I am willing to accept that inland republics are not playable - if I can create a republic while I am a king, save and then load as that very republic with the generated patrician families, that's fine for me!
As soon as this is out, I will start as a King of Scotland, create the Republic of the Isles (something I have done previously, just for the flavour) and then load as them! And then Republic of Samogitia (something I always set up as a King of Poland or Lithuania). Or set up a republic on coast of Caspian Sea or in the Horn of Africa! Wait, they are not coasts in the game, damn...
If I'm right, that's possible, the republics need not be independent?
I wonder what will happen with the existing Grand Cities/Lord Mayors. If I understood, they don't get the new mechanics?
What about Muslim republics? I accept that Cordoba is not going to be playable but I usually set up Wali-Emirs as a Muslim ruler just as I set up Doges, when playing as Christians. For example, if as Sultan of Mauretania I set up theRepublic of Tlemcen, can I load the game with one of their generated patrician families? It would be very interesting to try a Muslim republic and compete with the Christian ones.
Pisa etc. are kingdom level republics and therefore not able to be vassalised by kings. Can they lose the Serene Doge title and be just duke-level again?
I am sure more answers are given with the upcoming DD's.
PS. Publish the Mediterranean face pack at least with The Republics, please!
PPS. Doomdark, you look cool!
PPPS. Shut up and take my money!
e. PPPPPS. If the ruler designer could create a design republic and the family heads, I would have the reason to get that. I haven't got any reason to buy that before.