How do I access the DLC in Dragon Age: Origins?

I recently bought the ultimate edition of Dragon Age: Origins, which includes the Awakening expansion pack and all the DLC. It looks like the DLC is modular and isn't integrated into the game; do I need to play them separately? How do I access them?

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2 Answers

The following DLC are integrated into the main game, and you can access them any time after you gain access to the region map:

• Warden's Keep
• The Stone Prisoner
• Return to Ostagar

The following are more-or-less item packs, and you should have access to them by the time you gain access to your party's camp:

• Any promotional/pre-order bonuses
• Feastday gifts and pranks

The following are separate stories requiring you to select them as you start a new game:

• The Darkspawn Chronicles
• Leliana's Song
• The Golems of Amgarrak¹
• Witch Hunt¹
• Awakening¹

^{Note 1}: Can import your character from Dragon Age: Origins, but your companions don't follow you and you can't access the main storyline or the other DLC (except for the non-Feastday items that you might've imported with your character).

They tie into the main game. When you view your map, the DLC will unlock a few places that you can visit at anytime.

source

The DLC should be shown as a place you can visit with a Golden tint: Such as the The Stone Prisoner, etc.

More info listed here.

To clarify, the DLC can be played side by side with the original Dragon Age: Origins. The Awakening expansion pack must be played separately as those events take place after origins.

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