@vlad:
Don‘t forget CD just don‘t wear their helmets while staying in MG (holy land). We have this fixed image of them wearing because we usually see the CD in the „outside world“. We have seen the five elders only in MG so far.
Regarding their scars, maybe they are connected to the fight in god valley. They don‘t need to be immortal just for some skirmish.
Common CDs, even in Mari Geoise, definitely don't wear something like loincloth.
Elders are different, even in their dressings. I bet they don't use those 'headgear' even when they come down from their abode.
Also the question about their immortality is being raised because of how they looked like virtually the same( in silhouettes) during Ohara incident.
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@Shergal:
Still stand by the notion that the Elders are immortals from the void century, probably generals or whatever that fought to bring down the ancient kingdom. I have a hard time picturing a way for the story to explain their scars, the guy with the sword, and their overall attitude (not to mention the fact that they looked exactly the same way during the Ohara flashback), if they have been born into the highest political sphere from the get-go or even are simply CDs from the highest-ranking families. Oda has made a point of constantly emphasizing how the CDs isolation from the world and position has made them spoiled, entitled pieces of shit, which is completely anathema to how the Elders are portrayed.
Also I think it's weird to think the "gray morality" that some people think they displayed is somehow eroded by the existence of one leader they take orders from. It's as if Imu himself necessarily has to be an Orochi-tier villain, he couldn't possibly have any agency or complicated thoughts about the world, right?
They need not to be that ancient. Out of 800 years since the formtion of WG, we mostly got the stories of past 40 years. Noland and Brook's pirate crew being the exception.If the elders are CDs, then they could be ex-ministers/royal commanders of the past.If they are commoners,they could be fleet admirals/Royal guards of bygone eras, now forgotten.Though I fully agree with Greg that they were perhaps quite badass in their times.