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 healer. You will have proficiency in Medicine.

(T.102): One of your parents was an executioner.

(T.2): Only child.

(T.3): You were apprenticed or sent to be trained. Roll on Table 4 to determine who by or what as.

(T.4): So, you want to be a wizard's apprentice? Roll on Table 10.

(T.10): Your bumbling attempt at a spell sets the tower on fire. The exasperated wizard teleports you away to Table 8.

(T.8): The tower of a wizard. Enter on Table 10.

(T.10): You accidentally break one of the wizard's magical trinkets, and the furious mage turns you into a toad. You spend a year living in a swamp before the spell wears off. In your original form, see if you can survive the swamp on Table 24.

(T.24): You find some sort of road, trail or other route to follow to Table 8.

(T.8): A travelling circus. You can travel with them, but only if you can join the act on Table 30.

(T.30): Before you can make your debut, a villain destroys the circus. Roll on Table 5 to see who could perform such a dastardly act! You and a few surviving performers try to get even on Table 9.

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

(T.9): You defeat your foe! Too bad they had an ally who takes you prisoner. Roll on Table 21.

(T.21): You become known as a troublemaker, and eventually your captor or your guards decide it'll be easier to just hand you over to slavers. 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 make a break for it! Run for your freedom on Table 19.

(T.19): You evade your pursuers for now, but you know they are never going to be far behind and you must remain alert. You will have proficiency in Perception. Your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 17
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:
Medicine
Perception