Originally posted by Levi Athan:

So my friend and I decided to fight the Elder after traveling a long ass ways to finally get to him(Why does he always seem like he spawns across the ocean from your starting point? Every seed I've played is like this...)

Try seed: 7uqz0MaQxV

Elder spawned on landmass just a few rivers north of start point, I've run there frequently. That being said some of the other bosses require some travel... eventually you just have to.

Also:

Originally posted by Levi Athan:

We got so frustrated we just left him on the island and went back home and logged off. It was a series of constant deaths with our arrows barely doing anything.

If you are already familiar with this tactic I apologize, but prior to summoning the elder you can prepare a shelter to heal/resupply. By digging under the altar he spawns from you can set a nice size underground base to give you a chance to escape the battle and regroup. (Though depending on the island I can see this not working due to elevation)