Still stuck.
This is almost embarrasing.
With all my health potions used in the dungeon and circus tent, and no magic user in the party, the toughest random encounters (and/or the improved mages) feature of tactics is really tough. The only way i've come close to beating them is by using all of the useful items i've managed to save, which leaves me in a helpless position if their loot doesn't cover it...
I don't want to deviate from the intended party memebers though, so i'll keep trying.