There are 26 Collectibles at the Forbidden Sands in Alfheim. You can find 2 Nornir Chests, 2 Legendary Chests, 7 Lore, 3 Artefacts, 1 Nine Realms in Bloom, 1 Buried Treasure, 4 of Odin’s Ravens, 1 Yggdrasil Rifts, 1 Berserker Gravestone, 1 Song of the Sands, 1 The Elven Sanctum, 1 Freyr’s Gift and 1 The Desert Door.
FAST ACCESS
Nornir Chests
Legendary Chests
Lore
Artefacts
Nine Realms in Bloom
Buried Treasure
Odin’s Ravens
Yggdrasil Rifts
Berserker Gravestones
Song of the Sands
The Elven Sanctum
Freyr’s Gift
The Desert Door
NORNIR CHEST
There are two Nornir Chests at the Forbidden Sands. Here’s where they are.
– 1: South West of The Forbidden Sands –
In the south west of The Forbidden Sands in Alfheim you can see the big heart painting on the mountain wall. Behind a big pillar next to it is a Nornir Chest. For this chest you have to set the three Rune Torches on fire.
Light the torches of the Runes with your blades.
– The “C” Rune –
For the “C” Rune, leave the Nornir Chest area by going though the big pillar. Outside, look up to the little rocky hill with the scaffolding around. You have to shoot a row with pink arrows to set it on fire.
– The “R” Rune –
The “R” Rune is is tricky. Like the “C” Rune, it is outside of the Nornir Chest area. But to the left, just underneath a natural rock bridge. High up. Use the wooden scaffolding as an anchor point for the pink arrows to build a row.
– The “n” Rune –
The “n” is next to the Nornir Chest. You can easily light it from below.
You can now open the Nornir Chest.
– 2: Elven Sanctum Basement –
There is a basement room underneath the Elven Sanctum. To get there you have to melee attack the caved in crawl space underneath the Elven Sanctum Entrance.
Enter the crawl space and go deeper inside the room. At the end of it is the Nornir Chest, blocked by three Tendrils.
With the chest in your back, stand very close to the left purple crystal with the Tendril just next to it. Throw your axe from there and the three tendrils will be destroyed.
Light the torches of the Runes with your blades.
– The “C” Rune –
The “C” Rune is across the chasm, not reachable for the blades. But there is a campfire nearby. Shoot a chain of pink arrows from the campfire to the C-Rune. Remember, you can make the impact radius bigger when you shoot the centre of it more then once!
– The “R” Rune –
The “R” Rune is above the “C” Rune behind a Hive Matter Wall. Light the “C” Rune first. You can prepare and shoot a big done (3x) underneath the matter wall and another one below to connect them. The C Rune Cauldron should be in it. Then shoot a sonic arrow at the matter wall, switch to pink again and shoot the C Cauldron to blow everything up.
– The “n” Rune –
Same principle here with the “n” Rune. But you only need two pink arrows for it.
You can now open the Nornir Chest.
LEGENDARY CHESTS
There are two Legendary Chests at the Forbidden Sands. Here’s where they are.
– 1: South of The Forbidden Sands –
There is a little cave in the south of the Forbidden Sands with two times three Tendrils and two hanging purple crystals that can be rotated.
First, destroy the three Tendrils to the right. Go over to the left side and throw your axe at the purple crystal like in the screenshot below.
Then, you have to free the other hanging crystal by burning off the plants above it with your blades. Since you can’t reach, you have to shoot three purple arrows like in the screenshot below.
To destroy the last 3 Tendrils, you have to throw your axe onto the “plants” crystal first. It has to bump off the second crystal to destroy the Tendrils. Set the crystals like in the screenshot below. Then the path is open and you can reach the Legendary Chest.
– 2: INSIDE THE ELVEN SANCTUM –
At the top of the library in the Elven Sanctum is a Legendary Chest.
LORE
There are 7 Lore items in the Forbidden Sands. Here’s where they are.
– 1: LORE MARKER – THE ENLIGHTENED ONE –
Head to the big statue (Monument to Freyr) and complete the Favours Quest: Freyr’s Gift. The Lore Marker will be powered up at the end of the quest and you can read it.
– 2: LORE MARKER – BJARG STORMR –
In the west of the map is a small elevated area, where you have to grapple up to get there. Here is a big statue (A sleeping Troll) and a Lore Marker.
– 3: LORE SCROLL – AN EXAMINATION OF TEMPORAL SIGNIFICANCE –
Enter the library of the Elven Sanctum in the north east of the map. This scroll is lying on top of a table and is automatically picked up when you’re close.
– 4: LORE MARKER – RULES OF THE SANCTUM –
Also in the library of the Elven Sanctum is a Lore Marker.
– 5: THE LOST PAGES –
One of the Lost Pages can be found in the library of the Elven Sanctum as well. It’s on top of a table.
– 6: LORE MARKER – THE ARBITERS OF KNOWLEDGE –
In the same library, grapple up one level to the left and you find another Lore Marker.
– 7: TREASURE MAP – THE FORGOTTEN TOWER –
At the top of this library is this Treasure Map in a bookshelf.
