God of War Ragnarok Vanaheim guide: All Odin’s Ravens, Nornir Chests

God of War Ragnarök finally introduces players to the lush jungles of Vanaheim, homeland to Freya’s and the rest of the Vanir gods. This realm wasn’t part of God of War (2018), but has a huge presence in the sequel. It’s not only the biggest realm in the Ragnarök — seemingly packed with more side content than all of God of War (2018), with even more to do than both Svartalfheim and Alfheim — but it features a unique day/night cycle that opens and closes different paths depending on the position of the sun and the moon.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find all of the collectibles in Vanaheim’s main zones, from each Nornir Chest down to every last one of Odin’s Ravens.

Table of Contents

The Southern Wilds

The Southern Wilds is your first big taste of the lush jungles of Vanaheim. It’s also the first place where you’ll be introduced to the mostly-cool day/night cycle of Vanaheim.

You’ll eventually be able to control this cycle for yourself, which dictates which traversal routes are accessible to you depending on the time of day. But if you want to grab everything you can as early as you can, we recommend following our directions below carefully. It’ll be daytime the next time you come through here, and will remain as such until way later. When Vanaheim is bathed in daylight, you won’t be able to get to many of the collectibles below.

Odin’s Raven

When you first enter The Southern Wilds from the mystic gateway, keep left until you reach a small archway under some roots. Go through.

You’ll find yourself next to a small lake. Flying around above the lake is one of Odin’s Ravens. Take careful aim and kill the bird.

Legendary Chest – Wrath of the Frost Ancient light runic attack

A map of Vanaheim in God of War Ragnarok

Note: You can only access the following item at night.

Proceed forward through The Southern Wilds, and head through the crack in the wall. When you reach the ruins, fight off the enemies.

Kratos stands in front of a Legendary Chest in God of War Ragnarok

With the coast clear, hug the left side of the area until you find a small hole that you can crawl through. Go inside and you’ll find the Legendary Chest at the other end, which contains the Wrath of the Frost Ancient light runic attack for the Leviathan Axe.

Kvasir’s Poem (Image Spoiler Warning)

Note: You can only access the following item at night.

Kratos stands over a cracked floor in God of War Ragnarok

Make your way to the ruins, which we mention above. Jump along the pillars until you reach the one with the ornate metal workings around its base. Jump on top of it.

Kratos grabs an Artifact from a pit in God of War Ragnarok

Instead of proceeding forward to the wooden path, turn left and look down to the floor below. You should see a giant square patch that’s cracked (see the earlier image). Use your Blades of Chaos to grapple into it, breaking it and revealing a pit underneath. Here you’ll find one of Kvasir’s many poems.

Nornir Chest

Note: You can only access the following item at night.

Continue along the path, toward Freyr’s Camp, until you reach the Nornir Chest sitting against the rock — you can’t miss it.

Kratos looks at a Nornir Chest in God of War Ragnarok

This is a switch chest, meaning you’ll need to match all three switches to the runes on the Chest to open it. The runes you’re looking for here are C, R, and n.

Switch 1

Kratos takes aim at a Nornir Switch in God of War Ragnarok

The first switch is up and to your left from the Nornir Chest. Aim at it with your ax and hit it until it displays the Rune that looks like a C.

Switch 2

From the first switch, do a complete 180º and face behind you. Here you’ll find the second switch. Hit it until you get the rune that looks like a lowercase n.

Switch 3

For the third switch, you’ll need to backtrack a bit. Look at the Nornir Chest, turn around, and start walking backward. Before you turn the corner back to the ruins, look up and you’ll see the switch covered in some bramble. Before you do anything else, light the bramble with your Blades of Chaos. When the plants whither away, use your ax to hit the switch so it displays the R Rune. Now you’re free to open the Nornir Chest and secure its treasures.

Freyr’s Camp

Freyr’s Camp is the hub for Vanaheim, a place you’ll come back to quite a bit to grab new quests and talk to familiar faces. However, the entire left side of it is barred off during your first visit, as you won’t have the proper tools to access it.

Lore – Freyr’s Lament

Once the cutscene introducing you to Freyr’s Camp is over, head left into the little alcove.

Kratos grabs a lore scroll in God of War Ragnarok

Here you’ll find a lore scroll. Grab it to get the “Freyr’s Lament” entry.

