Connecting to a Realm

Every journey in the archipelago begins with a signal. To connect to a realm, you point your pharos client at the realm’s address and wait for the beacon to answer.

pharos connect winding-stair.example

The connection establishes over QUIC, and the realm’s harbormaster greets you at the gate. Your first visit to any island begins here — at the harbor, with the smell of salt and the sound of rigging. The harbormaster checks your papers (your cryptographic identity) and, if the realm’s customs policy permits, waves you through.

If the beacon is dark, the realm is offline or has withdrawn. This is not an error — it is a sovereign choice. Try another island, or wait for the light to return.