The Elves have been coming since the slaver raids picked up, a few months ago, in gradually increasing numbers, just like the gradually increasing intensity of the raids.  As for faraway towns, you could create one (either plopping it onto the map, or in a place outside the borders of the map) or come from the town of Shanzar.<br/><br/>In general, the elves showed little interest in humanity for about 10 years, then suddenly got very interested when the slavers started their business.