The laws apply to the four protected cities, which are Galadon, Voralian, Hamsah, and Seantryn.

In terms of terrain, all the protected cities are (for the most part) civilized. Certain skills and edges will only work in civilized areas (or conversely only in the wilderness.)

You can do some ranking in Protected cities, but don't expect to make it very far sticking only to these places.

And "safer" is a very relative term in CF. Expect to be bashed down no matter where you're ranking.