I set out to Dawnstar to help East Empire Trading by dealing with some pirates. I spoke to one, seeking information on their base of operations. He wouldn't talk so I beat it out of him.

I walked around town picking up more quests, including finding 3 pieces of a Daedric weapon, and figuring out why all the citizens were having nightmares.

I decided to do the nightmare quest, and traveled with a priest of Mara to nearby ruins. The culprit of these nightmares was a Daedric Prince(ss). They sure love meddling in mortal affairs. The priest told me he had belonged to this cult, but ran away. The ruins were filled with gas; some of the people inside re-awoke and fought us, while others were exposed to it so long that they died. We were blocked from advancing, and I drank a potion that allowed me to relive past events as one of the cult members. When I awoke I was on the other side of the barrier and removed it. We made it to the Artifact that was causing the nightmares. As the priest worked on removing the barrier around it, the Daedroth spoke to me, telling me to kill him and take the Artifact for myself. I couldn't resist her sultry voice. Sorry pal, nothing personal, I just can't resist the ladies.

Over the course of my previous adventures, I had gathered enough blood samples for Septimus. I returned to him and he opened the Dwemer construct in his little cave. It was a tunnel that led to a room containing a book. Right as he expressed his surprise and disappointment, he disintegrated. I took the book and spoke to the Prince who was working with him; he allowed me to keep the book. Reading it boosted some of my skills. (Yes I know about the exploit, no I didn't use it.)

I returned to East Empire Trading and told them the location of the pirates. We set sail to eliminate them.

When we arrived, I was sent in alone to eliminate a mage that was obscuring the area with fog. I fought my way through pirates and killed the mage. When I exited, the fort was being bombarded with cannon fire. I made my way back to the ship amongst the chaos and we departed.

Next I set out to gather ingredients to repair the White Phial. The first was snow from the Throat of the World, which simply took a fast travel to get. Next was a Briar Heart; I fast traveled to the nearest location and fought an Ancient Dragon. I made it to the Forsworn camp and killed them all, the Briar Heart had an interesting sword, which started a quest to find Red Eagle's tomb. It was nearby, so I went to it. The sword was a key to unlock the door. I defeated Red Eagle Draugr and left. The final ingredient was Mammoth Tusk Dust. After a few minutes of walking up a mountain, I had the dust. I noticed a Standing Stone nearby, which I went to before returning the ingredients. It was the Lord Stone. That's all of 'em!

I returned to the shop and gave the ingredients to the assistant, the owner was ill and near death. He fixed the Phial and showed it to the owner. He died soon after seeing his dream of the Phial being recovered come true. I was given the Phial, apparently it refills itself every day. I chose a Healing potion for it and left.