Cephalon

A Cephalon is an artificial intelligence construct of presumably Orokin origin.

Lore
With their origins in the Orokin Era, Cephalons are computer-like personalities which are capable of processing and carrying out various functions as they are instructed to or as they deem fit (depending on if they answer to an "Operator" or not).

Cephalons have no physical forms of their own but instead generate a visual interpretation if themselves for the sake of dealing with organic operators. This form is entirely of the Cephalon's choosing and supposedly stems from something that "inspires" them - such the effective simplicity of geometric shapes.

Lotus is known to employ Cephalons to help her organize data obtained by Tenno during their various missions, and Cephalon Simaris's interest in recruiting Ordis for his Sanctuary (as well as the other Cephalons present in his Relay room) implies he does something similar.

Cracked Cephalons
Ordis and the PvP Cephalons have been referred to as "Cracked Cephalons", and in Ordis' 3D icon a crack is visible running down his "body". What characterizes a cracked Cephalon is currently unknown, as Cephalons that appear themselves to be completely undamaged (Simaris and Suda) demonstrate personalities of their own. Ordis also manifests vocal and personality glitches reminiscent of a schizophrenic disorder, but the PvP Cephalons do not share in this.

Trivia

 * During Vor's Prize, Darvo makes the comment "Wow, you may want to get a new ship cephalon when you can afford it.", implying that the Corpus may be manufacturing Cephalons of their own.
 * Both Darvo and Ordis himself refer to Ordis as a "ship Cephalon" implying that many classes of Cephalon might exist, though this may just be a reference to the fact that Ordis pilot's the player's Liset.

List of Known Cephalons
Cephalon Abnar

Cephalon Cordylon

Cephalon Ordis

Cephalon Sark

Cephalon Simaris

Cephalon Suda

Cephalon Vol