ARTEFACTS
There are 3 Artefacts in the Forbidden Sands. Here’s where they are.
– 1: KVASIR’S POEMS – TRIP –
Go to the east of the map, where the THE ELVEN SANCTUM Favours Quest starts. Here, on top of a small elven tower is the Artefact.
– 2: TRIBUTES TO FREYR – BRACELET –
From the last Artefact go to the north east and climb up to the entrance of THE ELVEN SANCTUM. Here, just on the right side of the door is the Artefact on the floor.
– 3: TRIBUTES TO FREYR – TOKEN –
Travel to the north of the map. There is a wall you can burst through with grapple. After a fight, squeeze through a vertical passage in the wall. The rift is up the stairs.
NINE REALMS IN BLOOM
This Favours Quest will start as soon as you pick up one of the flowers in any realm.
In the west of the map is a small elevated area, where you have to grapple up to get there. Here is a big statue (A sleeping Troll), a Lore Marker and a Raven. Don’t go up. Instead, look for a little dead end next to the elevated area. You should see the glow of the flower.
BURIED TREASURE
You need to pick up the Treasure Map in the Elven Sanctum first. Then you can travel to the north of the map. There is a wall you can burst through with grapple. After a fight against elves, you can dig out the treasure.
ODIN’S RAVENS
There are 4 of Odin’s Ravens at the Forbidden Sands.
– 1: STATUE IN THE NORTH WEST –
There is one raven flying around a tall statue – A Monument to Freyr – in the north west of The Forbidden Sands. Those are the more difficult ones because you have to throw your spear before it flies into the aim. Just before you cross the light bridge, aim at the belt buckle of the statue and wait until the raven approaches from the left. Probably needs a couple of tries.
– 2: WESTERN ELEVATED AREA –
In the west of the map is a small elevated area, where you have to grapple up to get there. Here is a big statue (A sleeping Troll) and a Lore Marker. The Raven is hiding behind the statue. Shoot it with the spear.
– 3: UNDERNEATH ELVEN SANCTUM –
There is a basement room underneath the Elven Sanctum. To get there you have to melee attack the caved in crawl space underneath the Elven Sanctum Entrance.
Enter the crawl space and go deeper inside the room. The Raven is flying in circles to your left. Just focus at one point, where it will fly past and throw your spear to get it.
– 4: CLOSE TO THE NJARTA EXIT –
Near the The Njarta Exit is a high rock formation with scaffolding. The Raven is sitting up there. Throw your spear.
YGGDRASILS RIFTS
Travel to the north of the map. There is a wall you can burst through with grapple. After a fight, squeeze through a vertical passage in the wall. The rift is up the stairs.
BERSERKER GRAVESTONE
The Berserker Gravestone is in the south of The Forbidden Sands.
SONG OF THE SANDS
Like in the Barrens, there is a massive Sand Storm as you enter the area. Best do this cave before looking for any other Collectibles. There must be another trapped Hafgufa. For those exploring the mysteries of this region, uncovering the below – Alfheim collectibles can provide additional insights.
– 1: Find the Hafgufa Cave Entrance –
You can find the Cave entrance here:
– 2: Reach the Hafgufa –
Climb down to the bottom of the cave. There you can destroy a barricade with a green, sonic arrow. Then you enter THE BURROWS.
The left grapple passage is blocked from the other side – probably the exit. So take the right grapple passage.
At the bottom look left. There is some pink, shimmering “Hive Material”. Shoot it with a sonic arrow and then also the barrier behind it.
Then you can grapple and go through the other side.
You end up in a bigger room. Use the grapple and you can go down get the big, red chest before you continue to grapple to a climb spot. Climb to the right and you can grapple to the next area from there.
More Hive Material awaits! Use the axe and the purple crystal to deflect the axe and destroy the hive material.
Climb down at the other side and you are being attacked by Wretches. Destroy their nest in the other room. Grapple up at the other side. Light elves and Cursed Grim attack you. You can pick up the LORE COLLECTIBLE IN THIS ROOM.
Continue to follow the path down, through a vertical gap in the wall. On the other side is another hive material pillar blocking the way. Ignore it and take the grapple down to the other side. There is another Hive Material Wall. Shoot it with a sonic arrow and it will reveal a purple crystal. Quickly throw your axe and the Hive Material Pillar will be destroyed.
Another grapple is now open and you can continue the path down below with more grappling ahead.
Follow the grapple points until you can climb down, where you will be attacked again by Cursed Grim and Light Elves. Here’s also a small lizard that buries itself when you get too close and the Legendary Chest above you in a small cave. To get those, look for another HIVE MATERIAL HORIZONTAL PILLAR that blocks off a climb point grapple.
Climb up the wall as if you would continue your path. You can throw your axe from there.
Climb down again and use this grapple. Then climb to the right to the higher grapple point, where you can swing over to the Legendary Chest. Don’t forget to attack the Lizard from above before you go down again.
Now go on, continue to climb up the wall and the path to the Hafgufa. In the room at the end, three red Tendrils need to be destroyed. Jump down and throw the axe when they’re in one line.
