How does rotmg handle packets?

i get the basics of

packet created > encrypted > sent
packet received > unencrtyped > read

but im having some trouble with the initial connection and what checks are being sent with each packet to keep the connection alive.

after peeking through botmakers original proxy code i see public and private server keys and some very specific code used to connect to the servers initially, all of it being outdated of-course.

so im wondering how is the initial connection established, what are the keys used for and what does the server check to verify you are a legitimate client?

any info would be appreciated.

I reccomend looking here if you want to see an up to date proxy source: https://github.com/TheKronks/K_Relay
Anyway, the connection is simple, connect to the server and send a HELLO, from there there's a chain of packets for logging in, like LOAD, MAPINFO, CREATESUCCESS.
From then on the server will send you NEWTICKS every fifth of a second and you respond with MOVES. Updates are sent simply whenever needed and you need to send UPDATEACKS in return.
Simple as that really.