On the other hand, for all we know, since the laws of physics in this universe allow for magic, the spell might actually do what the Council thinks it does - summons a hero who brings along the proper kind of luck for getting through the current crisis.

"I summon Deus Ex Machina!"

I know what Eliezer intended the story to mean, but narrative causality seems like a more likely culprit than the anthropic principle for this particular world's survival. Considering this is a world in which the events of Lord of the Rings actually happened, if I were the hero, I'd be assuming that there's a writer of some kind involved.