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 soldier.

(T.102): One of your parents was a lawyer. You will have proficiency in Persuasion.

(T.2): An older sister.

(T.3): You were apprenticed or sent to be trained. Roll on Table 4 to determine who by or what as.

(T.4): Being a merchant's assistant may not be that exciting, but it is lucrative. Add 10% to your starting gold! Then roll 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): A cult leader.

(T.9): You become trapped with your enemy. Now, former foes must work together to survive! Roll on Table 31 to see how you in particular fare from this arrangement, then roll on Table 8 to see where you eventually ended up after enduring your ordeal and parting ways with your possibly former enemy (or they ran away once they no longer needed you).

    >>>> (T.31): You pull through easily enough. You will have proficiency in Survival.

(T.8): A friend's home. They are conspicuous by there absence. You begin searching for them on Table 11.

(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 turn up nothing. Your life of adventure begins with no progress made in this search.


Total Rolls: 12
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
10% More Starting Gold
Survival
Investigation