I read all bug reports that are posted in the bug thread. I try to read all posts.
I solved why I didn't get my ritual spell working: I used #eff instead of #effect...
The command for summoning a creature might be wrong. It's 3 - an uneven number! If #effect list of effects is a bitmap, it can only have various powers of 2. 2^1, 2^2, 2^3 etc.
Another spell that works! Furthermore... this summons units in battles! It seems #effect 3 and 10003 don't work, but #effect 21 works just fine in battles (unless on of the summoned critters was a commander).
It's not perfect, but it is VERY interesting: this summon spell still has range 30+, and fires bolts of flame... the Hoburgs (as units) are summoned where the flames strike the ground.