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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Greg K" data-source="post: 1113612" data-attributes="member: 5038">Several websites state that traditionally Wu Shu is a term that encompases all the Chinese Martial Arts we generally call Kung Fu.  Modern Wu Shu, however, is a blend of martial arts forms, Bejing opera and gymnastics designed to visually pleasing and entertaining and emphasing the physical abilities of the performer rather than being for combat.  One such site emphasising that modern wu shu is a performance art is<a href="http:// [url]www.taichiacademy.com/wushuimages.htm" target="_blank">http:// [url]www.taichiacademy.com/wushuimages.htm</a>[/url]As for style influence upon Wu Shu, Jane Hallander states that Chang Chuan (Long Fist) is a major influence in modern wu shu because the open graceful nature of Chang Chuan worked well for stage (The Complete Guide to Kung Fu Fighting Styles ).All that said, even if it does not emphasize the combat benefit,  I think Wu Shu can have a place as an rpg style. The discipline and physical training/conditioning and speed/precision taught by wu shu  is definitely more so  than some styles which claim to focus on self defense, but focus on forms and provide little to know physical conditioning and/or sparring. Furthermore, the d20 Modern is designed to simulate cinema reality not actual reality.  Many chinese action stars actually have their training in Wu Shu and the choreographed scenes are impressive enough to make them seem like deadly fighters on the screen and convincing enough that you probably would not want to face them in real life.  Besides, it could be  interesting to play with the idea of someone trained to be an on on screen fighter rather than actual physical combatant--wasn't this done with a character in the Mortal Kombat movie?</blockquote>

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