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 scholar and teacher. You will have proficiency in History.

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

(T.2): Only child.

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

(T.4): The stage calls to you! You study with an actor. You will have proficiency in Performance. As for your tutor, their fate awaits on Table 12.

(T.12): The person is a villain. Roll on Table 5 to see what kind of villain, then roll on Table 9 to move against them.

    >>>> (T.5): A lich lord.

(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 pull through easily enough. You will have proficiency in Survival.

(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): You were parted from a twin at birth.


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:
History
Performance
Nature
Survival