>does the stats I choose on my shifter affect him when he
>shapeshifts into his other forms? For example, if my guy had
>20 dex as opposed to 13, will there be any bonuses or
>penalties or such carried over to him when he shapeshifts?

Forms have their own stats. When you are in form, your dexterity will be the dexterity of the form. Forms having own statistics is also the reason do not want to gain a level in form, as you will get less mana and practices if you do.

>Does the equipment you are wearing affect your shapeshift in
>any way either? For example, if two shapeshifters of the same
>level, one without any equipment, one with a full set of level
>30 armor both shapeshift and attack each other, will the one
>with the full set of armor have any advantage?

Forms have their own statistics, armor class, hit/dam roll and spell saves and these are not dependent of the gear of the mage. Hitpoints, mana and movement points are the ones of the mage, even in form. So, the one that has full set of armor has the advantage of the hitpoint, mana and movement(no other bonuses from gear are transferred to shifter in form) bonuses from gear, thus having advantage in combat.