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): If this is your 1st roll on this table you were raised by animals or beasts. They can either be unintelligent creatures like wolves, or a sentient animal like a unicorn. You will have proficiency in Animal Handling. Continue on to Table 2 and it is up to you whether any siblings you have were your biological siblings, or your animal-parents own young, or a mixture.

(T.2): Three siblings.

(T.3): You eloped. Scandalous! Roll on Table 12 to see how this worked out.

(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 devil.

Choose one...
(T.9): You are thoroughly defeated, but you escape. You started adventuring at this point.
(T.9): You are thoroughly defeated, but you escape, swearing vengeance (again?). You can re-roll on this table to try at least one more time.

Choose one...
(T.9): You are thoroughly defeated, but you escape. You started adventuring at this point.
(T.9): You are thoroughly defeated, but you escape, swearing vengeance (again?). You can re-roll on this table to try at least one more time.

(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): Your unit and an enemy unit end up in a stand-off. Try negotiate a truce on Table 28.

(T.28): You are pretty poor at convincing people, and manage to get off with both groups demanding you find someone who can do a better job then you. Start searching for a replacement on Table 11.

(T.11): Good idea: Plying folk with drinks to try find information. Bad idea: Drinking so much yourself that you start a brawl in the tavern. Stagger on over to 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): A member of your family is slated for execution and your friend wants to help YOU rescue them. You succeed, but now you have to flee on Table 19.

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

(T.16): You make a break for it! Run for your freedom on Table 19.

(T.19): With the constant need to evade those who pursue you, you develop a lack of trust and are always trying to suss out everybody's intentions. You will have proficiency in Insight. Roll on Table 8 to see where you eventually end up.

(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): You save the tavern owner's life and send the brawling patrons fleeing for their lives. The owner gratefully rewards you with partial ownership of the tavern. You will have +10% starting gold and proficiency in Athletics. Your life of adventure begins.


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:
Animal Handling
Athletics
Insight
10% More Starting Gold