Go back up. The Hafgufa is in the next room.
– 3: Destroy the Hafgufa’s Bindings –
There is a purple crystal to the left. Throw your axe and it will free up a grapple spot to the other side.
Swing over. You’ll first destroy the three Tendrils to the left. Look, there is another Hive Material Wall at the end of the Tendril chain. Shoot a sonic arrow at it and then quickly! throw your axe to destroy them!
Swing back to where you came from and you can now just throw your axe at the other three Tendrils when they’re aligned in a row. Use the same grapple again, swing back and throw the axe at the last three Tendrils.
– 4: Open the Hive Cage –
Grapple back and take the now open exit. Some more Cursed Grim await and also the second Legendary Chest and the Artefact.
Climb up the wall next to the chest and even more further up. Then grapple your way up until you are faced with another horizontal HIVE MATERIAL PILLAR puzzle. You can destroy the closest Tendril by throwing it at the purple crystal to the left. Then, use the now free grapple point to get one level up.
Here, you can open a big, red chest. On this level, there is a hanging ornament that has a purple crystal on one side. Turn it around so you can deflect your axe from the crystal to the hanging crystal. This will destroy the other Tendril and you can climb up further.
Now you can go to the exit wall, where you are being attacked once more until you can climb back to THE FORBIDDEN SANDS. The big Tendril is just behind the exit. Destroy it to free the Hafgufa.
THE ELVEN SANCTUM
When you get close to the Elven Sanctum Ruins in the east of the map, a Frost Phantom will attack.
– 1: FROST PHANTOM PILLARS –
Fight the Frost Phantom until it’s weak. Then destroy all 3 pillars. One of them is on the elven tower. The other two are around the rock where the Tendrils are.
– 2: DESTROY THE TENDRILS –
There are three Tendrils that you can destroy here to get access to a big, red chest. There are two purple crystals you have to use to deflect your axe but one is overgrown with plants. To burn them off with your blades, you have to shoot 3 pink arrows in a row like in the screenshot below.
Then, climb the elven tower nearby and deflect your axe on the bottom purple crystal.
– 3: EXPLORE THE ELVEN SANCTUM –
The entrance is in the north east of the map. Climb up the big building and enter it through the door.
– 4: SEARCH FOR CLUES ABOUT ELVEN HISTORY –
The entrance is in the north east of the map. Climb up the big building and enter it through the door. Inside, go right through the next door to enter an elven library.
In the same library, grapple up to the top, where you can pick up a book
– 5: LEAVE THE SANCTUM –
Exit the library the same way you came and defeat the librarian.
FREYR’S GIFT
In the north west of The Forbidden Sands is a tall statue – A Monument to Freyr. When you cross the light bridge, you will start this Favours Quest.
– 1: INVESTIGATE THE MONUMENT TO FREYR –
The monument is at this location:
As you look around in the area in front of the big gate, you will notice three red Tendrils that need to be destroyed at the same time and a horizontal Hive Material Barrier at the other side. Go up to the top and throw the axe at the Tendrils. They have to be in one line.
– 2: RESTORE FREYR’S GIFT –
This took care of the tree Tendrils. But the barrier on the other side is still there. Standing in front of the light bridge, where you came from, look to the left. There is a Hive Material Wall that you can shoot with a sonic (green) arrow. You have to go very close to the wall. There are two Tendrils behind the wall that you have to destroy with your axe in one line.
The Tendrils dropped a white glowing crystal. Follow the path on this side down to pick it up and put it into the socket of the round statue at the top.
Now we still have the issue with the Hive Material barrier on the other side. There is a Crystal below the barrier, powering the light bridge. Take it and drop it anywhere you like. Then, from opposite the barrier, throw your axe at the purple crystal, deflecting onto the barrier to destroy it.
The path to the second round crystal is now free. Pick up the crystal that you just took out and put it back in to get the light bridge to the second round statue again. You still need a white power crystal to put into the second slot. Use the one from the main light bridge. It is below the main light bridge. You don’t need to leave just yet. Place it into the second slot.
– 3: INVESTIGATE FREYR’S GIFT –
Pick up the glowing light in the blue circle to finish the quest. Then use one of the crystals to put it into the main light bridge socket to get out again.
THE DESERT DOOR
As soon as you find one of the two keys below, this Favours Quest starts.
– KEY 1: SOUTH WEST OF FORBIDDEN SANDS –
In the south west of the Forbidden Sands, just south west of where the Hafgufa of the Song of the Sands Quest broke free, is a blue circle with a ominous key in the centre.
– KEY 2: SOUTH EAST OF FORBIDDEN SANDS –
In the south east of the Forbidden Sands is a blue circle close to the passage that leads to The Njarta. Here you will find the second key.
– OPEN THE DOOR –
Travel to the north of the map. There is a wall you can burst through with grapple. After a fight, you can open the door with the keys. Defeat the Drake.
This is GOD OF WAR RAGNAROK
Release: November 9th, 2022
Developer: Santa Monica Studio
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Official Website: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/god-of-war-ragnarok/
Guides by camzillasmom