I do have a vague recollection of Laka being captured and put under some curse or subjected to a nasty ritual, but couldn't tell you what it was about. I only remember it because Ev was piiiiiiiiiiiiissed.
It was worse when the every-day mandatory Serenguard quest also used a thirstleberry and maybe a sweetgrass, I can't remember. There were never enough thistleberries to do -anything-.
Just like the Boots of Blinding Speed. They do exactly what it says they do. But there are ways around it. That's what was great about Morrowind. It was meant to be broken by you.
I think in the 14 years I've played Morrowind I've managed to complete the Main Quest... twice? Not because it's difficult or boring, I just keep getting lost in the world and lore.
I keep trying, but... ugh, everything about Oblivion is just so bland. The towns are bland, the NPCs are bland, the Main Quest is bland (as far as I've ever gotten at least). Gonna keep trying, since I need to get through this eventually.
I prefer using the one in the AUR so that I don't have to worry about constantly checking for updates. It almost always works perfectly, and it's easy to keep up to date. Arch-based system required, though.