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 great villain. Roll on Table 5 to determine what kind of villain they were.

    >>>> (T.5): A cult leader.
Biological Parents:

    >>>> (T.101): One of your parents was a soldier.

    >>>> (T.102): One of your parents was a diplomat. You will have proficiency in Persuasion.
Adoptive Parents:

    >>>> (T.101): One of your parents was a bodyguard.

    >>>> (T.102): One of your parents was an undertaker.

(T.2): A fraternal (i.e. non-Identical) twin.

(T.3): Your family is ruined and blacklisted by the machinations of a rival. You have to take to a life of crime to survive, or become a political criminal due to the circumstances. Roll on Table 15 to see what your crime was. Then continue with a roll on Table 26.

    >>>> (T.15): Black Market Activity.

(T.26): The group sets you up and frames you for a crime. Roll on Table 15 to see which one, then go to jail on Table 21.

    >>>> (T.15): Piracy.

(T.21): You share a cell with another: roll on Table 15 to see their crime. You both manage to orchestrate an escape: flee on Table 19.

    >>>> (T.15): Catpurse.

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

(T.16): You lead a slave revolt! Too bad it is brutally crushed. You carry on serving, but now you are chained up, heavily guarded, mocked by your captors and despised by other slaves. Roll on this table again.

(T.16): You escape your life as a slave, and want to make the one responsible pay. If you have not yet encountered a villain who could be responsible for your enslavement, roll on Table 5 now. Either way, proceed to Table 9.

    >>>> (T.5): A beholder.

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

(T.17): A wizard decides you'd be a good servant, with or without your permission. You are charmed into going to Table 10.

(T.10): Your bumbling attempt at a spell sets the tower on fire. The exasperated wizard teleports you away to Table 8.

(T.8): A secret bandit hideout. They left some gold lying around which you take. You will have +10% starting gold. However, now you have to escape them on Table 19.

(T.19): You are captured and imprisoned on Table 21.

(T.21): You either voluntarily join a prison gang or are coerced into doing so. Their contacts get you free, but now you owe them a favor on Table 26.

(T.26): You become one of the greatest members of the group. When the group's current leader is killed by a rival, you take his place. Roll on Table 5 to see who the rival was. You will have proficiency in Sleight of Hand and Stealth. Additionally, regardless of your background, you have the Feature: Criminal Contact from the criminal background. Your life of adventure begins.

    >>>> (T.5): A dragon.


Total Rolls: 25
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
Persuasion
10% More Starting Gold
Sleight of Hand
Stealth
Feature: Criminal Contact (criminal background)