4- The Event resolution gives increased penalties for twiddling thumbs for foreigners if the Hippos win, but not the other way 'round. This, to me, implies that the scum were expected to participate but because they are outnumbered, also expected to lose (hence the no penalties for them) if the town fought back.
But even the scum might have chosen to avoid the battle if they have low combat scores. Or maybe they just rolled poorly on their RPS compared to the ones fighting with the dwarfs.
According to Isaac's post, it looks like the "Fight the Dwarves" and the "Fight the Hippos" choices were the same. The Dwarves won the battle, though, so the "prize" for winning the battle with the Dwarves is +1 morale, while anyone who fought with the Hippos was penalized one morale.
No, I said the event resolution for twiddling thumbs.
"Option 1: Twiddle Thumbs: This is the default option if you do not wish to participate or do reply by the deadline.
Minus 1 to moral, minus 2 if you’re a foreigner and the Hippos win."