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 farmer.

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

(T.2): A fraternal (i.e. non-Identical) twin.

(T.3): Who doesn't want to run away and join the circus? Clearly not you, as that's just what you did. Roll on Table 30.

[d20 = 2]
(T.30): A contortionist. Roll a d20. If you fail, you also find out that the circus master is crooked and sells failed performers like you into slavery on Table 16.

(T.16): You escape your life as a slave, and want to make the one responsible pay. If you have not yet encountered a villain who could be responsible for your enslavement, roll on Table 5 now. Either way, proceed to Table 9.

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

(T.9): You are tricked, and become lost underground. Roll on Table 25.

(T.25): You wander in dark caverns for who knows how long, subsisting on insects, bats and whatever else you can catch. It's a miserable existence: roll on Table 31 with a -5 penalty to see how it affects you. Then re-roll on this table.

    >>>> (T.31): It’s tough, but you pull through with high spirits and no permanent damage.

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

(T.16): You are forced to mine for precious minerals underground. You will have training in Nature from developing a good knowledge of terrain. One day you become lost and have to find your way out on Table 25.

(T.25): You discover the lair of a villain beneath the earth: roll on Table 5 to see which villain. You steal a map to treasure from the villain's lair and sneak back to the surface using their own tunnels. You will have proficiency in Stealth. You begin your life of adventure with the map in your possession.

    >>>> (T.5): A fey creature.


Total Rolls: 14
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:
Nature
Stealth