Elven life cycle and population

I'm currently brainstorming the rules for some Tolkien-esque elves. I'm trying to do some research to make them as realistic as possible, but all the science-y things go right over my head. I've progressed much further on the cultural side of things.

Some elements I've decided on:

• Very little sexual dimorphim and notable rate of intersex individuals (they don't really have a concept of gender, only that there are two common types of sexual organs and you need one of each to reproduce)
• Commonplace same-sex and non-reproductive relationships (there is no cultural expectation to have children)
• Ability to reproduce with humans and dwarves (which are like different 'breeds' of the same species - vastly different characteristics but biologically the same, like a miniature poodle and a Newfoundland)
• 100-200 year lifespan, wherein they age slowly and are still vulnerable to disease and accidental death (humans and dwarves have a 60-80 year lifespan)
• Magical abilities that help maintain this lifespan (healing) but do not guarantee immortality
• A stable or slowly declining population, keeping them at a rate of about 1 elf : 1 dwarf : 2 humans

My questions are: What would be a plausible life cycle, how often and how many children would elves be having, and what could be the lifespan and life cycle of an elf-human or elf-dwarf hybrid?

posted about 8 years ago

Rain Collins‭

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