I doubt that at least one principle can provide us with a non-crazy Master. Just remember that in order to become a Name, you need to commit a mass ritual murder.
I doubt there was literally nothing like it anywhere in the world, so given other similar rituals, sacrifice was probably a prerequisite.
Not really.
In-game, you don't need sacrifices to ascend to a Long other than Lantern and Grail.
No, you're right, but it's an ascension to the Long. Our Master was a Name, a Long being who became a confidant of one of the Hour. Given the threat the Shards pose, it's unlikely our next Master will be anything other than a Name.
Yes, the specifics of your new character would be determined after the main aspect is picked
I think 8 actions is the default, it's just that our job was taking up 4 actions. Even of our 4 remaining actions, we typically only spent 1 on Alicja until the end. On the other hand, she probably would have spent 4 actions committing crimes to secure resources, and another 4 preparing to take us down. I think continuing her story would be interesting.
The priest just looks better both in terms of plot clues and narrative.
I doubt it quite a lot. I would suggest that programming is more like drawing in the sense that no principle is responsible for it, but if you know what to do, then you can dedicate a picture to one or another principle.
