Alfheim - Collectibles, Secrets, and Region Guides - God of War Ragnarok Guide - IGN (2024)

Alfheim is one of the Nine Realms you can visit in God of War Ragnarok. You'll get access to this realm during the main quest, "Groa's Secret."

This realm has many regions you can explore during your adventures. On this page, we detail how to unlock each region, where to find all the collectibles in this realm, how many side quests there are, as well as any optional boss fights you might encounter.

What is Alfheim

Alfheim is the realm of the Light and Dark Elves and their eternal battle for power. In this realm, you will be able to explore The Elves' artistic architecture, which includes light crystals fueled by the Light of Alfheim.

To get you around in Alfheim, you can use a sleigh being pulled by a couple of domesticated Gulons.

Use the table below to jump to a specific region of Alfheim:

Alfheim Realm Overview

The regions in Alfheim contain some collectibles or side quests to complete. However, you won't be able to explore the entirety of this realm at first, as some regions are locked until you complete certain quests from the main storyline. Below you will find an overview of each region, with notes on enemies, secrets, collectibles, and links to optional side quest walkthroughs.

The Strond is the area outside of the Temple of Light. This region contains a smaller region called The Canyons.

The Strond - Lore 1 - Broken History

• Type: Rune Read

Visible directly ahead of you when entering The Strond’s Mystic Gateway, at the base of a large Dark Elf Statue.

The Strond - Lore 2 - The Living Desert

• Type: Lore Marker

This Lore can be found in the early parts of The Strond. From the Mystic Gateway, progress through the level until you get to a campfire outside.

Look down over the cliff here to spot the Lore Marker below: drop down and read it!

The Strond - Nornir Chest 1

• Type: Torch

The Strond’s Nornir Chest can be found early in the level, shortly after you come across the campfire and slip through the gap.

On the other side, head left at the fork and drop down the ledge to find the chest. It'll be on your right.

The C Rune can be found to the left of the Nornir Shine on top of the cliff. Luckily, the Blades of Chaos are long enough to reach and light it with a Blazing Surge (L2 then R2 by default).

The N Rune is to the right of the Nornir Chest, just a bit below the edge of the cliff where the wooden scaffolding is.

The R Rune is above the spot where the N Rune is, however it’s too high for the Blades of Chaos to reach, so you’ll need a better vantage point. To get it, return to the split that led you to the Nornir Chest and this time take the right-hand path up the ledges.

At the top, look left and drop down the ledge: the R Rune will be above you. After lighting it, you can drop down again to return to the Nornir Chest’s area so you can open it!

The Strond - Odin’s Raven 1

The single Odin’s Raven in The Strond is located shortly before your first encounter with Twilight Stone. After climbing up the ledges early on and first catching sight of the Light of Alfheim, you’ll drop down a ledge and then run down a path to a circular doorway. To the left of this doorway is a dead tree, with the Raven perched on it.

The Strond - Legendary Chest 1

• Contains: Axe Light Runic Attack - Skadi’s Edge

The Legendary Chest in The Strond is found just after you first use Twilight Stone to destroy a wooden door from behind and fight some Wretches. Standing in the doorway facing the way forward, you should see a ledge just ahead that you can drop down.

Do so, head left, then destroy the debris blocking the way, then kill the two Wretches who show up. In the room beyond the doorway will be the Legendary Chest, sitting next to an Artifact.

The chest contains the Skadi’s Edge Light Runic Attack, which slows time down so you can target specific enemies, then throw the Axe to ricochet between them.

Kvasir’s Poems 5 - Afterlife Abandonment

• References: Death Stranding

This Artifact in The Strond is found in the same location as the Legendary Chest described above. It'll be just to the left of it.

Tribute to Freyr 1 - Dream Charm

The first Artifact of this series is found shortly after your first fight with Light Elves. Continue forward by lifting the huge fallen chunk of rock, then go down the stairs. At the bottom, turn right to spot the Artifact sitting near a Nornir Chest and a yellow Wind Fissure in the rock.

The Strond - Nornir Chest 2

• Prerequisite: Complete the Forging Destiny main quest
• Type: Totem

This Nornir Chest is found shortly after your first fight with Light Elves, but it requires a piece of equipment you receive in the Forging Destiny main quest.

Once you have this equipment, return to The Strond and then make your way back South-West until you can see the door into the Temple of Light. Head down the stairs, and the Nornir Chest will be on your right, close to a yellow Wind Fissure in the Rock.

The F Rune is found behind the Wind Fissure to the left of the Nornir Chest. Use your new equipment to destroy it, where you’ll find a Mystic Gateway on the other side. To the left of the gateway is the F Rune’s totem, slightly off in the distance on the rock wall.

The “angular N Rune” totem can be located just to the right of the Nornir Chest itself, towards the bottom of the stairs leading into this area.

The “rounded N Rune” totem is on the Eastern rocks of this area, to the right of a dead tree. If you’re standing at the Nornir Chest, there may be a dead tree in the middle of the area blocking your view of it.

