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 craftsperson or skill artist.

(T.102): One of your parents was a scholar and teacher. You will have proficiency in History.

(T.2): A bastard younger brother.

(T.3): What better way to see the world then with a caravan? Roll on Table 20.

(T.20): A dragon swoops down and picks the whole caravan up with you inside. As the creature flies low over the woods, you manage to leap into a tree for safety, but now you have to try survive the wilds on Table 24.

(T.24): You stumble across a druid who is impressed by you and teaches you lore about the wilds. You will have proficiency in Nature. He escorts you to a road where you join a caravan on Table 20.

(T.20): You serve your purpose with the caravan well and are rewarded. Add 10% to your starting gold. 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:
History
Nature
10% More Starting Gold