(dev ????) multiple storyline branches, "but thou must" or "choose a side"?

[Kallera]

I have a question regarding the storyline. Not anything spoilerish. But at several points in the game we are provided with choices regarding our characters's fate. Join the ls managing relations between the beastmen and city states, believe Urianger's words, which grand company to join, and so forth. Even in sections without a dialog box, we have situations involving choice. Legatus Darnus's speech To bring Urianger's head for example. Even the song Answers in the intro seems to denote the invoking of free will.

However, with the main quest, a lot of it is accepting our task, or the npc will do nothing until we do.

Is this freedom going to be included in the scenarios, will our reactions and descisions have a lasting impact in the storyline and who we oppose. Can we choose to support, instead of opposing the Garleans? Are we forced to do the Path of the Twelve's bidding? Or do we have no choice(or one), and our reactions do not matter, as we are brought into scenarios as an extra regardless of our choices before.

Tldr: multiple Storyline branches depending upon player actions, can we have it? Discuss on it.

[Eekiki]

+1 for the Dragon Warrior reference

[MBK]

it would definitely add to the taste of the game. But chances are, we won't get story branches & the choices won't have any lasting effects