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 soldier.

(T.102): One of your parents was a noble. You will have +25% starting gold and proficiency in Insight.

(T.2): An older sister and a stepbrother.

(T.3): You are press-ganged. Roll on Table 34

(T.34): You are unwillingly forced into a life of piracy as the lowest mate on board. See how the life treats you on Table 31, then roll on this table again.

    >>>> (T.31): You barely make it. The experience leaves its scars, both physical and mental, but you find ways to compensate.

(T.34): You anger the captain so much that he maroons you on an island. Roll on Table 31 to try survive. Eventually, you are rescued and taken to Table 8.

    >>>> (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.

(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 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 and one of the noble's children elope. Go to Table 12 to see what becomes of your lover.

(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 demon.

(T.9): You are tricked, and become lost underground. Roll on 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): Your eyes constantly weep black ichor. A wizard knows how to remove this curse, but you have to work for them first on Table 10.

(T.10): You interrupt a ritual and end up teleporting the wizard away. You are obliged to seek him out, or just felt bad enough to do so. Either way, proceed to 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 vampire.

(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:
25% More Starting Gold
Insight
Survival
Athletics
10% More Starting Gold
50% More Starting Gold
Perception
Deception