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): If this is your 1st roll on this table, your family was poor. You will have 25% less starting gold. Continue on to Table 2.

(T.2): Only child.

(T.3): Your parents need to give a noble a gift: you! Roll on Table 33

(T.33): You and one of the noble's children elope. Go to Table 12 to see what becomes of your lover.

Choose one...
(T.12): The person was a family relation all along. You can begin adventuring with this knowledge.
(T.12): The person was a family relation all along. You can re-roll on this table again to see what further happens to them.

(T.112): The person turns out to be a doppelganger. You flee them on Table 19.

(T.19): You are captured and (re)sold into slavery. Go to Table 16.

(T.16): In what seems like an act of divinity, a disaster slaughters nearly all your captors. You travel to Table 27 to pay respect to the god that you believe is responsible for your freedom.

(T.27): You impress the priests with your devotion. You will have training in Religion and Medicine. You are sent out to spread the word, roll on Table 8 to see where.

(T.8): A trade city by a river. You try your hand at a merchant lifestyle on Table 6.

Choose one...
(T.6): You are a master merchant. You will have 10% more starting gold and proficiency in Persuasion. However, it may have been better to keep your head down: a villain sets out to ruin your business. Roll on table 5 for the villain. You have started adventuring after being ruined.
(T.6): You are a master merchant. You will have 10% more starting gold and proficiency in Persuasion. However, it may have been better to keep your head down: a villain sets out to ruin your business. Roll on table 5 for the villain. You have already sought out vengeance on Table 9.

    >>>> (T.5): Orc(s).

Choose one...
(T.9): You are thoroughly defeated, but you escape. You started adventuring at this point.
(T.9): You are thoroughly defeated, but you escape, swearing vengeance (again?). You can re-roll on this table to try at least one more time.

(T.9): Your quest is put on hold as you become embroiled in other events. Roll on Table 17.

(T.17): You are robbed and left tied up. You will have 10% less starting gold. You swear vengeance on those that robbed you on Table 9.

(T.9): Your quest is put on hold as you become embroiled in other events. Roll on Table 17.

(T.17): A violent storm forces you to seek shelter from a location 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 are captured by Dueregar 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: 21
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
25% Less Starting Gold
Religion
Medicine
10% More Starting Gold
Persuasion
10% Less Starting Gold
Survival