The Strond - Hel-Tear 1

• Location: Alfheim - The Strond
• Time Limit: 1 minute 30 seconds
• Enemies:
  
  • 1x Lvl 7 Hel-Viken
  • 6x Lvl 6 Hel-Reaver
  • 1x Lvl 7 Hel-Reaver

The Hel-Tear in Alfheim is found in The Strond, but luckily it's pretty close to the Mystic Gateway. Head through the circular doorway to the right of the large statue with the Rune Read at its base, then drop down the ledge, to the end of your escape route after the Temple of Light. The Hel-Tear will be here.

The Strond - Remnant of Asgard

In Alfheim and go to the Mystic Getaway near The Strond Region.

There go up using the ledges shown below.

Then go through the right using the small gap in the wall. Keep moving using the ledges and walls until you get to the camp.

The Temple of Light is the region you explore with Tyr and Atreus during the main quest, "'sGroa's Secret." This temple features lots of puzzles involving light crystals

Temple of Light - Lore 1 - The Bifrost Bridge

• Type: Scroll

This Artifact can be found in a side-area just after Tyr jumps across some hanging panels to give you a way to cross a gap. Once you’re across, head right into a room with a Hacksilver Chest and a curved staircase.

Partway up this staircase will be a flat area, with a ledge on the left that you can drop down.

At the bottom, turn right to find a fork guarded by four Wretches: head left and down the stairs to find the Scroll at the bottom, in the back-right corner.

Temple of Light - Legendary Chest 1

• Contains: Blades Light Runic Attack - Hades Retribution

This chest can be found in the same side-area as the Artifact described above. Look for a nearby ledge you can drop down close to the Artifact's location: defeat the two Wretches here, then head left and open the chest.

The chest contains the Hades Retribution Light Runic Attack for the Blades of Chaos. It trades the small area of effect that Flames of Anguish has for dealing more damage to a singular target, making it good for using on a priority target.

Temple of Light - Odin’s Raven 1

This Raven can be found in the same side-area as the Artifact and Legendary Chest described above. At the fork, turn right to find the Raven hiding behind a grate.

To hit the Raven, you’ll need to bounce the Axe off two Twilight Stones: one on the left-hand column, and another above the Raven. You’ll have to hit the bottom of the Twilight Stone while standing at the bottom of the ramp where the dead Light Elf is (like the screenshot above) in order to make the show.

Kvasir’s Poems 6 - Visions After Rest

• References: Dreams

This Artifact is incredibly difficult to miss. As you journey through the Temple of Light, you’ll go up a long curved staircase to a second Light Door. To lower it, you’ll have to go right and leap up to a ledge.

Once up there, go left to a balcony, getting you the right angle to bounce the Axe off a Twilight Stone and destroy the light crystal. The poem will be on this very balcony.

Temple of Light - Legendary Chest 2

• Contains: Relic - Hilt of Gram

This Legendary Chest is found at the door puzzle shortly after your first encounter with Light Elf Mystics (the ones that focus on ranged attacks). For this particular puzzle, you’ll need to drop down the left-hand side of a lower area where you can turn a wheel, letting you rotate a Twilight Stone.

Instead of doing that, however, look for the circular door nearby that lets you cross under the walkway to an entirely new puzzle: a chain on the left that controls an elevator with the Legendary Chest with a breakable target, and a Twilight Stone that turns as it’s moved. The trick is that the Twilight Stone is not at the right angle when it’s level with the elevator’s target.

To get around this, move the Twilight Stone as high as it can go: when you throw your Axe at it, it’ll bounce behind the elevator shaft and get stuck in some white stone. Next, raise the elevator as high as it can go so that the target is level with the white stone: recall the Axe, and it’ll break the target!

Drop down and claim your reward, but be careful on the way back up as you’ll be swarmed by some Wretches and a Gloom Nightmare.

The chest contains the Hilt of Garn Relic, which gives Kratos a shot of Rage and stuns any enemies close to him.

Kvasir’s Poems 7 - Spirits Within Walls

• References: Concrete Genie

This Artifact is found after you use a wheel to lower a Twilight Stone to bounce into a light crystal, after which you’ll be swarmed by Nightmares in the next room. Once they’re all down, stand in the doorway and face the way forward: the poem will be in the room on your left, sitting on a table.

Temple of Light - Legendary Chest 3

• Contains: Companion Accessory - Rune-Engraved Release

This chest is found in the large chasm area where you need to get across after Tyr jumps the gap, but requires you to take a longer route. To start, hang down off the first ledge and then grapple across to the first plate on your left.

Once there, the normal way is to grapple over to Tyr; instead, look left to see another plate to grapple to. From there you can continue to solid ground.

Next you’ll need to lower a Light Door to access the chest. At the safe spot, turn right to spot a Twilight Stone hanging into view. The goal is to swing the Twilight Stone with the Blades so that you can get the right angle and throw the Axe at it and break the Light Crystal.

To ease the process, equip the Axe first: Kratos will switch back to it automatically after you’ve yanked with the Blades. As well, you can yank the Twilight Stone to the left first: this gives you more time to line up your shot for when the stone swings back to the right.

Once the Light Crystal has been cut in half, continue left to another grapple plate, then leap across to the walkway and open the Legendary Chest!

