I was dropping duplicates of the White Phial and I must not have noticed I dropped the original until I went to use it hours later... I'm guessing theres no way to get it back...

Not sure, I haven't looked up duplication glitches, never had to on PC. Retrace your steps I guess to look for the original.

On the positive side, you've extended Nuerlion's life by not returning it.

How can you drop quest objects?

If you are on pc, try this command:

player.additem 0002C25A 1

I'm on Xbox and the quest is over. The Vial is bugged and self duplicates by the way... I also am hours beyond the point that I dropped them so they most like have despawned by now. Not to mention I don't have the faintest clue where I could have been...

Oh, I finished the questline already.. This is the version of the Phial that has a potion in it that you receive after he dies.

Why did you drop them; you could have sold them. I bet you would have paid more attention.

They aren't worth anything...

Pretty early on I found a Staff of Paralysis.

This is like the ULTIMATE 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card if you suddenly find yourself toe to toe with a powerful enemy.

I was having a good 'Spring Clean Sale' of all my goods and it looks like I accidentally sold that to somebody.

Can't believe I did that.

Gah!

Marcurio loves that staff. He's picked up 3 in our travels. Hire Marcurio and run around for a bit and he might find one for you.

The White Phial having multiple versions of itself is why it's now on a shelf in my house. It's incredibly annoying.

It could still be where you dropped it if you ever remember.

I'm pretty sure I dropped it in a Dungeon or a Dragon Lair during the Vampire Lord questline for Dawnguard. Problem is... if a dungeon has respawned.. would it remove the phial?

Note: I've checked most of the Dungeons (There are some other locations thats is possible they could be) and all of the Dragon Lairs, no Phial to be found. I'm guessing that if the area has already respawned, theres no point in searching.

If you want it badly, I'd definitely check. In my game I don't usually take much loot from dungeons, and have noticed that the weapons and shields of enemies are still lying where they were dropped after the area has respawned. Since I often revisit dungeons, I've had to start picking them up because there's just too much junk lying everywhere in my game. If my follower kicks them while we are sneaking they make noise as well!

There is also the possibility of it being in the Soul Cairn.. >.<

I have noticed this, too. Sometimes they're cleared when I go back, but there have been quite a few times when, months later, I've kicked an Ebony Sword that I didn't notice.