Yeah, it did suck Mordane, but I left you with your extras/flaws for increased power, so it's very hard for you not to succeed at them now. I also don't think you've had to absorb more than 5 points of damage from anyone, so it shouldn't affect you much overall. I already adjusted your character to account for it and I doubt you'll even notice a real difference

The "can't improve permanent powers through extra effort' I think means that you can't use extra effort to gain +2 levels.
And yes, Dalamar, they can. You could easily put together something that simulates those sorts of things, probably all at once. Not very many feats could be done with gadgets, but a number could. Lets see...
... accurate attack (specific), water breathing, blind sight, darkvision, detect, extra limb, far shot (specific), immunity (specific), mental link (painful I'd think), penetrating vision, precise shot, psychic awareness, radio broadcasting, radio healing, scent, see invisible, stunning attack (maybe), true sight, ultra hearing, extend reach.
Most of the time, you'd be stuck to one affect, just like with powers.