The chest contains the Rune-Engraved Release accessory, which makes the first Runic-charged arrow (like Sonic Arrows) deal more damage if his quiver is full.

Temple of Light - Nornir Chest 1

• Type: Bell

This Nornir Chest is found right after Kratos and Tyr push down two giant statues to form a Light Bridge. Ahead on the right will be some stairs up to the next area; the Nornir Chest is at the base of the stairs.

The R Rune is visible just to the left of the chest, while the C Rune is on a tiny balcony up the wall further to the left.

The real trick is the N Rune: it’s part-way down a corridor to the right of the chest, and is covered in Soundstone. Even with it removed, however, there isn’t enough time to run down and strike it. To solve this, stand at the Nornir Chest and line up a throw on the Twilight Stone; this gives you enough time to strafe left and hit the other two Rune Bells.

Temple of Light - Odin’s Raven 2

The second Raven in the Temple of Light is found shortly after the bit where Kratos and Tyr push down two giant statues to form a Light Bridge. You’ll go past a Nornir Chest and then fight some Light Elves. Once you’re done, head for the curved stairs to the next room: here, look for a balcony off to your left with the Raven on it.

Temple of Light - Lore 2 - Limitless

• Type: Rune Read

This Lore is in the main Light of Alfheim chamber with the elevator. This is where you have to use Sonic Arrows to dislodge some Twilight Stone that Tyr rotates into position for you. In this room, there’s actually a second chunk of Soundstone that you can shoot: it’s to the right of the stairs to the elevator, on the side of a giant statue.

When you shoot it, a large hanging pendant will lay slack. It has a grapple point on it, which you can use to cross a gap to a circular platform.

Once you land on it, look to your right to find the Runes on the face of a rock!

The Canyons is a smaller region that's part of The Strond. This area is filled with rocky mountains and a sea of sand you can traverse using a sleigh.

The Canyons - Lore 1 - Vulture’s Gold

• Type: Treasure Map

The first Treasure Map of Alfheim, and indeed the game, is found after you complete the Groa’s Secret quest and a way is opened up to the Alfheim desert. Head through the door to the right of the Mystic Gateway and head forward to the collection of dead Dark Elves: the Treasure Map will be among them.

This Treasure Map’s picture depicts The Barrens’ Buried Treasure.

The Canyons - Odin’s Raven 1

This Odin’s Raven is found in the area after you climb up the cliff, where Sindri’s shop and the Gulon sled can be accessed. While it can be spotted from the earlier canyon, it’s better to climb up the cliff and then head right: you’ll see the Raven flying in a figure 8 path above a campfire.

The Canyons - Lore 2 - U-natur-liker

• Type: Lore Marker

This Lore Marker is found in the area after you climb up the cliff, where Sindri’s shop and the Gulon sled can be accessed. It’ll be just to the left of Sindri’s shop, close to where the Gulon sled can be boarded.

The Below is an underground cave in The Barrens region. You will be able to explore this area for the first time as part of the "Secret of The Sands" side quest.

The Below - Lore 1 - Patience

• Type: Rune Read

This Rune Read is found early in The Below, the canyonous area you can access via a cave in the South of The Barrens for the Secret of the Sands Favor.

At a certain point you’ll fight some Dark Elves in an enclosed area with lots of Twilight Crystal, and Dark Elf Nest Vines on the right. After defeating the Dark Elves, check the North wall for some handholds you can use to climb up.

Make a U-Turn to the right and you’ll find the angle you need to throw the Axe and cut all three Nest Vines, removing the flesh blocking the way down.

Kick the plate off the ledge, then drop down both ledges to the bottom, where a wooden Coffin is. The Rune Read will be down here on the right-hand wall.

The Below - Nornir Chest 1

• Type: Bell

This Nornir Chest can be accessed at the spot where you bounce the Axe off a Twilight Stone to cut three Nest Vines in a chasm. However you won’t be able to access all of its bells until you open up two wooden doors made of branches first. The first door is close to the Nornir Chest itself, while the second is to your right after you traverse the chasm and drop down a ledge.

Once you've done this, scout out the three Bells. As shown in the picture above, the C Rune's bell is opposite the Nornir Chest on the left side of the nearby door.

The R Rune's bell is visible through the door close to the Nornir Chest.

The N Rune's bell is through the upper-most door you can open, sitting in the window.

The Below - Legendary Chest 1

• Contains:
  
  • Chest Armor - Shoulder Straps of Radiance
  • 5 Whispering Slabs

This Legendary Chest is found at the very end of The Below during the Secret of the Sands favor. It’ll be in the back-left corner of the final room with the sparkling particles above and the dead Light Elves on the ground.

The Barrens is one of the bigger regions in Alfheim. The whole area is covered in sand, so you will need to use a sleigh to traverse it. Below you will find all the things you can find in this region.

Before you can explore this area, you will need to complete the side quest "Secret of the Sands" to clear the storm that has taken over this region.

