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): One of your parents was a soldier.

(T.2): Only child.

(T.3): You were kidnapped and enslaved. Roll on Table 16

(T.16): You are liberated by an army and compelled to join them yourself on Table 22.

(T.22): After demonstrating your skills on the battlefield, you are quietly put on permanent guard duty for the baggage trains. Roll on Table 20.

(T.20): A dragon swoops down and picks the whole caravan up with you inside. As the creature flies low over the woods, you manage to leap into a tree for safety, but now you have to try survive the wilds on Table 24.

(T.24): You stumble into a wondrous glade where you meet a fey creature. It touches your forehead, and you fall unconscious, but not before a single portent appears in your mind, roll on Table 32 to see what. Your life of adventure begins when you awoke far from this wondrous place with this new knowledge in mind.

    >>>> (T.32): Enemies are closer than you may think.


Total Rolls: 9
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