Look, we’ve all been there. You’re trekking through the gorgeous, overgrown mess of Vanaheim, you hear that distinct magical hum, and you think, "Oh, another Nornir chest. Easy health upgrade." Then you hit the Sinkholes. Suddenly, you’re standing in front of a stone box staring at runes that seem physically impossible to reach. Honestly, the Nornir chest in the Sinkholes is probably the biggest "wait, how?" moment in God of War Ragnarok.
If you’re stuck, it’s usually because you’re trying to play by the old rules. You can't just throw your axe at everything and call it a day here. This specific region of the Crater requires some serious mental gymnastics and a very specific set of tools that the game doesn't always remind you to use.
Finding the First Sinkholes Nornir Chest (The Torch One)
The first chest you’ll likely stumble upon is right near the entrance of the Sinkholes. If you took the zipline down from the Plains, you basically walked right past it. It’s tucked into a little shaded alcove. The chest has three runes that look like a 'C', an 'N', and an 'R'. Simple enough, right? Except these aren't bells you ring or totems you smash. They are braziers. You have to light them on fire.
The problem? They are way too far away for your Blades of Chaos to reach directly. This is where most people get annoyed. You have to use Sigil Arrows.
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The C Rune: To the Right
The 'C' brazier is sitting on a rock wall over a small pond to the right of the chest. It looks close, but Kratos won't reach. You need to chain three Sigil bubbles from the brazier down toward the ground where you’re standing. Once the bubbles are touching each other and the last one is within reach of your blades, hit that bottom bubble with a Heavy Attack (Blazing Surge). The fire will travel up the chain and ignite the torch.
The N Rune: To the Left
This one is a bit of a jerk. It’s perched on a cliff to the left of the chest, overlooking the lower battle area. Again, you’re going to need a chain of three Sigil bubbles. The trick here is placement; if they aren't big enough, the fire won't jump. Make sure you're shooting the same spot three times to maximize the size of each bubble before moving to the next link in the chain.
The R Rune: High Above
Most people spend ten minutes spinning in circles looking for the 'R' rune. It’s not on the ground level. You actually have to climb up the ledge as if you’re leaving the area to go back toward the Plains. Turn around, look way up at the cliffside, and you’ll see it sitting there like it’s mocking you. You’ll need another Sigil chain here, usually spanning the vertical distance of the rock face.
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The Second Nornir Chest: The Spear Puzzle
Later on, deeper in the Sinkholes—specifically the northern area where that annoying dragon keeps breathing fire at you—you’ll find the second chest. This one doesn't care about fire. It wants the Draupnir Spear.
If you haven't flooded the Crater yet by finishing the "Return of the River" quest in the Jungle, stop reading. You can’t even get to this part of the map without the water flowing. Once the river is back, take your boat to the northern dock. You’ll find the chest sitting out in the open near the path to the dragon’s arena.
- Rune 1: This one is on a pillar right next to the chain shortcut that leads back down to the boat dock.
- Rune 2: Look across the gap from the shortcut chain. It’s sitting on the rocks on the opposite ledge.
- Rune 3: This one is on a large grey pillar directly opposite the chest itself.
The catch? You have to destroy all three at the exact same time. If you throw your spear at one and detonate it, the others won't count. You have to lodge a spear into all three targets first. Once all three are glowing with your spears, hold the 'Triangle' button to detonate them simultaneously. If you did it right, the seals on the chest will break instantly.
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Why You Might Be Seeing "Bugs"
I've seen a lot of talk on Reddit about these chests being "bugged." Usually, it’s not a bug—it’s a mechanic. For example, some players find the braziers won't light even when the Sigil bubbles explode. This is almost always because the bubbles aren't actually touching the brazier's wick. You have to be precise.
Also, if you're doing the bell-ringing Nornir chest (which is technically near the Eastern Plains but often confused with the Sinkholes), the bells have a timer. If you aren't fast enough, they reset. There is actually a setting in the Accessibility Menu under "Puzzle Timing" that lets you extend this window if your aim isn't feeling particularly "God-like" today.
Tips for Nornir Mastery in Vanaheim
Vanaheim is basically a giant puzzle box. If you're struggling with the Nornir chest in the Sinkholes, keep these three things in mind:
- Check the Sky: The developers love hiding runes on high cliffs. If you can’t see it, look up.
- Sigil Stacking: You can shoot the same spot three times to make a massive purple bubble. This is mandatory for the Sinkholes brazier puzzles.
- The Environment Matters: Some puzzles in the Crater literally cannot be solved until you change the time of day at a Celestial Altar or flood the valley.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your inventory for the Draupnir Spear. If you don't have it yet, leave the Sinkholes; you aren't supposed to be here for the second chest yet.
- Go to the Jungle and complete the "Return of the River" favor. This is the "Master Key" for the entire Crater region.
- Once the water is flowing, head to the northern-most dock in the Sinkholes to finish the spear-based Nornir chest and get your final Idunn Apple or Horn of Blood Mead.