As far as how a commoner lives long enough to become 87th level, it should be pointed out that there are some long-lived races out there.
Even in beautiful Elfland, there's got to be someone to pick the sweetly smelling fruits, and milk the unicorns, or prepare the lembas bread (or whatever the heck elf commoners do when their 102 years old and still living at home).
I think games are better when there are surly elf commoners around. Takes 'em down a peg.
