Could you use the Raise a Shield action, then follow up with a strike from a Shield Bash, Shield Boss, or Shield Spike?
The rules are clear that you lose the benefits of Raise a Shield if you hold something in your hand (like a weapon), but don't address attached weapons. I didn't find clarification in the Raise a Shield description or the Attacking With a Shield section.
Does anybody know how this should play out by the rules?
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You can attack with a raised shield w/o losing its benefits.
Does attacking make you hold something in your hand? No.
Is there any other phrasing that would suggest you lose the benefit? No.
So you're good.
If it seems a bit strange remember that the 1-action to Raise a Shield represents a segment of one's attention and is an ongoing effect, not an instantaneous event. Attacking with the shield is no more distracting than running somebody over, casting a spell, or falling off a cliff, none of which cause you to lose the benefit of a raised shield.
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Could you use the Raise a Shield action, then follow up with a strike from a Shield Bash, Shield Boss, or Shield Spike?
The rules are clear that you lose the benefits of Raise a Shield if you hold something in your hand (like a weapon), but don't address attached weapons. I didn't find clarification in the Raise a Shield description or the Attacking With a Shield section.
Does anybody know how this should play out by the rules?
You are only holding the shield boss/spike via holding the shield itself, so I wouldn't worry about that part. And the shield bash attack is only for shields not designed for being weapons, so that's fine too.
Honestly, seems like there's no reason to worry about Raising a Shield before attacking. Whether you Raise a Shield > Strike with the shield or Strike with the shield > Raise a Shield seems to be about the same.
The order can matter if your target pr one of their allies has a reaction that can trigger from your Strike attempt.
I know this sounds silly but my players warrior will raise shield, strike with his sword (other hand) 2x as if he critically misses our table plays that as 'end of turn'.
The rules do not indicate both hands have to be free.
That doesn't sound silly. I often start with raising a shield. You never know when an enemy might have a reaction, so if you know you're going to do it anyway there's no point in waiting until the end of your turn. That being said, critically miss = end turn? Daaaamn, that's hardcore, especially against bosses, since you often crit miss more than you hit. Well, if you're not a fighter XD