Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-4057475-20130710075111/@comment-768817-20140925034715

The most likely scenario is that he simply never achieved a high enough rank with in the cult to get a mask. Nothing to do with him not being powerful enough, or respected enough. Although, this is only the most likely scenario, all others hold varying degrees of plausibility. Not wearing a mask, even if he could obtain one would be fiiting for Vahlok, because he was, according to all acounts, a brave and honorable man, and one could argue only cowards wear masks. Although the wooden mask could be related in the same vein, as it lacks any real armoristic value, as opposed to the others, and it's effect on time could have to do with his eternal vigil for Miraak's return.