I don't know exactly how the encounter is written in the module, but our party had no way of avoiding the combat. One second we are standing there reading some stuff on a stone and the next, WHAMO! Instant death. Our party actually had two deaths, 2 almost dead and 2 rogues that were able to "rogue" their way out of the situation.
I'm thinking that my LN fighter will probably come back (if DM ok'd) as Neutral. Surely death has to change your perspective. I'm thinking he will no longer care how other people think he should act or live his life and will do what he pleases. And he may have some kind of "need more armor" fetish and will spend his free time trying to get a ring, amulet and whatever else he can get away with. In the past he's tried to not slow himself down with a lot of armor, but that may change. Maybe he'll pick up some full plate and turn into a tank.