Each block at top has clues to a related set of words, one of which is missing. Each set is also the set of names of codenames for expansion sets in a block of the game Magic: The Gathering. The question marks can then be identified as representing 8 specific expansion sets in the game.
The lists below the blocks clue first and second words in two word creatures, one from each of the 8 specified sets. Taking the creature's power and toughness as an improper fraction, the number by the block can be added to this to get an index into the first words of the creature names. Ordered by chronological order of set, this gives the message FORSAK?N, cluing the word FORSAKEN. Per the clue in the right list, the answer is the word that pairs with FORSAKEN in the set Born of the Gods; this is the answer DRIFTERS.
BRASS - Copper and zinc alloyCADAVER - Corpse
CANYON - Deep valley
CARRION - Decaying flesh
FORSAKEN - Your extracted message
FOXFIRE - Luminescence caused by fungus on rotting wood
SPIKE - Villain in Buffy: the Vampire Slayer's second season
WOODLAND - Station between Waban and Riverside
DRIFTERS - Your answer
IMP - Mischievous child
JESTER - Fool at court
LURKERS - People in chat who don't actually chat
OAK - Acorn product
SLEUTH - Detective
SQUIRE - Attendant to a knight
THRASH - Metal subgenre popularized by Metallica
F | FOXFIRE OAK | 3/6 | shadowmoor | +1/2 |
O | CARRION THRASH | 4/4 | shards of alara | +5 |
R | CADAVER IMP | 1/1 | rise of the eldrazi | +6 |
S | BRASS SQUIRE | 1/3 | mirrodin beseiged | +11/3 |
A | WOODLAND SLEUTH | 2/3 | innistrad | +16/3 |
K | SPIKE JESTER | 3/1 | dragon's maze | +1 |
E | FORSAKEN DRIFTERS | 4/2 | born of the gods | +5 |
N | CANYON LURKERS | 5/2 | khans of tarkir | +1/2 |
Block 1
Jelly - x
Doughnut - Toroid-shaped baked good
Block 2
Rock - x
Paper - Material usually written on
Scissors - Cutting implement
Block 3
Live - Word that has followed Sound of Music, Peter Pan, and The Wiz on TV
Long - Actress Shelley on Cheers
Prosper - x
Block 4
Lights - What you might hang on your tree during Christmas
Camera - x
Action - Card type in Dominion
Block 5
Shake - x
Rattle - Baby toy that makes noise
Roll - A Kaiser one often has poppy seeds
Block 6
Hook - Peter Pan villain
Line - Word actors might say when they've forgotten what to say
Sinker - x
Block 7
Friends - TV show featuring Central Perk
Romans - x
Countrymen - Males who are from the same nation
Block 8
Huey - x
Dewey - Name associated with a library classification system
Louie - FX comedy series