Lore – Vanaheim Lullaby

Take the left path out of Freyr’s Camp until you hit a ramp and some mossy rocks. Stop.

Kratos reads some runes on the wall in God of War Ragnarok

Turn around and you’ll see some runes carved into the wall between some canoes. Read them to get the “Vanaheim Lullaby” entry.

Odin’s Raven

Note: You can only access the following item at night.

Walk out of Freyr’s back door and into his backyard.

Walk forward and to the left. You’ll see a giant blue ring entangled in some vines above you. To the left of the ring you’ll find one of Odin’s Ravens perched on a tree. Throw your ax at it to kill it.

Artifact – Family Crests (Image Spoiler Warning)

Proceed through the main storyline until you unlock the mystic gateway at Freyr’s Camp, which is where you’ll exit Vanaheim during your first trip.

Kratos picks up an Artifact in God of War Ragnarok

The Artifact — part of the Family Crests set — is just ahead of where you’ll park your boat on this small island, to the right of the portal if you’re looking straight at it.

The Abandoned Village

The Abandoned Village is the largest area you’ll visit during the main quest on your first journey through Vanaheim. It’s also an area you’ll come back to later in the game for story reasons, which will allow you to access more collectibles (and nab any you miss).

Draugr Hole

Walk forward along the main story, largely ignoring the nooks and crannies (there’s not a lot to explore here just yet). When you reach a gap that you can’t cross at the opening of the area, turn left and hit the crane to make a grapple point. Cross to the next building and then turn left. Turn the crane again and use the grapple point to reach the left side of the village.

Kratos battles some Draugr in God of War Ragnarok

When you land, take a left and walk into the cave across the bridge. Kill the monster that appears to destroy the Draugr Hole.

Legendary Chest – Rond of Restoration

Follow the path to the Draugr Hole above.

Kratos looks into a dark pit in God of War Ragnarok

After you kill the draugr, walk up to the nearby wall and crawl through the hole in front of you.

Kratos opens a Legendary Chest in God of War Ragnarok

When you emerge, walk forward into the small hut. You’ll see an opening for you to drop back down into the village and a Legendary Chest sitting against the wall. Open the chest for the Rond of Restoration shield attachment.

Lore – Chores

Follow the path to the left side of the Abandoned Village, where you’re able to access the Draugr Hole. Return to where you first landed when you jumped from the crane.

Look immediately to your right and you’ll see some green rocks and some barrels. You’ll also see a lore scroll. Grab it to get the “Chores” entry.

Lore – Prayer to Freya

From the left side of the village, take the zipline to reach the large arena structure ahead of you. (Or, if you skipped the left side of the village, just press on ahead.)

Kratos reads some runes off the wall in God of War Ragnarok

Walk up to the giant gate, which is closed. Look to the left of the gate and you’ll see some runes written on the wall. Read them to get the “Prayer to Freya” entry.

Legendary Chest – Shatter Star Shield

Proceed with the story and fight your way through the fortress.

Kratos looks down into a poison pit in God of War Ragnarok

When you’re finished, take the back door out and hang left. Make sure to avoid the frozen pole by freezing it and detonate the pustule plants before they can explode on you. Climb the chain. Walk forward on the landing and look to your right. You’ll see an area shrouded in poison. Look right again and use your Leviathan Axe to freeze the poison pole. Jump down and open the Legendary Chest to claim the Shatter Star Shield. Be careful not to recall your ax until you’re safe, as the poison will kill you very quickly.

Nornir Chest

Proceed along the linear path through the story, taking the zipline to the next section of The Abandoned Village. Walk forward until you reach another crane puzzle.

This puzzle, when done correctly, will allow you to get another Nornir Chest. This is a brazier Chest, which means you’ll need to light three torches to get the treasure inside.

Brazier 1

Kratos lights a Brazier in God of War Ragnarok

Free the giant lantern that hangs from the crane and position it so it’s just to the left of the walkway in front of you. Use your Blades of Chaos to swing the lantern to the left, causing it to swing into and ignite the first brazier.

Brazier 2

While the lantern is still in position for the first brazier, use the grappling hook to jump to the small island with the dead soldier. Rotate the crane twice, bringing the lantern toward you and then moving it in front of the boardwalk ahead of you. When the lantern is in position, use the Blades of Chaos to push it to your left, into what looks like a normal tree. This will light the brazier hidden among the roots.

