Update:
I never really could figure out the DSCL tool based on documentation on the manpage so I started over again on my client and have had better success. I still have DNS issues (for some unknown reason since I can HOST resolve all around every way), but I can login and get home directories on the OD server by using an OD IP in the user’s AD profile.
So I am up and running enough to test it all out and see how the Mac world thinks about things. Thank goodness this document by Mr. Carson exists, and that it specifically says update to the latest service packs as that made a lot of difference too.