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I've been thinking of getting into D&D and I've done a little bit of background research into it; but the only reason I'd want to get it is to be able to role play as a Gnoll.

Any tips for someone wanting to play a gnoll character? it is possible isn't it? and finally, what is the best way to convince a group to try and fit the character in?

Which edition? Gnolls are playable in 4th edition. I know they have a unique weapon (claw). I had a friend that played a Warlord gnoll and he had fun with it. It has a racial power and feat support. They typically make good Rangers and Brutal Rogues, but really can play anything.

I played one back in 2nd edition for a short "we're the evil monsters" type campaign.

I had a magic.... Flindbar .. ( ? something like that) IIRC.

...man, it doesn't seem that long ago but when I think about it really. was

Hmmm...my D&D is a bit rusty...but if I recall correctly, Gnolls are quite like dogs/wolves in their mentality, so some way that makes the character see the party as his pack, for example the one in the party kills off his former packleader and scatters the pack could make him see that one as the new "packleader". Or he could have been driven from his pack, maybe he were a pack leader that got beaten and ran off. Thus joining the party as a way to further his goals, maybe trying to make them help him retake his pack.
Overall Gnolls are evil, though they are known to serve as mercenaries and they should fit in a evil party.

As for playing a Gnoll...defend your property fiercely, snarl, grown, howl and such when doing "in character" dialogue, pick at weaker members of the party and npcs and fear/obey/avoid stronger and challenge those of close to equal strength in different ways to "prove" you are superior. Also for flavour maybe insist on eating meat raw and complain whenever someone cooks it. *shrugs*

I would agree that they are capricious, greedy, cruel and territorial creatures. Keeping those qualities in mind should help keep the character right. As for why the group has a gnoll. Maybe hes a local guide/mercenary hired by the group leader? This would fit their psyche as they will gladly work for money. But they also respect strength. So there's plenty of room for backstabbing if the leader doesn't show themselves as capable/decisive. Or they might try and assert their dominance over the group if there's a power vacuum.

Or OP could role play that gnoll that is different from the stereotype; hence, why they are not with other gnolls and instead adventuring.

There was also a Dragon magazine article (Ecology of the Gnoll? Creature feature? Something, I forget...) that had a paragraph or two detailing a gnoll pack that didn't worship Yeenogh and instead worshiped Melora, goddess of Nature. They were still a very regimented society but they weren't the "kill and eat everything we can find" sort. You could ask your GM about that group.

I've actually been wanting to play a Gnoll as well (even if they don't necessarily have the best stat support for classes), but I haven't had the opportunity. (Read: my GMs keep saying no :( )

I remember that article.
That goes WAY back.


Also, there is a 2nd ed AD&D product (Humanoids Handbook) that may give you some insight on playing Gnolls.

Eric

3.5 does as well in Races of the Wild, other than that ECL you have to take by playing Gnoll in 3.5 stick to barbarian or fighter, unless you can get stats in other places.

If you get around to it, the DnD prepainted miniatures have several really awesome Gnoll sculpts. There are obviously other alternatives too. He could also have just been raised in human society from a "pup" so his mindset leans more to that of a feral, aggressive human. I really think barbarian could fit that type of character.

However if you would like to paint your own could I reccomend the one here:

http://www.reapermini.com/FigureFinder#detail/03214