While you’re here, use the lantern to burn the bramble on the other side so you can proceed with the main story.

Brazier 3

Return to where you started the crane puzzle and then rotate the crane so you can grapple across. Jump across to the other side, walk forward, take a right, and walk down the ramp. On the right, you’ll find the Nornir Chest itself. On the left, you’ll find the last brazier. Light it with your Blades of Chaos and collect the loot.

Legendary Chest – Helios Fire Light Runic Attack

Continue forward until you reach yet another crane. Turn it until you can grapple across to the other side. Walk forward and to your right, along the back path. When you emerge on the other side, you’ll be able to see the Legendary Chest sitting across from you.

Kratos prepares to swing across to a Legendary Chest in God of War Ragnarok

Move the crane into position so the grapple is in front of you. Leap over to the other side and claim the Helios Fire Runic Attack.

Western Barri Woods

The Western Barri Woods mostly serves as an intermission. Even on subsequent visits to Vanaheim, there isn’t a lot to do here. But it’s very pretty to look at, and gives you a great view of the western mists of Vanaheim. I wonder if there’s anything beyond that? Hmm…

Lore – Harmony

After freeing Freya, follow her along the newly revealed daylight path, using Hex arrows — now part of your arsenal for the rest of the game — to solve a variety of puzzles.

Kratos reads some runes off a lore tablet in God of War Ragnarok

Eventually you’ll come across a massive wooden bridge that winds its way through the sky, leading back to Freyr’s camp. Before you walk onto it, look to your right and you’ll see a lore tablet. Read it to get the “Harmony” Entry

The River Delta

Kratos and Freya hang out in a boat and grab some sap in God of War Ragnarok

After you defeat Nidhogg and rescue Freya, you’ll be able to leave Vanaheim and continue to story or adventure into the River Delta. The River Delta is a massive side area packed with quests and some pretty great rewards, but won’t progress the main story.

Odin’s Raven 1

This Odin’s Raven is easily visible from the River Delta, but unfortunately you’re not able to hit it with your ax while in the water. Instead you’ll need to kill it from Pilgrim’s Landing.

Kratos takes aim at one of Odin’s Ravens

When you land on Pilgrim’s Landing, make your way to the Legendary Chest (which we describe in detail below). To the left of the Legendary Chest is a little window, and through it you’ll be able to see the Raven. Kill it.

Artifact – Family Crest (Image Spoiler)

From Pilgrim’s Landing, go south and and then left. Enter the caves here and land on the beach before coming out the other side.

When you first land, look left and you’ll find an artifact. Grab it to get a part of the Family Crest collection.

Yggdrasil Rift

From the artifact listed above, walk up the ramp and you’ll walk straight into a Yggdrasil Rift.

Open it and defeat the enemies that pop out. Once they’re dead, reach back in and grab your reward.

Lore – Nonviolence

From the Yggdrasil Rift above, jump over the bridge ahead of you and open the red chest. To the right of the chest is a lore scroll. Pick it up to get the “Nonviolence” lore entry.

Note: From the lore scroll, look forward toward the Noatun’s Garden area. Use hex arrows to light the red moss on the wall. Once the moss is gone, use your ax to hit the chain across the water. This will open the gate, which will give you access to a Legendary Chest that you’ll need later. Scroll down to the Noatun’s Garden location for more information.

Lore – Living Masterpiece

Take the river around to Brok’s shop, which is on a tiny beach near the Cliffside Ruins. When you land, look to your right and you’ll see a lore marker.

Read it to get the “Living Masterpiece” lore entry.

Artifact – Family Crest

To the left of the shop, just behind the mystic gateway, you’ll see an artifact.

Pick it up for another Family Crest.

Favor – The Mysterious Orb

Head into the Veiled Passage and land on the first beach to the right. When you get out of the boat, turn left and grab the orb off the sand.

Once you have it, return to Brok’s shop.

Buried Treasure – The Giant’s Toes

Once you get the Treasure Map from the Vanir Shrine here in Vanaheim (scroll down), return to Brok’s Shop in the River Delta.

Behind the mystic gateway you’ll see some familiar glowing earth. Dig it up to pick up your treasure and complete the Treasure Map.

Odin’s Raven 2

Make your way down to the “Call to Arms” lore entry, past the Veiled Passageway.

