Hey hey! Not the best at getting what I all want to say out there without it seeming like I'm rambling, but I'll try my best! To start, I just want to say thanks to the hosts for being very professional and making this game super fun! I really got into the "Survivor feel" with how great the production was! Also, good luck to my finalists! Regardless of the outcome, y'all are both legends and I stan you both! <3
Okay, so I guess I'll start with the beginning. Coming into this game, I was prepared to potentially be an early boot. I haven't played a Survivor/Big Brother group game in years on Tengaged. Most of my recent group game history involved The Voice, Drag Race, etc, so I was a bit rusty, but I wanted to get back into my competitive side. Right off the bat, I got back into the chaos of these games with my tribe losing the first two immunities. Luckily, I made vital social connections with Nathan, Christian H, and Chris D which helped me get through those tough spots. We led both votes with us 4 holding strong with Dino for 5-2 and 5-1 votes. Through those beginning days, I especially formed a strong bond with Nathan. It was almost immediate, but we clicked and created a final 2 early on in the game.
Then the swap hit, though, and at first I was devastated. My 4-person alliance was split in half, with Nathan and Chris D separating from Christian H and I. Luckily, I bonded immediately with Chris T and got him to protect Christian H and I, adding us to an alliance with him, Layla, David, and Jacob S. Although Andrew was not included in the alliance, I made sure to create a bond with him during the swap as well. Luckily, we only had to go to tribal once and Jacob M volunteered to be voted out. Although not much happened on this swap, this was a very important part of my overall game as it was the beginning of my bonds with my closest allies in the game.
Then we swapped once more and, again, I was devastated. I still had my loyalty to Nathan, Christian H, and Chris D, but this game separated us again, this time putting all 3 on an opposite tribe from me. This put me in a place where I knew I had to strengthen my bonds from the previous swap. I continued to bond with Andrew, reunited with Dino, and tried to strengthen my connection to Layla and David. Luckily, we didn't go to tribal at all during this phase, but I did appreciate the time I was able to have strengthening my bonds.
Then the merge hit and, at first, my plan was to go right back to Nathan, Christian H, and Chris D. Of course, though, this is Survivor, and your gameplan going into the game is rarely ever what you follow once you're actually in the game. Unfortunately, during the last swap, Nathan, Christian H, and Chris D had a falling out over the final pre-merge vote-out of Kellen. I could sense the awkward tension right away and although I tried my best to repair the cracks, I could tell that it wasn't going to work. Luckily, I set the tone of the merge by winning the first individual immunity of the season even though I was up against someone using an advantage in the immunity.
As much as I would love to sit here and tell you guys that this immunity put me in a power position where I was able to control the vote, that would be a lie. To my surprise, everyone became almost silent towards me once I won. I was confused...I thought I'd be a great vote for some side to pick up. That wasn't the case, though, as a rumor came out that Layla, David, Andrew, and I were a foursome so I was left in the dark. The rumor always was a bit funny to me because at the time solely because, when it was spread, it wasn't true at all. Us 4, though, decided to make it happen. If we were going to be a rumored alliance, might as well be a true alliance. Little did I know that this alliance would be the most important alliance I'd have all game, so thanks to whoever spread the false rumor.
Immediately, we hit it off. Layla was able to save herself with an idol and we started to grow as an alliance! Luckily for the alliance, David had an idol and I had 2, both of which I got from my own materials and no one else's. We were set for a couple rounds and we knew it! I still worked on my original four of Nathan, Christian H, and Chris D on the side, though, in hopes that something would happen. The alliance was never repaired, but I quickly realized something: it broke because of a falling out between the three of them, not me. With this in mind, I was able to still maintain a great game relationship with Nathan, who had the super idol, and Chris D separately on the side. I was trying to also revive a good relationship with Christian H, but I sensed a bit of hesitancy. I was still prepared to get back on track with him, but then idolpalooza happened and he got out on only 2 votes unfortunately.
