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 bodyguard.

(T.102): One of your parents was a great hero.

(T.2): You're the bastard! You have two brothers and two sisters.

(T.3): You were kidnapped and enslaved. Roll on Table 16

(T.16): You lead a slave revolt! Too bad it is brutally crushed. You carry on serving, but now you are chained up, heavily guarded, mocked by your captors and despised by other slaves. Roll on this table again.

(T.16): You lead a slave revolt! Too bad it is brutally crushed. If you got this result a second time, your captors decide you are more trouble than you are worth, and leave you to die of exposure on Table 24.

(T.24): You survive by honing your hunting and trapping skills. You will have proficiency in Nature and Survival. With these new skills, you return a stronger person and your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 7
Your age is TEENAGER
Teenagers are dexterious and hardy, and often are cocky enough to be quite assertive and convincing. Unfortunately, this does not translate into 'real' wisdom or intelligence, and a teenagers body still has some growth to do before they'll be at peak strength.
+1 CHA, +1 DEX, +1 CON, -1 INT, -1 WIS, -1 STR

Proficiencies:
Nature
Survival