This tool is based on the work of user Arachobia on RPG Crossing with his permission. He had taken a list of tables from Dragon magazine #422 in an article called "Building Character" by Matt Sernett and updated them for 5th edition. I've turned them into an automatic tool for generating a characters background.

Instructions: Refresh the page to generate a new background story. As always, you can use it however you like and fill in your own details. Your age and acquired proficiencies are listed at the bottom and are based on the results you got. Try to pick a Race/Class/Background combo that fulfills all the proficiencies. Your age may also result in ability score modifiers that can be applied after building your character.

...or ignore everything and do whatever you want. Whatever.
Background Generator

(T.101): One of your parents was a lawyer. You will have proficiency in Persuasion.

(T.102): If this is your 2nd (or higher) roll on this table, you were separated from your siblings as a child. Continue on to Table 2 to determine these siblings, re-rolling if you roll a 1, 2 or 20.

(T.2): A younger brother.

(T.3): Who needs an excuse to leave? You just wanted to see the world! Begin your journey on Table 8

(T.8): A mountainous dwarven fort. They recruit you to help clear dangers in their tunnels. Grab a torch and head to Table 25.

(T.25): You wander in dark caverns for who knows how long, subsisting on insects, bats and whatever else you can catch. It's a miserable existence: roll on Table 31 with a -5 penalty to see how it affects you. Then re-roll on this table.

    >>>> (T.31): You find this 'hardship' almost trivial and come out of it even stronger than before. You will have proficiency in Survival and Athletics.

(T.25): You run into a dwarf surveying the area for places to mine. They lead you back to civilization, then asks you for a favor on Table 18.

(T.18): Your friend was no true friend at all! They merely wished to frame you for a crime. Serve your time on Table 21.

(T.21): You serve out your term in prison until you are freed. You start with 10% less starting gold. Roll on Table 31 with a -5 modifier to the roll to see the effects of this imprisonment. Then seek out a friend or family after your release on Table 11.

    >>>> (T.31): You barely make it. The experience leaves its scars, both physical and mental, but you find ways to compensate.

(T.11): You discover you need more information to find what you seek. You will have proficiency in Investigation. Roll on this table again, but regardless of what you were searching for originally, you now are seeking information.

(T.11): You discover you need more information to find what you seek. You will have proficiency in Investigation. Roll on this table again, but regardless of what you were searching for originally, you now are seeking information.

(T.11): In your search, you turn up the activities of a villain. Roll on Table 5 to determine which villain. Then try escape their wrath on Table 19.

    >>>> (T.5): A warlord.

(T.19): You are captured and imprisoned on Table 21.

(T.21): You become known as a troublemaker, and eventually your captor or your guards decide it'll be easier to just hand you over to slavers. Roll on Table 16.

(T.16): You are enslaved for years, but eventually a benevolent master frees you. Roll on Table 31 to see how the deprivations of slavery affected you. You will have proficiency in Survival. Your life of adventure begins.

    >>>> (T.31): You barely make it. The experience leaves its scars, both physical and mental, but you find ways to compensate.


Total Rolls: 19
Your age is ADULT
Adults are at the most equalized stage of development. From here their physical body will begin to weaken while their minds and personalities benefit from experience.
Adults have no modifiers to their attributes.

Proficiencies:
Persuasion
Survival
Athletics
10% Less Starting Gold
Investigation