The Numena are technically two species that work together in a symbiotic relationship.

The Nudena are a species of aquatic creature, comparable to the nudibranches of earth. Growing up to 4 or 5 feet long at maturity these brightly colored, gilled slugs are composed of sensory organs (able to "see" ultraviolet light, and heat signatures, as well as extremely sensetive to changes in ambient pressure and electrical currents), a digestive tract, enough muscles to move, a highly advanced nervous system and not much else. Intelligent and introspective by nature the Nudena's relatively fragile exterior hides a sentient mind, comparable to a supercomputer in the oldest and largest of their species. Their nervous system also has a natural defense mechanism through its ability to discharge powerful static shocks in rapid succesion. The Nudena would likely have remaind self-involved and unadvanced for eons were it not for their unique relationship with the Mara-Mara and Mara-Cama.

The two Mara species are divergent evolutions coming from a similar ancestor. Both are crustacean like life forms. The Mara-Mara are much like a trilobite, with a long body ranging from 6 to 7 feet when fully grown. Low slung bottom feeders, the Mara-Mara have evolved a mouth extending from tip to tail. This mouth is highly complex, and is good for fine manipulation of the debri at the bottom of the ocean.

The Mara-Cama is more like a crab, with a heart shaped carapace suspended on 4 barbed legs allowing for greater mobility and the ability to climb near vertical surfaces. It has two large, multi-jointed arms sprouting from above its mouth that end in powerful grippers composed of 3 opposable fingers. There are multiple breeds of Mara-Cama, ranging from small 3 footers to breeds that are 10+ feet long across their back.

Both the Mara-Mara and Mara-Cama are unique in the fact that their carapce, while physically strong, is susceptable to electrical impulses. With the brain centered right below the top of their back, the Nudena soon discovered that both species of Mara could be manipulated by the careful use of electrical discharges directly to their nervous system. This led to rapid advancment of the Nudena. Now with access to fast moving "mounts" and both fine (Mara-Mara) and brute (Mara-Cama) manipulators the Nudena began advancing quickly. Within a few decades the once self-isolating Nudena had begun forming large villages and cities. In under two decades they had refined their mounts, optimizing both controlability and the form of their manipulating apendages. In only a century more the Nudena had become the masters of industry and eventually their planet and began to look upwards, wondering what they could find among the stars...

The Numena are a naturally seclusionist people. For the first million or so years of existance the Nudena lacked much in speed and the ability to manipulate their environment. This led to much introspection and philosiphizing in the species. As such the Nudena are not warlike, or even particularly expanionist in nature. As such the so called New Enlightenment does not have any unwilling species under its control, and recognizes very few non-Numena as full citizens of the nation.

There are two branches of Numena government. The Deep Thinkers and the Voice. The Voice is a democratically elected group of Numena. The number of representatives fluctuates but usually sits somewhere between 300 - 500 representatives.

Generally the Voice is composed of a mixture of three major parties, the Conservatives, the Inclusavists and the Independents.

The Conservatives are the easiest group to understand. While interested in progress and technological advancement, the conservatives see themselves as the protectors of the Numena way of life. Isolationist and uninterested in other species, the Conservatives believe that the Nudena should ride Mara and ponder deep questions. Expansion is nice but should generally be avoided due to the mess it can cause socially and politically.

The Inclusavists use the relationship between the Nudena and Mara as an example of the importance of symbiosis. The Inclusavists believe that the Numena should expand their sphere of influence and bring other species under the banner of the New Enlightenment. There has been a large push by the Inclusavits to expand the Enlightenment which has led to a few new species coming under Numena "rule". The Inclusavists have now switched gears and are now trying to get these new species recognized as members of the Enlightenment and considered full citizens.
A small but vocal sub-group in the Inclusavists are the Lifters. A rather fanatical offshoot that believes the Mara should be uplifted, changed from simple pack animals to true members of the Enlightenment. There is little support for this idea, but those who do support the movement are borderline zealots. The technology is there as well, someone just needs to start the revolution...

Finally the Independents. Rather than a group of independent thinkers, the Independents advocate independence from the Mara. Pioneers of cyber-technology, Independent scientists take advantage of the fast regeneration and unique nervous system of the Nudena to graft on electronic limbs. These projects are clunky, but progress is fast. Implants are rare, and those with them are usually heavily discriminated against. Despite this, the established government sees use for this technology, even if it doesn't believe it should be common place. Because of this funding for Independent experiments is common, although notoriously difficult to track back to the source.

The second branch of the New Enlightenment is the Deep Thinkers. 1 in 1,000 Nudena are born mutants. The most successful of these mutants are known as Old Minds. Old Minds all share 2 common traits, an inability to an produce electric shock and an unchecked growth rate. Instead of stopping at 5 feet long, Old Minds continue growing, albeit at a slower rate. Many end up unable to move thanks to an unweildy body and an inability to control the Mara. As the Old Minds grow their personality slowly diminishes and their cognitive abilities increase. Most old minds that survive past 100yrs join the Deep Thinkers. Less a political party and more an oracle the Deep Thinkers spend their time pondering questions and problems posed to them. Thanks to their unchecked growth the already considerable nervous system of an Old Mind continues to expand, increasing their intelligence as time goes on. They act as supercomputers that advises on the moves of the New Enlightenment. Certain individuals are known to come to conclusions that will favor one party over the others, but in truth the Deep Thinkers have little in the way of political affiliations.