The Barrens also features a big sealed door that you won't be able to open until Freya enchants Kratos' chisel at the end of the main story quest, "The Reckoning"

The Barrens - Draugr Hole 1

• Prerequisite: Complete the Secret of the Sands Favor
• Rewards:
  
  • Weapon Upgrade - Chaos Spark
  • Sovereign Coals
  • Dust of Realms
  • Hacksilver

This Draugr Hole is found just North of the entrance to The Barrens from The Canyons. However, you cannot access it until you complete the Secret of the Sands Favor, which clears the sand blocking the way to the battle area.

The Barrens - Odin’s Raven 1

This Raven is found at the Elf building in the North of the Barrens, and just East of the large Elf gate. Look for a dead tree on the South-East rocks next to the building; the Raven will be perched in its branches.

The Barrens - Legendary Chest 1

• Contains: Wrist Armor - Gauntlets of Radiance

This Legendary Chest is found at the Elf building in the North of the Barrens, and just East of the large Elf gate. The building will be occupied by two Dark Elves and a Dark Elf Lord.

Once they’re defeated, check outside the South-West area of the building: the Legendary Chest will be there, next to a Lore Scroll.

The Barrens - Lore 1 - Lost Page 1

• Type: Lost Page
• Unlocks: Hilt of Angrvadall

This Lost Page Lore is found at the same Elf building in the North of the Barrens where the Legendary Chest described above is. Check outside the South-West area of the building: the Lore Scroll will be there, next to a Legendary Chest.

This Lore is tied to The Lost Pages Labor, and unlocks the Hilt of Angrvadall at the workshop. This Relic allows Kratos to slash three waves of light, which deals increased damage against enemies afflicted with Sonic.

The Barrens - Lore 2 - The Tower’s Purpose

• Type: Lore Marker

This Lost Page Lore is found at the same Elf building in the North of the Barrens where the Legendary Chest and Lore described above is. Check outside the North-East area of the building: the Lore Marker will be there, next to an Artifact.

Tribute to Freyr 2 - Horn

This Lost Page Lore is found at the same Elf building in the North of the Barrens where the Legendary Chest and Lore described above is. Check outside the North-East area of the building: the Artifact will be there, next to a Lore Marker.

The Barrens - Nornir Chest 1

• Type: Torch

The Nornir Chest in the Barrens can be found on the “island” with the Elf ruins on it. It’ll also have some Dark Elf Nest Vines inside of it.

The first thing you should do is head to the North side of the island: if you stand at the base of the cliff wall East of a dead tree, you can get the angle you need to throw the Leviathan Axe into all three Nest Vines at once: this will remove the vines and get you access to both the R Rune and the Nornir Chest itself on the opposite side of the building.

The C Rune is found on the South-West side of the island, close to the Nornir Chest. The N Rune is located on the North-East side of the island (and close enough to be reachable with the Blades of Chaos).

The R Rune is trickier: it’s up on the roof directly above the Nornir Chest. To light it, look for a Red Pot to the right of the torch and break it with a Leviathan Axe throw!

The Barrens - Odin’s Raven 2

This Raven of Odin is found in the skull of the giant skeleton in the North-East area of The Barrens. Head to the East side of the skull, and you can find the Raven sitting within the skull’s eye socket.

The Barrens - Buried Treasure 1 - Vulture's Gold

• Contains:
  
  • Companion Accessory - Lethal Detonation
  • 1 Stonewood
  • 1 Dwarven Steel
  • 1 Honed Metal
  • 10 Shattered Runes

The one Buried Treasure of The Barrens can be found in the skull of the giant skeleton in the North-East area of The Barrens.

Head into the mouth of the skull, and you’ll see the yellow ping of the Buried Treasure on the floor near the rocks among the front teeth.

The treasure’s Companion Accessory, Lethal Detonation, will cause an enemy to explode if they are killed by an arrow. This makes it extremely useful when using on weak enemies like Wretches and Nightmares.

The Barrens - Lore 3 - The Desert of Our Ignorance

• Type: Lore Marker

This Lore Marker is found in the giant skeleton in the North-East area of The Barrens. Enter the mouth and then look for a wall you can leap up to, leading you through the skeleton’s mouth.

Inside is a battle area, where you’ll fight many Grims, Cursed Grims, and Wretches. Once they’re all down, look for the Lore Marker in the East part of the room, close to the rock wall you can climb up.

Kvasir’s Poems 8 - Celestial Construct

• References: Astro Bot Rescue Mission

This Artifact is found in the giant skeleton in the North-East area of The Barrens, where you can find the Lore described above. Look for the wall you can climb up in the East part of the room. The Artifact will be here at the top of the wall, close to a Legendary Chest.

The Barrens - Legendary Chest 2

• Contains: Waist Armor - Belt of Radiance

This Legendary Chest is found in the giant skeleton in the North-East area of The Barrens, where you can find the Lore and Artifact described above. It'll be here at the top of the wall, close to said Artifact.

The Barrens - Lore 4 - Gulon Cull

• Prerequisite: Complete the Secret of the Sands Favor
• Type: Lore Marker

The final Lore in The Barrens is in the South-West area of the desert, but it cannot be accessed until you complete the Secret of the Sands Favor.

