Nornir Chests (Locked Rune Chests) - God of War (2018) Guide - IGN (2024)

In God of War (2018), Nornir Chests are a type of collectible that are tracked in all the regions you can explore. These chests offer treasures that can upgrade your maximum health or rage - but to unlock them you will have to solve puzzles.

There are nine Idunn Apples and nine Horns of Blood Mead, but more Nornir Chests. Once you've found all of a particular type, those Nornir Chests will give out more generic rewards, such as Enchantments.

All Nornir Chest Locations

Here are all of the Nornir Chests catalogued by region, in order in which you can access them. Looking for the location of a particular Nornir Chest? Click the links below to jump to...

During The Marked Trees on the Hunt With Atreus objective, you'll have the option to go off the path.

Back at the crossroad ruins, head straight instead of left where the deer went to find a big chest called a Nornir Chest. The chest however is locked, and requires you to find and break the three rune seals that match the ones on the large tomb.

You can find the “C” looking rune to the right of the tomb.

The “N” looking rune in a smaller coffin on the left.

If you turn around, look along the left wall to spot the “R” looking rune behind some rocks and bushes next to the stairs. Breaking them all will allow you to collect an Idunn Apple, which can increase your maximum health.increase your maximum health.

There are five Nornir Chests in The River Pass area.

The River Pass Nornir Chest 1 - Idunn Apple

During the Path to the Mountain first Escape the Ruins objective.

In the marketplace ruins after killing your first Revenant, climb up to where the path splits and go right to find a Nornir Chest near a bridge to the exit of the ruins. The “N” looking rune is located just behind it - throw your axe to break it.

The others lie over the bridge - head back to the cliff overlooking the bridge to spot and break both weakpoints to lower the bridge. Now you can look to the left of the bridge entrance for the “R” looking run high up on a ledge behind a chest.

The last “C” looking rune is behind a gate further past the bridge, but you can spy it through a hole looking left as you cross and hit it by throwing your axe.

The River Pass Nornir Chest 2 - Horn of Blood Mead

During the Path to the Mountain Proceed Through the Gate to the Mountain objective, inside the cave with the spiked doors and ceiling.

Entering the spike ceiling chamber after Brok's Shop, pass through to the other side where a ledge leads to the exit. Before leaving, turn around to hop up a small ledge. As the ceiling descends, a new platform appears that you can leap to and find locked Nornir Chest. The “N” looking rune is found behind you up in the top corner.

The “C” looking rune is found through the broken spiked wall on the way to a chest full of Hacksilver.

As for the “R” looking rune, it’s hidden behind wooden beams to the left of the chest - you need to raise the platform slightly by throwing your axe at the panels below.

The River Pass Nornir Chest 3 - Idunn Apple

During the Path to the Mountain Hunt with Atreus objective, right after the troll Brenna Daudi boss fight.

In the area where you kill the Troll in The River Pass, look off to the left side of the arena for a cliff overlooking the distant mountain where the Nornir Chest is. The “N” looking rune is found just behind it - but it can’t be broken. When it stops ringing, the seal will reappear so you need to be quick to find the others.

The “R” looking rune is found nearby, just to the left above the waterfall.

The “C” looking rune is located back upstream behind one of the giant ribs.

Hit them all quickly and you’ll unlock the Nornir Chest.

The River Pass Nornir Chest 4 - Horn of Blood Mead

• Prerequisite: Shock Arrows

When you can return to the Witch's Cave with Light and Shock Arrows, head down the path towards where you pushed the pallet into the water to find new blue crystals below that create a path to a Nornir Chest. The runes are quite spread out here.

The “N” looking rune is opposite the Nornir Chest, next to a coffin encased in red sap on a ledge.

Look to the right of the Nornir Chest to find a blue crystal you can shoot to make a path to a Shatter Crystal; grab one and throw it at the wall to the left of the chest to find the “R” looking rune to the left of the Hidden Chamber entrance.

Finally, the “C” looking rune is in the large well past the red sap wall next to the lift. This is the well you climb up to return to the upper area at the front of the turtle.

The River Pass Nornir Chest 5 - Idunn Apple

• Prerequisite: Winds of Hel manipulation

After you gain the ability needed to manipulate the Winds of Hel, Return to the Witch's Cave and head back up the well out to where the turtle resides, and look at the giant arch you summoned using the sand bowl near the giant turtle. The right side of the arch has Winds of Hel on it, and you can transfer it to the left side of the arch.

