Mystion: The Fantasy-Inspired Backpack That Feels Alive
Mystion is not just a backpack—it’s a magical companion. Designed to blur the line between fantasy and everyday life, it brings storytelling to life with LED eyes, built-in charging, and customizable flairs. But Mystion is only the beginning. Behind this creation is Addy, the founder of Skinwalker Grill. He is building an entire universe where Familiars are more than just accessories—they are characters with deep lore and interactive features.
Today, we sit down with Addy to talk about how Mystion was born, how it connects to a much larger fantasy world, and what’s next for the Familiars lineup.
The Inspiration Behind Mystion & Familiars
Michael (GizmoCrowd): Mystion is more than just a backpack—it’s a magical companion with a rich backstory. What inspired you to create Familiars, and how do they blend fantasy, storytelling, and everyday functionality?
Addy: Familiars were born from a desire to bring storytelling to life in a tangible, interactive way. I wanted to create something that wasn’t just another backpack but a companion—a living part of an immersive world. Growing up, I always felt drawn to mystical creatures and deep lore, and I saw an opportunity to blend fantasy with real-world functionality.
Mystion, the first Familiar, is more than an accessory—he’s a guardian, a guide, and a character from a much larger story. The idea was to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality, allowing people to carry a piece of this world with them every day. Whether it’s the LED eyes that reflect personality, the flairports that add customization, or the built-in phone charging, every feature was designed to feel like magic made real.
Interactive Features & Smart Technology
Michael (GizmoCrowd): Mystion features LED eyes that change color based on mood, built-in phone charging, and customizable flairs. How did you design these interactive elements, and how do they enhance the user experience?
Addy: The interactive elements were designed to enhance personalization and emotional connection. The LED eyes change color to reflect different moods, making Mystion feel more alive. We wanted users to feel like they weren’t just wearing a bag—they were bonding with a character.
The built-in phone charging adds everyday practicality. The idea was to seamlessly integrate tech without making it feel forced—you’re not just charging your phone, you’re tapping into Mystion’s energy.
Then there will be flairport’s, a game-changing addition that allows for modular accessories. These ports will support snap-on flairs, which can be anything from aesthetic designs to functional add-ons like an air quality monitor or a glowing sigil. This level of customization ensures that each Familiar is as unique as its owner.
The Lore & Connection to Skinwalker Grill Universe
Michael (GizmoCrowd): Familiars originate from a world where they help fight against the Nephilim. How does Mystion fit into this larger fantasy universe, and do you have plans for expanding the storytelling aspect of these creations?
Addy: Mystion comes from a world that was fractured by the emergence of ancient titanic beings—the Nephilim. After the Great Fracture, humanity is on the brink of extinction. Familiars like Mystion are the last line of defense. They’re not just companions; they’re sentient guardians, each with a unique purpose and history.
The storytelling is a core part of the brand. I’m currently writing The Great Fracture. It is a novel that follows the aftermath of this apocalyptic event, where two brothers, Aiden and Noah, are saved by Mystion and embark on a journey that will determine the fate of the world. The goal is to expand this universe across multiple mediums, including books, animation, and even live-action experiences.
Familiars aren’t just a produc. They’re an entry point into a fully realized fantasy universe, and every new Familiar will bring new stories to life.
Customization & Personalization for Backers
Michael (GizmoCrowd): Mystion is available in different fur colors and optional flairs. How are you involving backers in the decision-making process, and what level of personalization will be available for future Familiars?
Addy: While we won’t be incorporating community voting on colors or flair accessories, we will be launching an app in the future that allows users to order and customize their Familiars. Through this app, customers will be able to select their Familiar’s color, choose from available flairs, and personalize certain features to make it truly their own.
Customization will be a key focus for future Familiars. Each model will have multiple flair options. It will allow users to modify their Familiar with powered functional flairs and decorative flairs that integrate seamlessly using our patented FlairTech system.
Our goal is to make Familiars both highly personal and functional. So that it ensures that each user can tailor their Familiar to match their style and needs while keeping the core design and tech innovations intact.
The Future of Familiars & Skinwalker Grill
Michael (GizmoCrowd): With Mystion being the first of its kind, what’s next for Skinwalker Grill? Are there plans to introduce more Familiar designs, new magical accessories, or even expanded product lines?
Addy: Absolutely—Mystion is just the beginning. I have 50 Familiar characters and designs already planned, each with unique lore, abilities, and visual styles that fit into the world of The Great Fracture. The next Familiar to be introduced will be Furion. It is a completely new design with his own distinct characteristics. Thus it gives fans even more options to connect with a Familiar that resonates with them.
Beyond new Familiar designs, we’re revolutionizing customization with FlairTech. Our proprietary modular accessory system will expand how people interact with their backpacks. Flairs will come in three different categories:
- Minor Powered Functional Flairs – Small interactive add-ons with practical daily-use features (e.g., an air quality sensor that changes color based on pollution levels, a motion-sensing light, or a temperature display).
- Major Powered Functional Flairs – More advanced, high-tech accessories that could include features like animated LED glyphs, wearable speakers, or even smart displays that sync with your phone.
- Purely Decorative Static Flairs – Non-powered aesthetic upgrades that allow users to further customize their Familiar’s look and personality, such as magnetized armor plates, glowing sigils, or collectible charm-like additions.
FlairTech system
All of these flairs will seamlessly integrate using our patented FlairTech system, which utilizes flairports. They are magnetized power connectors built directly into our backpacks. This means users can snap on new features instantly. It will give their Familiar a level of personalization never before seen in a backpack.
We see FlairTech as the first step in something massive for wearables and backpacks. This technology will not just be limited to Familiars. Eventually, it will be a core feature across our four planned backpack lines, ensuring that every Skinwalker Grill product is at the forefront of interactive, high-tech gear.
We’re not just making backpacks—we’re creating a new category of interactive companions, and this is just the beginning.
Michael (GizmoCrowd): Thank you, Addy, for giving us a glimpse into the world of Familiars! Mystion is a truly unique creation, blending storytelling, design, and tech into something magical. We’re excited to see how this universe grows and what new Familiars will emerge next. Wishing you and Skinwalker Grill all the success on this incredible journey!
Mystion, The First Familiar Backpack: Soon on Kickstarter
About Skinwalker Grill:
Addy is the creator of Familiars and founder of Skinwalker Grill. With a passion for storytelling, design, and innovation, he brings fantasy worlds to life through interactive products. His latest creation, Mystion, is the first Familiar backpack, featuring LED eyes, built-in charging, and modular customization. Mystion is just the beginning—Addy is building a universe where wearables and storytelling merge into something truly magical.
