In my game, I just TPK'ed the party in Theldrick's Battle Temple (you can read about it in the Obituaries). Anyway, I get the feeling the players do not want to investigate the disappearance of their characters but still want to continue the Adventure Path, so I'm thinking of having them make new characters and proceed with Blackwall Keep.
I don't know if this has been posted before, but what happens then with the Ebon Triad if the players skip this part and do not kill or deal with the priests? If the priests are not dead, does the Ebon Aspect still rise?
If a weakened Aspect rises, the plot says eventually the town and the militia take it down. I may have the players in town to fight the Aspect.
Any suggestions on how it would affect the plot of AoW if I skip TFoE? Thanks.
Starting with them being contacted by Allustan to accompany him to Blackwall Keep should definitely work out, as far as your players and the campaign is concerned.
The Hall of Harsh Reflections and Champion's Belt adventures may need some plot alterations as well, considering there's no reason Raknian would be interested in those characters for destroying the Triad cell in Diamond Lake (hearing about people asking around about the Age of Worms or the Ebon Triad may work in this case).
I'd say the Ebon Aspect should rise eventually, but not for quite some time. When it does rise, it would be due to the Triad's own work rather than an early rising due to their destruction, and should thus have the stats for the Aspect found in the Well of Triptych Knowledge (Dungeon #131), and should probably arise in Diamond Lake at around the time that adventure happens. Up to you if the town is able to contain it or not, and what happens later.
Thanks, good stuff there, that helps.