Elementals spawn around set positions on the map in an area when there is Weather in effect of the element matching the Elemental's type. A Weather effect's length is not affected by killing elementals. Elementals may respawn if the weather effect continues. If an Elemental is unclaimed when the weather effect has ended, it will despawn.
Some elementals are used as pets by BeastmenSummoners:
Yagudo use Wind, Earth, and Fire.
Kindred use Dark, Ice, and Thunder.
Tonberries use Fire, Water, and Light.
Lamiae use Water, Ice, and Dark.
Fomors use Earth, Fire, Ice, Wind, and Lightning.
Aern use Dark, Light, Water, Fire, Lightning and Wind.
Some Vanguard or Campaign Leader Beastmen Notorious Monsters use elementals that other beastmen of that type do not normaly use.
Note: Notorious Monsters in this family may use all of the above and/or additional unique special abilities.
Note: Elementals have immunity to enfeebling spells of their own element and the element they are strong against. A Wind Elemental will be immune against Silence and Slow, an Ice Elemental against Paralyze and Silence, a Dark Elemental against dark-based Sleep and Blind, etc. Magic damage of any source will be resisted heavily (but not negated) on the same principal.