» Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:29 am
Err, I think the part about looking middle aged to old in a 30 year span from 400 was more to do with some more lore fine-tuning from making all elves living up to 1000 to the variation nowadays.
But from what it looks like, and considering The True Barenziah is the only source that goes into this, Barenziah was still able to make it look like she was a boy at 16, but couldn't hide it when she was 17. Also, it seems that elves become fertile at 18 or 20, as this was mentioned in book 2, and how surprised Tiber Septim was when he got her pregnant in book 3 (elves aren't supposed to be fertile till a few more years). So, it looks as though they develop physically like humans, but are delayed when it comes to making babies.
From there on, it looks like they have a really extended advlthood. At the point of when they look old depends on how well they are cared for. For a peasant, they'd look older sooner (as well as die sooner). For nobility, older later (and die older). Wizards cheat, so don't base much when it comes to elves and magic.