When you have, look for an arena formed by a ring of statue-like structures, with a single gravestone in the middle.

The Lore Marker will be here, close to the wall that goes around the South-East part of the arena.

Tribute to Freyr 3 - Harp

• Prerequisite: Complete the Secret of the Sands Favor
• Contains: Shield Attachment - Rond of Affliction

This Artifact is found in a small cave just South-East of the entrance to The Barrens from The Canyons. However, you cannot enter it until you’ve completed the Secret of the Sands Favor. Once you’ve done this, look for a gap you can slip through between two stone walls.

Inside, you’ll see the Artifact in the back-right area of the room.

The Barrens - Legendary Chest 3

• Prerequisite: Complete the Secret of the Sands Favor
• Contains: Shield Attachment - Rond of Affliction

This Legendary Chest is found in a small cave just South-East of the entrance to The Barrens from The Canyons, the same one as the Artifact described above. Inside you’ll see the chest on the opposite side of the cave, but it’s being blocked by some Nest Vines.

To break the Nest Vines, look for some Twilight Stone nearby to rebound your Axe off of. In order to cut all three Nest Vines, stand right next to the Vine closest to the Legendary Chest. Throw the Axe into the Twilight Stone, then recall the Axe the moment it cuts the second Vine: it’ll cut through the third one on the way over to you!

The gear inside is the Rond of Affliction, which causes an elemental explosion when a Status-Afflicted enemy is hit by a Shield Strike (done by double-tapping L1 by default). This pairs incredibly well with Atreus’ arrows!

Berserker Gravestone - Sisters of Illska

• Prerequisite: Progress The Word of Fate main quest

This Gravestone is found in the circle of statues in the Eastern area of The Barrens, South of the giant skeleton visible on the map screen. Like most Berserker Gravestones, you cannot do anything here until you pick up the Inert Hilt of Skofnung during The Word of Fate main quest.

For tips and strategies on how to beat these Berserkers, head to our dedicated page:

• Svipdagr the Cold and the Sisters of Illska

The Barrens - Remnant of Asgard

There's another remnant in Alfheim, but this one is in The Barrens region. Get on the sleight and travel to the position pinpointed on the map below to get there.

Keep in mind that this camp features a mini-boss fight with two big Asgardian warriors, Stinnr and Sterkr.

The Burrows - Lore 1 - Sacrifice

• Type: Rune Read

This piece of Lore is found in The Burrows, the underground area you explore in The Forbidden Sands to clear up the storm.

At a certain point while exploring, you’ll destroy a Wretch Nest in a hallway, then leap up into a multi-leveled room shaped like a square, where you fight your first Grims of the area, as well as two Light Elves. From the entrance to this area, face North, then drop down the ledge on your left. The Runes will be on the wall directly ahead.

The Burrows - Legendary Chest 1

• Contains: Axe Light Runic Attack - Hel’s Touch

This Legendary Chest is found in the second major battle area of The Burrows, where you face off against Grims and a Dark Elf for the second time. Once you’re done, locate the exit door and climb up the wall to it.

Once you’re at the top, turn around and look to your left to spot a wall of glowing Nest Matter, and a Twilight Stone below it. Throw the Leviathan Axe at it, cutting the Nest Matter and revealing a grapple point on the wall.

Grapple to that point, climb up and right along the wall to a new grapple point, then turn around and use the hanging grapple point to cross the gap over to where the Legendary Chest is!

The chest contains the Hel’s Touch Light Runic Attack for the Axe. While not particularly powerful, this is the fastest Runic Attack in the game, has a short cooldown, and will knock back and interrupt enemies, making it very handy in a tight pinch.

The Burrows - Legendary Chest 2

• Contains: Axe Heavy Runic Attack - Nemean Crush

The second Legendary Chest in The Burrows is found right after you destroy the bonds of the Hafgufa. After doing that, you’ll drop down into a lower area and face a Bergsra. At the far end will be the Legendary Chest, close to an Artifact.

The chest contains the Nemean Crush Heavy Runic Attack for the Blades of Chaos. This is a fast, one-shot move that deals high damage, and knocks back surrounding enemies.

Tribute to Freyr 5 - Pipe

• Prerequisite: Complete The Reckoning main quest
• Location: Alfheim - The Burrows

This Artifact is found in The Burrows, in the same spot as the Legendary Chest described above. It'll be just to the left of it.

You will get access to this area later on in the game when you open the closed door in The Barrens.

Once you get to The Forbidden Sands region, we recommend completing the side quest "Song of the Sands" as soon as possible so you can clear the storm in this area.

In this area, you will be able to complete the favor "The Elven Sanctum" if you talk to Beyla and Byggvir at Freyr's camp at the end of the main quest "The Reckoning."

Besides the items listed above, The Forbidden Sands also features an optional boss fight with a Frost Phantom. Its location is pictured above.

The Forbidden Sands - Freyr's Gift

After you get access to The Forbidden Sands region in Alfheim, look for a statue of a man holding a sword. It'll be nearThe Burrowsregion and behind one ofOdin's Ravens.

Get closer to the statue to start a favor called "Freyr's Gift."

