How do I join a realm?

[Redish]

So I joined haven a while back with some friends of mine who have been playing much longer. This is my first world. I really enjoy the game and have progressed through just about everything so far in terms of content we can do as a small group. I was wondering how people go about joining a realm? My village is located inside the hedgehugs realm. Is there some way I can see who the leader is, or who I can talk to to join? Or any realm, not necessarily just hedgehugs. Is there some automated process or place I have to go to join?

Edit: Oh also, my friends have told me realms are really just run by small groups of hardcore players what have known each-other for many worlds. If thats the case, how do they ever grow in size, or do they not?

[MagicManICT]

Most, if not all, of the realms have a recruitment thread in Dwarves & Thieves with ways to contact them for issues or to join them. The larger ones have outside communications channels they monitor (and moderate) most anyone can join in on. Here's the Hedgehugs thread: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=53938&hilit=hedgehugs#p715350

As far as how older groups grow... just participate in the game, not just hide in your base, join in public events, be around the public chat channels, and participate in the forums. Some people tend to drift from one group to another, others have been with the same group of players since they started. Just like with most friendships, as people get to know each other, they become more relaxed and open, so to it goes with villages and realms.