Kratos takes aim at one of Odin’s Ravens above a river

From that spot, you’ll be able to see an Odin’s Raven perched on a branch. Chuck your ax from the balcony to kill it.

Pilgrim’s Landing

Pilgrim’s Landing is the first island you’ll come across in the River Delta, and it’s got a few items for you to collect, as well as a Ghost Favor.

Berserker Gravestone

What’s a Berserker Gravestone, you might ask? Well it’s a side activity you don’t have access to when you first enter the River Delta. So why are we including this here? Because you gain access to the Berserkers very shortly after you leave Vanaheim, so it’s not worth a separate trip. We recommend gaining access to the Berserker Gravestones in Midgard and then doing the River Delta.

When you gain access to the Gravestone, walk up on the beach and activate it. Hvitserkr the Bold is your foe here, and he summons little buddies. Use your Blades of Chaos here to help thin the herd.

River Delta Favor – Cure for the Dead

Just behind the Berserker Gravestone, near the wall, is a River Delta Favor. Talk to the ghost to get the Cure for the Dead. You’ll need to collect three items on Pilgrim’s Landing. These are all pinned on the map, so they’re pretty easy to find. Walk over the bridge and grab the first ingredient when you jump up.

On the left side of the area, grab one of the mushrooms in the water. The final ingredient is next to the Legendary Chest. When you have them all, go talk to the ghost again for your reward.

Lore – Dead on Arrival

On the Pilgrims Landing beach, look left toward the mushrooms and the little pond. Near the pillar by the broken bridge, you’ll see a Lore Monolith.

Read it to get the “Dead on Arrival” lore entry.

Legendary Chest – Grip of the Fallen Alchemist

On the right side of Pilgrim’s Landing, you’ll see a swinging torch puzzle. Use it to help you open the broken bridge to the left.

Once you free the bridge, jump over to the other side and pop open the Legendary Chest. For your trouble you’ll get the Grip of the Fallen Alchemist for your ax.

Noatun’s Garden

Noatun’s Garden is a poisonous area filled with treasure and a quick quest. You’ll be able to access it via boat or zipline, and there’s a door that you can only open from the middle of the River Delta.

Legendary Chest – Jewel of Yggdrasil

Either take the zipline from the middle of the River Delta or land on the beach of the Noatun’s Garden with your boat. Kill all the enemies.

Once you’ve landed, head left to the small building with a gate. If you’ve read our note on the Nonviolence Lore entry above you’ll have already opened the gate. If not, you’ll need to jump back in your boat and make your way to the bridge to the west, where the zipline is. There’s some red moss on the wall that you’ll need to burn up and then break the chain leading to the gate. (If you need more help, check the note we mentioned above.)

With the gate open, walk in and open the Legendary Chest. You’ll get a Jewel of Yggdrasil, which you can use to repair your amulet.

Lore – Under the Rainbow Treasure Map

From the Legendary Chest, walk out the door and turn immediately to your left.

On the ground you’ll find a Lore scroll. Grab it to get the Under the Rainbow Treasure Map.

River Delta Favor – Garden for the Dead

Head out from the Legendary Chest and walk forward under the tree. You’ll see a Ghost. Talk to her to start the “Garden for the Dead” favor. You’ll need to destroy the three poison totems in the area.

The first is on the other side of the pillar, the second is to your right, and the third is to your left. Look for a vantage point where you can hit a red pot for all three. Blowing them all up will finish the quest. Talk to the ghost again to collect your reward.

Lore – Golrab of the Ashes and Forests

From the ghost, turn around then look to your right. You’ll see a lore marker.

Read it to get the “Golrab of the Ashes and Forests” lore entry.

Artifact – Family Crest

Walk past the lore marker to the building with the gate. Walk to the left side of the building and you’ll see an artifact on the ground.

Pick it up for another part of the Family Crest collection.

Lore – Garden’s Progress

From the artifact, turn right and climb up the side. Once you reach the top, turn left and you’ll find another lore marker.

How convenient. Head left and read it to get the “Garden’s Progress” lore entry.

Cliffside Ruins

The Cliffside Ruins is an area just across from Brok’s River Delta shop. It connects to the Veiled Passage and also is the key to opening up the southern parts of the river.

Nornir Chest

When you land on the beach, head to the right and the back of the area. You’ll see a Nornir Chest.

