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 a priest. You will have proficiency in Religion.

(T.2): An older sister.

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

(T.4): You show up for your lessons and your teacher is dead. Find out who killed them on table 5. Then retrace your steps back to Table 3, because you're going to have to try this whole 'leaving home thing' again.

    >>>> (T.5): A cult leader.

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

(T.4): The stage calls to you! You study with an actor. You will have proficiency in Performance. As for your tutor, their fate awaits on Table 12.

(T.12): The person is preoccupied with a rival. You need to get their attention back with an act of vengeance on this rival on Table 9.

(T.9): You become trapped with your enemy. Now, former foes must work together to survive! Roll on Table 31 to see how you in particular fare from this arrangement, then roll on Table 8 to see where you eventually ended up after enduring your ordeal and parting ways with your possibly former enemy (or they ran away once they no longer needed you).

    >>>> (T.31): You nearly die and are permanently physically scarred. You suffer a pronounced limp, a wracking cough, a twisted hand, a blind eye or some other ailment or combination of ailments.

(T.8): A noble's home. Keep calm and carry on to Table 33.

(T.33): The noble throws a masquerade. You initially are the life of the party with your uproarious behavior, but once the masks are off and you continue on, your behavior is viewed as uncouth. With their honor insulted, the noble sends you packing to Table 8.

(T.8): A military camp. You are drafted to Table 22.

(T.22): After demonstrating your skills on the battlefield, you are quietly put on permanent guard duty for the baggage trains. Roll on Table 20.

(T.20): The earth shakes as a Bulette appears and begins to destroy the caravan. You fall through a crevasse opened up by the beast and tumble down to Table 25.

(T.25): You survive your time beneath the earth well and become adept at exploration. You will have proficiency in Stealth and Survival. Roll on Table 8 to see where you eventually emerge.

(T.8): A tavern on a trade route. Either its prone to brawls, or you just came at the wrong time. Put your dukes up at Table 23.

(T.23): You can't remember if it was the ale or the chair to the back of the skull, but you woke up on the tavern floor with some rather unimpressed guardsman looking down on you. Enjoy your cell on Table 21.

(T.21): They though that putting you here would be the end of you, but instead you essentially become the 'boss' of the prison you're in. Your loyal followers arrange for you to be released and even given a bit of gold when you are. You will have +20% starting gold and proficiency in Intimidation and your choice of either Deception or Persuasion. Your life of adventure begins.


Total Rolls: 20
Your age is MIDDLE-AGED
The beginning of physical decline.
+1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHA, -1 STR, -1 DEX, -1 CON

Proficiencies:
Religion
Performance
Stealth
Survival
20% More Starting Gold
Intimidation
Deception or Persuasion