RTF is a global modification that replaces all towns in the game.

Besides, it's easy to tie the appearance of the Elemental faction to a cataclysm.

By the way, the artifact "On the Brink of Equilibrium" still recognizes Elementals as an evil race, so there's something to think about.

Elementals have long lived side by side with the native inhabitants of Ashan and were considered messengers of the primal elements. However, these creatures came to Ashan from the four planes of the elements, which only the most skilled mages know about. During the cataclysm, the very magical foundation that connects many worlds was shaken. The cataclysm forced the supreme lords of the Elementals to begin colonizing the world, and a new page in its history has already begun...