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 an undertaker.

(T.102): If this is your 2nd (or higher) roll on this table, you either were raised by one parent or only one parent worked, AND you are an only child. Proceed to Table 3.

(T.3): Someone in your family wanted to use you for some horrible purpose. You fled. Roll on Table 19

(T.19): Fate interrupts your flight on Table 17.

(T.17): You run afoul of slavers. Roll on Table 16.

(T.16): You revolt, and lead your fellow slaves in an escape attempt. See what fate has in store for you on Table 19.

(T.19): Fate interrupts your flight 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 preform well-enough, but the group is still not sure about your loyalties, even if they do pay you. You have +10% starting gold. Re-roll on this table.

(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 become known as a troublemaker, and eventually your captor or your guards decide it'll be easier to just hand you over to slavers. 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): You wander in dark caverns for who knows how long, subsisting on insects, bats and whatever else you can catch. It's a miserable existence: roll on Table 31 with a -5 penalty to see how it affects you. Then re-roll on this table.

    >>>> (T.31): It’s tough, but you pull through with high spirits and no permanent damage.

(T.25): You survive your time beneath the earth well and become adept at exploration. You will have proficiency in Stealth and Survival. Roll on Table 8 to see where you eventually emerge.

(T.8): A tavern on a trade route. Either its prone to brawls, or you just came at the wrong time. Put your dukes up at 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 you to convince someone to allow them to wed their beloved. Roll on Table 28 to see if you can do so.

(T.28): You are so bad at trying to negotiate that you actually may have started a war. At any rate, you find you are pressed into service on Table 22.

(T.22): You survive your service intact. You are released from service far from where you came on 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 evade your pursuers for now, but you know they are never going to be far behind and you must remain alert. You will have proficiency in Perception. Your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 24
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
10% More Starting Gold
Nature
Stealth
Survival
Athletics
Perception