For me, the only thing that makes DDB worthwhile isn't even an official function of the site. It's the 3rd party Beyond20 app that lets me use my DDB characters in Roll20.
I'd run it as the Shadow drains your base score, but as long as you're wearing the belt/gauntlets your magically enhanced STR will keep you alive. Basically the same as the Crawford ruling.
Is there anything stopping you taking the Thaumaturge option from Divine Order, then picking a 2014 domain that grants Heavy Armour and Martial weapons at lvl 3?
I'd say trafficking in souls for your own benefit is evil, yes. Even if the souls are evil, that's literally the business of Devils and Night Hags. Just because the souls are in handy coin form rather than wriggling Larvae doesn't make it less evil.
Also worth noting that only evil creatures...
In that situation I'd take Resilient - Wisdom for sure. Failing a Wisdom save is usually pretty bad (Hold, Slow etc) and the +1 Wis helps othe parts of your build.