Glad I can help!
Locations:
- When a card says 'Heal 1 HP', it heals that damage from Scum. You are correct that you do not have HP, just Miseries.
- If Shrine of Greed is destroyed, place it in the crypt.
- If there are no Monsters in play, you *must* Explore. That can be Location that is already in play, or a Location played from your hand. If there are any Monsters in play, you can only Explore by playing a new Location from your hand; you cannot Explore a Location that is already in play.
Scum
- Scum abilities can be used whenever you like pretty much.
- You do need to make an Attack roll (D20) for Trage's Surprise Attack.
- (power) abilities do not replace your Attack. A (power) can be used once per turn at the start of any Phase.
Loot
- If the Monster ability were, for example "Loot: Draw a card", that would be an ability you carry out (i.e. draw the card).
- If the Monster ability were, for example "Loot: A Weapon", you could play a Weapon from your hand for free.
- If you have no Weapon, you can still fight (and must sometimes!), but you only deal D2 damage. Like a Scum, you only Attack once per turn.
Hope this helps!