Defiled Artifact

Damnit! We've been tricked! Those scumbag vampires figured out that we were planning on using the artifact and charged it with dark energy! Not only does the artifact's magic no longer help repel the destructive beam, it amplifies it!

That's a real shame about the artifact, it was one of a kind. But we're out of time! I will not be able to hold back the beam for long. Our allod is doomed! Tell Yaver Meryatum that the Historians must evacuate immediately. I will stay behind and hold back the beam for as long as I can, so that all of you can escape!

Oh no! We were really counting on him to hold back that blasted beam! And he would've done it if it weren't for those treacherous vampires!

But no - we will not leave the allod. Where would we go? There is nothing for us in the lands of the League or the Empire - only prison and execution. It's better to die where we are, in a vicious fight against the enemy. But... Maybe there's still hope?!