The Alchemist ring is a ring that belonged to Brok's old friend, Andvari. We first hear about the ring when Brok mentions how Andvari owes him a debt, he goes on to say he hasn't seen him in a while but he will compensate you if you find him.
History[]
When you start Brok's quest for Andvari, all you will initially find is his green ring, this leads them to believe he had been killed by the soul eater. Hoping to still get a reward they recovered the ring which they gave to Brok before leaving the mine. Knowing Andvari's skills with soul magics though Brok would grow to suspect that before the soul eater got him Andvari had locked his own soul in his ring to protect it from the soul eater. To confirm this Brok after meeting Kratos and Atreus again told them to meet him at the landsuther mines as he believed he found a new lead on Andvari. Confused they traveled to the designated place where Brok told Atreus to talk to the ring. A bewildered Atreus told Brok he couldn't talk to rings only for Brok to give it to him whereupon the ring itself began talking to Atreus which proved that Brok's suspicions were correct. After the group returned to Brok and gave him the magical hammer he offered to melt down Andvari and use his soul to make a reward for Kratos and Atreus. However a disgusted Atreus disagreed with the idea and managed to convince his father Kratos to keep the ring as it was by arguing successfully that Andvari might still be useful that way. After this the ring became just another enchantment to improve Kratos and ceased talking after the favor from Brok implying he made the best of his current form. When he's brought up again in the next game, Atreus tells his father and Mimir that he gave the ring to Sindri, who apparently "ended up losing him". Whether or not Sindri actually lost him, or decided he was going to melt him down instead remains unknown. While losing these abilities due to his current state, according to the codex Kratos can use this soul in the ring to enchant his weapons and armors.
Second Hand Soul - Quest[]
In the Volunder Mines, you can speak to Brok to start the Favor Second Hand Soul. You can gain some rewards and a bit of lore for completing this favor as shown below.
Rewards for Completion:
- Rare Pommel, the Grip of Volunder
- - 6 Strength
- - 6 Defense
- Warrior's Protective Barrier
This quest can be acquired in one of two ways. The "intended" way is to head to the Volunder Mines, which is accessed in the icy area in the South-Western part of the Lake of Nine. You can go there and fully explore it as soon as you arrive at the Lake of Nine for the first time. As soon as you dock at the Volunder Mines, look up to find an Odin's Raven. Time your shot right and you should get it within a few tries. Break everything on the shore to collect a decent amount of Hacksilver, then head through the crevice in the back. To your right, open the chest to obtain the items below.
- 1 Soft Svartalfheim Steel
- 7 World Serpent Scale Fragment
In front of you will be Lore Marker for Andvari's Invention. Also make sure to knock down the bucket above you with your axe for more Hacksilver, before continuing along the path. At the end of this path you'll find Brok and his shop at the front gates of the mine. Talk to him and he'll tell you of an alchemist he wants you to find in the mines. He'll give you the Volunder Mines Entry stone that allows you to enter. If you're mainlining the story, it'll show up when heading through The Mountain on your first ascent up to the summit. Meet Brok at his shop in the Heart of the Mountain, and he can give you the quest and the Entry Stone there. Speak to Brok to start Second Hand Soul, which requires you to venture further into the mines ahead. Interact with the pedestal to open the doors, and make sure to collect the Lore Rune Read on the right.
Deeper into the Volunder Mines[]
Once you've opened the doors, head inside and break the red urn from a distance to allow access to a room to the left. You'll find a chest with more Hacksilver. Further in, you'll see a cutscene of a Soul Eater. Drop down, and use the red urn hanging from the ceiling against the enemies that will spawn. Then, go in the direction of the monster, underneath the gate. A Revenant will attack on the other side. Continue ahead to the right, breaking some wooden planks on the right to reveal a Hacksilver Chest. Continue in that direction, hugging to the right, and drop down a chain. You'll be attacked by a few Nitemares. The coffin contains a piece of Soft Svartalfheim Steel and 7 World Serpent Scale Fragment. Be sure to look around on the floor next to the coffin, where you'll find a Treasure Map: Dead and Bloated. Nearby are some yellow-veined rocks you can't break yet with your current abilities, but look back at it once on the other side of the bridge ahead. You can break an urn that will break the rocks. Unfortunately there's just a bit of Hacksilver beyond it. Continue ahead and drop down the chain to the area below.
Continue through the gate to trigger another cutscene about the Soul Eater. Make sure to open the Coffin with a piece of Soft Svartalfheim Steel and 7 World Serpent Scale Fragments before you turn around - when you head back out you'll be bombarded by number of Draugr and Nightmares. Head back up the chain you came from, and then climb atop the broken bridge. Here, you'll see a door which can only be unlocked by finding runes, much like Locked Chests. Destroy all three runes, and the door will open and allow you to progress.
- There's one that can be hit to the right of the door by using a red urn above it.
- Turn to your left and slightly down to see the second one on the distant rock wall.
- The final rune is in the area where Kratos and Atreus see and talk about the Soul Eater for the second time. It'll be on the left edge of the gate you can't open, close to the red coffin.
Fighting the Soul Eater[]
You won't be able to beat the Soul Eater down with melee attacks. Instead, ready your ranged axe attack with R2 (after equipping it first, of course). The Soul Eater will eventually open up a glowing orange crater on its chest. Its tell is when it crosses its arms first. Throw your axe into the crater, and it will spit out a rock and take a bit of damage. Pick up the rock, and throw it at the Soul Eater (NOT inside the red crater) to stun it and reveal its chest again. You should either be able to throw your axe into its chest, or will be prompted to attack with R3. Follow this pattern two or three times to defeat it, dodging the fire balls it spits at you and being mindful of the small Draugr that spawn to make your day a bit harder. Defeating the Soul Eater gains you:
- The Alchemist's Ring - the ring that belonged to Andvari, Brok's friend, which you need to complete the Favor Second Hand Soul.
- Fire Sigil of Protection, an Epic Enchantment
- 48 World Serpent Scale Fragments (this may be randomized)
- 2 Soft Svartalfheim Steel (this may be randomized)
- A TON of Hacksilver
Leaving the Mines[]
Make sure to open the Legendary Chest in the room before having Atreus climb up the wooden planks and lower a chain for you to get to the next tunnel. Don't miss the Lore Rune Read on the right in the cave wall before leaving this area. Use the rope up ahead to slide down to the next area. After defeating the enemies on the other end, check to the left of the rope's lower end to find a Hacksilver Chest near some crystals. Then, climb up to your right and scale the wall of planks to get to a small area with some Hacksilver. Use the rope again to slide back down, and continue forward. There will be more enemies. Eventually, you'll make it back to the room where you first encountered the Soul Eater. Open the Hacksilver Chest to the left before dropping down the chain and making it back to Brok, who will gift you a Rare Pommel, the Grip of Volunder, for completing Second Hand Soul. Grip of Volunder Stats:
- 6 Strength
- 6 Defense
- Warrior's Protective Barrier