National Novel Writer's Month

Except for the havoc-wreaking Now that could be apparent havoc -- things that seem to have no obvious purpose and just cause trouble, but later turn out to prevent more serious troubles? Maybe it only occasionally is obvious what was averted, since usually no one notices when nothing happens instead of something bad? but the gargoyles could have some low-grade prescience -- they know they have to do such-and-such, but they don't know why?