1/5) The Lord Protector decreed those laws. ;} Most trade-centers in the Realms have codified (written down and publicly available) laws, updated by posted (on inn and tavern doors, and in all guildhalls and market halls) written decrees. Otherwise, merchants... #Realmslore

2/5) ...would tend to avoid such places. GENERALLY, but not at all in specifics, such laws follow a common pattern (so you can use the Code Legal I developed long, long ago for Waterdeep as a model). Most places have a "mouthpiece" who issues the decrees (in a... #Realmslore

3/5) ...kingdom, it's the monarch, in Waterdeep it's the Open Lord, in many small towns it's the mayor (most small places have a "lord" of some sort), but who DECIDES ON the laws differs from place to place (in Waterdeep, it's by majority vote of the Masked/Hidden... #Realmslore

4/5) ...Lords, in many trading centers there's a similar governing Council, though sometimes they're just advisory, and in many cases of 'absolute' rulers, the ruler leaves all the details to bureaucrats, who may draft the details of a law to make it work VERY... #Realmslore

5/5) ...differently than the intent of the ruler "decreeing" it. From time to time, Triboar has been so under the influence of larger city-states (usually Waterdeep) as to nigh-entirely follow their laws, and like situations pertain in many places across the Realms. #Realmslore