Does anyone else find it weird that the only elven NPC's in the game (that I can recall) are the representative from Effenmont and the two suitors from the quest to form an alliance with them? Is there a way I could get the game to spawn some elven townies? I know that the player's kingdom is supposed to be made up of humans, but I'd like to see an occasional elf in the population.

Start a new game, any game. Go into CAS to create a new monarch. Then start creating sims. As you create them, save them. You game will put these new sims into your game as NPCs. I was startled to find a clone of my king in the game as Pig Farmer Junek. If you want elven people, create them in CAS, save them and you will see them show up in your game.

I don't know if it's random or not, but I've had a couple other elven NPCs in the game. Sometimes they show up after I've annexed Effenmont.

I have loads of saved sims, (some that have been saved as I've made new monarchs) I've never seen any show up as NPC's, that would be cool.
I've seen my saved clothing alot on NPC's though.
Did I misunderstand what you said? I've got flu so I've been a bit brain dead for the last 3 days =)

There is an elven druid in loads of my kingdoms. She wears a green version of the consort's outfit.

I wasn't sure of it until the day I saw the monarch clone. Then I would add an odd hair color to a saved sim to see if it showed up. Sure enough it did. The more sims your game needs, the bigger the chance that the saved sims will be used. It does seem to use them totally random though. I have to say that it hasn't used any of the green ones yet. I don't see the ones that have custom skins. I don't know how the game chooses to use or not to use them.

It used my sorcerer Voldemort once as the Snooze guard, same name and face. it was freaky.

I got two more elves from the guilds quest, one stayed as the apprentice to my wizard, and another as the muse to my bard.
One approach of the Political marriage also introduces some sort of elven bodyguard but he never shows up afterwards (though he does live in the castle, that's where he comes from when you invite him through the mailbox)

I've witnessed two regular npcs with elven ears so far, the druid, and a blond woman in a pink dress whose title escapes me right now.

maybe having loads of saved sims would increase your chances? I'm gutted I've never seen mine as NPCs now LOL. I just cleared out all my non fave saved sims too, I'll have to go make more till I get some into a kingdom. Thanks for pointing this out

yeah I've got the blonde one in the pink dress too. She's the one that doesn't look overly elfy till you spot her ears, right? Her name escapes me too....isn't she a seer?