Diagnosing damp/wet attic walls – GreenBuildingAdvisor

Hi all- trying to diagnose how the inside end walls of my attic are wet/damp. I am perplexed. maybe Im overcomplicating. We have three “endwalls” on the house, all have a gable vent. Obvious answer would be water blowing in the gable vent, but it doesnt really line up. The wood bordering the vent is dry, and the walls are damp a good 5ft away from the vents, in patches. It doesnt seem to be a leak from above, as the roof decking is dry. And I dont think its coming through the walls….if I scratch away the damp surface its drier underneath. Here are some pics- Ill admit on this wall it is by far the worst right under the vent, so maybe a flashing issue there- but why would there be patchy dampness 5ft out in each direction?