins.
Gilraen to the party, “Ghân is down to only 38 Goodberries. Rorimac is the only other healer. So be careful and take no foolish chances. Please ensure all of you return safely and go with the blessings of Estë. I hope our friend will be conscious by the time you all return.” Many noticed that her eyes lingered on Thoroncir during most of her short speech. She quietly gives Thoroncir a quick chaste kiss before she returns to her patients.
Names in Silver = Invisible
Single File___—__Double File
Mulligan___—_______Mulligan
Rüdan ----Rüdan Rorimac
Rorimac— Bitur Gwaelur
Gwaelur----_ Jari Víli
Bitur____—___Thoroncir Gil-Gandel
Jari ___---------_Ghân Deor
Víli------------____Múli Afi
Thoroncir __-___Óttarr Rafin
Gil-Gandel----_____Áki Tobbe
Ghân ___------__Gedda Fridi
Deor-------_____Hvatar Vakr
Múli _--------___Sparr Gautor
Afi-----------____Sölvi Sörli
Hvatar _------___Karfi Kenton
Vakr------____Hraedsig Nolí
Sparr
Gautor
Sölvi
Sörli
Karfi
Kenton
Nolí
Hraedsig
Kenton is excellent with his magical repeating Dwarven Crossbow. Gwaelur can shoot over Rorimac’s head but should give warning. The rest of the Dwarves are Axe and Hammer users and most use War Shields. All have at least Chain Mail and Helms, most have Dwarven War Plate Armor. They are slow but very tough. Gil-Gandel is just tall enough to shoot over the Dwarves in front of him but with some penalties.
The party takes until 11:00 am on September 4[sup]th[/sup] to get deep into the mines where the goblins are hiding. Many of the passages are low and the Dwarves identify many routes that are not safe and they stop to collapse these. They find with the help of the Hobbits and Elf many secret doors and exploring these lead to neither gain nor goblins. Whenever the group leaves the main passage, Óttarr, Rafin, Áki, Tobbe, Gedda & Fridi remain to guard the passage.
I just completed the darn coding of the marching order when Rorimac made his choice, it is too much work to change it. He will mostly hang back.
“While I do not wish to contradict the Lady, she forgot that I can Lay on Hands once today, so there is one more emergency heal available. Nevertheless, we should absolutely take her advice and be extra cautious, given how deep we are.”
Sir Thoroncir is mindful of Princess Gilraen’s words, and his cheek tingles delightfully from her kiss; he squeezes her warm hand as they part. Still aching a little from his ballista wound, he decides he is content to let the Dwarves take the lead for the day’s fighting after all. The knight-errant is also very pleased to be unaccustomedly shoulder-to-shoulder with Gil-Gandel.
Sounds like a plan. Let’s go!
Thank you Gilraen and please take care of Elfstan.
<whisper>Don’t worry about Thoroncir, I’ll keep an eye on him</whisper>
Ghân is happy being in the middle of the party with Deor.
He has both Cure Light Wounds and Cure Serious Wounds (this last didn’t get much used last time as Ghân was casting Flame Spells on Mummies instead.)
Ghân hopes that neither he nor Gil-Gandel will be absent for long when they go for their respective special training.
At close to Noon after mostly fruitless searches where only 5 goblins were located and some mining tools the party is marching single file tracking some footprints no more than 1 hour old. Rüdan & Rorimac* are doing a fine job. The party has left two groups of 6 Dwarves behind. Óttarr, Rafin, Áki, Tobbe, Gedda & Fridi are about 1500’ back. Hvatar, Vakr, Sparr, Gautor, Sölvi & his brother Sörli are about 700’ back at a Y intersection. Each group has a horn and a series of basic horn calls have been set up.
Mulligan* is roughly 60’ ahead of the trackers and staying near the walls. She hears the marching Dwarves of course but she also hears whispering as she approaches a cross passage. “Ready boys, dem beardies are nearly on us. Time to make them pay in blood.”
Mulligan peers around the corner and just makes out in the darkness a few shapes and perhaps a pair of loaded dart shooters. They are set only 12’ back. On the other side is a 5’ wooden barricade with pike holes. The cross passage is a major one and 12’ wide. She also sees a fine dust is spread on the floor.
- still invisible
A few set of low whistles to stop the party and then report back on what I have found. They know we are coming anyway.
Looks like they are going for the anti-invisibility tricks as well. This could be fun.