I haven't yet used the Paul adapter but know it enough. It is a neat option until SRAM and Shimano adapt to really wide range gearing on drop bars that isn't super expensive electronic gearing. However would rather see something like the Gevenalle shifters being adapted for SRAM 12 speed that would mean I don't have to move my hands to shift. Granted I really dig these alternative bars like the Surly Moloko and Koga Denham bars for gravel and touring bikes. I still love drop bars but so far nobody quite makes the bar I want.

The NX cassette should work on 11 speed wheels. The main reason for alternative stuff is for 10t cogs which cannot quite fit on a standard S type freehub. You shouldn't have problems making it work

It should be a fun build, the Jamis Renegade is a fantastic bike and if I hadn't gotten a good deal on my Specialized Sequoia frame (pro-module technically) I was considering that one. I really dig the paint work, the topo maps are really neat and Reynolds steel is good stuff. My only wish on all of this stuff is everyone would go with the Rodeo Labs Spork as that seems to be the best of the carbon adventure forks with all the dynamo capabilities and rack mounting. However that is a tiny issue and effects most bikes rather minimally.