The Forbidden Sands - The Desert Door

To start this quest, all you need to do is head over to the Forbidden Sands region and find one of the two key halves lying on the sand. They will be easy to spot as they spawn in the blue circles with crystals you see in the desert.

These blue circles are all over the Forbidden Sands region. The ones that don't have the key pieces contain valuable resources used in crafting. However, before you can gather items from these circles, you will need to complete another Alfheim Favor called "Freyr's Gift."

The Forbidden Sands - Legendary Chest 1

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor
• Contains: Blades Attachment - Hardened War Handles

This Legendary Chest is found in the Southern-most corner of The Forbidden Sands. However, you cannot enter its location until you’ve completed the Song of the Sands Favor. Once you have, look for the ledge you can mount up, then defeat the two Grims that appear. To get to the chest, you’ll need to solve a Nest Vine puzzle with Twilight Stone axe bounces.

The main puzzle requires freeing the left-hand Twilight Stone from its Hel’s Bramble. To do that, set up two Hex Bubbles with Sigil Arrows: one on the stone itself, and another on the wall to the left. Make sure to expand them with more Sigil Arrows so that they connect, then head to the left and ignite one with a Blazing Surge from the Blades of Chaos.

With the left Twilight Stone freed, hit it twice on the left-hand paddle to spin it into position, then turn the right-hand Twilight Stone once to the left.

Now that they’re both in position, stand on the left-hand side of the area and throw your Axe into the left Twilight Stone. It should rebound to the right Twilight Stone, then off of that into the three Nest Vines! The Legendary Chest is now yours!

The chest contains the Hardened War Handles. In addition to 20 Strength, the Banishing Blade perk increases the damage and stun of the Hyperion Grapple and Hyperion Pull moves.

The Forbidden Sands - Nornir Chest 1

• Type: Torch

This Nornir Chest is found in the South-Western corner of The Forbidden Sands. Look for a falling pillar you can slip under, to the right of a heart graffiti on the wall.

The N Rune is the only one near the Nornir Chest itself; check to the right of it and light it with a Blazing Surge.

The C Rune is found back outside on top of the left-hand rock formation. Set up a chain of Hex Bubbles so that you can set them off with a Blazing Surge, lighting the torch.

The R Rune is also “outside”, partway up a huge rock arch. For this one, set up two maximum-size Hex Bubbles: one below the torch, and one on top of the rock below it. This will let the reaction cross the gap and light the torch!

The Forbidden Sands - Dawnbloom

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor

This Flower is the earliest one you can possibly find in the game, however you cannot access it until you free the second Hafgufa in the Song of the Sands Favor. Once you’ve done that, look for a long wooden fence with a ledge behind it in the Western portion of the region, West of the Freyr statue.

Instead of climbing the ledge, look to your left and head into the dark area to find the Flower part-way through.

The Forbidden Sands - Lore 1 - Blodugr Seinn

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor
• Type: Lore Marker

This Lore is found in the same area as the Nine Realms in Bloom described above. Leap up the ledge here, and you'll arrive in a clearing full of Dark Elf corpses. The Lore Marker will be over on the left-hand side of the clearing.

The Forbidden Sands - Bjarg Stormr

• Prerequisite: Acquire the Mystical Heirloom Relic from Midgard
• Rewards:
  
  • Amulet Enchantment - Poison Protector
  • 1 Slumber Stone
  • 5 Beast Bone
  • 25 Bonded Leather
  • 40 Shattered Runes
  • 464 Hacksilver

This boss is located in the North-Western area of The Forbidden Sands. Look for a ledge with a wooden fence around it: head through the gap in the fence and leap up.

To awaken Blodugr Steinn, you’ll need to find the Mystical Heirloom Relic, South-West of Tyr’s Temple in Midgard. This itself requires you to complete the Forging Destiny main quest here in Svartalfheim. Once you have it, head here and use it to fight him.

The Forbidden Sands - Odin’s Raven 1

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor

This Raven is found in the same spot as the Lore and petrified troll described above. It'll be perched just behind the troll, and thus will be much easier to spot if you happen to have already killed the troll.

The Forbidden Sands - Odin’s Raven 2

The second Raven in The Forbidden Sands is found in the North-West area of the desert, at the top of the light bridge leading down to the statue of Freyr. To have the best chance of striking it, stand at the top of the light bridge, then throw your Axe at the Raven as it curves around to the left.

The Forbidden Sands - Lore 2 - The Enlightened One

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor
• Type: Lore Marker

This Lore Marker is found in the North-West area of The Forbidden Sands, and requires completing the Freyr’s Gift Favor. Additionally, you cannot even get there until you clear the sandstorm by completing the Song of the Sands Favor.

Once the storm is cleared away, head down the light bridge, then go right and up the ramp to a Light Crystal Socket. From here, look down to spot some Nest Vines: cut them with the Axe to reveal a Nest Wall below.

Head back down to prepare for the next step. You’ll need to hit the Nest Wall with a Sonic Arrow, then throw your Axe through the Nest Vines on the other side, dropping the Light Crystal.

