>>150365979
In my setting, elves are the creations of ancient humans. Ancient humans were basically the descendants of angels, and very powerful mages. They uplifted a proto-sapient species, using their own DNA, This uplifted species later became the elves. Due to them not evolving naturally, but rather made by humans, and the fact that humans nurtured, and took care of their species, they developed completely different evolutionary instincts than other species.
Other natural-born species evolve instincts based on what guarantees their survival, like how carnevorous species develop predator instincts, or how herbivorous species develop defensive instincts. Elves developed instincts arond what guarantees their survival too: humans. Basically they instinctively mimic mannerism that is seen as desirable by humans (which is why they are seen as an elegant species). They even developed sexal dimorphism thorghout their species' existence. Human women find tall males desirable, so elven men basically became tall. Elven men look androgynous, naturally, but can gain muscle mass really quickly should they actively train. They also have a very low body fat, around 1-2% of their body. while human men desire youthful-looking women, so elven females are much shorter than their human counterparts, also elven women's age doesn't reflect their real age. They look 15-16 until their mid 20s, and then the look 20-21 until their mid 30s. Around the age of 35, their visible age starts to catch up to them, but does so slowly. my the age of 37, they usually look 27 and by the age of 40, they look 35. By the age of 42, their age catches visibly up to them and they continue to age like humans would.
They also fund the smell of humans calming. On the other hand, if there is no human around their cmmunity, they quickly become melanconic or depressed. They actively seek the presence of humans.
