Khanar and Tarkir

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps, 

As it is Thursday, our local gaming store OMG! Games is running its usual Commander (EDH) group tonight.  Sure we have a few tall stacks on the go but want to tweak the decklists with the newest Magic: the Gathering cards from Born of the Gods still before we take it for a spin - so - we'll likely be staying in, get our n3rd on with a unsightly and disorganized pile of cards ready for next week as well as the regular Friday Night Magic event tomorrow.

Anywhoos - time for a pop quiz -
Take a looky-loo at the following images to piece together a similarity.  

We've got (left to right / top to bottom) -
• Genghis Khan - warlord of the Mongol empire
• Khan Noonien Singh - Star Trek villain
• Chaka Kahn - singer / songwriter
• Kanar - Cardassian alcoholic beverage (DW9)

So whats this all about?  Possibly this fall's Magic: the Gathering expansion set.  Here's the latest trademark registrations from Wizards of the Coast -

On September 9, 2013, WoTC filed for a trademark for "Warlords of Khanar" in the following categories:

C 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Interactive entertainment software, namely, video game programs; video game cartridges; multimedia computer game programs, computer game software, computer game cartridges, computer game discs, interactive video games of virtual reality comprised of computer hardware and software; downloadable software for use in playing computer games; computer game software for use with communication devices and mobile telephones; pre-recorded audio and video tapes featuring music; laser discs, video discs, phonograph records, compact discs, and pre-recorded cd-roms, all featuring games, films, and music; downloadable electronic publications in the nature of e-books in the field of fantasy adventures

IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: Card games, trading card games, playing cards and accessories for use therewith; computer and video game apparatus, namely, video game machines for use with televisions

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing online computer games and interactive multiplayer online computer games via a global network; organizing and conducting online computer game tournaments and exhibitions in the field of games; providing industry information online via a global network, namely, online publications in the nature of articles and magazines on games and gaming; production and distribution of motion pictures and an ongoing television game show; providing online publications in the nature of e-books in the field of fantasy adventures

On February 14, 2014, WoTC filed for a trademark for "Khans of Tarkir" in the following categories:

IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Downloadable software for use in playing computer games; computer game software for use with communication devices and mobile telephones; downloadable electronic publications in the nature of e-books in the field of fantasy adventures

IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: Card games, trading card games, playing cards and accessories for use therewith

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing online computer games and interactive multiplayer online computer games via a global network; organizing and conducting game tournaments and exhibitions in the field of games; providing online publications in the nature of e-books in the field of fantasy adventures  

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Given the specific category registrations here as well as previous experiences, there appears to be a (slim?) chance that we could be looking at the name of the fall expansion.  Both names 'feel' the same and for us, invoke a feeling of wild steppes and wind-swept arid plains sparsely populated by nomadic bands of warriors.  We would go so far as to suggest that Wizards could possibly revise Horsemanship and / or Banding should this block prove real.  Kinda makes us want to pick up some of those older singles from MTG Mint Card.

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