locked in amber

Some person or object that is experiencing stagnation, lack of change, or slow growth.

Due to brain drain, my old neighborhood is locked in amber as their population dwindles.

Schrodinger's initiative

In DND... You and your team have to roll for initiative against a creature that is rated at a CR high enough to wipe out your party in one round.

New player: I'd like to take a swing at Santa.
Vertern player: no you don't.

New player. Does a 21 hit?
DM: not even close
Vertern player: Idiot! Santa is a level 20 Arch Fey!
DM: someone's on the naughty list, roll for initiative.

Vertern player: dead or alive, this is a Schrodinger's initiative. We dead, no cap.