Lothering and the Imperial Highway

“'Tis a small place of little consequence called Lothering. No more than a stop along your Imperial Highway where travelers purchase goods from local farms and smiths. I would go more often were it not for the town's chantry. It makes the village particularly intolerant and unpleasant for a stranger such as me.” ―Morrigan

Lothering and the Imperial Highway is a quest obtained at the conclusion of the prelude to Dragon Age: Origins. It is necessary to complete this quest in order to access the wider World Map.

After Flemeth rescues the Warden and Alistair from The Tower of Ishal, Flemeth's daughter Morrigan joins them and suggests travelling north to the village of Lothering to gather news and supplies. Lothering stands on the Imperial Highway: the gateway to the other locations across Ferelden to which The Warden must travel to gather allies against the Blight.

Walkthrough

Leave Flemeth's home Deep in the Wilds and access the World Map for the first time.
- pcYou can only select Lothering or the Party Camp at this stage.
- ps3ps3 You can only select Lothering at this stage.
Selecting Lothering on the World Map will trigger a cutscene of the Landsmeet in Denerim, where Loghain is addressing the assembled nobles. Bann Teagan Guerrin challenges him on his withdrawal from Ostagar, prompting Queen Anora to defend her father. (This scene unlocks Codex entry: Bann Teagan Guerrin and Codex entry: Anora.)
(Only if the Warden saved The Mabari Hound and is not a human noble:) On the way to Lothering is an encounter with Dog and some darkspawn, after which Dog will join your party (unlocking Codex entry: Dog). If Dog dies during this fight, he is dead permanently (patch 1.03 fixes this).
Just before entering Lothering, the party will be approached by bandits (see Bandits on the Road). Conversation with their leader can reveal that Loghain is blaming the Grey Wardens for King Cailan's death and the defeat at Ostagar. This can be reiterated by various persons in the area.
Once this encounter is complete, walk down the ramp towards the village proper. Alistair will initiate a conversation about what to do next, and can give directions to the various factions to enlist against the Blight. (The relevant map locations will be added after this quest is completed, even if you don't ask Alistair for any directions.)
See the Lothering article for details on side quests you may wish to complete, and potential Companions you may wish to pick up, as you pass through. If you head directly for the other end of

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

Keep in mind that immediately upon completion of one of the main quest lines (Broken Circle, Arl of Redcliffe, Paragon of Her Kind, or Nature of the Beast), Lothering will be overrun by darkspawn (and cease to exist as a map location). Whatever the Warden wishes to accomplish here, it must be done prior to this eventuality.

In the northwest corner of the map, climb the ramp back onto the Imperial Highway. Here are two dwarves under attack by darkspawn; once the darkspawn are dispatched, Bodahn Feddic will introduce himself and his son Sandal. If you ask for a reward Bodahn will pay you 1 , or 2 if you can Persuade him. He is easily discouraged against traveling with Grey Wardens... but you'll see him again soon enough.
Head north along the highway; just before you reach the exit, Lothering and the Imperial Highway will be moved to the Completed section.

Result

On leaving Lothering, a cutscene finds The Warden having unpleasant dreams at Camp. Alistair will volunteer further details on the consequences of the Joining.
As it turns out, Bodahn Feddic and Sandal find themselves headed in your direction (and hoping for safety in numbers).
If the Warden's Keep DLC is installed, a merchant named Levi Dryden has finally caught up with The Warden, whom he hopes will fulfill a promise made by Duncan.
It is also possible to start any one of the next four main story quests: