Ummm don't remember reading anywhere Balthamel having a leather mask fetish.  Considering how close to the patetrn he was held it was to cover his hideous appearence.

Ummm don't remember reading anywhere Balthamel having a leather mask fetish.

I do. And after some searching, I found the quote:

The others came out unaged, looking exactly as they did, but Aginor and Balthamel, although wearing the clothes they wore, and the mask was an original he [balthamel] was wearing it when he went in,

http://www.wotmania.com/faqtopic.asp?ID=192

i wonder where the eye is when it's not needed?

does it move around to unpopulated areas, or does it disappear?