A gnome charges the gates

"OY!" Corky squeaks as she runs at the guard just at the east gate to Shadowdale, stopping just a couple feet from him. "Ye got gnoll attackin' folk on tha road," she points to the yonder hill, a bit of leaf litter falling out of her mussy hair, "and thay ain't fah from yer gate eithah."

Some time later a scarred old elf strolls up clanking with a big sack over his shoulder and a pair of antlers draped pointily over him. "Seems 't was only a couple of raiding parties. All is calm. They slew a deer; the House of Plenty can use the venison, mayhap". He disappears in that direction and comes out later minus awkward antlers and heavy sack.

Some days later the guards on the walls are armed with flame arrows and the orders from the Captain to shoot first and let the bodies burn should any aggressive monster approach the town.

Beltaram would try to assess the situation, observing the hillside's vegetation and wildlife populations to determine why food for the gnolls would be in scarce supply. ((Survival 20 ranks + 5 item + 5 wis bonus))

Wu Ling would inquire with the guards about a bounty put on the Gnolls. He would imply that he would help deal with their numbers if there was.