i'm thinking more like multiple paths a la Dracula's Curse, not multiple paths like Symphony of the Night.
I also think this option is correct. Quotes from Twitter just confirms that:
How linear is the design of the game? Is it point A to B, or is there different doors to take and choose from?
a bit of both
YOu know? OOE kind of sucked because Ecclesia never felt as a real order, I mean, If an order is made by three people.
So true!

When Dawn of Sorrow was announced and I read about Celia ("head of rapidly growing cult") I was ready to fight all army of fanatic worshippers of the dark lord.

But... yea, there's nothing like that in the game actually... just next "three people cult", "hell yea"...

I think, a mixture of those three 
Thanks for fantastic new screenshots! And about this... "something" on the floor - maybe it's Puppet Master! *_* It would be so awesome...