Now head up the chain to the high ridge above where you spotted the runes for the sand bowl, and grab the Winds before turning and running down the path and placing them below a rune mechanism for a moment - noting that it will start cycling runes.

Take them the rest of the way to a receptacle behind the Nornir Chest to activate it - revealing three “B” symbols rotated around. You'll need to make sure the top of the spinning mechanism above the Winds of Hel receptacle has the "B" looking rune, the one below it has the "^^" looking rune, then leave the winds in the final rune receptacle until it cycles to the backwards "B" looking rune before taking the Winds to the chest to open it (remember, it's sideways so the B should be pointing up to the sky!).

The Nornir Chest itself will be found in the shaded area to the left of the receptacles you just rotated.

Lookout Tower

You'll see the the Nornir Chest as soon as you dock at Lookout Tower, south east in the Lake of Nine. The three bells are encased in spikes, which must be lowered before you can ring them. Throw the Leviathan Axe at the orange wooden spinner to lower the spikes.

The first bell is to the left of the chest, the second bell is to the right of the chest, and the third bell is further to the right of the chest, drenched by a waterfall. Ring all three bells quickly so that they all ring at the same time to unlock the chest.

Forgotten Caverns

Head to the shore of the Forgotten Caverns to the north west in the Lake of Nine. It's on the shore, to the left when you disembark from the boat.

The runes are on bells on the pillar to the left of it (with an Odin's Raven perched on top). You must hit all three bells in quick succession with your axe to successfully unlock the chest. The Bells will rotate faster if you hit two in a row in the same direction, so after hitting the first Bell, aim at the opposite side of the post when hitting the second one to slow them down a bit, making the third Bell easier to hit.

Cliffs of the Raven

• Prerequisite: Winds of Hel manipulation

This part takes multiple steps - as you must clear the roots that surround the tunnel with the active Winds of Hel receptacle by lowering the gate partially near the shore, and throwing your axe to get rid of the roots. Now make the trek to the opposite side so you can enter the tunnel and grab the Winds of Hel.

Back up and turn left to find another receptacle above a sealed gate that will open once you place the winds here. You can't reach the winds from the other side of the gate from this angle, but you can climb back up to where the Nornir Chest is.

From the Nornir Chest, look to the left to spot a climbing area along the wall taking you up to a high ledge with another receptacle. From here you can jump across a ledge to the other side of the gate - giving you a vantage point to claim the Winds and take them back to the receptacle you just passed.

Before moving on, return to where you grabbed the winds next to the gate and look for a chain to climb that leads to a higher platform and some Hacksilver Chests. There are several other chains here you can kick down that lead to lower platforms and the dead giant - be sure to do this.

Return to where you last placed the Winds of Hel, and stop for a moment and notice that the receptacle has revolving runes - one of which matches the runes on the chest below. Wait for the receptacle to display the "P" looking rune before grabbing the winds and jumping down to the Nornir Chest.

Look across from the chest to spot another receptacle you can plant the winds in for a moment, then grab it and leap across to the right to place the winds in a new receptacle overlooking the gate that used to have roots all over it.

This receptacle also has moving runes when activated. Wait until it displays a sideways "N" looking rune before taking the winds and quickly climbing the chain in front of you to the top platform to find another receptacle.

This receptacle also has revolving runes - wait until the "R" looking rune appears to complete the Nornir Chest and unlock a Horn of Blood Mead.

Foothills

You'll encounter this Nornir Chest during the Path to the Mountain - Continue Towards the Mountain objective, right after meeting Sindri. This Nornir Chest has nearby runes on strange mechanisms nearby with panels you can hit with your axe to change the look of the rune. Match the one above the chest to the “E” rune.

Next, head back downhill and hit the other mechanism to match the “D” rune.

Head up right to where the poison chest is and look the other way to spot a Scorn Pole blocking the last mechanism, which you can freeze then hit the panel to match the backwards “B” rune (it's actually the wrong way in the picture above, oops!). Return to find another Horn of Blood Mead.

Fafnir's Storeroom

In the clearing after Sindri's Shop you can find this Nornir Chest in the back-right of the open forest area, where you can see the body of the World Serpent in the distance.

