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 of your parents was a criminal. Roll on Table 15 to determine what crime(s) they committed. Regardless of what they did, you will have proficiency in Intimidation.

    >>>> (T.15): Forgery.

(T.2): Two sisters.

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

(T.4): While the 'commoners' fool about, you're going straight to the top of the food chain and providing service to the nobility. See how this works out for you on Table 33.

(T.33): Your 'service' is actually as a slave. Roll on 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): 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 villain's lair. Find the villain on Table 5, then continue to Table 9.

    >>>> (T.5): A mind flayer.

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): A lust for revenge is not equal to an ability to track. You are lost in the wilderness on Table 24.

(T.24): You wander the wilds for at least a year, living a meager existence and never coming into contact with civilization. You will have proficiency in Nature, but there may be a cost: roll on Table 31 to see. Then re-roll on this table.

    >>>> (T.31): You nearly die and are permanently physically scarred. You suffer a pronounced limp, a wracking cough, a twisted hand, a blind eye or some other ailment or combination of ailments.

(T.24): You take shelter in a cave that turns out to be the den of a pair of owlbears. When they return from their hunt, you are forced to flee deeper to 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 small village in the wilderness, as a terrible winter descends. Pull through on Table 31, then try stay alive on Table 24.

    >>>> (T.31): You nearly die and are permanently physically scarred. You suffer a pronounced limp, a wracking cough, a twisted hand, a blind eye or some other ailment or combination of ailments.

(T.24): You befriend a wild mount. You will have proficiency in Animal Handling and a free mount of your choice (but no higher than your starting level). With your mount you make your way back to civilization and your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 20
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
Medicine
Intimidation
Nature
Arcana
Language: Deep Speech
Animal Handling
Mount of your choice (same level or lower)