The Galactic Union of Races — the GUR — is a conglomerate of numerous races brought together into a single state. The GUR's principal race are the diminutive (up to 1.5 m) Klyuvony, a fairly highly developed race that arose in another galaxy. The Klyuvony took well to genetic manipulation and created numerous subspecies of their own race. For ease of distinction they were given different skin tones. They were also adapted to live in the most varied biomes and environments. In time the Klyuvony encountered other sentient races. The first was the four-legged race of the Shiradu. Although, strictly speaking, the Shiradu did not have legs in the exact sense. They were a highly developed race possessing keen hearing and gipr technology. A prolonged struggle between the Klyuvony and the Shiradu ended in the latter's defeat, after which they were subjected to genetic modifications that made them subordinate to the Klyuvony race. In the new society, the Shiradu came to serve as scientists and shock infantry within the army.
The Uhany race joined the GUR voluntarily. Although their appearance is rather charming, they are a race of warriors in which the concepts of honor and duty carry enormous weight. The race is divided into clans, each of which swears loyalty to one Leader or another. At present, all the clans have sworn allegiance to the GUR.
The Dvuroty race joined the GUR after the conquest of their home planet. The Klyuvony saw in them good potential as a working race, used both as cheap labor and as living machines. The Dvuroty have two mouths — the upper one also serves as a nose. A stream of air is inhaled through the upper mouth and exits through the lower one. Their staple food is small insects, which they snatch from the inhaled air. Separate pools are often set up to breed insects for their sustenance.
The Poloniv race — this race resisted the GUR's invasion desperately, but was ultimately conquered. In retaliation for their resistance, the Poloniv were reduced to the status of living vacuum cleaners — they can be found in every GUR city, feeding on whatever they find on the ground. Through genetic modification their minds were reduced to a primitive state, and every day they serve as a living reminder of the price of resistance.
The Triugi race — the Triugi serve as processors of benzzorange: their digestive tract is built in such a way that it converts benzzorange leaves into a substance called giprium. Giprium is used as fuel for spacecraft.
The Bivnosy — a race that retained most of its independence and intellect because it did not resist the GUR and joined it voluntarily. The Bivnosy are an organic part of the GUR, most often serving in the occupation administrations as officials and civilian administrators.
The Rogachi are tough but quite highly developed creatures. They serve in a great many capacities, forming the backbone of certain armies. The Rogachi fight with ease in very hot climates and also work under conditions of high temperature. In battle they often make use of fire.
The Mezud are an underwater species, often used by the GUR to conquer the depths of the seas. The Mezud are the administrators of underwater settlements. Unable to breathe air, on the surface they use special breathing apparatus.
The Demuzy are a companion race to the Mezud — not sentient, but serving as part of the Mezud's fertilization cycle. They are often kept as pets.
The Dzinozd are a semi-sentient underwater race, often used as underwater invasion shock forces. They are savage predators capable of destroying anyone the Mezud point them at. Their size can range from 1.5 meters to several dozen meters, depending on diet and living conditions.
The Klyuvony's system of governance is highly unusual. Among the Klyuvony race there exists the concept of so-called "Trees" — a biomechanism created so that the race's finest minds are not lost, but are instead integrated into a kind of shared consciousness. A Tree is a tree-like creature to which the brains of the race's best representatives are added. The Tree itself generates something like a virtual reality in which the former owners of these brains live on. Each Tree constitutes something like a collegial government. Trees have ranks, depending on how respected the representatives of the race added to it were. The chief Tree is traditionally the Council Tree — it comprises several thousand of the most important figures in the history of the Klyuvony race. In more recent times, representatives of other races have also begun to be added to the Trees. To do so, that race must undergo the corresponding genetic treatment.