This is one of the switch Nornir Chests. You’ll need to hit the three switch and move them to runes that look like F, R, and a little flag.

Switch 1

Kratos looks at a Nornir Switch in God of War Ragnarok

Back up from the Nornir Chest and jump over the ledge. Use your Hex Arrows to burn the red moss. Then flip the switch until it shows the R rune.

Switch 2

Climb up on the pillars and move over to the one where you can hit the red moss on the wall. Look down and you’ll see the switch in the rock. Hit it until it shows an F.

Switch 3

Head back to the island with Brok’s shop and look out toward the Cliffside Ruins. You’ll see the switch on the edge of the water. Flip it to the little flag rune.

River Delta Favor – Conscience for the Dead

For this side quest, you’ll need to kill some Seidr fanatics. Follow the guide below to reach the Veiled Passage.

Continue along the path until you reach a cave with a bunch of poisonous jerks. Kill them all and then return to the ghost to claim your reward.

Lore – Call to Arms

Head through the Veiled Passageway until you reach the other side.

Climb down the chain and turn right. You’ll see a lore. Read it to get the “Call to Arms” lore entry.

Legendary Chest – Mists of Helheim Heavy Runic Attack

Head right from Brok’s Shop in the River Delta and the look toward the Legendary Chest in the Cliffside Ruins. Use your axe to hit a red pot and destroy some gold ore. Then go through the Veiled Passageway until you reach the opposite side.

Turn left and open the bridge. Head back across to the other side and place hex sigils on the three locations that are marked on the wall (or copy the screenshot above).

Light the sigils to blow up the ore. Then jump down and open the chest to get the Mists of Helheim Heavy Runic Attack.

The Veiled Passage

To get to the Veiled Passage, row as if you’re going to Goddess Falls in the south, then take a left turn instead. This will take you through a secret passage that will eventually bring you back to Cliffside.

Nornir Chest

Make your way into The Veiled Passage and land on the beach to the right. Turn right and walk up the path to the Nornir Chest. This is a bell Nornir Chest, and a pretty strange one at that.

Kratos paints a bunch of Hex Sigils in God of War Ragnarok

Grab one of the fire bombs and throw it at the wall across the Nornir Chests. Destroy the red moss. Then grab another bomb. Cover the entire wall with hex sigils, then throw your bombs at the Hexes. If you do it correctly (follow the image above), you’ll ring all three at once.

Odin’s Raven

Ride into the Veiled Passage and continue until you hit the beach in the far distance. When you land, turn around and look up.

Kratos aims up at a cave to kill one of Odin’s Ravens

In the ceiling, you’ll see a root looking down from the sky. On the root is one of Odin’s Ravens. Hit it with your ax and kill it.

Lore – Seidr Sacrifice

From the Odin’s Raven, climb up the wall by all the poison plants.

When you reach the top, turn right and you’ll see a lore marker. Read it for the “Seidr Sacrifice” lore entry.

Artifact – Family Crests

Walk into the Veiled Passage tunnel and up through the poisonous enemies and plants. Once you reach the first turret plant, break the wooden panels behind the plant and walk forward.

You’ll see an artifact on the ground. Pick it up to collect another Family Crest.

Goddess Falls

Goddess Falls is where you’ll come to do Freya’s dedicated side quest — or at least access it. Ones one of the prettiest areas in the game, but there isn’t a lot to do here other than access the Vanir Shrine.

Lore – Anything I Can Do

Paddle your way to the Goddess Fall beach. Climb up the wall. Turn to your right and you’ll see a little cave.

Destroy the poison traps and then read the lore marker inside to get the “Anything I Can Do” lore entry.

Odin’s Raven

A map of Vanaheim from God of War Ragnarok

From the lore marker, head up to the second level of the cliff.

Turn around and look back toward the river. You’ll see an Odin’s Raven flying around in the sky. Throw your ax it at while it flies by to kill it. It’s a little tough, so you may need to give it a few tries.

Buried Treasure – Under the Rainbow

From where you shot the Odin’s Raven down, turn left and walk toward the waterfall.

If you have the Under the Rainbow Treasure Map (which you can find above), you’ll see a glowing mound at the top of the cliff. Grab it to complete the map.

Nornir Chest

On the top of the cliff in Goddess Falls, you’ll see a Nornir Chest on the right.