At 10 lev, you will receive a university contact for the recipe tutorial. Completing the tutorial awards the Inventor Badge. University - Unofficial Homecoming Wiki
Bladehook spawns like Winter Lord. After a number of Spectral Pirates from chests opened in zone, he will appear with a crew at next chest opened. ☠️ 🏴☠️
The extra costume slot missions are still available. Costumes - Unofficial Homecoming Wiki
The City Representative also offers cape and auras missions for heroes.
City Representative - Unofficial Homecoming Wiki
Mr. Rodney on offers cape and auras missions for villains.
Mr. Rodney - Paragon Wiki Archive
I'm surprised no one has directed you to JJ's builds yet. His builds are solid, but no/very little franken slotting. He is also still doing requests. Usually, my first go to search for builds.
When I can, I like use exploration Tip mission to find those badges. The mission flag takes you right to it. No wondering around until you find it ... left, right, up, down.
I think the OP is referring in posi the door to inside the dam and everyone disappears. Yeah, the first few times you probably need someone to show you the door. Call out to the group that you're lost and I'm sure someone will come back for you.
Your costumes will only be there if you save them from the costume editor. Each of your characters has to go to an Icon, Facemaker, trainer or during character creation.
I store my costumes in my ring.💍