Help with doing an 180 on Descent into Avernus.

I'm currently running DiA with my group and ran into a bit of a problem.

Due to out of game conversations with my players I found out that they are not very fond of the whole hell theme that is making out a large chunk of the story. We are still in the Baldurs Gate part of the module so there is still time to steer the story away from them going into Avernus, but they already have some knowledge about what has happened to Elturel and are more or less ready to save it or at least having an adventure with whats going on.

I'm now gathering ideas how to incorporate the already known hints and info they gathered into a story that is still making sense without them having to spend a goof amount of the campaign in a layer of hell.

If any of you know the module and have some input or ideas about how to change the story to Elturel being save (or at least back) without going to Hell or a retcon I would be very thankful! :)

Honestly, I think you might just want to go to the group and say something to the effect of "I understand you're not digging the hell thing, and unfortunately the adventure is very, very, hell-centric. How about we just take a mulligan on the whole thing, and just start over with a different adventure." (Or have a time jump where some other heroes were the ones to enter Avernus and do the thing, and your game picks up after that, again, with a new adventure.)

Here's my take:

Roll it in to Tyranny of Dragons. A published 2 part first party module that spans nearly levels 1 - 20 (I think it stops around 17th or 18th level). The reason this works so well is because Zariel has a hand in both Descent and Tyranny (indirectly.)

Tyranny deals with stopping the cult of the dragon from bringing the queen of evil dragons Tiamat (long may she reign 🐉) into the world by freeing her via ritual from her prison in Avernus. You see, Tiamat used to be the ruler of Avernus and was imprisoned there by a contract with Asmodeus who rules the entirety of the Nine Hells. At some point she lost favor with Asmodeus. Zariel, a fallen archangel, is then given domain over Avernus in Tiamats stead. So Zariel will do ANYTHING to get her the hell out of ...well...hell.

Like helping an evil cult bring her into the mortal world so that she can have domain over there instead of Avernus. Or maybe so a certain group of adventures can slay the dragon goddess for good.

Or causing Elturel to sink into the abyss of Avernus so that there's a reason why a slew of adventures to send after Tiamat are down there.

You'd have to incorporate different parts of Descent into Tyranny of Dragons but the story and lore should still hold up without actually needing to take them into Avernus for long periods of time.

Not a fully fleshed out idea but...the rivalry between Tiamat and Zariel would be perfect. You can have Zariel's whole arc be completed above the surface. Perhaps through an unwitting Hexblade pact or something. 

Note: Tyranny of Dragons goes to 15, 16 at max.

Descent into Avernus is, well, a descent into Avernus. The entire plot is based around traveling through Avernus, finding out Zariel's backstory, making allies and enemies, and saving Elturel. To take the Avernus part out would be cutting out almost every page in the module. Pivoting means doing a whole new campaign. Be frank with your players and give them the options: They can continue with the module knowing that it is primarily based in the Nine Hells, that you guys can mulligan and try a new campaign, with the same characters or different, or you can try finding some way to work the story in a different direction. Perhaps another party restores Elturel and Baphomet or Yeenoghu comes after that party for revenge, catching the party in the crossfire? Some way to tie in the events that wouldn't have the players go to hell but makes the things they have learned somewhat relevant.