Random.org Survivor: Guatemala

*Random.org Survivor: Guatemala - The Maya Empire* was the fifty-fifth season in the *series*.

The season took place in Yaxhá Lake in the Cultural Triangle Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo National Park in Petén Department, Guatemala.

The twenty contestants, 10 one-time fan-picked players against 10 new players, referred to as "castaways," were divided into three tribes of six selected by schoolyard pick. The tribes were named Nakúm, Sacnab, Yaxhá, with the first and latter being Mesoamerican archeological sites meaning "house of the pot" and "blue-green water" respectively and the second being a lake in the region. They represent the name of the camps and the separate teams with immunity and tribal council. On Day 10, there was a tribe switch leading to two new tribes of eight. The merged tribe was named by the 12 castaways who made the merge. They named the tribe Xhakúm, a combination of the remaining two tribe names.

High School Lunch Lady Sally McMay beat out Realtor Josh Payne and Fighting Instructor Gina Fox in a 4-2-2 vote in the final tribal council.

## Introduction

In the middle of Central America, a vast and great civilization spanned thousands of miles and dominated, The Maya Empire. The Maya were known for their beautiful temples and strong beliefs in many governing gods. It is here where 20 castaways will take on the adventure of a lifetime. This time, 10 fan-picked players will return against 10 new players. In a brand new game of *Survivor,* with unpredictable twists, will past players rise to the occasion? Or will the rule of the gods of Guatemala serve the new players? 39 days, 20 people, ONE Survivor!

## Twists

* **Fan's Choice:** A list of one-time players were up for voting across the past 15 seasons. The top 5 men and women voted by the fans made the cast to fight against the 10 new players.
* **Schoolyard Pick:** On Day 2, the castaways choose three tribes of six, excluding two players. Those two players will be exiled and replace the next two voted out castaways on their tribes. The first three castaways to win the first individual challenge would hold individual immunity during their first tribal council and would become the first member of their tribe and first to pick. Each person must choose the opposite gender until all options are exhausted. Once someone is picked, they will choose the next person to join the tribe.
	+ **Nakúm Picks:** Hayley won the individual challenge and drew Nakúm. Hayley chose Sam. Sam chose Patti. Patti chose Nicholas. Nicholas chose Jane. Jane chose Chester for the final spot.
	+ **Sacnab Picks:** Bob won the individual challenge and drew Sacnab. Bob chose Tameka. Tameka chose Deandre. Deandre chose Priscilla. Priscilla chose Chase. Chase chose Gina for the final spot.
	+ **Yaxhá Picks:** Estelle won the individual challenge and drew Yaxhá. Estelle chose Ned. Ned chose Sally. Sally chose Ricky. Ricky chose Nina. Nina chose Josh for the final spot.
	+ **Exiled:** Both Ashley and Jewel were not selected in the schoolyard pick. They would stay on the landing beach until Day 4, following the first two tribal councils. Then they would draw buffs to join the losing tribes. Jewel found the **Legacy Advantage** on the landing beach boat on Day 2 which could be played as immunity at the Final 12 or Final Six. Jewel played the Legacy Advantage at the Final Six after giving up individual immunity.
* **Extra Limited Rations:** Every tribe will receive no rice to start with and no metal tools.
* **Hidden Immunity Idols:** There is one hidden immunity idol hidden at random places in, near, or around camp. If found with a clue, the idol may be hidden in a spot in camp. After idols are successfully played or leave the game, new idols are hidden the same way.
	+ **Nakúm Idol:** Chester found the Nakúm Idol in the fishing boat Day 2. On Day 20, Chester played the Nakúm Idol on himself, negating three votes cast against him. Because of the merge on Day 21, there was no rehidden Nakúm Idol.
	+ **Sacnab Idol:** Gina found the Sacnab Idol in the fishing boat on Day 9. Gina never played the Sacnab Idol and won individual immunity the last day idols could be played.
	+ **Yaxhá Idol:** Josh found the Yaxhá Idol in the fishing boat on Day 4. Josh played the Yaxhá Idol on himself on Day 37, successfully negating one vote.
	+ **Xhakúm Idol:** Josh found the Xhakúm Idol in the fishing pole on Day 27. Josh used the Xhakúm Idol the same night at tribal council, successfully negating five votes cast against him. Sam found the rehidden Xhakúm Idol floating at a fixed point in the water on Day 31. Sam was blindsided the same night at tribal council, forcing the Xhakúm Idol to be rehidden. Sally found the rehidden Xhakúm Idol tied to the camp bed on Day 34. Sally played the rehidden Xhakúm Idol on herself on Day 37, successfully negating four votes.
* **Day 38 Reward Challenge:** The winner of the Day 38 Reward Challenge will earn an advantage in the Final Four immunity challenge.

## Castaways

*The **Total Votes** is the number of votes a castaway has received during Tribal Councils where the castaway is eligible to be voted out of the game. It does not include the votes received during the final Tribal Council.*

**^1** Because Chester played one Hidden Immunity Idol, a total of three votes cast against him did not count.
**^2** Jewel was eliminated in a head-to-head fire-making challenge against Gina.
**^3** Because Josh played two Hidden Immunity Idols, a total of six votes cast against him did not count.
**^4** Because Sally played one Hidden Immunity Idol, a total of four votes cast against him did not count.

## The Game

**^1** Combined reward and immunity challenge.
**^2** Because Chester played the Hidden Immunity Idol, three votes cast against him did not count.
**^3** Because Josh played a Hidden Immunity Idol, five votes cast against him did not count.
**^4** Jewel decided to give up individual immunity to Jane.
**^6** Because Sally played a Hidden Immunity Idol, four votes cast against her did not count.
**^6** Because Josh played a Hidden Immunity Idol, one vote cast against him did not count.
**^7** Jewel was eliminated in a head-to-head fire-making challenge against Gina.

## Voting History

**^1** Because Chester played the Hidden Immunity Idol, three votes cast against him did not count.
**^2** Because Josh played a Hidden Immunity Idol, five votes cast against him did not count.
**^3** Because Sally played a Hidden Immunity Idol, four votes cast against her did not count.
**^4** Because Josh played a Hidden Immunity Idol, one vote cast against him did not count.

## Returning Players

**Key:**
     Sole Survivor
     Runner-Up
     2nd Runner-Up