Welcome to the right side
Let me ask one Question before I answer yours, are you with the Undead Flesh, the Black Ice or the Army of Doubt? There are some differences in the IT-equipment you need.
1. Yes, you can use your sahara as long as you don't need more space than 15 m² for every one person.
2. You are allowed to have a fire or a cooking stove, but only if you don't burn the ground, a Feuerkorb for example.
3. You can bring your own food, buy a ticket for the NSC-taverne or it in the IT-City, there are plenty options.
4.&5. See above.
6. There are plenty of own made shields, but the SL will only tell you if you can use it after they have seen it for real at the conquest.
7. As far as I know, yes, they are allowed.
8. No, but it doesn't look good, if you use a really long weapon one-handed. I would use one around 1m.
For more tips, talk to others of your fractions, ask when you have questions in the forum and on the conquest, as soon as you get in the NSC-Forum (contact Tobei, if you need help to get in) read the guides for your fraction, look who is the contact for your swarm, house or Lairdom.
You can contact me with a pn, if you have more questions.