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 executioner.

(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 troll.

(T.2): You are the youngest of a 7 sibling family.

(T.3): What better way to see the world then with a caravan? Roll on Table 20.

(T.20): You realize there's a group of brigands lying in wait to ambush you ahead. You manage to turn the tables and ambush them instead: taking them prisoner. The caravan master rewards you and you start with +10% starting gold. He also allows you to take the prisoners to be turned over for a reward: roll on Table 8 to see where you end up with them.

(T.8): A small village in the wilderness, as a terrible winter descends. Pull through on Table 31, then try stay alive on Table 24.

    >>>> (T.31): You pull through easily enough. You will have proficiency in Survival.

(T.24): You take shelter in a cave that turns out to be the den of a pair of owlbears. When they return from their hunt, you are forced to flee deeper to Table 25.

(T.25): Beneath the earth, you discover a huge statue with ruby eyes. You pry one lose, but then are forced to flee when a tribe of goblins chases you out of the tunnels. On the bright side, they chase you back to the surface where you sell the ruby for a tidy profit. You will have +50% starting gold. On the downside, it turns out the ruby cursed you. Roll on Table 7.

(T.7): You were cursed to never again taste food or experience any joy from music or song. Can you find the information you need to lift this curse 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 giant.

(T.19): You manage to shake your pursuers who appear to give up, for now. You will have proficiency in Stealth. Your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 14
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:
10% More Starting Gold
Survival
50% More Starting Gold
Stealth