Sounds like those apps can't find a Google account on the device. Something got messed up along the way. I would suggest doing a factory reset and start rooting from scratch, ensuring that you're following each instruction to the letter. If you're using the auto process you should not have encountered Market and Gmail not working.
http://nookdevs.com/Flash_back_to_clean_stock_ROM
After you do the factory reset you should update the firmware to 1.0.1 and use the appropriate auto-nooter image (based on the 1.0.1 update).
With regard to the 1.5 update on the B&N website, doesn't that refer to the NOOK and not the NOOKcolor?