You’re riding the sled through Alfheim, the sand is blowing everywhere, and you spot that familiar glowing runic lock. Honestly, the Barrens Nornir chest in God of War Ragnarök is one of those early-game puzzles that feels way harder than it actually is because of the sheer scale of the environment. You see the chest tucked away in a stone structure toward the north of the map, and your first instinct is probably to just start chucking the Leviathan Axe at anything that glows.
Don't do that yet.
It's a classic Santa Monica Studio move. They put the objective right in front of you but hide the solution in plain sight, usually behind some Hive Matter or a weird angle you didn't consider. Most players spend ten minutes circling the rock formation getting frustrated. You've probably already cleared the "Secret of the Sands" Favor—or you’re about to—and your brain is already fried from dealing with the Grims and Dark Elves. The Barrens Nornir chest isn't about combat, though. It's a pure "light the torches" puzzle.
Finding the Barrens Nornir Chest Locations
First off, you need to clear the red Hive Matter covering the chest itself. This is the part that trips people up because you can't hit all three nodes from the front. You have to circle around to the back of the structure. Look for a specific angle where all three glowing red "hearts" of the Hive Matter line up. One throw, one bounce, and the chest is clear.
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Now, the real work starts. This isn't a "hit the bells" chest where you're racing against a timer. It’s a torch puzzle. You need to find three braziers marked with runes and ignite them using the Blades of Chaos.
The First Torch: Right There
The first one is basically a freebie. It’s sitting right next to the chest on the left-hand side. Kratos just needs to aim the Blades of Chaos (L2 + R2) and pop it. Easy. If you miss this one, you might need to check your brightness settings because it’s staring you in the face.
The Second Torch: The Hidden Angle
This is where the Barrens Nornir chest starts getting tricky. If you look to the right of the structure while facing the chest, you won't see much. Walk around to the northern side of the rock formation. There’s a torch tucked high up in an opening. It’s out of reach for a standard melee hit, so you’ll need to aim your blades carefully.
The physics in Ragnarök can be a bit finicky with the Blades' reach. Make sure you see the reticle turn red. If you’re standing too far back, Kratos will just whip the air like a guy failing at a jump rope competition. Move closer to the base of the rock and aim high.
The Third Torch: The Explosive Shortcut
The final rune is located on top of the structure. You can see it from the ground, but you can’t reach it. Or can you? There is an oil jar sitting right next to it.
Instead of trying to find a path up—which doesn't exist—you just need to hit that red jar with the Leviathan Axe. The explosion will ignite the brazier instantly. It’s a clever bit of environmental design that rewards players for actually looking at their surroundings rather than just spamming the "interact" button.
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Why This Chest Actually Matters for Your Build
You might be thinking, "Is an Idunn Apple really worth this much circling?" Yes. It is. Early game Ragnarök is brutal, especially if you’re playing on "Give Me God of War" or "Give Me No Mercy" difficulty.
The Barrens is one of the first open areas where you can actually start power-leveling Kratos' base stats. Opening the Barrens Nornir chest contributes to your Maximum Health or Maximum Rage, depending on how many you've found previously. In the mid-game, when you’re facing off against Berserkers or those annoying Alva boss fights, that extra sliver of health is the difference between a retry screen and a win.
Specifically, the Barrens area is dense with loot. While you're here for the Nornir chest, you're likely also looking for the "Temple of Light" collectibles or trying to finish the "Austri's Gift" questline.
Common Mistakes and Glitches
I've seen people report that the torches don't seem to stay lit. This usually happens because they’re confusing the Barrens chest with the one in the Forbidden Sands. They are two different sub-regions of Alfheim. The Barrens is the first desert area you enter; the Forbidden Sands is the one behind the giant rock gate that requires the "Song of the Sands" quest to be completed.
Also, check your axe. If you’ve upgraded the Leviathan Axe to have certain runic properties, sometimes the visual effects can obscure the Hive Matter nodes. Stick to basic throws for the setup.
Another thing: the sandstorm. If you try to do this while the storm is still raging, visibility is garbage. It’s significantly easier to open the Barrens Nornir chest after you’ve freed the Hafgufa. The light returns to the area, the sand clears up, and you can actually see the runes from a distance.
Actionable Steps for Completion
- Clear the Storm First: Complete the "Secret of the Sands" Favor. It makes the entire Barrens easier to navigate and reveals the chest location clearly on the map.
- Line Up the Hive Matter: Go to the rear of the stone building. Line up the three red nodes and throw the Leviathan Axe.
- Ignite the Left Torch: Use the Blades of Chaos on the brazier immediately to the left of the chest.
- Snag the High Torch: Walk around to the right/back side of the structure. Aim the Blades at the torch hidden in the rock window.
- Blow Up the Roof: Look at the top of the structure. Find the red pot next to the final rune and hit it with your axe.
Once the third seal breaks, the chest will lose its blue glow and you can claim your prize. You're now one step closer to maxing out Kratos' stats and surviving the tougher encounters Alfheim has waiting for you.