Going into F11, I still felt good. I had two idols, Layla just found another idol, and Nathan had his super idol which he said he'd use on me if need be. I still had Chris D on the side as well! It was looking great! Right before the votes were due, Nathan came to me and spilled the beans that I was the vote. I knew it was time to play one of my idols, but I didn't want another idol mess like the round before, so I pulled Andrew to the side at the last second and told him to vote Cub with me to ensure a split just in case another idol was played. Although this resulted in the unfortunate event of Andrew getting rocked out because my side couldn't come to a unanimous agreement on who to vote out on the re-vote, I try to look at the positives: me splitting the votes saved Fred who became a vital part of my game from that point on.
Leaving that tribal, Fred became aware of where he stood on the totem pole of the other side. With him being close to Chris D who was still close to me, this opened up the opportunity for him to join my side. Quickly, an alliance was formed of Fred, Chris D, Layla, and myself. Unfortunately, Chris D left right after. I was obviously devastated again. This was probably one of my lowest points in the game because it felt like nothing could go right for me, but once again, I looked at the positives. At least, before Chris D left, he connected a bridge for Fred to join our side. Following this, Layla left right after. It was devastating and, honestly, my worst strategical round of this game. A ton of communication errors happened and it was just a really messy round that resulted in devastation. Through the few rounds we were together, she grew into my closest ally, even closer than Nathan who was my final 2. From her leaving, though, that left only Fred and I in the side alliance. This meant that I became one of Fred's closest allies, if not, his #1, which helped me along the way.
Going into final 8, I played my second idol. Although I did receive a vote, it was played incorrectly. Luckily, Nathan played his super idol on David and we were able to get Dino out in 8th. This led to a moment of excitement. David and I have been scrappy underdogs in the minority since the beginning of the merge and, for once, we finally reached a 4-3 majority!......but the celebration quickly died as the new minority of Christian B, Cub, and Jacob S all became immune through Christian giving up immunity, then having Cub and himself play SWP advantages. At this point in the game, I had already been talking to Fred for a round or two about going to the end with David, taking out Nathan eventually. Although Nathan was my final 2, as the game went on, I became hungrier for the win and I knew Nathan's resume was out-of-this-world; he would've easily won. Although I didn't want to target Nathan until later on in the game, I knew I couldn't lose Fred or David this vote, so I had to target Nathan by default. David was on the fence about who to vote, but I knew even without David that I had the votes for Nathan to go, so I encouraged David to give a pity vote to ensure that Nathan gave him all his black market findings. The tribal was sad, but this 100% ensured that Fred would be loyal to me to the very end. Nathan's great and I love the friendship that formed between us, but I knew that if I wanted to win, I needed him to go.
That brought me to the final 6. At this point, I knew Christian had a legacy advantage, and knew that for awhile, and also a 50/50 coin. His side had won every immunity whether it be him, Jacob S, Cub, or Dino, so I knew that if they won immunity again, it would be bad for David, Fred, and I. I knew we needed to get an advantage to combat them and that we needed to have it played on the correct person. So, with me already getting, admittedly, a little frustration at the previous round's advantagepalooza, I decided to continue that frustration into final 6. I decided to be that pest and complain and yell about my dismay toward Christian B, Cub, and Jacob S. I did this as a way to make me become the most visible on my side. They might've voted for me at F6 regardless, but I just knew I needed to do this to increase the odds of their side voting me. Jacob S won immunity, once again, which meant the only way one of them would go is if the 50/50 coin failed for them. Because we didn't know who the legacy and 50/50 coin would be played on, I decided to split 2-1 just to cover all of our bases. Luckily for David, Fred, and I, we went fishing at the last second and caught some big ones, allowing us to get our own 50/50 coin, owned by David. I convinced David to play it on me and my complaining ended up working as all 3 on the other side voted for me and, luckily for us, our 50/50 coin worked and I was safe!....unfortunately for us, so did their 50/50 coin, resulting in everyone being safe except David and Fred. I was devastated! Not only was I losing another ally, but I was going into F5, where advantages became null, with a for-sure 3-2 disadvantage. Luckily, with me convincing David to use the coin on me, I was safe and through to the finale, but I knew luck was against me. Sadly, David left on the revote, leaving me to be the last person remaining out of the Andrew, David, Eddie, Layla alliance, with an uphill battle ahead of me.