From the spot where you cut the Nest Vines, head right and look for some pots: smash them to also smash the rocks behind, revealing the path to the Light Crystal you just got.

Pick up the Light Crystal and carry it all the way back to the top of the ramp, then slot it into the Socket. Halfway there!

For the next Socket, head under the light bridge on the left and remove its Light Crystal. This reveals some Twilight Stone that you can use to bounce your Axe off of and cut through the Nest Matter on the other side. Once you’re done, return the Light Crystal to its socket.

Now head back to the pots you smashed earlier and take a right: you’ll find a third Light Crystal here powering the entry light bridge.

Now all you have to do is run up the smaller light bridge and slot the crystal into the Socket.

This will power up the Lore Marker in the central area, allowing you to read it!

The Forbidden Sands - Yggdrasil Rift 1

• Enemies:
  
  • 2x Lvl 6 Raider Chiefs
• Rewards:
  
  • 2 Dwarven Steel
  • 2 Honed Metal
  • 2 Stonewood
  • 10 Dust of Realms
  • 750 Hacksilver

This Yggdrasil Rift is found at the Northern edge of The Forbidden Sands. Here, locate the Light Elf Temple just North of the entrance to The Burrows, then use the grapple points at the South-West side to launch in.

Defeat the Light Elves you find, then look for a spot on the Eastern wall you can slip through (your companion will stand in front of it).

While you face two Raider Chiefs here, there’s a chance that one of them will turn into a Hel-Raider Chief if you kill them without using an R3 execution, so be careful!

Tributes to Freyr 4 - Token

This Artifact is found in the same spot as the Yggdrasil Rift described above. It'll be just to the left of it.

The Forbidden Sands - Odin’s Raven 3

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor

This Odin’s Raven is found in a spot underground of The Elven Sanctum, however its entryway is blocked with sand until you clear the sandstorm in the Song of the Sands Favor.

Once you’ve completed that, head to the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands to The Elven Sanctuary. Here, instead of leaping up to the top of the ledge, attack the broken section at the bottom: this reveals a space you can crawl through.

In the “basem*nt”, check the left-hand side of the area to spot the Raven flying about. There isn't really a spot where it curves and you can easily hit it, so you'll need to practice aiming at a specific spot of its path and throwing your Axe shortly before it passes by.

The Forbidden Sands - Nornir Chest 2

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor
• Type: Torch

Lighting all three torches for this Nornir Chest involves setting up at least one Hex Bubble chain with Sigil Arrows under time pressure. To make this easier, we highly recommend purchasing your companion’s Arrow Surplus Skill, which gives them four arrows to work with rather than just three.

This Nornir Chest is found in a spot underground of The Elven Sanctum, the same location as the Raven of Odin described above. Once inside, it'll be at the bottom of the walkway where the statues are.

Once you’ve completed that, head to the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands to The Elven Sanctuary. Here, instead of leaping up to the top of the ledge, attack the broken section at the bottom: this reveals a space you can crawl through. You’ll find the Nornir Chest at the bottom.

First you’ll need to clear out the Nest Vines. To do this, look for some Twilight Stone in front of and to the sides of the Nornir Chest (you’ll have two to choose from). Throw your axe into one at the correct angle, and it’ll bounce about the room and cut all three vines. It may take the axe a few laps before it can cut all three in time.

The trick to this Nornir Chest is to use the fireball explosions when Hex Arrows are fired into a lit flame. To begin, look for the N-Rune’s torch off to the left of the Nornir Chest, which has a warm campfire lit next to it. Fire a Sigil Arrow at the campfire, and it’ll place a Hex Bubble that immediately explodes, lighting the torch!

Next is the C Rune’s torch, which is to the right of the Nornir Chest at the base of a column. The campfire is some distance away, so you’ll need to set up a Hex Bubble Chain. Since the arrow you fire at the campfire will also set a Hex Bubble down, this effectively gives you two bubbles to work with.

Start with the bubble closest to the torch. Fire at the same spot three times to make an enlarged Hex Bubble: place it some distance away from the torch as you can while still being in range of the torch. You can tell you’ve done this correctly because the top of the torch will glow pink.

Next, set up another triple-size Hex Bubble between the first one and the campfire: make sure the middle of the second Hex Bubble is close to the edge of the first so that the chain travels correctly. Finally, fire a Sigil Arrow at the campfire itself. If you’ve set things up correctly, the bubbles will ignite each other, and then the torch!

The last and most difficult torch is the R Rune’s, which can only be lit after you’ve lit the C Rune’s torch described above. Look up above the column next to the C Rune torch to see a Nest Wall that you can retract temporarily with a Sonic Arrow.

In order to reach the R Rune’s torch, you’ll have to set up three triple-size Hex Bubbles; you can make one by firing at the same spot three times. The challenge is that enlarged Hex Bubbles will expire after about 10-15 seconds. Thus you’ll have to quickly do the following:

• Set up the two triple-size Hex Bubbles up the column and below the Nest Wall. To give yourself the most time, set up two normal-sized Hex Bubbles, wait for your arrows to recharge, then enlarge them to triple size.
  
