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 diplomat. You will have proficiency in Persuasion.

(T.102): One of your parents was a farmer.

(T.2): Only child.

(T.3): Who needs an excuse to leave? You just wanted to see the world! Begin your journey on Table 8

[d20 = 1]
(T.8): A grove sacred to a community of dryads and treants. Roll a d20 now. If lower than 12, they curse you for your transgression. Roll on Table 7.

(T.7): One of your eyes is green, cat-like and surrounded by black, wrinkled skin. An object can remove this curse. Begin searching for it on Table 11.

(T.11): Good idea: Plying folk with drinks to try find information. Bad idea: Drinking so much yourself that you start a brawl in the tavern. Stagger on over to Table 23.

(T.23): They say you can't really know someone until you've had a bare-handed fight with them, and this seems to be the case. After fighting to a standstill, you and most of your opponents end up becoming great friends and drown the pain of your bruises in drink and song. You will have proficiency in Athletics. One of your new friends decides to ask you for help on Table 18.

(T.18): Your friend needs help in illegal activites: roll on Table 15. You succeed, but the local criminal organization is alerted to your unsanctioned activities. Find out the consequences of Table 26.

    >>>> (T.15): Poaching.

(T.26): You do some minor jobs for the group, but the authorities know it’s you. They can't prove it, so they decide to just make you 'disappear' and dump you in the wilds. Roll on Table 24 to see how you fare.

(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: 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
Athletics
Animal Handling
Mount of your choice (same level or lower)