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

    >>>> (T.5): The leader of a criminal organization.

(T.102): If this is your 2nd (or higher) roll on this table, you were separated from your siblings as a child. Continue on to Table 2 to determine these siblings, re-rolling if you roll a 1, 2 or 20.

(T.2): Two brothers.

(T.3): Your parents need to give a noble a gift: you! Roll on Table 33

(T.33): The noble becomes confidant of your economic aptitude. You will have proficiency in Insight. You begin becoming actively involved in merchant business on the noble's behalf on Table 6.

Choose one...
(T.6): You are a master merchant. You will have 10% more starting gold and proficiency in Persuasion. However, it may have been better to keep your head down: a villain sets out to ruin your business. Roll on table 5 for the villain. You have started adventuring after being ruined.
(T.6): You are a master merchant. You will have 10% more starting gold and proficiency in Persuasion. However, it may have been better to keep your head down: a villain sets out to ruin your business. Roll on table 5 for the villain. You have already sought out vengeance on Table 9.

    >>>> (T.5): A doppelganger.

(T.9): You bit off more than you can chew; your enemy is far too powerful for you to take on. Resort to trying to talk your way out of trouble on Table 28.

(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 friend's house. Just as well as it seems they need your help. Find out what for 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): The only way one group will come to an agreement is if they get hold of an object that is either sacred or otherwise important to them. You've been promoted (or demoted) to delivery person. Roll on Table 11 to start looking.

(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): Orc(s).

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

(T.16): You are enslaved for years, but eventually a benevolent master frees you. Roll on Table 31 to see how the deprivations of slavery affected you. You will have proficiency in Survival. Your life of adventure begins.

    >>>> (T.31): You find this 'hardship' almost trivial and come out of it even stronger than before. You will have proficiency in Survival and Athletics.


Total Rolls: 19
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:
Insight
10% More Starting Gold
Persuasion
Survival
Athletics