"If there is only one choice - to accept, or to be imprisoned, until you accept - is it truly a choice at all?"

I heard this puzzle somewhere else recently. It seems startlingly relevant here.

The non-dominated elders have realized that the dominated outnumber them, AND they've realized that the vote is very likely going to result in the end of the world, if it resolves.

They can't easily overturn the vote, but they could stall for time. Perhaps if they were very determined, they could sit and refuse to take any action for days or weeks. However long it would take to starve or dehydrate.

And if they don't have the guts to take that kind of stand, Sigdi is there. She might have something inspiring to say, to get them to stall for the good of the world. And that might well be the difference, to give the adventurers and warriors time to figure something out.

(this probably won't happen, but if it does, I want it on record that I called it. : P)