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 diplomat. You will have proficiency in Persuasion.

(T.102): One of your parents was a diplomat. You will have proficiency in Persuasion.

(T.2): A bastard younger brother.

(T.3): Someone in your family wanted to use you for some horrible purpose. You fled. Roll on Table 19

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

(T.16): In what seems like an act of divinity, a disaster slaughters nearly all your captors. You travel to Table 27 to pay respect to the god that you believe is responsible for your freedom.

(T.27): You display impressive knowledge that impresses the priests who teach you all they can. You will have proficiency in Religion. The priests then send you to be tutored further on Table 4.

(T.4): What could be more honorable and glorious than enlisting as a soldier? Start your service at Table 22.

(T.22): You're a good fighter, but in the end you are overwhelmed and taken captive. Roll on Table 16.

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

(T.19): Fate interrupts your flight on Table 17.

(T.17): You are robbed and left tied up. You will have 10% less starting gold. You swear vengeance on those that robbed you on Table 9.

(T.9): A lust for revenge is not equal to an ability to track. You are lost in the wilderness on Table 24.

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

(T.8): A forest with elven guardians. They'll give you a chance to explain your trespass on Table 28.

(T.28): All you manage to do is anger one party to the point it wants to hunt you down. Roll on Table 19 to try escape their wrath.

(T.19): Fate interrupts your flight on Table 17.

(T.17): You become lost. Survive the wilds on Table 24.

(T.24): You take shelter in a cave that turns out to be the den of a pair of owlbears. When they return from their hunt, you are forced to flee deeper to Table 25.

(T.25): You are captured by Dueregar slavers. Roll on Table 16.

(T.16): You are liberated by an army and compelled to join them yourself on Table 22.

(T.22): You end up in a losing siege in a castle or fort. Faced with a choice of either being cornered or slaughtered, or following a secret subterranean pathway, you take the latter option. Descend to 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): One of your eyes is green, cat-like and surrounded by black, wrinkled skin. An object can remove this curse. Begin searching for it on Table 11.

(T.11): You turn up nothing. Your life of adventure begins with no progress made in this search.


Total Rolls: 25
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
Persuasion
Religion
10% Less Starting Gold
50% More Starting Gold