Arcanes Explained — Warframe Guide

Mechanics: Most Fragments are scanned using a Codex or Synthesis Scanner. This unlocks artwork in the Codex's Universe tab, which can be used as Orbiter decorations and includes lore. A hidden point on the artwork, indicated by white noise, unlocks an audio transmission with more lore. Some Fragments require simple interaction (default X) to acquire.

Cephalon Fragments: These data fragments appear as hovering blue data blocks, usually hidden in mission rooms. They are found on most planets, moons, and locations in the Origin System (except Kuva Fortress), with 2-3 fragments per location, each requiring 3-7 scans. They appear as a blue quadruple diamond on the minimap with loot radar mods. They are not found in Defense, Interception, or Archwing missions. These fragments reveal lore about the Origin System's factions, characters, and planets, and decrypting them reveals Ordis' Past, narrated by Ordis.

Fragment 2: Requires 3 scans. Lore: Modern wildlife is traced back to Earth's creatures, modified by the Orokin for war, agriculture, and pets. Some survived through adaptation after the Orokin perished. Ordis Transmission: Questions his own nature, being made of steel and space but able to think, which would be forbidden by the Orokin.

Fragment 3: Requires 3 scans. Lore: Grineer settlements on Earth are found beneath the forest canopy, utilizing rich water reserves. Their outposts are overgrown with vegetation. Ordis Transmission: States his service to the Operator above all else, his love, and the Orokin fear of aware machines, despite being made by them.

Fragment 5: Requires 3 scans. Lore: Tenno warriors construct secret temples influenced by Orokin architecture, serving as places for bonding, training, and meditation. Ordis Transmission: Mentions phantom life and holes in diagnostics, suggesting the Orokin omitted how he was made.

Fragment 6: Requires 3 scans. Lore: Corpus crewmen and robots are indoctrinated into a ritualized devotion to labor. Ordis Transmission: Expresses regret for not stopping, cycling on and on, and believing Cephalons are found, not made, like pearls torn from muscle and set in chains.