It's expensive to try and use on your whole court. But knowing exactly what your enemies would have to offer to turn your trusted lieutenant would be very usefu indeed. Even if you don't get rid of him, you now know what to look out for.
I'd say that:
1) When shifting to a human form, you keep all your clothing and accoutrements
2) When shifting to an animal form, everything goes Elsewhere unless specifically intended not to (a moonsilver collar, for example)
3) When shifting to DBT treat as #2, except in PG-rated...
Manses are useful things and any Exalt is going to want to acquire one at some point. The characters have been Exalted long enough to have had the opportunity.
We've already got Marena for sexiness (and Lunars >> corpses for sexy). We need the Bodhisattva for philosophicalness - villains who can justify their villainity are always cooler.
While the corrupted Essence flows screw with their respiration, shouldn't they still be able to get essence from Hearthstones, since they're providing essence from way outside the area?
(Since they are clearly not starting characters I'm guessing they're all going to have at least one hearthstone)