For the past couple rounds, David and I had been trying to work on Jacob S to potentially flip and although I wish it could've worked out, I knew nothing was budging. Jacob S even admitted to me that he would never flip on Christian B. I knew my last chance was Cub. I just had to push to him about jury perception. I kept telling him how the jury will view him as a sheep to Christian and how he needs a big move on his resume if he wants to win. I promised him safety at F4 if he flipped. I threw anything and everything I could at him. It's all I could do at this point. I later instructed Fred to do the same, hoping that both of us pushing and ensuring and promising would increase the chances of Cub flipping. After Jacob S won F5 immunity, I knew my place in the game was not looking very good. Jacob S actually came in my DMs and admitted he was going to be voting me because I was the biggest threat. I just knew I had to push and push and push some more on Cub for the 10 minute voting window.........and.....
IT WORKED! Cub flipped and sent Christian home! I was ecstatic! I got the flip to happen! Honestly, although I'm forever thankful that Cub flipped, I knew that it probably was not a good move for him. If Jacob wins final immunity, it's a pretty solid bet that Fred and I will vote him to make him go to fire....and that's, unfortunately, what happened. Jacob won final immunity on an unscrambler that was the hardest challenge ever to the point where it took over a half hour to do and resulted in production needing to offer hints. My game came down to a randomizer fire challenge and I knew the odds weren't the best...50/50. Once again, though, 50/50 odds ended up landing in my favor which led me to where I am now at the FTC.
I played as the scrappy underdog. I was in the minority a lot but I never gave up. Here's the thing, though, although an advantage or two helped me along the way, I think it was my social connections that got me to where I am now, with a little bit of luck of course. Although I had two idols, my only advantages in the game, I only played one correctly. There was only one time in the game where I needed to save myself. Although my alliance had other advantages, they still got voted out along the way, yet my minority always maintained a good number of people. Why? Because through my social connections, I was able to add to my minority while the game went along. I was able to have Nathan give me information and eventually flip to my side. I was able to use Nathan as a shield. I had Chris D also give me information and eventually flip to my side as well, bringing Fred in with him, who eventually become extremely loyal to me. Once again, I was able to use Chris D as a shield and use his rivalry with Nathan to my advantage, playing messenger to both sides. I was even able to get Cub to flip to save me. I was able to bring people to my side, whether it be to increase my numbers, shield me, or save me. I was strategical as well! I got David to play an advantage on me to save me in the same tribal that he went home in. I continuously strengthened my connection with Nathan to receive information about what the majority was doing in the beginning, which allowed my minority to learn about when David and I were the vote. I was able to get Cub to flip even if it was ultimately what caused his downfall in 4th. I was able to have options, even while being in minority, with me having Nathan on one side, Chris D and Fred on another side, and Andrew, David, and Layla on another side. I might not be the best physically, admittedly, with the challenges, but I was the only one outside of the majority alliance to win an individual immunity challenge.
Although I think my competitor, Jacob S, played an amazing physical game, he even admitted to me that he was undyingly loyal to Christian B. At the end of the day, he was Christian B's meat-shield who did whatever he wanted. He gave Christian B all his findings from the black market which is why he never had or played any advantages, but Christian B had and played more than a handful. His strategy was to follow Christian B and that's it. He told me in DMs that I was his biggest threat, yet he was never able to get me out. I states publicly MULTIPLE TIMES that Christian B was my biggest threat and I was able to get him out even though odds were against me.
On the other side, we have Fred, and I literally adore Fred, but at the end of the day, he became my sheep. He did what I said, voted who I said, talked to who I told him to talk to, etcetera. He honestly should've voted me out at F4 instead of Cub, but he stayed undyingly loyal to me in the end. The second Chris D and Layla got out, he latched onto me and rode me to the end of this game even when he probably should've voted me out.
I'm sorry that this is a lot, but I really want y'all to see my game in and out and see that I fought my ass off to get here! I got pushed down a lot and there were multiple times where stuff didn't go my way, but I never gave up. I always looked at the positives and pushed harder! I shouldn't be here, I really shouldn't...but through my constant pushing socially and strategically, with a little luck (which everyone needs to win Survivor), I'm here and I'd love to be the person who represents Survivor Skyros as the winner. Thank you.