Alfheim is a bit of a headache. Let's be real. Between the blinding white sand and those annoying Dark Elves constantly diving at your head, tracking down the Nornir chests in Forbidden Sands can feel more like a chore than a legendary quest. But if you're trying to max out Kratos’ Health or Rage in God of War Ragnarök, you simply can't skip them. They aren't just tucked behind a rock. They require a specific mix of Sonic arrows, Sigil arrows, and some genuinely frustrating timing with the Blades of Chaos.
Most people get stuck because the Forbidden Sands is a massive, open sub-region that doesn't unlock until you finish the "Payback" main quest. You’ve got to clear the storm first. If you’re wandering around in a literal sandstorm wondering why you can't find the runes, that’s your first mistake. Stop. Go finish the "Song of the Sands" favor. Once the sky clears, the real hunt begins.
The Two Nornir Chests in Forbidden Sands
There are exactly two Nornir chests in this specific corner of Alfheim. That might sound easy, but the developers at Santa Monica Studio decided to get creative with the verticality here. You aren't just hitting bells; you’re lighting braziers.
The first one is arguably the most famous—or infamous—because it's hidden behind a literal wall of rock and "hive" material. You’ll find it in the southwest portion of the map. Look for a fallen pillar you have to crouch under. Once you're through, you'll see the chest, but the runes are nowhere to be found. This is where the Sigil arrow chaining becomes your best friend and your worst enemy.
Cracking the Southwest Brazier Puzzle
You’ve got to light three braziers. The first is sitting right there to the left of the chest. Easy. The second one? It’s out on a rock formation in the distance. You can't reach it with your Blades of Chaos directly. You have to chain Sigil bubbles from the brazier toward a spot you can hit. It’s a bit finicky. If your bubbles aren't big enough, the fire won't jump. Pro tip: stack three Sigil arrows on the same spot to make the bubble massive.
The third one is the trickiest. It’s tucked under a bridge-like structure. You have to use the purple "twilight stone" to bounce your axe and clear the hive matter first. If you don't clear that gunk, you’re never getting to the fire. It’s all about the angles. Honestly, it took me ten minutes just to find the right standing position.
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The Library Nornir Chest (The One Everyone Misses)
The second of the Nornir chests in Forbidden Sands is located under the Elven Library in the northeast. Don't go inside the library yet. Look for a breakable wall at the base of the structure. It looks like standard rubble, but Kratos can smash right through it.
Inside, it’s dark. You’ll see the chest immediately, but the braziers are a nightmare.
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- One is behind a movable campfire.
- One is hidden behind more hive matter.
- The last one requires a perfectly timed Sigil chain.
The mechanic here involves the "Sonic" environment. You’ll see those greenish-blue glowing resonance crystals. Hitting them with a Sonic arrow opens up the hive gates for a split second. You have to hit the crystal, then quickly switch to Sigil arrows to bridge the gap to the brazier before the gate slams shut. It’s fast. It’s annoying. You'll probably fail it three times before the timing clicks.
Why the Forbidden Sands Chests Matter for Your Build
By the time you reach this part of the game, you’re likely pushing for Level 6 or 7. These chests provide Idunn Apples and Horns of Blood Mead, which are the only way to permanently increase your stats. If you're playing on "Give Me God of War" difficulty, having that extra sliver of health is the difference between surviving a boss's unblockable attack and seeing the "Reload Checkpoint" screen for the fiftieth time.
The Nornir chests here represent some of the most complex environmental puzzles in the game. They require you to use every tool in your kit—arrows, blades, and the axe.
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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Ignoring the Storm: You cannot complete these puzzles while the sandstorm is active. The visibility is too low, and certain grapple points are blocked.
- Small Sigil Bubbles: If your fire isn't jumping, you aren't stacking your arrows. Hit the same spot three times.
- Wrong Arrow Type: Ensure you’re using Sonic (Green) to open hive paths and Sigil (Purple) to carry fire.
- Camera Angle: Especially for the Library chest, if you stand too close, you can't see the trajectory for the Sigil chain. Back up.
Finding these Nornir chests in Forbidden Sands is essentially a test of how well you've mastered the combat-to-puzzle transition. Once you've cracked both, you're significantly closer to that 100% completion trophy for Alfheim.
Your Next Steps in Alfheim
After you've looted both chests, don't just fast-travel out of there. The Forbidden Sands is home to a hidden boss—the Gravel Belly—and the conclusion of the "Gift of the Sands" questline. Check your map for the "Undiscovered" markers; usually, these are the Lore Markers or the Buried Treasure that sit right next to where the Nornir chests were located. Clear the area in one sweep to save yourself the backtrack. Move toward the northernmost point of the Sands to trigger the "Freyr’s Gift" puzzle next, as it uses similar Sigil mechanics but offers a much more powerful Runic Summon as a reward.