The story focuses on Asterix and Obelix travelling into the lands of the Goths in Germania in order to rescue their druid from his kidnappers, who seek his power to conquer the Gauls and the Romans.

During their journey, the pair meet with Getafix's British friend Valueaddedtax, a fellow druid, before encountering a Roman patrol who warn them that a band of Goths have recently crossed the border into Gaul.

Whilst Asterix and Obelix are forced to wait outside the forest, as the conference does not allow non-druids to attend, Getafix wins first prize in a contest regarding druidic inventions by impressing the others with his magic potion that give superhuman strength.

When Asterix and Obelix learn Getafix is missing, they join Valueaddedtax to search around where he was heading, and discover a Visigoth helmet.

Allowing themselves to be captured, the pair are imprisoned with Getafix, who in turn exposes Rhetoric for lying to Metric, leading the translator to be thrown in with them.