Yes holding the Soulmonger long enough to kill all the Lich would be very difficult.
As for the 1%, who cares quite simply. Just because you happen to be rich and powerful doesnt give someone the right to live however many lives they can by being resurrected. Indirectly helping several of the Lords of Waterdeep remain in power by keeping their resurrected lives going is not heroic. Im not saying saving them is evil, just saying it is not heroic.