  • Remember, the middle of a bubble has to be close to the edge of another bubble in order for the chain to travel correctly. You'll know it's close enough when the Sigil in the middle lights up and starts spinning quickly.
• Switch to Sonic Arrows and fire one at the Nest Wall to retract it.
• Switch back to Sigil Arrows and fire one at the C Rune’s torch to set off the chain.

Tributes to Freyr 6 - Bracelet

This Artifact is found in Alfheim’s Forbidden Sands. This is an area that doesn’t become available until you complete The Reckoning main quest.

Once that’s been done, head to the North-East corner of the Forbidden Sands to the Light Elf building (this is where The Elven Sanctum Favor takes place).

Climb up the wall, then look right to see the Artifact in the back corner of the balcony.

The Forbidden Sands - Lore 3 - Rules of the Sanctum

• Type: Lore Marker

This Lore Marker is in the Light Elf ruins in the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands, where The Elven Sanctum Favor takes place.

It’ll be in the library room that you first arrive in, at the base of the dead tree.

The Forbidden Sands - Lore 4 - An Examination of Temporal Significance

• Type: Scroll

This Lore Marker is in the Light Elf ruins in the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands, where The Elven Sanctum Favor takes place. It’ll be in the library room, on a table to the left of the Lore Marker.

The Forbidden Sands - Lore 5 - Lost Page 2

• Type: Lost Page
• Unlocks: Hilt of Dainsleif

This Lost Page is in the Light Elf ruins in the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands, where The Elven Sanctum Favor takes place. It’ll be in the main library room, on a table in the back of the room to the left of the dead tree. It’ll be hiding behind a pile of scrolls.

The Lost Page unlocks the Hilt of Dainsleif at Brok and Sindri’s workshops. This has Kratos slam the ground with an explosion of poison, leaving a hazard behind not unlike those made by Cursed Grims.

The Forbidden Sands - Lore 6 - The Arbiters of Knowledge

• Type: Lore Marker

This Lore Marker is in the Light Elf ruins in the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands, where The Elven Sanctum Favor takes place. It’ll be in the main library room that you first arrive in: when you enter, turn around to face the entryway, then climb up the left-hand ledge. The Lore Marker will be on your right here.

The Forbidden Sands - Lore 7 - Forgotten Tower

• Type: Treasure Map

This scroll is in the Light Elf ruins in the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands, where The Elven Sanctum Favor takes place. It’ll be in the main library room that you first arrive in: turn around to face the entryway, then climb up one of the side ledges and make your way to the back. It’ll be on a shelf to the right of the Legendary Chest.

The Forbidden Sands - Legendary Chest 2

• Contains:
  
  • Amulet Fragment - Jewel of Yggdrasil
  • 13 Whispering Slabs

This scroll is in the Light Elf ruins in the North-East corner of The Forbidden Sands, where The Elven Sanctum Favor takes place. It’ll be in the main library room that you first arrive in: turn around to face the entryway, then climb up one of the side ledges and make your way to the back. The Legendary Chest will be here.

The chest contains a Jewel of Yggdrasil, which allows you to repair a socket in Kratos’ Enchantment Amulet.

The Forbidden Sands - Buried Treasure 1 - Forgotten Tower

• Contains:
  
  • Amulet Enchantment - Alfheim’s Virtue
  • 1 Dwarven Steel
  • 1 Honed Metal
  • 1 Stonewood
  • 10 Shattered Runes

This Buried Treasure is found at the locked door, which is due West of the Light Elf library where you find the Treasure Map leading to it.

Climb up using the grapple points available, then at the top, look for the gold ping to the left of the locked door itself.

Kvasir’s Poems 10 - Trip

• Prerequisite: Complete the Song of the Sands Favor
• References: Journey

This Artifact is in The Forbidden Sands, which is not available to explore until you complete The Reckoning main quest.

Once you’ve done that, from the entrance to The Forbidden Sands in The Hjarta tunnel, head North-East under the rock arch, and keep an eye for a small elven tower on the right-hand side.

Climb to the top of the tower from the back, and you’ll find the Artifact at the top!

The Forbidden Sands - Odin’s Raven 4

This Raven of Odin is found just North-West of the entrance to The Forbidden Sands from The Hjarta tunnels. From the entrance, go North-West and head around the back side of the giant rock arch on your right. The Raven will be perched back here, although you will have to aim above it in order to hit it with the Axe.

Berserker Gravestone - Hjalti the Stolid

• Prerequisite: Progress The Word of Fate main quest

This Berserker Gravestone is found at the Southern-most point of The Forbidden Sands, close to a cave with a Coffin and Forbidden Chest inside. Like most gravestones, you cannot do anything here until you get the Inert Hilt of Skofnung during The Word of Fate main quest.

Across the Realms - Elven Cap

The Elven Cap for Across the Realms is found in the North-Western part of The Forbidden Sands. Head for that area, where the giant rock arch is. If you've been to The Forbidden Sands before, this will be where one of the Nornir Chests was. Look for the red heart painted to the left of a fallen column.

Slip under the column, then look to your right to see the Elven Cap pinging in the sand, between the Nornir Chest and one of its torches.