Tirza is a gypsy who was born under a dark star, a sign that she was cursed. She was eventually cast out of her clan, while they were traveling through the forests of the old Western United States, after one too many tragic events seemed to be attributable to her presence. She was believed to be a witch, possessed by the demon Asmodeus. A young American rancher found the girl and tried to convince her that the curse was not real, but her people were not satisfied until she underwent an exorcism. The exorcism was deemed to be successful, and Tirza was allowed to return to her clan.