Aglykons

Aglykons are a fictional religious and philosophical movement described in speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing games. The name derives from the Greek aglykos, meaning "sweet," and is used to denote a commitment to kindness, hospitality, and civility as public virtues. In most narratives, the Aglykons originate in a coastal, Mediterranean-inspired region and later spread to nearby islands and trading cities.

Core beliefs center on sweetness of speech and generosity as prerequisites for a just society. They advocate nonviolent conflict resolution, disciplined rhetoric, and the protection of the weak. Their practices include communal meals centered on honey and bread, daily readings, and seasonal festivals that mark harvests and acts of charity. Knowledge is valued and preserved in scriptorums and botanical gardens that cultivate honey-producing plants, while architecture emphasizes pale stone and honeycomb motifs to symbolize harmony.

Organizationally, the movement is led by the Synod of Lumen, a rotating council of elder members, with local communities forming houses devoted to study and hospitality. Lay adherents are typically artisans, merchants, and scholars who undertake a vow of temperance and civility and participate in charitable networks that span coastal towns.

In fictional histories, the Aglykons emerge during periods of famine and maritime disruption, gaining influence through diplomacy and trade rather than force. They wax and wane with economic fortunes, and modern writers use them as symbols of peaceful reform or as a foil to expansionist powers. In games and fiction, they are often portrayed as a faction offering healing magic, nonlethal options, and a network of inns and waystations that facilitate diplomacy.