Kill the monsters to clear the area before opening the chest. Two of the three bells needed to unlock the chest are behind it to the left and right, respectively.

The third is off to the left at the top of the waterfall.

Throw your axe into the lone bell first and then quickly ring the two near the chest. With the chest unlocked, you may grab the Horn of Blood Mead inside.

Veithurgard

Veithurgard is accessible only after opening the gate in the slightly north east of the Lake of Nine from Stone Falls nearby. The locked chest is just south of what looks like a stonehenge circle on the map, on a path you're sure to come across.

Find the first rune on the other side of the bridge from where you came from - it's by the fallen tree if you look across the gap, toward the chest.

The next you'll find by looking through the openings of the Stonehenge structure.

The last is to the right of the chest on a ledge, on the other side of a gate. Get here by going down the route that takes you through the Stonehenge area.

Alfheim

There are four Nornir Chests in the Alfheim Region.

Alfheim Nornir Chest 1 - Idunn Apple

You should see this locked rune chest right after the The Light of Alfheim - Reactivate the Ringed Temple Bridge objective initiates, inside the Ringed Temple Trench. To the side you’ll find a locked Nornir Chest - but the runes seem nowhere to be found. Crossing to the other side you’ll spot a coffin up on a ledge you can’t reach, and a rune is hiding nearby.

To find them all, look for a wheel mechanism nearby and slowly lower the central floor with it. You’ll spot a gear as well as an “R” looking Rune - so freeze the gear and drop down to punch the rune.

The "C" rune is also here; turn around and look below the gear your turned to find it in one of the alcoves.

Now return to the wheel and completely lower both the middle and outer platforms, then look behind you to spot the last “N” looking rune, and hop up on the ledge to break it so you can unlock the Nornir Chest.

Be sure to also yank your axe back when standing on the platform where the last rune was, as it will bring you up to the Coffin holding Runic Forearm Bracers and Soft Svartalfheim Steel.

Alfheim Nornir Chest 2 - Horn of Blood Mead

As soon as The Light of Alfheim - Find Another Way Into the Temple initiates, you can find this locked Nornir Chest. From the inactive door, go left down a small path to spot some of the Rune Bells that signify a Nornir Chest.

It’s located behind a blocked door, but if you look from the left side of the door you can spot a second pulsating core on the right - and hit both to clear the doorway to the chest.

The “N” looking rune is right above the chest itself, while the “C” and “R” runes are just outside straight and to the right - be sure to hit them fast to unlock the chest.

Alfheim Nornir Chest 3 - Horn of Blood Mead

You'll find this chest near the end of The Light of Alfheim - Destroy the Hive and Claim the Light objective, in the room with the locked blue door. Place the crystal you should have on the pedestal in the middle of the room. It will create a bridge above you, allowing you to access the Nornir Chest there.

The “R” looking rune is found just behind the chest, while the “C” looking rune is to the left through a broken window past the dead body of a Light Elf.

Finally, turn back the way you came to find the “N” looking rune hanging over the ledges going back down.

You can hit the first two while standing in front of the chest, then sprint right to hit the last. Hitting all of them quickly will unlock the Nornir Chest to get you a Horn of Blood Mead.

Alfheim Nornir Chest 4 - Idunn Apple

You'll have access to this optional, hidden area - Light Elf Shore - to the south east of the Ringed Temple, during The Light of Alfheim - Return to Midgard objective. The area will not be named on your map even after stepping foot on its shore. From beyond the first gate, take a left along a path to a gazebo with a Nornir Chest overlooking the river leading to the Ringed Temple.

The hanging bell seals here have no markings, and only reveal their runes after being struck, so it’s a game of trial and error.

The correct bells are located behind the chest to the left, directly to the right of the chest, and directly in front of the chest hanging at the top of the entry archway.

The Mountain

There are two Nornir Chests located in The Mountain Region.

The Mountain Nornir Chest 1 - Horn of Blood Mead

After entering The Mountain and unlocking the secret door to the right by solving the riddle, take the path into a large cavern area, and go under a bridge to climb up a ledge.

Take the path along the left to a wooden wall that’s hiding another blue crystal you can shoot to raise a path up to a Nornir Chest. The runes don’t show, but they are painted in red on the walls above: "B N R".

