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 healer. You will have proficiency in Medicine.

(T.102): One or both of your parents were spies; and they raised you to become a spy as well. After determining whether you have siblings by getting a result from Table 2, proceed to Table 29 instead of proceeding to Table 3 as normal.

    >>>> (T.2): A bastard younger brother.

(T.29): On the mission, you run afoul of a rival spy. You decide to act against them before they act against you on Table 9.

(T.9): You are tricked, and become lost underground. Roll on Table 25.

(T.25): Beneath the earth you are suddenly confronted by a mind flayer. It waves its tentacles and you black out. When you come too, you eerily seem to have new knowledge. You will have proficiency in Arcana and are able to read, write, understand and speak deep speech. You also are somewhere else entirely: roll on Table 8 to see where.

(T.8): A tavern on a trade route. Either its prone to brawls, or you just came at the wrong time. Put your dukes up at Table 23.

(T.23): You can't remember if it was the ale or the chair to the back of the skull, but you woke up on the tavern floor with some rather unimpressed guardsman looking down on you. Enjoy your cell on Table 21.

(T.21): You are scheduled for execution, but at the last moment a noble decides to intervene and buy your freedom if you serve them. 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): You are forced to mine for precious minerals underground. You will have training in Nature from developing a good knowledge of terrain. One day you become lost and have to find your way out on Table 25.

(T.25): You discover the lair of a villain beneath the earth: roll on Table 5 to see which villain. You steal a map to treasure from the villain's lair and sneak back to the surface using their own tunnels. You will have proficiency in Stealth. You begin your life of adventure with the map in your possession.

    >>>> (T.5): A warlord.


Total Rolls: 16
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:
Medicine
Arcana
Language: Deep Speech
Nature
Stealth