[[if you haven't noticed, FoA stands for "Followers of Aeriel" not "Followers of the Ascended".
The FoA can survive without them, if someone has the will to lead it. I am willing to help out if I am asked in-character about it, since I was rather close to the FoA for quite a while, and would give my life for many of its members.
I know many of you think the Ascended "betrayed" you. But you weren't created to follow the Ascended, you were created to spread the word of the Aenguls at a more mortal level than the Ascended ever could.
Therefore, the Ascended leaving should have no effect on your attitude towards the FoA.]]