Head back down the ramp to switch the rune here to the “R” looking symbol.

The one below the high bridge next to the chest should be the “N” looking symbol.

The "B" looking rune is visible to the right of the "R" rune high up the wall. You can hit it from there, but it's easier to do if you return to the Nornir Chest and then go left onto the bridge.

Matching all three runes will unlock the Nornir Chest to reveal a Horn of Blood Mead.

The Mountain Nornir Chest 2 - Idunn Apple

You'll find this during Inside the Mountain - after gaining Shock Arrows. After unlocking them and re-entering the mountain, make your way up the path until you reach a tall room with a bridge you can raise and lower, with several Reavers praying to a Nornir Chest.

Head back down past the Nornir Chest the Reavers were praying to and throw a Shatter Crystal at the Red Sap Wall to enter a room with a Jotnar Shrine. Once inside, look up to the right to find the “N“ looking rune.

Head back up the bridge and look to the side of the bridge to spot the “C” looking rune to the side of some scaffolding.

On the other side of the bridge you came up is a wheel mechanism you can use to raise the bridge back up to where you had to explode the world tree sap. Take out your axe and freeze the gear nearby and hold it in place, and go up and look right to find the “R” looking rune. Return back down to the chest and open it to get another Idunn Apple.

Light Elf Outpost

The Light Elf Outpost is only accessible after the water has dropped a second time. It's in the north west of the Lake of Nine. The Nornir Chest is easily visible up on a slope as you enter the island. Destroy the wooden barricade below it to reveal the blue crystal, then have Atreus shoot it with a Light Arrow to create a bridge.

The "R" rune is at the first light crystal bridge where you have to place the crystal yourself before activating it. It'll be to the right of the light crystal socket.

Continue along the path to the right and look at the decrepit remains of a bridge where the seagulls are to find the first rune, "N".

When you continue along the path, across a few light bridges, nearly to the top, you'll see the last rune, the "C", in plain view just beyond a chain.

Helheim

This Nornir Chest is not technically required - or logged on the region summary, as it can be missed during the Escape From Helheim quest. Once you board the ship, you can't come back to this area. Once you reach the area where the ship is, head left instead of right to the ship, and push a stone into a hole to cross over to the first tower.

Clear the Hel Bramble and pull out the block a bit and look to the side of the block to find the “N” looking rune in the block. Get around behind it to hit it through the opening.

Now slide through the opening past the block to look out over the frozen water, and look to the left to find a "C" looking rune.

Finally, pull the block all the way back to a high ledge and climb up to find a chest of Hacksilver, and look down to the right for the “R” looking rune behind a small pillar. Now you can open the Nornir Chest for a Horn of Blood Mead.

Tyr's Vault

There is 1 Nornir Chest located below Tyr's Temple, in Tyr's Vault.

Once you arrive in the room with the second receptacle for the Winds of Hel, look down the hall opposite from the main vault room to two alternating spiky blocks moving horizontally into the wall. You can freeze the second one and dodge past the first to find a Nornir Chest at the end of hall.

Turn around and look at the active spike block to find the “C” looking rune, inside one of the spiked blocks and visible when it extends.

Head back into the previous room and look along the shelves to the left of the hall of spinning saw blades to find the “R” looking rune.

Finally, head into the new hall across from the wheel mechanism where spiky blocks slam down from above to spot the “N” looking run up on the right side of the first block. Return to the Nornir Chest to collect another of the Idunn Apples.

Konunsgard

There is one Nornir Chest to find in Konunsgard, during the quest Hail to the King that is only accessible once you have completed two quests for each of the dwarven brothers, and they give you a final quest near the end of the main story.

You can find this Nornir Chest shortly after going through the Konunsgard castle and then emerging outside. Once outside, follow the main path to come up behind the top of the castle walls. There is a doorway on the left that leads straight to a Nornir Chest.

Next to the chest is a Winds of Hel anchor. The puzzle here is to use the winds to reveal rune bells that need to be rung. Grab the winds and go to the left. Place the winds in the anchor point and watch the bell spin around. Remove the winds before the "N" symbol bell appears to lock it in place.

Now take the winds to the right of the Nornir Chest and deposit them into the anchor point there. The two remaining bells will spin around as long as the winds stay in place. Hit the two bells as they spin around and then run to the "N" bell and ring it to unlock the chest.