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

    >>>> (T.5): A powerful merchant.

(T.2): A bastard younger brother.

(T.3): You are cursed! You either flee your home in shame, leave voluntarily or are driven out. 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): In your search, you turn up the activities of a villain. Roll on Table 5 to determine which villain. Then try escape their wrath on Table 19.

    >>>> (T.5): A powerful merchant.

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

(T.16): A noble purchases you and agrees to allow you to work of your debt on Table 33.

(T.33): You come to view the noble as a good friend. You have proficiency in Insight and Persuasion. The noble asks you, as a friend, for help on Table 18.

(T.18): Your friend was no true friend at all! They merely wished to frame you for a crime. Serve your time on Table 21.

(T.21): You are scheduled for execution, but at the last moment a noble decides to intervene and buy your freedom if you serve them. Roll on Table 33.

(T.33): You and one of the noble's children elope. Go to Table 12 to see what becomes of your lover.

Choose one...
(T.12): The person was a family relation all along. You can begin adventuring with this knowledge.
(T.12): The person was a family relation all along. You can re-roll on this table again to see what further happens to them.

(T.112): You find out the person was just using to you, and that they actively hate you. After they push you away, you blunder about without paying much attention and end up on Table 17.

(T.17): You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You are sent to jail 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're given a job, roll on Table 15 to see what. However, you mess it up and are caught. The guild manages to pull enough strings to prevent you going straight to prison, but you have to escape the law on your own. Flee on Table 19.

    >>>> (T.15): Catpurse.

(T.19): You spy your pursuers long before they see you, and cunningly arrange for them to run into some of their own enemies. They won't be bothering you again. You gain a reputation for sharp eyes and a sharp wit: you will begin with proficiency in Perception and Deception. Your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 21
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
Medicine
Insight
Persuasion
Perception
Deception