Is there any sort of glossary or the like, where the different status effects and symbols are explained in some detail? For the beneficial ones it's usually relatively easy to figure out simply due to context ("That symbol must mean increased agility, since I just used a potion of agility on the character!"), but with negative ones it can be more difficult.
Also, is it normal that all of Frida's quests seem to stay open? I made a lock for her, rescued her puppies, and plowed and seeded her garden, but the corresponding quests are all still listed as "open" in my quest log.