Yeh, the game is sort of a forgotten gem amongst a bunch of rocks
but fear not for I am here!
A guide I followed on my first playthrough was
http://www.tesguides.com/tes2/ Although the quest order is a bit wrong in some spots because if you followed the quest guide chronologically as it's listed some of the quests would be unobtainable.
For instance at the beginning you obviously need to talk to the contact (lady b) at the random bar and then I suggest some crypt-raiding to get your horse/wagon and then your good to go and don't have to worry as much about being late for quests.
Make damn sure that you get some form of improved magery and buy the recall spell as well as water breathing and levitation or your in for a rude awakening later on. The magical opening spell is useful but not required as well.
After that's all covered follow the link I posted until you get to "Orsinium", do NOT I repeat do not talk to Mynisera again after that an grind a level (to reach level 6) and you'll be ready for Cyndasa's first quest, if you do Orsinium first then you will be unable to complete this.
The quest is optional of course but it sheds some light on a few things story-related. '
After that you should be fine following the guide as it's typed.
The UESP article requires a bit too much guesswork and if you followed it as it's typed you'd get through the main quest but a few others would be blocked off.
Another thing to note is that Berenziahs book quest is unable to do after you complete a certain quest (I forgot which I'm sorry) but it has only small relevance to the story and just revolves around
I suggest doing all of the side quests you can but Bernziahs was a PAIN for me to get activated, same for Queen Aubki-i's second quest. Sometimes the couriers take months or even a year to arrive and give you a message and your best bet is to just do crypts and dungeons for levels and gold until then.
It's not uncommon (with 70+ luck) to be level 6 with half mithril and some adamantium gear by this point and things just get easier the more you level which helps.
Also, don't worry about liches, seducers, and master vampires. They aren't anywhere near as deadly as everyone says if you know how to attack while backing up and have a decent dodge skill while carrying a flail.