Whiteness
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The Whiteness, also referred to as the Mist Wall, was a natural phenomenon on Age 37 consisting of a 'wall' of white mist beyond which nothing was visible. The natives of Age 37 had both fear and reverence for the Whiteness, and claimed that it was their "Master" prior to Gehn's arrival on the Age.
The Mist Wall was the result of the meeting of the cold oceanic water with water heated by geothermal warming originating from below the island surface. This phenomenon also created strong currents around the Mist Wall, pulling unsuspecting boats away from the island, even in the absence of wind.
When Atrus directed a small boat crew, consisting of old man Tarkuk and his son Birili, to investigate the Whiteness their boat almost capsized due to the native crewmembers' fear of the Whiteness. Atrus directed the crew to row to safety, after which Tarkuk insisted that Atrus had "cheated" the Whiteness.
Gehn eventually altered the Descriptive Book of Age 37 and raised the temperature of the ocean. This resulted in the disappearance of the Whiteness along with, presumably, the currents. Gehn organized a celebration on the island to demonstrate his powers to the natives. He declared all mentions of "Mist" or "Whiteness" to be forbidden.
